2003 brakes?

Hello, I looking at a 2003 with 103k miles on it. First think I noticed was the brakes seem hard to push, are taurus's like this? I have a 96 Winstar so im familier with Fords. Is this a problem? may need a brake job? or master cylinder? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Your Windstar is the same platform as the similar generation Taurus. I'm not sure how much the brake system changed for the 2003 model year, but I would not expect it to be drastically different in feel from your Windstar. However, if your Windstar has bad brake fluid or air in the system, then the brake pedal in your Windstar will be softer than in a vehicle with fresh fluid and no air. In that case, it's the Windstar that needs a brake job.

Is the concern that the pedal is firm to press, like it has no power assist, or is it that you press the pedal and the car doesn't seem to slow aggressively? During a test drive does the car stop well? Are there any odd noises during braking, or pulsations? At idle, does the engine stumble when the brakes are pressed?

-Rod

shorod thanks for the reply. The car stops ok. No odd noises when braking, the engine does not stumble. It just seems that it harder to push the pedal, I have a Sant Fe and my wife hates the brakes on it, to hard for her. You can be right that the 96 windstar need new brakes or new fluid change, and im just use to it. Thanks for the help. bobinkski

I have an '02 SES and certainly wouldn't call the pedal pressure "hard". Any vehicle with that many miles on it should be carefully looked over before you buy it. If the transmission has never been serviced, I would stay away from it. Even if it has, "quickie" places put Mercon III into it to save $.