[wiswind]

There are a LOT of windstars on the road.
I don't think that the windstar has been as much of a reliability problem for FORD as the Caravan family has been for Chrysler.
I felt that my '96 was quite reliable.
I did a LOT of stuff with it, but only because I'm obsessive about having my vehicle in good shape.
I think FORD is well ahead of Chrysler and GM in quality.....just my opinion.
I think the issue with the parts is getting a supplier to get a production run started up for a small (as compared to current production vehicle parts) run.
You tool up for a run of 2000 parts or for a run of a couple million (many models share common parts) parts.......they are going to follow the money and the windstar parts are going to be 2nd priority (for the supplier, not FORD).
Now FORD is stuck with unhappy customers in rental cars and older vehicles in the shop......and it is costing FORD a ton of money and customer loyalty.
If they can satisfy customers by giving them a good deal on a new car, then that would be the way to go as many folks will jump at a good deal on a new car rather than spend much money on what they have.
You and I realize the value of not buying another vehicle when we don't HAVE to.
But you and I are not the average car owner.
I was very happy with my Windstar.....I bought it 3 years old in '99 with just under 38K miles on it.
I finally gave in to my parents worrying about me driving a 13 year old car with over 229K miles on it........and so I bought their 7 year old Sienna from them when they bought a 2010 Sienna.
That was my "new" car purchase.
I had no problem selling my windstar......folks were coming to me asking to buy it.
I am very happy with my Sienna, and plan to keep it for a long time.