freestar vs. winstar

[sfetch]

I'm ready to dump my 2001 winstar and am tempted by all the rebates and special offers to pick up a Freestar. Are the freestars any better in terms of defects and reliability? I'd appreciate any input from anyone. Thanks

[12Ounce]

I really don't know much about the new ones. Haven't heard much ... don't know if that is good news or not. I know one owner ... who likes her Freestar, but she only has about 25k miles on it.

I tested one (Mercury version) when they first came out. Nothing to write home about.

There seems to be some improvements under the hood ... different intake manifold set up ... relays and fuses seem to be upgraded.

I don't like the single latch for the rear door. I don't like the ground clearance at the rear. Seats look/feel a little Spartan.

I'm gonna run my '99 'til the wheels come off. It has 180k miles now. I think it will make 300k if I'm lucky.

[rodeo02]

The freestar 3.9L and 4.2L 'look' just like carry overs from the old school 3.8L. A pretty good engine IMO. Like 12oz says, the new upper intake is hopefully an improvement. Would be nice to have a redesign of the timing chain cover, dunno if that's different or not. It also looks like the freestar transaxle is an AX4N like the 2001+ winny. Hopefully the new freestar dash design includes better HVAC controls. Either way, I still like my 2001 windstar over the chrysler and GM MV's in the family. More comfort, size, fuel economy. All the domestic MV's seem to share the same *reliability*!

G/luck
Joel

[dandi]

Well, one indicator is that there isn't a forum here for the Freestar yet...! Overall, I think Consumer Reports would tell you that the projected reliability is the same as the Windstar. I am not sure that they really changed the mechanics a lot. I had one as a rental car about a year ago and thought it wasn't any smoother or quieter than my '99 SE,and the gas mileage wasn't anything spectacular. The 4.2L is supposed to be a better engine than the 3.8L. The Freestar interior is MUCH nicer and I like the tauter look of the exterior better than the W'star. Better headlights too.

Dan D

[road_rascal]

So far my '01 Windstar is doing OK at 63,000 miles. Sans a few brake jobs nothing on it has broken (Ford did repaint the roof ditch three times due to peeling paint though). When I do get another van it will probably be a Freestar due to that fact that year old ones are frakkin cheap.

[rodeo02]

Same here Rascal- Our 2001 LX is nearing 60K and been (knock on wood) trouble free. Just brakes, tires, fluids, filters. Ford repainted the bottoms of the sliders and rear hatch at 32months / 37Kmiles due to bubbled paint and rust. I had to pay 50% ($250). Unbeknownst to someone... they might be driving my next 'freestar' right now!!!

G/luck
Joel

[road_rascal]

So far the bottoms of the doors haven't shown signs of rust but living in the salt belt (MN) I'm sure it'll happen soon enough.