Ford to stop making minivans

[lewisnc100]

Ford will announce plant closings and layoffs today and will also say that it will stop making minivans.

http://www.thestreet.com/_tscrss/sto.../10262953.html

[jgattian]

Does that mean current Windstar owners will see an increase in market value because they don't make them anymore? You know like owning a piece of art. It often becomes more valuable after the artist dies and no longer produces any more pieces of art.

[ruggratt]

Originally Posted by jgattian

Does that mean current Windstar owners will see an increase in market value because they don't make them anymore? You know like owning a piece of art. It often becomes more valuable after the artist dies and no longer produces any more pieces of art.

I've heard Windstars called "piece of ____" before, but the last word usually isn't art!

[Ab-normal]

OH MY GOSH!!!!

I had to laugh!!!!! If you don't own one, you don't know how funny that is and if you do, you just gotta' laugh!!!!!

That and get out the toilet paper!!!!

[rodeo02]

Atleast FMC is catching on early instead of going GM . Windstars/Freestars have not sold well in the last few years. Gotta scrap the money loosing segments of your business to stay alive! I love our windstar, and would buy another. It looks like the freestyle will fill the FMC minivan slot. That looks pretty nice too, just not sure about the interior volume (have not compared the specs).

Joel

[drdisque]

they might introduce a new smaller van based off the new Mazda 5.

[wiswind]

I don't think people call my windstar a piece of art....
My friends and co-workers still make fun of me driving a minivan....but it was what I needed. I was pretty unhappy when I needed to replace the transmission....but even then....I understood that I have gotten very good service out of it.
The cost to repair.....was much cheaper than buying something else.....as it was still very solid and in good shape otherwise.

It is 10 years old....and has well over 160K miles on it...and it is in very good condition...runs great. Does not exactly attract the women.....(like I have any luck there)...but then I don't buy a car to impress people....it is something to use. It serves my needs very well. Cost of owning and maintaining a second vehicle for fuel economy.......far outcosts the fuel savings that I would get.
I just don't like wasting money on new cars....they are nice...but not an investment..... My house is an investment.....

[Riordan3]

Too bad they will not sell well. Personally I have not had any major problems with my 98 Windstar. It currently has 179,000 miles on it. Original engine and tranny. The only thing that was replaced out of the ordinary was the gas tank. It had deformed ( warped ) and shorted out the wiring to the fuel pump. The only fix was to replace it at a cost of 700.00 ( 500.00 for the tank and 200.00 labor ) at the Ford garage. I understand this has been a problem on this year model. I think 500.00 is rather steep for a plastic gas tank. Othewise I can't complain about this vehicle. It has served me well. I know the tranny probably would have been replaced by now if it had been a Dodge Caravan. I have the 3.0 Liter engine which the more reliable of the engines. It has had only one spark plug replacement also ( at 120,000 ). I did have to have the alternator bearings replaced just recently at 170,000 miles which is a lot better than my GM cars ( 50,000 to 60,000 miles max ).

[DRW1000]

I believe that the trend has gone to SUVs and this has cut into the minivan market. I will bet that minivan sales for all makes have been on the steady decline over the last 4 or 5 years. I think most minivan owners bought them for young families and now the trendier SUVs can serve the same purpose.

[wiswind]

Ever compare the interior room between a Explorer / Blazer and a Windstar?......
Most people who buy a 4 wheel drive SUV only go off road when they miss their driveway between 2am and dawn. The minivan is MUCH safer.

[dougand3]

The Windstar is a highly versatile vehicle. Pull the seats and it has more room than my Isuzu P'up with the camper shell. Good for snow with FWD. I like the power and decent MPG of the 3.8L but requires some tweaking to keep to going. Had a Dodge Grand Caravan for years - the Windstar feels so much more solid. Many parts stores list it under Ford Truck - is it based on something like an F-150 platform?

[wiswind]

No, it is NOT based on any truck platform.
The Expedition and Navigator are on the F-150 platform.
If anything, it would be based on the Taurus platform....but I am not sure.
The minivan meets the car safety standards.
The SUV does NOT....as it follows the Truck platform.....and as such, is not as safe a a minivan or car. The car and minivan have a lower center of gravity....and are less likely to roll over, they handle better, so you are more able to avoid an accident, and they have crumple zones.....which absorb a LOT of energy in a collision.

Disadvantage to the minivan....is that it is car based.....and it is NOT a truck....and they are a bit heavy for the car transmissions that are in them.
Try doing much towing or hauling heavy loads, and the transmission is stressed.