Advice before I buy a Windstar or Monterey please

[sharkmonkey]

My 99 Chevy Venture has given me fits since the day I bought it. And finally, it blew a head gasket last week. I'm done with the Chevy stuff.

I was out looking this weekend at the '02-'04 Windstars and Mercurys.

Does the P0171/P0174 error effect these years? What else am I going to run into for normal problems? Any help or advice would be appreciated before I head back out to the dealerships today.

Also, I was told the Ford vans use the truck frame and it's not as nice a ride as other vans. Is this true?

Thanks,
MARK

[12Ounce]

I think, but am not sure, that the P0141/P0147 issue (manifold bolts) was corrected late in the 2002 model year. But that would not be a concern for me .. as it is a fairly easy fix.

I can't compare with other brands, but my '99 is a great ride for long trips.

[phil-l]

The Windstar traces its heritage to a car chassis (as do all FWD minivans), in this case clear back to the Taurus.

Personally, I think the Windstar is a little too soft (I added spring airbags to the back of my Windstar to help with towing - and I appreciate the extra firmness they add even when not towing), but isn't at all objectionable.

One nice thing about '02+ models: The transaxle is a much-improved design.

One quick datapoint: If I had to replace my '00 Windstar tomorrow, the top of my list would include '02+ Windstar/Freestar models. Quality improved dramatically over the years - and they're very affordable on the used market (particularly compared to their high-profile import competitors - which are good minivans, but simply out of my price range).

[lewisnc100]

Originally Posted by phil-l

One nice thing about '02+ models: The transaxle is a much-improved design.

I thought the major transaxle change was in the 2001 models from AX4S to AX4N. Was there another change in 2002?

[sharkmonkey]

Thanks for all the input.
I appreciate it.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

I thought the major transaxle change was in the 2001 models from AX4S to AX4N. Was there another change in 2002?

Yep, the AX4N is used on 2001+ windstars. Not sure what the *improvements* are, but they seem just as reliable as any other.

Joel