Would like to say goobye to my good bye

[caddy57]

As stated before, 95 WS/60000. So far I have put on 650 miles. Already fixed wiper, sticking door sensers, welded subframe, replaced sway bar and bushings. Had the oil changed and yesterday went to start it, and it looked like a steam engine.Checked the oil and presto I have foam. So far as I can tell head gaskets. Called around all day yesterday and basically got laughed at by most shops. They tell me to expect this kind of problem as long as I own this year, and could be as often as every other year, regardles of the milage. To me this is B"""T. I now realise why I never bought a ford after my 71 LTD. I have owned both caddys and buicks for the last 20 yrs, and always serviced @ 3000. I have never had a GM that didn't give me service well over 100'000 miles without the usual reg main. items. In this day and age 60000 is nothing for milage. I bought this from the original owner that kept every receipt fo work that was done to this van. Even the original window sticker. This van is in excellent cosmetic shape, as the interior looks like new, as well as the body. I am just wondering if it is worth putting $1300.00 more into it if this happens so often? Guess I'm just venting as I cannot beleive that this type of work has to be done @ this milage. The van was only used to go to Mass. from upstate NY so they are all highway miles. It has never been abused as the 1 owner was a neighbor of my family for 30 years and we all knew the van. Any input would be appreciated Thanks Steve

[wiswind]

WOW!
Yes, 1995 was the year for head gaskets on the 3.8L......the other years are much better.
However, there are members on here that are getting great service from their 3.8L, 1995, windstars.
Several of them has been through the head gasket repair and had it hold up.
The repair MUST be done carefully and correctly.
Then, I would recommend that you keep some Bar's brand of Stop Leak in it.

I have a 1996 that has just over 193,000 miles on it.
I had to replace the lower intake manifold gaskets at about 155,000 miles.....very slight leakage.
I had to replace the transmission at about 100,000 miles, but I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle.
I bought it at just under 38,000 miles.......and it was a lease vehicle that had been used for towing.

60,000 miles is VERY low mileage for a '95 vehicle.
Some of the subframe, and bushings can be expected at this age.
Some of the other members, who own '95's can give you more advice than I can about what to do as far as the motor.
Obviously, repair would be economical only if you plan to keep the vehicle.

I put a chunk of money into my '96 this past spring, A/C evaporator coil, 1 lower ball joint, front wheel bearing (opposite side from ball joint replacement), "quick struts"......
The mechanic told me that normally he would say that a person would be crazy to put the money into a vehicle of that age and mileage....but he told me that he had personally driven mine....and looked it over....and that he felt that we would see 300,000 out of it.
So....for me....it was a good investment......as I asked myself..."What would I pay to go out and buy a vehicle that I felt confident in for over 100,000 miles?"
True, the next week, something major could happen......but that is true of most any used vehicle.
I look at it from the standpoint of how much it costs, PER YEAR, to have a RELIABLE vehicle.
I say reliable, because we have all seen vehicles (most all major makes) on the road that you wonder if they will make it to the next exit.....So there is a reasonable definition of reliable transportation.