This was the van I grew up in. When I was tiny, my parents bought a 1995 base Windstar in the fall of 94, and it lasted us until we had to move across the country. Even though it was serviced and only had 70,000 miles, faulty head gasket claimed it in the middle of Wyoming. So we ended up buying the only Windstar at the only Ford dealer within hundreds of miles to put all of our belongings, two cats, and a 7-year-old in. It was an SE in burgundy with a gray leather interior, second row captains chairs, power passenger sliding door, and backup sensors. Still have never found one exactly like it. Unfortunately lost to Cash for clunkers at a perfectly reasonable 75,000 miles. The only thing that broke on it the entire 9 years we owned it was the passenger side power door lock. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
They had a warranty on those front wheel drive 140hp-160hp 3.8 engines that lasted 10 years, the dealer would replace it free of charge. That was for any Continental, Taurus, Sable or Windstar with a 3.8 under its hood. The rear wheel drive 140-150hp Thunderbird, Cougar & Mustang we're not covered under that extended warranty recall, they didn't suffer the same fate as the front wheel drive units for some reason. The recall also didn't cover the 190hp-200hp Split Port Induction 3.8 in the Windstar & New Edge Mustang.
What on Earth where they thinking at 3:08??? I mean they found the skinniest guy in the world and then made him carry a mini van sofa that clearly weighs at least twice the man´s weight. A whole new meaning of jaw-dropping seat!!! Man that´s rude. I´d rather drop the seat
We had an og 95 lx with the 3.8 that had 155 hp. The swoopy dash and uber quiet interior were impressive.. i got a speeding ticket for 90 going over jellico...fully loaded
The motor/trans issues can be fixed by swapping in a 4.6 InTech V8/trans from a Lincoln Continental. These are the best riding minivans, no other van rides better than a Windstar, not even the Freestar that replaced it. It rides just like a Continental.
My first car was a 1999 Ford Windstar LX with the 3.8l V6, I love it and still have it although the transmission completely died and the engine needs help, I've been saving it aside for years until I've had the time to fully rebuild it, hopefully soon.
Okay dummy, obviously this is a brand new minivan they're testing. Not a 30 year old shit box driven by teenagers. The AX4N is a silky smooth shifting transmission. Yes they can fail without warning. As can the transmission in the Grand Caravan, Odyssey & Sienna. But nobody talks about the shitty transmissions in the Honda & Toyota. Why?
Drove a Freestar for a rental in 2006 down in Orange County. It was not a positive impression that I walked away with. Kind of felt like Ford gave up on innovation with that model.
All the negative talk on here no one knows what they're talking about and can't even answer the question. YES, Sir, there is a MW Retro Review of a fully loaded Mercury Monterey with the giant 4.2 liter torque monster V6. Just type in the search bar "MotorWeek Mercury Monterey" and you will see it popup. Don't listen to the sad cases, the Freestar/Monterey were better in every way than the Windstar. I sold the Freestar/Monterey when they were new and my customers loved them. They came with new engines and transmissions. The 3.9 replaced the 3.8 and the 4.2 was optional on Freestar. 4.2 was standard on Monterey. The only transmission was the new AF50N for both new engines, which replaced the old AX4N. They were great vans that were highly innovative in many ways. Unfortunately, the vans were replaced by Ford's silly crossovers such as the Freestyle/Taurus X, Flex & Taurus based Explorer. THAT is why they didn't bother redesigning the Freestar/Monterey because they were losing sales to their own all new crossovers.
@@JamieC-jx2rlFreestar/Monterey was alot more than a reskin, they got a new chassis as well in addition to using two new engines 3.9/4.2 and a new transmission, the AF50N which replaced the AX4N used with the old 3.8.
@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u ah I didn't know that since my mom currently owns a 2004 freestar, (can't believe it's going to be 20 years old) and no, this wasn't a long time vehicle she had it since either 2019 or 2020
@@JamieC-jx2rl Yeah Freestar is better in every way than Windstar except straight line acceleration. The 1996-1997 Windstar with the Split Port Induction 3.8 were the quickest minivans on the planet and will pin you back in the seat from the torque.
What a heap of crap. Then again, so was the Caravan/Voyager of this era. Drove a Freestar (a warmed over Windstar replacement) around the US West for two weeks in summer 2004, it was a pretty dreadful machine. Can’t imagine the Windstar was any better. We only ended up with the Ford because the original Caravan assigned to us had been manhandled by the previous renter and had a jaggedly broken armrest and an airbag light that wouldn’t go out. Alamo didn’t think the latter was a problem but I refused to take the Dodge. As for comfort, the Caravan was much more open and airy inside, the Freestar felt claustrophobic by comparison. Still we did 2000+ miles through Yellowstone in that thing. It worked, that’s the best I can say about it.
The only heao of crap is the bottom your sitting on. These were the most reliable vans at the time with the 4.2/AF50N. Certainly more reliable the the shitty transmissions that came with the V6 Odyssey/Sienna that everyone is too afraid to talk about.
@@RoadCone411 If they're so awful I wouldn't see so many still in the road. You're on the "I'm gonna pretend Toyota/Honda don't have any issues" bandwagon? Gtfoh
@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u Where did I say Toyota/Honda had no issues? But seeing as you inferred something, I'll clarify that I’d rather have bought an Odyssey with my money if I was in the market for such a van at the time (I wasn't). The Windstar, and later Freestar, were never class-leading, mediocre at best,. I almost never see these vans on the road, I don’t know where you live but I see very few of them. They are 20+ years old, so that's to be somewhat expected, but Ford sold a lot of them...I see more early Odysseys than Windstars, and they sold in smaller numbers than the Fords did.
No it was not weak actually. The base engine was only sold as an option on the base model which weighs less than 4,000lbs with slightly smaller wheels/tires. It's a High Output Vulcan 3.0 V6 with 153hp/188tq to be exact. Compare it to the standard output 3.0 V6 in 3,500lb Taurus Wagon with 145hp/170tq and it's not much of a difference between the two driving them back to back since the extra torque cancels out the extra 400lbs of weight.
Yeah, Windstar was the BIGGEST RECALL in minivan history..... what a shame.... Ford finally gave up on the minivan market after this awful and embarrassing recall...
No it wasn't actually. That goes to the Grand Caravan/Town & Country & Honda Odyssey. Also they did not "give up" on the minivan, they redesigned it with a fresh name called Freestar with a larger 3.9 V6 standard & even larger 4.2 V6 optional. It also had a more upscale twin called the Mercury Monterey with the 4.2 V6 standard. You're talking shit on the internet about an old vehicle without getting your facts straight. Might I suggest you utilize the internet for what it was intentionally designed to be used for : RESEARCH. And just so you know, the Freestar/Monterey were replaced by a plethora of crossover utility vehicles such as the Freestyle/Taurus X, Flex & Taurus based Explorer.
God this redesign was fugly. The angry look headlights of the previous gen (and its horrible king door) looked better. Still, I preferred my 1997 Aerostar. Yes it didnt have all the nicer features but it drove much better (IMHO) than any Windstar Freestar or Monterey that came after it.
@Butchcub75 The Aerostar was the best minivan that Ford ever made, but I don’t think the Freestar was too bad. The Windstar on the other handle, is a piece of shit.
You just defined the word hater. The Aerostar sucked at being a minivan. It was grossly underpowered and pitifully underbraked. The damned thing didn't even have a tachometer lol. And don't get me started on that bouncy ass ride with its tiny little 14" wheels or it's horrible safety record. It never even offered a passenger side airbag. Look at the crash test for any Aerostar and it'll scare the hell out of you. The only Aerostar worth a damn is the last ones offered with the 4wd and new 5 speed automatic.
so youve owned an Aerostar? lets see one designed in the late 70s vs one designed in the 90s.. yeah Id hope it would be safer.. but Im a hater. My opinion still stands and if you look im sure youll see more Aerostars than these pieces of shyt that had numerous problems from head gaskets to ream beams rotting off. And ive owned both, thank you 🖕@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u
Mine had a tach BTW, full instrumentation that John Davis would be proud of. But who dafaq cares? Its a minivan. Might as well be comparing blenders. I think Ford couldve done a better job with the looks. Period. And since Ive had fleets and used Aeros, Astros and Twagons I can tell you these DO NOT HOLD UP, but better than Chryslers with the 41T.. but its just my job for the last 25 years, what do I know? but again Im a "hater" are you a "boomer"? Oh wait I dont fuking careLOL@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u
Авто/Мото
This was the van I grew up in. When I was tiny, my parents bought a 1995 base Windstar in the fall of 94, and it lasted us until we had to move across the country. Even though it was serviced and only had 70,000 miles, faulty head gasket claimed it in the middle of Wyoming. So we ended up buying the only Windstar at the only Ford dealer within hundreds of miles to put all of our belongings, two cats, and a 7-year-old in. It was an SE in burgundy with a gray leather interior, second row captains chairs, power passenger sliding door, and backup sensors. Still have never found one exactly like it. Unfortunately lost to Cash for clunkers at a perfectly reasonable 75,000 miles. The only thing that broke on it the entire 9 years we owned it was the passenger side power door lock. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Don’t forget about the Aerostar!
Back then the Windstar was the Aerostar replacement!
They had a warranty on those front wheel drive 140hp-160hp 3.8 engines that lasted 10 years, the dealer would replace it free of charge. That was for any Continental, Taurus, Sable or Windstar with a 3.8 under its hood. The rear wheel drive 140-150hp Thunderbird, Cougar & Mustang we're not covered under that extended warranty recall, they didn't suffer the same fate as the front wheel drive units for some reason. The recall also didn't cover the 190hp-200hp Split Port Induction 3.8 in the Windstar & New Edge Mustang.
yeah good luck with that. you had to fight to get most delerships to do that.@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u
Cash for government
The old dude who removed the seat looked like he was panting when he tried to pick it up. Lol. Those car seats are crazy heavy.
I'm 18 and driving that car, honestly I'm really liking it.
03:20 A young Gus Fring is not impressed by the Windstar, and buys a Volvo instead.
insane RUclips comment
What on Earth where they thinking at 3:08??? I mean they found the skinniest guy in the world and then made him carry a mini van sofa that clearly weighs at least twice the man´s weight. A whole new meaning of jaw-dropping seat!!! Man that´s rude. I´d rather drop the seat
We had an og 95 lx with the 3.8 that had 155 hp. The swoopy dash and uber quiet interior were impressive.. i got a speeding ticket for 90 going over jellico...fully loaded
The motor/trans issues can be fixed by swapping in a 4.6 InTech V8/trans from a Lincoln Continental. These are the best riding minivans, no other van rides better than a Windstar, not even the Freestar that replaced it. It rides just like a Continental.
My first car was a 1999 Ford Windstar LX with the 3.8l V6, I love it and still have it although the transmission completely died and the engine needs help, I've been saving it aside for years until I've had the time to fully rebuild it, hopefully soon.
I grew up in one of these
well well youtube recommendation just gave me one hell of a treat!
Nice van, two options of engines 3.0 V6 and 3.8 V6
I like how they offered the High Output 153hp 3.0 in these, it made about the same power than the original 155hp High Output 3.8.
I drove a 2001 in high school. With the front and rear air conditioner turned all the way up, the interior would get cold enough to fog the windows.
'Silky smooth Transmission!?!?!?!?!'
That Transmission was know to fail with warning on these vans......
Okay dummy, obviously this is a brand new minivan they're testing. Not a 30 year old shit box driven by teenagers. The AX4N is a silky smooth shifting transmission. Yes they can fail without warning. As can the transmission in the Grand Caravan, Odyssey & Sienna. But nobody talks about the shitty transmissions in the Honda & Toyota. Why?
Pretty van ❤
Do you have one of the Freestar/Monterey?
Drove a Freestar for a rental in 2006 down in Orange County. It was not a positive impression that I walked away with. Kind of felt like Ford gave up on innovation with that model.
@@devinbiz the engine was great for me
@@devinbiz By 2006 Ford had conceded the minivan market to Chrysler. They were investing as little as possible in the vehicle by then.
All the negative talk on here no one knows what they're talking about and can't even answer the question.
YES, Sir, there is a MW Retro Review of a fully loaded Mercury Monterey with the giant 4.2 liter torque monster V6. Just type in the search bar "MotorWeek Mercury Monterey" and you will see it popup.
Don't listen to the sad cases, the Freestar/Monterey were better in every way than the Windstar. I sold the Freestar/Monterey when they were new and my customers loved them. They came with new engines and transmissions. The 3.9 replaced the 3.8 and the 4.2 was optional on Freestar. 4.2 was standard on Monterey. The only transmission was the new AF50N for both new engines, which replaced the old AX4N. They were great vans that were highly innovative in many ways. Unfortunately, the vans were replaced by Ford's silly crossovers such as the Freestyle/Taurus X, Flex & Taurus based Explorer. THAT is why they didn't bother redesigning the Freestar/Monterey because they were losing sales to their own all new crossovers.
Didn't this get replaced by the Freestar? These things were all over the road 15-20years ago by me.
Yes you can tell since the freestar shares the same physical looks as the Windstar only difference is that it's more modern on the outside and inside
Yes.
@@JamieC-jx2rlFreestar/Monterey was alot more than a reskin, they got a new chassis as well in addition to using two new engines 3.9/4.2 and a new transmission, the AF50N which replaced the AX4N used with the old 3.8.
@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u ah I didn't know that since my mom currently owns a 2004 freestar, (can't believe it's going to be 20 years old) and no, this wasn't a long time vehicle she had it since either 2019 or 2020
@@JamieC-jx2rl Yeah Freestar is better in every way than Windstar except straight line acceleration. The 1996-1997 Windstar with the Split Port Induction 3.8 were the quickest minivans on the planet and will pin you back in the seat from the torque.
What a heap of crap. Then again, so was the Caravan/Voyager of this era.
Drove a Freestar (a warmed over Windstar replacement) around the US West for two weeks in summer 2004, it was a pretty dreadful machine. Can’t imagine the Windstar was any better. We only ended up with the Ford because the original Caravan assigned to us had been manhandled by the previous renter and had a jaggedly broken armrest and an airbag light that wouldn’t go out. Alamo didn’t think the latter was a problem but I refused to take the Dodge.
As for comfort, the Caravan was much more open and airy inside, the Freestar felt claustrophobic by comparison. Still we did 2000+ miles through Yellowstone in that thing. It worked, that’s the best I can say about it.
The only heao of crap is the bottom your sitting on. These were the most reliable vans at the time with the 4.2/AF50N. Certainly more reliable the the shitty transmissions that came with the V6 Odyssey/Sienna that everyone is too afraid to talk about.
@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u I really don't think so. These vans were awful.
@@RoadCone411 If they're so awful I wouldn't see so many still in the road. You're on the "I'm gonna pretend Toyota/Honda don't have any issues" bandwagon? Gtfoh
@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u Where did I say Toyota/Honda had no issues? But seeing as you inferred something, I'll clarify that I’d rather have bought an Odyssey with my money if I was in the market for such a van at the time (I wasn't). The Windstar, and later Freestar, were never class-leading, mediocre at best,. I almost never see these vans on the road, I don’t know where you live but I see very few of them. They are 20+ years old, so that's to be somewhat expected, but Ford sold a lot of them...I see more early Odysseys than Windstars, and they sold in smaller numbers than the Fords did.
Damn...That base engine was week.
No it was not weak actually. The base engine was only sold as an option on the base model which weighs less than 4,000lbs with slightly smaller wheels/tires. It's a High Output Vulcan 3.0 V6 with 153hp/188tq to be exact. Compare it to the standard output 3.0 V6 in 3,500lb Taurus Wagon with 145hp/170tq and it's not much of a difference between the two driving them back to back since the extra torque cancels out the extra 400lbs of weight.
😭😭😭
Minivans Are Indispensable ... 100%
Yeah, Windstar was the BIGGEST RECALL in minivan history..... what a shame.... Ford finally gave up on the minivan market after this awful and embarrassing recall...
No it wasn't actually. That goes to the Grand Caravan/Town & Country & Honda Odyssey. Also they did not "give up" on the minivan, they redesigned it with a fresh name called Freestar with a larger 3.9 V6 standard & even larger 4.2 V6 optional. It also had a more upscale twin called the Mercury Monterey with the 4.2 V6 standard. You're talking shit on the internet about an old vehicle without getting your facts straight. Might I suggest you utilize the internet for what it was intentionally designed to be used for : RESEARCH. And just so you know, the Freestar/Monterey were replaced by a plethora of crossover utility vehicles such as the Freestyle/Taurus X, Flex & Taurus based Explorer.
God this redesign was fugly. The angry look headlights of the previous gen (and its horrible king door) looked better. Still, I preferred my 1997 Aerostar. Yes it didnt have all the nicer features but it drove much better (IMHO) than any Windstar Freestar or Monterey that came after it.
@Butchcub75 The Aerostar was the best minivan that Ford ever made, but I don’t think the Freestar was too bad. The Windstar on the other handle, is a piece of shit.
You just defined the word hater. The Aerostar sucked at being a minivan. It was grossly underpowered and pitifully underbraked. The damned thing didn't even have a tachometer lol. And don't get me started on that bouncy ass ride with its tiny little 14" wheels or it's horrible safety record. It never even offered a passenger side airbag. Look at the crash test for any Aerostar and it'll scare the hell out of you. The only Aerostar worth a damn is the last ones offered with the 4wd and new 5 speed automatic.
so youve owned an Aerostar? lets see one designed in the late 70s vs one designed in the 90s.. yeah Id hope it would be safer.. but Im a hater. My opinion still stands and if you look im sure youll see more Aerostars than these pieces of shyt that had numerous problems from head gaskets to ream beams rotting off. And ive owned both, thank you
🖕@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u
Mine had a tach BTW, full instrumentation that John Davis would be proud of. But who dafaq cares? Its a minivan. Might as well be comparing blenders. I think Ford couldve done a better job with the looks. Period. And since Ive had fleets and used Aeros, Astros and Twagons I can tell you these DO NOT HOLD UP, but better than Chryslers with the 41T.. but its just my job for the last 25 years, what do I know?
but again Im a "hater" are you a "boomer"? Oh wait I dont fuking careLOL@@nolimitsnuttbusts4u
Some p o s needs to get in this p o s and go spread 'love," elsewhere