Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new (used) to mini van and am looking at a couple of different Ford Aerostars? For the guys that have them, how do you like them? Do they handle the weight? What kind of MPG do you get (which engine)? How would you rate the reliability? Is the big back door a pain to work with? How many miles on your current Aerostar? Last, do you happen to have any pics of the setup? I like the Aerostars and since they are off of the Ranger platform, I know how to work on them like the back of my hand (had about 8 rangers LOL) Thanks in advance!!!
Mine is a 94, it has 2 swing open back doors, handles good, I have mine packed with stuff and seems to do good with weight, I even have a generator, M5+, speedster, wooden shelf, chemicals, spotter machine, floor machine, 2 tool boxes, 25 gallon water tank, vac, hoses, hose reel and other stuff, so yeah it can handle the weight, people tell me all the time that they like the areostar, this is the first one I have had, I used to have a astro, now mine has 94k miles and seems to run good. Im note sure of gas milage
Thanks Tim, how do you like the Aerostar compared to the Astro you had? Is it the 3.0 or 4.0? I test drove a 3.0 and was actually surprised at how well it picked up speed? I could have swore Locko had a Aerostar at one point also? Hopefully he will chime in here?
If you find one for a good price, BUY IT!!! I've had 2 in the past for work, and 1 for personal use. I used one to do direct tv installs for about 3 years, the post office autioned it off with 200k miles on it, and I put an additional 80k on it without ever having to do anything to it but change the tires and battery. The other one was used everday at a small dealership, it carried 125 gallons of water on it daily and only needed the tranny changed on it once it hit 200,xxx miles. I turned the personal one into a shag mobile, replaced the backseats with a full mattress neon lights and a mirrored roof. For whatever reason I kept having troubles with the shocks on that one though :bigsmiley: But seriously they are very durable, and can hold lots of weight consistently. The two contractor series ones were more durable than the conversion style one, but they all drove about the same. I gave those things hell, but they never let me down. People rarely let them go once they get them. Good luck!
I have an astro we use for janitorial and to haul the portable around.. The buffers and burnishers stand right up. We have a ramp for the auto scrubber and the propane burnisher when we use it.. The last year they made the astro was 05. you can find a nice used one anywhere.. I would take pictures but its loaded up with cleaning stuff to clean empty apartments tommorrow! mops brooms you name it. I drive the astro van most of the time.. Sometimes i drive the new express van with the tm in it but not much.. I love the astro.. But hey!! We also put the burnishers and buffers in the back of a ford explorer to sometimes! I would go with the astro only because they are newer. they havent made aerostars for a long time. and the windstars are to small.. There are alot of windstar cargos around too.
Thanks for the replies guys! My current van is huge and gets about 10-12 MPG's, I just want something a little more maneuverable, better on gas, and easier to load and unload stuff!
Here is my current whip! Going to have lowered back down to stock and put smaller tires back on it........(maybe )
The astro is not easy on gas!! 12-15 city ugh Ok how much you want for those rims? heres mine but i didnt actually put them on
Thanks Tim! The van has a 6" lift with 35's in the pic (now on 33's). When I first bought the van the plan was to build a "do it all" vehicle....kinda like a Mullet, party in the back, all business up front!!! I built a fully insulated (and sound and smell proof) wall about 7'6" from the rear doors and have a small TM (Avenger 210), chem shelf, buffer, OP, air mover, Air Hog, vacuum, 2 wands, stair tool, uph tool, shop vac, hoses, tool bucket, etc.... Up in the front of the van I have a removable bench seat, 17" monitor, xbox, laptop, printer, 1500 watt inverter, fridge, 12" subwoofer in a custom box that I built that also acts as my center console for my clipboard, and a navigation system. I thought I could have one van to do it all but it's not working out that way. Just too cramped in there on both ends and would rather have a dedicated vehicle for work and play. I am liking the Aerostars for there reliability and cost so far......we will see?
E, I do have an aerostar 96, 3.0 the motor is good, in fact i think it has tons of power, it handles nice, and I get around 20 mpg
