By greg on 12/29/06 15:43 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
We have 2 96 Aeros. One shortie, one cargo. Both are very reliable and run and handle great. No major problems in either one. We use them for our commute and business. Also have an 89 Eddie Bauer, very comfy. The Bauer is so well made and sturdy. A friend has several that are almost at 300K miles, and loves them. We rotate ours, and they all perform well. Will buy another one or two soon. They are inexpensive to buy, and are very reliable. They aren't hot looking (the Bauer is nice, though), but they are a lot of vehicle for the money - and - they are paid for!
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By Aeroman1 on 10/21/06 18:59 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
This van I consider to be one of the lowest maintenance & highest reliability vehicles that I have owned. I drove it 235000 kms on 1 set of plugs. It starts in temps from +30 to - 30 *c, I have had 9 passengers + full camping equipment & loaded 15 foot fiberglass boat & trailer on a 1000km round trip, the van never missed a beat! The v6 Vulcan engine is incredible, I think it will outlast my next vehicle too ( Ford Escape). It has achieved almost 40 kms/imperial gallon on a highway run. Look after this van & I reckon it will look after you. Smashing vehicle, if I could get a new one I would def buy one.
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By Clovis Family on 04/18/05 15:22 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Ext Minivan
Review
We bought the 1996 Aerostar XLT new and have 93,000 miles on it. I love the elevated rear passenger seats, great air conditioning, and space. However, there is no place on the outside of the van to set your coffee cup while you look for your keys. I have also had too many drinks spill in the poorly designed front seat beverage holders. I wish I had waited until 1997 to buy. The last remaining 1997 models sold for $12,500 in Fresno, CA as opposed to the $21,000 I paid for the 1996. For any of you who wonder, you can easily have the inside door panels repaired so they don't begin to partially drop off.
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By vegman on 09/07/04 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Ext Minivan
Review
Bought used with 153,000 miles. Have
had good luck. Only major repair was a
blown intake manifold gasket ($650).
have had the typical nickel and dime
expenses of American made vehicles.
Fuel economy stinks but the 4wheel
drive is great and it can haul a ton of
stuff and tow over 2 tons without
whining. Overall not a bad vehicle.
The new minivans on the market have
almost as much room and towing capacity
with better fuel economy.
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By JM Preston on 06/21/04 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
This van has traveled the Western US
and Canada from Anchorage to the Baja
and in weather from -60 F on the Alaska
Highway to 111 F in the Utah desert.
It has lived in Anchorage, Seattle, and
San Jose. Other than a problem with
the oil pan gasket leaking twice and
Ford standing by their faulty repair
($500) there has only been routine
maintenance.
Interior storage is excellent and it
hauls large and heavy loads. We packed
it to the max for the move from Seattle
to San Jose and it didn't sag down in
the back.
Great gas mileage for a truck at 24 -
25 mpg. Paint has held up very well
with minimal waxing (every couple of
years when I remember).
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By vegman on 01/27/04 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Ext Minivan AWD
Review
Bought used with 153k miles. Lost
intake manifold second day($650).
Since then has been a good vehicle,
normal wear and tear repairs.
Comfortable, very very roomy, terrific
in snow. Will miss it when it dies.
GM products ASTRO/SAFARI are not as
good.
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By GGARR on 12/02/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
The Aerostar van has been extremly
reliable. Other than oil changes and
tires I did nothing to it for the first
100k miles. It has never left me
stranded. Normal wear of brakes, and
wipers, and a battery after 100k.
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By sbmackie on 12/22/02 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
Which is a family hauler par
excellence. Can't find a new one that
holds as much. Family transpo chief
wouldn't go for one of the
newer, "prettier" vans...had to be an
Aerostar. Got 196K out of our '89 (did
a tranny at 165k, but who cares?)and
was still tight when we sold it. It is
a Ford--when it does break, it is more
expensive to fix then GM products.
However, it is much more pleasurable to
drive then the Safari/Astro (IMHO).
Like alot of other Aerostar owners, I
wish I could buy a 2003...
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By BradfromGA on 12/02/02 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Ext Minivan
Review
100K and no major repairs. This car
won't be the envy of your neighbors
but it can haul a lot reliably.
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By Yvonne on 11/08/02 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 3dr Minivan
Review
We've had this van for 6 years and with
2 small kids it has been to the beach
and elsewhere several times a year with
no trouble. The only problem we have
had is the side door not closing well
after 5 yrs. of hard slamming otherwise
I have 127K miles on it and hope to get
another 70K before I trade it in for
another ford hopefully.
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