1997 Ford Aerostar Review
Fuel Economy
15 - 18 mpg
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Why don't they build this again?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford Aerostar 2 Dr XLT Passenger Van Extended
Review
Bought new. Excellent mpg/20+ avg for 12 yrs. Lot's of rattles. Huge space. I'm 6'5" and have no problem getting in or out, excellent driving position. A/C's still work fine. Parts are getting harder to find. Great on highway at less than 70. More, like 80, and get excessive wind noise. But for normal driving around town and up to 65 mph or so, is absolutely great. Starts every time. Would buy a new one if it were available.
Favorite Features
Comfortable seating, front, middle & rear. Good handling. Stable on wet roads, snowy conditions.
Suggested Improvements
After 12 yrs, 146,000 miles, have lot's of rattles. Could they have made it better? Also, bring it back and I'll buy another.
Good Vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford Aerostar 2 Dr XLT Passenger Van
Review
My van has been a blessing to me as I am disabled and it was given with an electric lift. The only problem is I think Ford was stingy on the gas pedal and wish I could get closer to the pedals. I would also wish that the seat belts were made for shorter persons. It's a little hard getting into the front seat from the back area where I keep my electric wheelchair especially when I broke my left ankle. The back seat is difficult to take out when we need more room. On the whole I am very happy with the van just wish the lift could have been put in the back rather than the side as parking can be a problem. I give it a high rating.
Favorite Features
I like sitting up high and there is room for one electric wheelchair-two with back seat out. It drives well and is good on gas.
Suggested Improvements
Bigger gas pedal and ability to sit closer if short person. Seat belt that doesn't choke you. Handles for getting into the van on both sides and a way to open the back hatch door from inside. Steering is a little loose now.
People Mover
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford Aerostar 2 Dr XLT Passenger Van Extended
Review
Sturdy vehicle. Large V6 is a must. Dual A/C is a must on EXT. Very durable. After 130,000 miles steering was tighter than Chevy sedan and Yukon. Comfortably seats 7 Adults. Ext Allows luggage room for our 6 person family and cooler etc.
Favorite Features
4x8s fit on top of rear seats folded down (or removed). Seats come out completely (although very heavy). You can even take out the middle 2 seat bench and replace it with the 3 seat 3rd row bench to leave a huge cargo area!
Suggested Improvements
Rear bench are heavy, maybe add wheels? Ford finally works out almost every bug then stops building the vehicle. Ford could have kept making this model, like this, for 3 or 4 more years, the company would have benefited.
Best Van Made
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford Aerostar 2 Dr XLT Passenger Van Extended
Review
This is my second Aerostar, 1st on had 250k. These are perfect if you need something with a lot of room that can go from a work van to a family van. They are extremely reliable. They are not stylish and today's vans have a lot more amenities. I had a Windstar that I had leased and planned to replace the Aerostar with, but the Aero is a much better van. The best part is they are so cheap to purchase. I will keep this van for as long as it will go.
Favorite Features
Tons of space, will hold 4x8 sheets of plywood in the extended van, with the back door closed. Also reliability, you can't kill these vans.
Suggested Improvements
To bring it out again. They have not produced this van in 11 years but you still see a lot of them on the road. There is still a large customer base for this type of vehicle.
Best work horse van ever
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford Aerostar 2 Dr XLT Passenger Van Extended
Review
I have over 178,000 miles on ours and it still runs and drives great. Never a problem and the AC both front and back still work like new. We got it used and i have never had to fix anything on it. Used up two sets of tires. This is one amazing van. It just keeps going and going we love it. Best van I have ever had and I have had vans all my life.
Favorite Features
Lots of driving power. Great AC system, smooth ride, lots of storage space.
Suggested Improvements
None, it's just right they need to start making more like this.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 1997 Ford Aerostar
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