1997 Ford E-150 Review
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
What a major dud!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford E-150 2 Dr Chateau Club Wagon
Review
This was the worst vehicle we have ever owned!! We put $6,000 in repairs in it during the 2 years that we owned it. We finally ended up junking it and are still paying for the repairs we did. We hated this van so much that we are very leary of buying a Ford ever again. The repairs we did were timing belt cover seal, alternator, new engine, catalytic coverter (final straw) It let us down on vacation the first summer that we owned it. It was just a terrible, terrible experience!!!
Favorite Features
The size and the looks were ok too.
Suggested Improvements
Tear up the engine design and learn from their mistakes! Also at one time the van burning was a desired improvement. It was smoking under the hood and we were sincerely hoping for a fire so that it would explode and we could be done with it!!
1997 Clubwagon
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford E-150 2 Dr XLT Club Wagon
Review
This vehicle provided many reliable years of service and was our workhorse. Was better than I expected. Would recommend it to anyone. Mileage was better than expected.
Favorite Features
Cargo room.
Suggested Improvements
None.
Good van for the money
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford E-150 2 Dr XL Club Wagon
Review
We were looking for a van 3 years ago to replace our Dodge Caravan. I wanted a truck but we had to settle on one vehicle and this was it. Since then we have (a) hauled kids (b) hauled materials, including 4x8 sheets of drywall inside (c) done a lot of camping. This van works good for all aspects. This has been reliable and taken us everywhere we needed to go. The 4.8 V8 works fine, but if you can find one with a 5.3 V8 you'll be happier with the power and the gas mileage will be the same. The V6 is underpowered, even if you are only hauling people, and it gets the same mileage! Repair costs can be above average but the frequency of repairs has been the least of all our vehicles.
Favorite Features
Ride height gets you up above most other cars, improving visibility. Starts, corners, and stops well. Good flexibility for cargo space.
Suggested Improvements
Tune ups have to be performed by a mechanic (special parts, tough access). Big van = 15 mpg.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
206,500 And Going Strong
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford E-150 2 Dr XL Club Wagon
Review
Our 1997 Club Wagon 4.2L V6 has 206,500 miles and we still use it frequently for our family. We bought the van when it was a year old and since then have only had a few major repairs -- like a transmission tailshaft seal, alternator replacement and some sporadic brake problems. The motor runs well and has decent power for a V6, but it isn't getting the best economy anymore -- about 16 mpg. It still has the original 4r-70W 4 speed automatic transmission. It slips a little in reverse and shudders at stops once in a while but otherwise no major problems. The brakes aren't the best, we tend to go through front pads frequently (every 30K or so).
Favorite Features
Very simple & easy to use controls. Plenty of space and decent seats for a long ride.
Suggested Improvements
Improve brake wear-- perhaps go to a bigger set with 4-wheel discs, and change front suspension to double-wishbone to give better handling & tire wear.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
UTILITARIAN
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Ford E-150 2 Dr XLT Club Wagon
Review
We have used the vehicle primarily for family vacations, which involve camping, skiing, kayaking, and hiking. We did get the non-slip differential which was very helpful in winter conditions. The fuel "economy' leaves something to be desired. For the size it handles quite well on the highway and is fairly quiet. We have had on cylinder head replaced, but we do drive the 5.4L hard and do tend to load the vehicle down with camping or skiing gear for as many as 7.
Favorite Features
Roominess ... sufficient power with the 5.4L engine. Fairly quiet on the road.
Suggested Improvements
Improve gas mileage ... can parts be recycled?
View Pricing for Other Years
- 1998 Ford E-150
- 1997 Ford E-150
- 1996 Ford E-150
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- 1994 Ford E-150
- 1993 Ford E-150
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