Aerostar Cheerleading
I see this as a pretty dead topic, but I can't resist, bein an Aerostar Mega owner -- a 93 XLT Eddie Bauer w. 4.0 EAWD 178,000 with the stairs removed for clearance.
I am a climber, hiker, skier, caver, shooter, mountaineer and especially most summer weekends, a Mtn biker. Me and my 2 closest Buds all have XLT's; usually using them in pairs as shuttles for about 4- 8 guys. Mine is dedicated to Major Abuse and saves the other guys from mangling their own overpriced rides into Serious Explorations Adventure Vehicles. The first guy bought his 92 in 94 and we got two more in the next few years as we learned just how standup they were in actual use.
MONSTER rides in Idaho; I beat hell out of mine on horrendous roads through the deserts covered in inches of fine powdery lava ash looking for lava tubes, or deep snow in the mountains grinding up to backcountry tours in the blizzards or the miserable, insanely sticky mud that often forms here- abouts anytime in between those conditions. We find we can easily stuff 5 guys, five bikes, five packs, five or six dogs and an ice chest full of beer inside each one without causing too many problems, like having to remove bike wheels or stacking dogs. Most other trips are easier as the bikes are bulky and clumsy.
Yeah, I want better ground clearance, but other than that, the Aerostar is a completely irreplaceable transport system. We guys often talk about buying something else as a shuttle vehicle, but WHAT? Nothing is even close outside of custom built vans that get comparatively stinking mileage. I treat mine like a 4 wheel drive, I am HARD on vehicles but with only minor consideration I have seen these machines jockied into outrageous places like they just belonged. Most guys are very happy to let us do their drive-ins (unless they want us to carry their gear so they can drive their dinky undersized 4wds. in with an extra guy or something) (cough-cough-Subaru-WHY?)
You can easily buy AS XLT E4WD for under 1500 now, the junkyards are crushing them as being too old, I seen better ones than I got being parted out. Totally insane. Buy one just to abuse it, put it on snow in some parking lot and GUN it, its amazing predictable and responsive. You can do drifts and spins. (However, backing downhill on unpaved ice roads seems to confuse the traction control some ...)
With the fold down seats mounted rear flat, two ice chests stuffed under them just inside the rear door, you got a platform for your napping, maybe using the fold down seat in the middle or some other arrangement it makes a easy impromptu inside sleeping camper for two or three people with storage under the seats.
If you like the 4 Capt. chairs they are a good comfy ride too, but for four not five. SO FLEXIBLE! Holds you tight as the cabin slams side to side. Good arm grips and extra headroom in the back which is rare.
Have FUN in this machine, its actually pretty easy to fix overall, except for the engine, which seem pretty strong, other than the little vacuum manifold that loses all its hoses every so often... learn what to fix permanently and you're through for the most part, just do the oil changes...
Windstar stinks, they are in every junkyard, and look no where near as large, useful or sturdy. Are ANY of THEM 4wd? I will keep ragin on my poor Windy until parts are falling off and the DOT tears me away from its worn down cabin. NOTHING compares to it.
Love My 'Star
Rokjox.
^)
