Picked up my 1996 Aerostar AWD Ext last May for next to nothing as in nothing, 3rd owner (1st owner was a college fleet) , had 87,000 miles on the clock and was mostly in a campus garage structure. So far have replaced the intake manifold gasket (Coolant leak), Air filter, fuel filter, Two oil changes with filters, Refreshed the power steering fluid(Looked like Chocolate milk) due to the windshield vent drain missing. Changed both front shocks and right front axle along with front brakes. Replaced OEM doughnut spare tire that was still holding air but had multiple splits on the sidewalls with a full size tire on trim it took forever to find. Windshield and both rear brake light housings plus serpentine belt and radiator fan with clutch, both headlight bulbs from 1995, they still worked bu were dim, rewired 3rd break light housing to LED. Will do rear differential and transfer cases oil changes in spring.
Other than some fairly minor dents and dings it runs great as an everyday commuting vehicle gas mileage averages 17 MPG with both highway and local driving. New tires next may are in the works and I am very happy with it so far regardless of its "PUG SHUTTLE" appearance. I believe I have read every post on this thread and have learned a great deal which helped me do many of the repairs myself. There is a great deal of knowledge here and I appreciate it.