Ok XT...I can understand that you see the Aerostar as a potentially good vehicle due to its utility and the availability of AWD, however as a former owner, I would like to try to turn you on to another van, the 1989-1998 Mazda MPV which I have now moved on to. If you are the type that blindly buys nothing but American cars, you can stop reading here. If however you are open to the idea of a Japanese vehicle..read on.
First off, like the Aerostar, the MPV is an honest to goodness RWD vehicle, with a standard NON TRANSVERSE engine mount. Unlike the Aerostar, the hood is sizeable, and thus the engine is VERY easy to work on. There is ample room in front and sides to access components.
Secondly, it is available and VERY easy to find (unlike the aerostar) with a real 4WD system. Van runs in 2WD full time Until you select 4wd, which can be done at up to 65 MPH. Also it features a real transfer case that NEVER has issues unless abused, with a Differential Lock feature, allowing the vehicle SERIOUS off road capability. The rear end is based off the Ford 8.8, a very strong unit as folks will tell you here. The van has a TON of ground clearance factory, unlike the aerostar, and features a beefy METAL ARMORED gas tank shield, Transfer case armor plate, and metal front skid plate factory! I have taken mine on serious off road trails and in deep snow and never had any issues keeping up with the jeeps.
Third, the van is excellently laid out. It has real hinged doors instead of rattling sliders, and has FOUR of them on the 96-98. It is available in either 7 pass or 8 pass with 2 full size bench seats. Rear seat removed and middle folded it has a TON of cargo space. Also as previously mentioned, it has a traditional full sized hood, allowing for easy access to the engine.
Mechanical: My aerostar was honestly one of the worst vehicles I ever owned, it had mileage in the low 100k but transmission, engine, and electronic issues plagues it until I sent it off to the junkyard.
My 1996 Mazda 4wd mpv: 245K MILES! Original engine-burns ZERO oil, leaks ZERO oil, Perfect compression, NO issues with head gaskets, has needed nothing but timing belt changes every 60k (mfg recommendation), oil changes, and valve cover gaskets. Transmission-ORIGINAL 245K! Never been rebuilt, nothing but fluid changes. Try that in a awd aerostar! Transfer case-destroyed by people that stole my car, replaced 65k ago never an issue before that or since then. 4 wheel abs disks standard, stops on a friggen dime (for a 5k lb van). Beefy suspention-5 link rear, front utilizes solid control arms and the biggest ball joints I have ever seen in a non truck/suv and a real front differential. Did I mention the van is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned? I went through a period where I did little to no car work, and drove the van from 150k-219k NOTHING BUT AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 3K!!. It just...ran. Finally I cracked the hood at 220k, put in a timing belt, valve cover gaskets, new belts, water pump, and now she's ready for another 100k.
Finally, they are dirt cheap, the best ones are the 96-98 mpv with the 4 doors and better design, and you can easily get a 4wd, with all the options, and 120k for 2500 or less. 2WD can be found for as little as 1500. Can't think of a better deal than a car that for 1500-2500 you can get at least 300k out of with little more than regular maintenance.
the last 3 yrs. and with 222K on the clock, good hunting!
