I've found an incredible amount of information here. Recently, I purchased an Aerostar 1989 edition (I think it's extended, but I'm not sure 100%). First time I've ever driven in an Aerostar. First time I've ridden in one since... the early 90's!
It's pretty much everything I remember. With all the gauges, trip computer buttons, and the rear controls for radio, I remember as a child I really could imagine it was the space shuttle.
My deal was for $850. Is that a reasonable price? It has brand new tires on it, 182,000 miles, and everything still works on it. Cruise works, all the gauges light up, and the AC is still pretty good.
The owner said the van has been maintained like clockwork with oil changes and whatnot. Still has the original transmission and engine, never been rebuilt. Little to no rust that I could see on the body.
The original owner upgraded the plastic bumpers. On front he mounted the bumper from a 1990 Jeep, and in rear he basically made a cut out for a steel bar that he mounted the trailer hitch to. It's very well done and looks natural.
The interior is... well... "intact" is the word I'm hunting. Very little cracking on the trim work around the doors and none on the dash. It's extremely dusty and dirty. I'm currently getting the odors out of it (I think they smoked it in it) and have started cleaning all the dust out as well. I'm going to be cleaning it awhile. I've -never- seen so much dust. The air vents are full of it and I probably need to replace the interior air filter.
Oh, and the driver's seat air cushion still works! I had forgotten about that feature until I tried adjusting the seat.
Was surprised by how good the ride is for such an old vehicle (that probably hasn't had the shocks or suspension worked on in years). It really can move, much to my surprise. Very responsive acceleration.
The only bad thing is that my better-half is currently using the vehicle as a work vehicle and I don't really get to drive it much.
To-do:
--Clean, CLEAN, clean
--Replace the faded lights behind the gauges, if possible?
--New radio. The original has a faded display, but works just fine.
--Gas up the A/C. A/C seems a little weak, slow to get really cold
--Check out the alternator since I've read it can be upgraded to a 3gen model
--Have it checked out by the local Ford center to make sure everything is still good.
P.S. I want to mod this thing. These vans are too awesome to let rust out or stay sitting.
It's pretty much everything I remember. With all the gauges, trip computer buttons, and the rear controls for radio, I remember as a child I really could imagine it was the space shuttle.
My deal was for $850. Is that a reasonable price? It has brand new tires on it, 182,000 miles, and everything still works on it. Cruise works, all the gauges light up, and the AC is still pretty good.
The owner said the van has been maintained like clockwork with oil changes and whatnot. Still has the original transmission and engine, never been rebuilt. Little to no rust that I could see on the body.
The original owner upgraded the plastic bumpers. On front he mounted the bumper from a 1990 Jeep, and in rear he basically made a cut out for a steel bar that he mounted the trailer hitch to. It's very well done and looks natural.
The interior is... well... "intact" is the word I'm hunting. Very little cracking on the trim work around the doors and none on the dash. It's extremely dusty and dirty. I'm currently getting the odors out of it (I think they smoked it in it) and have started cleaning all the dust out as well. I'm going to be cleaning it awhile. I've -never- seen so much dust. The air vents are full of it and I probably need to replace the interior air filter.
Oh, and the driver's seat air cushion still works! I had forgotten about that feature until I tried adjusting the seat.
Was surprised by how good the ride is for such an old vehicle (that probably hasn't had the shocks or suspension worked on in years). It really can move, much to my surprise. Very responsive acceleration.
The only bad thing is that my better-half is currently using the vehicle as a work vehicle and I don't really get to drive it much.
To-do:
--Clean, CLEAN, clean
--Replace the faded lights behind the gauges, if possible?
--New radio. The original has a faded display, but works just fine.
--Gas up the A/C. A/C seems a little weak, slow to get really cold
--Check out the alternator since I've read it can be upgraded to a 3gen model
--Have it checked out by the local Ford center to make sure everything is still good.
P.S. I want to mod this thing. These vans are too awesome to let rust out or stay sitting.
