Ford Aerostar Models

There never was a front wheel drive Aerostar. They are all either RWD or AWD. I believe the last year for the Aerostar was 1997.

Correct. It was a MUCH better van than the earlier models - which were, from my experience, pretty good except for body rust. The 97 bodies WERE better. The 5 speed automatic on the AWD is beatifull.

I loved my 86 Aerostar with the 2.3 litre 4 cylinder and standard 5 speed gearbox. It had rust problems.

GOD BLESS THE USA

And a 4 cyl Aerostar was GUTLESS. The 3 liter was reasonable. Thankfully the 4 was only available on the little short body, and IIRC only with 5 passenger seating - not 7.

No, it was quiet a charge to drive. It went very well in the snow also. It was not guttless. Do not forget that what gearing the pumpkin has in it makes alot of difference in performance.

GOD BLESS THE USA

I've driven 'em. Anything that can't get out of it's own way above

50MPH is gutless.

As far as handling in snow, a 4 is no better than a six - and a short six is pittiful when empty.

Learn to drive in snow.

GOD BLESS THE USA

Even notice that when one runs of the road in their FWD vehicle, the cop that comes to help you is driving a RWD Crown Vic. What did the FWD drivers think we drove, in winter, all the years before FWD? LOL

mike hunt

Bob wrote:

I'll take you on any day of the winter - yours or mine. I grew up in the southern Ontario snow belt, and rallyed competetively in my youth. three top 4 series finishes (4th, 3rd, and 2nd) in 3 years in the ONRRC. I was the driver.

We don't get as much snow now as we did in the sixties and seventies, when I even managed to get stuck with an M37 with chains - and it took

2 road graders and a 6wd highway plow to get it out - and it was still ON the road.

I have also owned a couple Aerostars and driven them through 14 Ontario winters. Mine were long body 7 passengers, and with the seats out and no load even the long body could be twitchy. Not that I had any trouble - I generally made sure I had the weight back there when I needed it.

Well,I learned to drive FWD (Austin Mini) and later did a lot of winter driving with RWD Darts and Valiants and Ramblers both on studs and plain rubber - then rallied FWD Renault after driving both RWD Bugs and FWD Peugots in the sand in central Africa. Understanding the difference between FWD and RWD and knowing how to handle them both, I'd say it's a toss-up. The FWD will get you in trouble a lot faster if you haven't got your head totally into it. The RWD can be a lot more fun, what with being able to easily "power steer" it, but the FWD can be made to "hang it out" in the corners very nicely too when you know what you are doing. I've also driven

4wd.(M37 and Ramcharger among others) A 4wd wins hands down for getting around in the snow, but if you get too cocky they will turn around and bite you real quick too. Although the limits are a lot higher with 4wd, when you reach the limit they let go every bit as quickly.

Just for the heck of it I ran the AWD Ramcharger in a Slalom event back in '76 / 77- on snow tires with Frink plow saddle installed - and ran within 1/100th second of the fastest car in my class - a CORVETTE COUPE. I beat the third fastest, another 'Vette by about the same margin. Running 4wd low range locked with a 318 automatic.

this winter the week of christmas i was leaving ohio during its big snow storm and my windstar handled like a champ, but it was loaded down with family and gifts and all that crap needed for a week.