fuel millage, 98 windstar w/ 3.8L

[pimtool]

Does anybody have said vehicle, and what kind of gas millage are you getting? The girlfriend is looking at one but we are unsure of millage she wants at least 22 - 24mpg. Thank You.that would

 

[Randy M.]

A guy I work with has one. Keep your foot out of it you should get 19-21. These things are very piggish.

 

[2manyfords]

A guy I work with has one. Keep your foot out of it you should get 19-21. These things are very piggish.

+1

My GF had one. It was a big POS.

If your thinking of buying one, don't.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Windstars were plagued with problems. Electrical gremlins, a terrible transmission, pedals that would go to the floor without notice, etc. I would seriously stay away from them.

 

[hellsbellsx81]

Mom had one a couple years back. Expect 16-21 and lots of electrical problems, mixed with who knows what else.

 

[AllanD]

Does anybody have said vehicle, and what kind of gas millage are you getting? The girlfriend is looking at one but we are unsure of millage she wants at least 22 - 24mpg. Thank You.that would

That would depend on which 3.8 you have...

 

[Bent Bolt]

Windstars were plagued with problems. Electrical gremlins, a terrible transmission, pedals that would go to the floor without notice, etc. I would seriously stay away from them.

All true. If anyone wants a Windstar, look for the 2001 and newer versions. Much better vehicle.

 

[CraigK]

I have a 98 WS (and an 87 Bronco II). My WS gets about 19 mpg mixed around-town and highway driving. Plugs are double platinum (BTW, difficult to change rear plugs), oil is Mobil-1 synthetic, engine tune is good. Note that gas mileage is determined from calculations which record every drop of gas put into the vehicle over extended mileage intervals, i.e. VERY accurate.

My WS will approach 22-24 mpg only with pure extended highway driving at ~60 mph speeds. Conversely, expect less than 19 mpg for pure city/town driving. The 3.8L engine is peppy, and once you start getting leadfoot-ish, mileage drops quickly. My WS has about 200,000 miles, and runs well. Transmission has been replaced once (POS). Electrical gremlins are NUMEROUS and are a continual pain-in-the-ass. Door sensors, locks, windows, interior lights all a mess. Most of my light bulbs have been removed and door lock fuses pulled. Still can't figure a way to disconnect the $#!&*^%$! door sensors.

Also, 1999 and later 3.8L engines will likely develop a "Mixture Too Lean" vacuum leak problem requiring an expensive fix to replace intake plenum isolator bolts, due to use of an inappropriate plastic intake manifold material.

There are probably better vehicles to buy than this one. Just my opinion.

CraigK

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

There are probably better vehicles to buy than this one. Just my opinion.

CraigK

Is the Aerostar any better?

 

[2manyfords]

Is the Aerostar any better?

No.

They have the A4LD (CRAP) transmisson.

A '97 might not be to bad. They have a slightly better auto.

 

[ZMan]

Is the Aerostar any better?

I don't think 22-24 mpg is going to happen in an Aerostar (except on a long highway trip) far too heavy and has the automatic to get that mileage daily driving.

 

[exbass94]

Get an Aerostar and swap an M5OD in. Some of them actually came from the factory that way, but good luck finding one. And I'm sure the later ones probably got the updated A4LD (4r55e, 5r55e) at the same time the Rangers/Explorers did, which is, IMO, a pretty decent trans. They also have the same engines our Rangers have (3.0 and 4.0 OHV). They do have a tendency to rust out though.

 

[AllanD]

I don't think 22-24 mpg is going to happen in an Aerostar (except on a long highway trip) far too heavy and has the automatic to get that mileage daily driving.

Everyone is always talking about how aerostars are heavy, but I'll bet you'd be suprised to learn that an AWD aerostar only weighs 3600lbs.

I know, I have one now, it's my third.

And I consistantly get 19-20 with it.

I have never taken it on a long highway trip.
That's what my ranger is for.

What do I do with the aerostar? mostly
I hav my mother drive it during the winter
because the Escort my brother gave to her
is essentially useless in the snow.

AD

 

[pimtool]

Thanks everyone. I think we will stay away from the WS. I found some reviews online they all said the same thing. Electrical gremlins, door sensors, trannies, etc...

 

[Simple_serf]

We havea 95...stay away!!!

I'm finding an increasingly large amount of oil in the coolant, and the pos has always gone though coolant.