The old gal has been sold. A fellow Aerostar enthusiast (3 previous 'Stars) was taken with my van he saw in a parking lot and struck up a conversation. End result: he is now the proud owner. Been a long, loving, often strange journey with this van. I've never owned a vehicle I enjoyed as much as this one. It was definitely the Swiss army knife of vehicles.

 

I'm sure you have mixed feelings about this, but what will you do now for a Swiss army van?

 

I wish I would have been the person to see you and your van in that parking lot! I might of been the new owner.....

Well kept older Aerostars are NOT easy to find. I'm still looking to buy one and know all too well.

 

Well it is nice to see that it is going to a good home.

So what are you going to do for a replacement?

 

prettiest window glass I've ever seen on an Aerostar even new.

 

Let's see. If I remember correctly, you were going to keep it until 300k miles. How many miles were on it when you sold it?

 

304,916 miles. Per other inquiries: I'll likely replace it with one of the following vehicles under consideration: Ford Flex (wife hates the look but I think it looks like a chopped Aerostar), Nissan NV (terrible gas mileage), new Ford Transit van with 5 cylinder diesel or an F-250 super duty pickup.

 

I would bet you made a good deal. The odd thing with selling Vintage Cars and Gear is you're giving away the opportunity to participate in future growth of value from the item. That's why more people are buying than selling these days. One perhaps is making a future fortune if the earned money from the sale is put into another asset with potential to grow in value over long term, f.e. silver or gold.

If i had the funds, my choice would be the Ford Flex. Best chance to hold value and demand. Far more better than Range Rover Evoque, BMW MINI or all the other toys. Like our Aerostar, Ford Flex is very rare in the EU, nothing under 28000$ for a 2009 Model.. ..call me in ten years.


All the best

 

I was happy with the selling price and the buyer was happy so it was a good deal for each party. I knew I would never recover anywhere near the amount of money spent on repairs. I always looked at it as a hobby rather than an investment.

Of course the key is knowing which cars will appreciate significantly. Outside of our little cabal, I doubt many people will be lusting after an Aerostar. That said, today I spotted a restored lime green Chevy Vega. Now that is one rare car as the vast majority of its brethren rusted away - but is it valuable? It was a crappy little car then and still is in my book. Beauty they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

 

I think we still lack a current minivan that passes the plywood test. Maybe the Flex can handle a full sheet of plywood inside with all doors and windows closed (I'm still skeptical of that claim), but it's short, and less roomy than a minivan.

The only Vegas worth having were those with the Cosworth engine. The stock engines were disasters waiting to happen. Other than that, they suffered the same problems as most cars built in the mid 70's; lousy design with lousy implementation.

 

.............

 

Wow Aero!

I remember you from when I was in my Aero days which have been over now for at least 6-7 years. You helped me on a lot of posts. I had to post on another forum and just had to see what was going on in here.

I can't say I miss mine too awful much but I like some of your choices. Interestingly, I need to replace a Bronco now and my wife is telling me she likes the Flex but I just need something more "off road-able".

Good luck in your search!
BB

 

I'm the current owner of the Grey Ghost". It's a conversation starter...among car people, anyway...a 91' Aerostar with 335K in Northern Wisconsin with no rust? Amazing!

But...it just died on the highway, and it acts like it is the timing chain. Aerocolorado? Did you replace it along the way? Or is this the stock chain?

I love this van...it's obviously been very well cared for, and I plan to continue the effort.

 

I hope you fix it. Its a beautiful van. Worthy of a refreshed engine.

 

Yes...we love that van, and have already decided to get a new engine, if that's what it takes. 335K, no rust...a rare thing up here in Northern Wisconsin!