i have a chance to buy a 1991.any downsides with the five speed?were the five speeds 3.0 only?im thinking the five speed would be more reliable and better gas mileage than the a4ld.

 

The 5 speed was not available with the 4 liter because it can't handle the higher torque of that engine. So Ford only made it available with the 2.3L I4 and 3.0 V6. It will be more reliable than the A4LD, provide better gas mileage and pickup.

I wish I had a 5M in my van.

 

it is a three liter basic van with 110 thousand miles.no options except ac.i can get it for 900 dollars......

 

I would test drive at some places where I can shift through all its gears to see how the shifter feels, how the clutch engages and disengages, and listen for any kind of noises from the transmission.

 

If it runs and drives, I'd be all over that.
My wife constantly talks about the four Aerostars that we've owned and how she misses them. We recently had a '98 Ranger (3.0/five speed) almost given to us. She learned how to drive a stick in no time, is now an expert driving it and it is now her favorite vehicle. BTW, the manual Aerostar '91 tranny would be a light duty Mazda-built tranny. Driveability-wise, it's much more forgiving than what I have in my Jeep.

 

lol.that didn't go well.the guy with the aerostar had it at a local airport.he said it was only used to shuttle people around the airport.the body was hit on the rear drivers side.it has a primer black front fender.the windshield is cracked but not in the drivers vision.i didn't really care how it looks since its just transportation to work.the interior is very nice with the only options ac[didn't work]cruise[didn't check]and power steering/brakes.it started right up and idled smoothly.it drove well around the gravel road of the airport.since i need to be able to drive on the interstate to get to work i asked him could i test drive it the ten miles to the interstate and back.he said sure and didn't want to ride along.i noticed when i pulled out on the main road the engine was missing.when i got on the interstate it maxed out at 63 mph.so i think this van needs repair and im not going to buy it without knowing exactly whats wrong with it so i head back.it ran worse and worse [the trans seemed fine]like it was overheating but the guage didn't work and i didn't see any steam.it managed to cut off pulling back into the airport parking lot and wouldn't start back up.the underhood was dripping with antifreeze.i left it with him to look at telling him to call me if he got it fixed.it might just be a water leak.i just hope it didn't crack a head.

 

i talked to the guy again today.his mechanic said bad thermostat and removed it.i know......sure.but i drove it about forty miles including five miles at 75 on the interstate.then i opened the hood and looked for leaks.i also checked the dipstick for milky oil.so its mine now.i hope i don't regret it.

 

So where are the pics of this new beast?

 

its a red sport.banged up on the drivers side.