buying a 99 windstar
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: va
buying a 99 windstar
I saw three 99 windstars at the ford dealer. How can I get the best price? If they were taken in on trade, could I buy it at the trade valve? Can i use the trade valve listed at nada.com to give them an offer? Will they tell me if they were trade ins? Should I only talk to the sales manger or a new sales person? Any used car dealers out there? How does commisions work on used cars anyways? Thanks guys for any help.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
I have been in the car business and I would tell you that first off, the 99 model windstars are terrible. They are riddled with problems. My sister has a 98 model that has been nothing but trouble. Secondly, the dealer will not sell it to you for what he has in it....no profit. They don't have to tell you where they got it. It could be from an auction, a repo, a trade....any number of things. Knowing a fair market value for the vehicle will help so that you don't get ripped off on the deal...have a fair amount of knowledge about what the vehicle is worth so you don't spend more than what it is worth. Take into consideration that what the dealer gives for the vehicle doesn't reflect his total investment into the vehicle. The vehicles must be inspected, repaired, have decent tires and be free of problems when they sell it. They also have to clean and prep the vehicle for the lot which at times all this can add up to $2,000 or more over what they paid for it. Just have some information on the vehicle and use some common sense. They can't give the vehicles away...the sales people make their living off of how much profit they can get out of the vehicle but commission will vary from dealer to dealer.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
buying a used minivan
Guys, I have about 7 to 8 grands for a used minivan. We are looking for something with about 70,000 miles. It's for a daily driver for my wife which is a stay at home mom with two kids. Which are the better minivans that would last for about 5 years, and make to 150,000 miles.
My dad has a 1999 Honda Odyssey that he will sell me at trade valve, if we want it. The trade is about 10 grand and it has 100,000 on it. It is in perfect shape besides the mileage, it never was in an accident. Should I get a loan for the difference or is there something I can buy that would last.
We bought my dads Dodge caravan in 94 in 1999 and we had to put a trans in. I wounder if the 1999 dodge caravans are just as bad. They run about 7 grand. PS I don't mind doing all the miner repairs on a older minivan.
Thanks
My dad has a 1999 Honda Odyssey that he will sell me at trade valve, if we want it. The trade is about 10 grand and it has 100,000 on it. It is in perfect shape besides the mileage, it never was in an accident. Should I get a loan for the difference or is there something I can buy that would last.
We bought my dads Dodge caravan in 94 in 1999 and we had to put a trans in. I wounder if the 1999 dodge caravans are just as bad. They run about 7 grand. PS I don't mind doing all the miner repairs on a older minivan.
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Windstar transmissions are about as good as Caravan transmissions 
Some of these transmissions last forever, some of them don't last long at all.
If you can find one that's had the transmission replaced recently that might be a good selling point.
A well maintained Windstar really isn't a bad vehicle. I think that by 99 most of the worst bugs were out of them.
I really dislike Hondas so I wouldn't buy one but lots of people think they are great and have good luck with them.
Some of these transmissions last forever, some of them don't last long at all.
If you can find one that's had the transmission replaced recently that might be a good selling point.
A well maintained Windstar really isn't a bad vehicle. I think that by 99 most of the worst bugs were out of them.
I really dislike Hondas so I wouldn't buy one but lots of people think they are great and have good luck with them.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
Originally Posted by Racerguy
A well maintained Windstar really isn't a bad vehicle. I think that by 99 most of the worst bugs were out of them.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: GARLAND, TX
level 2 is correct!!!, i have been looking at different models of ford windstars and they all end up with problems of transmissions, motor mounts, even axxles after high mileage they rust from water, its just a plain bad car to pick , if i would recomend, i'd recommend the ford explorer, excursion, expedition, but dont get an aerostar or windstar, worst vans ford's are doing now in days, dont let the year fool u. goodluck i know this because i was once going to get a ford windstar because of its big capacity.,
deltasoft
deltasoft
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
It might not mean too much but I'm a tech at a Ford dealer and 4 of the other techs I work with own Windstars.
As for an Aerostar being a bad vehicle I'm going to have to disagree on that. They were almost indestructable. Yes they had some problems, especially the earlier ones, but later they became very good vans. Not that I really like them but......
As for an Aerostar being a bad vehicle I'm going to have to disagree on that. They were almost indestructable. Yes they had some problems, especially the earlier ones, but later they became very good vans. Not that I really like them but......
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Mississippi
My dear departed wife had a 92 Dodge Caravan that had more recalls than I can remember, plus the tranny would not shift out of second until it warmed up. We traded that for a 98 Windstar which was a nice vehicle for the most part. The motor for the power window on the passenger side went bad which was a pain in the rear but we never had any other problems with it. The Ford dealer wanted 140 dollars for that little motor!
Anyway...I traded it for my 97 F150 after she passed away. I personally don't like minivans.
Anyway...I traded it for my 97 F150 after she passed away. I personally don't like minivans.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
1999 vans
Originally Posted by Racerguy
It might not mean too much but I'm a tech at a Ford dealer and 4 of the other techs I work with own Windstars.
As for an Aerostar being a bad vehicle I'm going to have to disagree on that. They were almost indestructable. Yes they had some problems, especially the earlier ones, but later they became very good vans. Not that I really like them but......
As for an Aerostar being a bad vehicle I'm going to have to disagree on that. They were almost indestructable. Yes they had some problems, especially the earlier ones, but later they became very good vans. Not that I really like them but......
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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Aerostar being bad-- I have a 93 with over 250,000 problem free miles before the transmission went out. Except for a brake spring and common fluids and belts I replaced exactly nothing before the transmission went out. The vehicle was used commercially-far from being babyed. Windstars I am sure would only be even better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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We had a 2000 windstar for a while, me no like. It was like driving a boat on wheels. The engine had decent power but was loud. Wife didnt like it either, traded for Explorer. Paid 13k for it in early 02 with 20K on it, traded about 15 mos later, got 9600 from the dealer.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
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In addition to my two fine Ford pickups, we also own a 1999 Honda Odyssey. We bought it new and it has 105,000 miles on it currently. It has been trouble free except for a transmission failure at about 60,000. After some back and forth with American Honda they paid for the new transmission including labor. Has your dad had any trouble with his? Also, Odysseys are an electronic marvel so you should have it gone over at a good dealer's service department. Ask about what it will need at this mileage level. All of that being said, if your dad has maintained this van by the book with factory parts I would say he is making you a good deal. We intend to keep our Odyssey until about the 150,000 mile mark because that is when,on an average, our service rep has told us the cost of repairs starts to get annoying. Good luck.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
99 honda odyssey
Originally Posted by framerboy
In addition to my two fine Ford pickups, we also own a 1999 Honda Odyssey. We bought it new and it has 105,000 miles on it currently. It has been trouble free except for a transmission failure at about 60,000. After some back and forth with American Honda they paid for the new transmission including labor. Has your dad had any trouble with his? Also, Odysseys are an electronic marvel so you should have it gone over at a good dealer's service department. Ask about what it will need at this mileage level. All of that being said, if your dad has maintained this van by the book with factory parts I would say he is making you a good deal. We intend to keep our Odyssey until about the 150,000 mile mark because that is when,on an average, our service rep has told us the cost of repairs starts to get annoying. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
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Our van is going in for its' 105,000 mile service next week and the two things that were recommended by our service rep were to change the timing belt, and to decarbonize the valves. I went over this process with my guy and he says that they recommend it for higher mileage Odysseys. This sort of comes down to a matter of trust, and we almost always follow his advice. It costs $90.00. I'll leave that one up to you. Other than that I feel buying this van from someone you know, and being able to follow its service record makes for as good a purchase as possible when gambling on a used car.