why don't they?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
why don't they?
Since the aerostar is a truck u would think that u would see customised Aerostars on all those shows like trucks or other car shows I think it would be cool if they showed a really tricked out aerostar what do u guys think fordguy101
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
It would be cool to see an Aero on TRUCKS!. But I seriously doubt that it will happen. Sense it has been out of production for 8 years, Ford would not back it and the Van craze of the 70s, even though I am sorry to say this, will never return.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Yup its all about gas guzzling SUVs now I've been in about 2 accidents within the last 5 years involving the fault of an SUV driver I seriously think some people can't handle those things 
.
I think the Aero was discontinued because of the difficulty for mechanics to do simple things like the change the spark plugs or drop the oil pan.
Or maybe they decided that it was just time after all those years to discontinue the model or maybe a little of both
.
.I think the Aero was discontinued because of the difficulty for mechanics to do simple things like the change the spark plugs or drop the oil pan.
Or maybe they decided that it was just time after all those years to discontinue the model or maybe a little of both
.
Last edited by krankshaft; Feb 1, 2005 at 07:09 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Reason they discontinued the Aerostar is because. Ford didn't want to add a passenger side airbag to it. by the end of the 1997 year all the manufactures had to have them. And yes u are right they can't handle them fordguy101
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Originally Posted by krankshaft
I think the Aero was discontinued because of the difficulty for mechanics to do simple things like the change the spark plugs or drop the oil pan.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Northern PA
I agree. We all complain about changing the plugs in these things, but at least we can see them on the 'star. Some of the new stuff out now looks like a real nightmare to work on.
I suspect consumer preference and perception had a lot to do with the demise of the Aerostar. Everybody thinks they need to have a big SUV or some other high profile vehicle for whatever lame image reason people seem to have these days. And a lot of those morons have absolutely no business whatsoever driving that type of vehicle. They simply can't handle them.
Give me a straightforward, dependable vehicle any day. The Aerostar fills the bill quite nicely.
I suspect consumer preference and perception had a lot to do with the demise of the Aerostar. Everybody thinks they need to have a big SUV or some other high profile vehicle for whatever lame image reason people seem to have these days. And a lot of those morons have absolutely no business whatsoever driving that type of vehicle. They simply can't handle them.
Give me a straightforward, dependable vehicle any day. The Aerostar fills the bill quite nicely.
Last edited by AeroPA; Feb 1, 2005 at 10:29 PM.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by krankshaft
I think the Aero was discontinued because of the difficulty for mechanics to do simple things like the change the spark plugs or drop the oil pan.
The main reason they dropped it was because it was old and they thought it was not worth the R&D to come up with a new one. Too bad.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
The reality was the Aerostar and GM Astro were getting beat up annually by the "motoring press" savants who had fallen in love with Chyrsler's Voyager/Caravan - mostly because they were more "car like" than either of the other two. (Well, DUH!) Since soccer moms were the biggest purchasing influences, marketing efforts shifted in an attempt to satisfy their wants. Rugged and roomy gave way to who had the most cupholders, easiest folding seats and most car-like handling chacteristics. Bowing to market trends, the Windstar was an attempt to move closer to the Chrysler models and ditto for the Freestar. Ever notice nowadays, that Chrysler/Ford/GM/Honda are nearly identical clones of each other?
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Yeah, I like the Aerostar too, because of its size. Heck, if it got any bigger, it would almost be a full-sized van. I used to think the Aerostar was difficult to work on, and some of its parts are, but then I tried to repair an E-350. You can't reach anything, and everthing is so tihtly packed. And yes, Caravan is hard to work on, and overall, all of the newer minivans are very unreliable in comparison to an Aerostar. The worst seem to be the Caravan, and the Windstar. The GM vans are only marginally better in reliability. If Ford were to ever reintroduce the Aerostar, I'd buy one.One thing I like is that the tranny has never given us trouble. My grandparents Voyager, which is basically a Caravan, had to have the tranny replaced under warranty. And the mechanics blamed my Grandpa's driving habits. My grandparents are very tame drivers. Seems to me the tranny was just plain faulty. Besides, the trannies were later recalled. Go figure.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Nighthawk
I have sent emails to RTM produstions about a van buildup. But no responce. My BoL works for Ford in Oakville, design now. He said the Aero was just past it time. But some were even thinking of putting in the bigger 4 and redesigning it.
With rear disc and a new look. I'm converting my Aero to rear disc this summer. Explorer disc fit. It cheaper to do that than spend 900$ for the Ford kit.Ford still gets a lot of calls for a Rear wheel drive smaller van. If you tow a trailer, all you have is the Eco. And that maybe a lil over kill for some. I would buy another Aero, in a flash. As for SUVs, my wife owns one. And agrees some people cannot drive worth a damn.
I have sent emails to RTM produstions about a van buildup. But no responce. My BoL works for Ford in Oakville, design now. He said the Aero was just past it time. But some were even thinking of putting in the bigger 4 and redesigning it.
With rear disc and a new look. I'm converting my Aero to rear disc this summer. Explorer disc fit. It cheaper to do that than spend 900$ for the Ford kit.Ford still gets a lot of calls for a Rear wheel drive smaller van. If you tow a trailer, all you have is the Eco. And that maybe a lil over kill for some. I would buy another Aero, in a flash. As for SUVs, my wife owns one. And agrees some people cannot drive worth a damn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
CdnSoldier,
suprajztwenty has done an awesome update to his Aero. He grafted a newer Ranger front end on his Aero. It looks like a brand new mini-van, and not a wimpy one at that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...155_2_full.jpg
As for cost to Ford, I would think that it would be minimal by borrowing parts from the Ranger/Explorer line. Drivetrain, interior, and front end is there already, and just use the old deminsions for the rest. A new van to resurect the declining mini-van market (and to change the stigma of it).
suprajztwenty has done an awesome update to his Aero. He grafted a newer Ranger front end on his Aero. It looks like a brand new mini-van, and not a wimpy one at that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...155_2_full.jpg
As for cost to Ford, I would think that it would be minimal by borrowing parts from the Ranger/Explorer line. Drivetrain, interior, and front end is there already, and just use the old deminsions for the rest. A new van to resurect the declining mini-van market (and to change the stigma of it).
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Joshua Tree, CA
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
Ford would not back it and the Van craze of the 70s, even though I am sorry to say this, will never return.
There were over 1,000 vans at the Van Nationals last year.
Check out Vannin.com
We have 862 members.
Besides our Aerostar I also have a '90 full size Dodge Van.
Keep on Vannin.
CD
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
CdnSoldier,
suprajztwenty has done an awesome update to his Aero. He grafted a newer Ranger front end on his Aero. It looks like a brand new mini-van, and not a wimpy one at that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...155_2_full.jpg
suprajztwenty has done an awesome update to his Aero. He grafted a newer Ranger front end on his Aero. It looks like a brand new mini-van, and not a wimpy one at that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...155_2_full.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Sorry fellas, I wish you could edit. I but just bigger 4. It should be a bigger 4 lt, a 4.3 or 4.6.. A very nice looker. As for the rear. My plan was to have it not as wide and have the trailer hitch through the bumper.