Ford Aerostar compact van favored for pulling trailer loads
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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In 1994 when Ford introduced Windstar, a front-wheel-drive minivan whose ride quality and features mimicked those of a comfortable family sedan, Windstar's development plan called for deleting Aerostar, Ford's rear-wheel-drive minivan whose firm ride and handling characteristics felt like those of a truck.
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Windstar, Ford's marketing gurus explained, represents the future for minivans because it's big yet drives as easily as a car. Aerostar, which originated in the 1980s era of the initial minivans, reflects on past designs because it behaves more like a pickup.
By the fall of 1994, the marketeers forecasted, production of Aerostar at Ford's St. Louis assembly plant would cease to make room for Windstar.
Drop by that St. Louis site today, however, and you'll find two vans flowing off the line: Windstar and Aerostar.
What about plans to ditch the Aerostar?
"Once we announced an intention to discontinue that minivan, Ford dealers and Aerostar fans protested so forcefully that we had to reexamine our plan," Ross Roberts, who heads the Ford Division of Ford Motor Co., explained. "Obviously, we underestimated Aerostar's popularity."
So Aerostar remains in Ford's 1995 lineup, although the proliferation of models has been pared to the cushy XLT series, and all options and features have been condensed to a simplified list which includes both regular and extended lengths, two engines and a choice of rear-wheel-drive or an electronically-managed 4-wheel-drive designed to improve traction on slippery pavement.
Think of Aerostar as a special niche class of its own.
Don't pick Aerostar if the intent is to haul kids in carpools around town all day long -- Windstar would best suit that situation. Instead, Aerostar excels on treks when pulling a trailer or packing recreation gear or cargo.
My friend Jack selected an extended wheelbase Aerostar with 4-wheel-drive for his cross-country trip to scale the highest peak in each of the contiguous 48 states. He picked me up at Seattle's airport and we headed for ice-caked Mt. Rainier, living out of the Aerostar in base camp at the foot of the 14,500-ft. mountain before our climb.
After his epic 6-month journey through all those states and extremes of weather and altitude, Jack remained a dedicated Aerostar fan: "It was always ready to go, over snow-packed mountain passes in Wyoming, across sandy back routes through Death Valley, and everything in-between. I never had any problems, but always found room for all the climbing gear, plus space left over for my sleeping bag."
Jack's 4WD Aerostar stocks a big 4.0-liter V6 engine, which produces 155 horsepower in a package that mates the motor with Ford's 4-speed automatic transmission.
It produces significant torque in lower gears, plus ample muscle to tug a trailer loaded with the bass boat or ski rig -- towing capacity climbs to 4,900-lbs.
That larger engine becomes the standard with the 4WD extended-wheelbase, but it's also available optionally in an Aerostar edition formatted with rear-wheel-drive.
The regular-wheelbase rear-drive base model totes a 3.0-liter V6 which delivers 135 hp in tandem with Aerostar's 4-speed automatic shifter.
Please don't assume that the lesser horsepower rating means puny performance because even this base Aerostar responds in a lively manner with crisp shift points and snappy off-the-line acceleration.
In fact, a base Aerostar may serve as optimum choice if the majority of chores call for town driving and hauling loads which don't require a trailer.
Further, the fuel economy numbers for that 3.0-liter V6 look slightly better, but neither powertrain should be considered a thrifty performer.
Both regular and extended Aerostar models ride on the same chassis -- borrowed from a rugged Ford pickup truck. Its generous wheelbase, stretching to almost ten feet, measures longer than the limousine-like Lincoln Town Car.
A truck's chassis enables Aerostar to stand higher off the ground than a conventional minivan, and thus requires more effort to climb aboard.
Also, its stiff suspension settings, designed to manage heavy loads, denotes that the ride quality feels more like that of a truck.
Ford builds two kinds of Aerostars. The utility model, with few windows and two front seats, suits commercial uses, while the passenger model creates seats for seven.
The basic interior configuration of the passenger model provides twin front bucket seats plus a second row bench that accommodates two and a back row for three with seatbacks which fold forward to expand the cargo capacity.
An optional package in the extended Aerostar installs four cozy captain's chairs in front and center tiers, then packs in back a 3-person bench which converts to a spacious bed. That's the version my friend Jack used to transform his Aerostar into a self-contained camper.
Aerostar's 1995 models retain significant safety elements, such as a driver's-side airbag, rear anti-lock brakes, plus a steel intrusion beam for each side door.
A child's safety seat, mounted inside the center-row bench, shows up on a long list of special options.
When Ford simplified the Aerostar line this year, it deleted the former base model, XL, plus an ultra edition labeled Eddie Bauer. The XLT trim which remains caters to the comfort crowd with favored features such as power steering, air conditioning, front intermittent wipers and rear window washer/wiper, remote release for the fuel door, twin outside mirrors with remote control, a mini-console and dual cupholders mounted between front bucket seats, and a nice stereo sound package.
Aerostar's extended XLT enlarges the list of standard items to include the 4.0-liter engine, cruise control and a steering wheel that tilts, lumbar support control for the driver's seat and a distinctive 2-tone exterior paint job.
The optional 4WD system, which employs electronic controls and an electromagnetic clutch, senses wheel spin and automatically varies power to front and rear wheels to prevent slippage on wet or icy pavement.
It's strictly designed for pavement, though, because Aerostar is not intended for off-road ventures.
Pricing this year begins just below $18,000.
1995 FORD AEROSTAR
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| 1995 FORD AEROSTAR VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 4-door minivan |
| Model Options: |
Compact 4-door minivan |
| Wheelbase: |
118.9 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Regular: 174.9 inches
Extended: 190.3 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 3.0-L V6
OHV 4.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear, 4WD |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
1 |
| Gas Mileage: |
3.0-L: 17/23 mpg
4.0-L: 16/22 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 17,800 to $ 25,000 |
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