After we bought the van in 2007 used of course, it wasn't long before we started to notice all the things wrong with it. Within a day of the purchase, the overdrive light continually blinks, this is not a functional issue so I never worried about it, but that's not the only thing that never worked after day 1. The wipers have never worked right aside from working just long enough for us to test drive it. They only function on the highest setting. Which is something I've gotten used to and is a hard habit to break to not keep turning wipers on and off to get it to go then stop in light rain in vehicles that function properly. But was not a big enough issue for us to actually pay money to get it fixed. The next to go out, the Breaks. We have put tons of money into brakes. Trying to fix everything. They finally got to where they work ok, but the light inside the van still says that the ABS is not functioning. Now the transmission is broken. It never wants to switch gears and at times will not move, this makes driving it not too easy. Especially when it switches to neutral while driving it. Again though something I knew would cost more to change than the van was worth, but something I could live with. The next thing to go is the doors, none of them stay shut. So not to mention the danger of driving with doors that don't shut, the incessant beeping telling me a door is ajar is quite annoying. Okay so the radio doesn't work either which is not a big deal but is worth mentioning. And the spark plugs we keep trying to replace, that go to the radio and our lighter plug/chargers, continues to blow as soon as we put it in, gotta be something wrong there. Aside from all of that the engine is kaput. The thing sounds like it is going to blow up when we drive it. It sounded like it did blow up on Wednesday night when we were driving home. Something blew and smoke came shooting out. It is impossible to drive, you have to constantly be driving with your foot slammed on the gas or it dies. So What a mess! It still makes the coin in cup rattling sound when it is running so whatever that is did not change or blow something else did. Now all that mentioned, we considered having it looked at and even talked to some car mechanics. But in the end decided that the money we would put continue to put into the 1999 van was not worth it. And since we have dozens of places to go on a daily and weekly basis. There was no one who could loan us a vehicle that would fit our family while this van was worked on anyway.....
So we upgraded. We got a 2003 Ford Windstar. LOL When I went to look at other vehicles I did not plan on getting another Windstar or any specific vehicle. Though I do prefer Fords I like the way they drive and usually last reasonably well. It just happened. Do I love it, I do. I did not like the idea of a car payment again, since out last vehicle was paid off, but we do what we have to. Now if we ever decide to get the ole 1999 checked out we will have two vehicles our family will fit in, which is a good thing anyway.
Paul is going to have to get a job now though. There's no way my babysitting will pay for it, especially right now when I only have 1 full time kid.
What do I love best about the new (to us) van?
- It is just like my old one! LOL with lots of upgrades of course. And everything works.
- It has a warranty so if something is broken and we can't tell right away it will get fixed.
- It has an entertainment station. (We had already purchased a DVD player for our last van and it hooks into the current setup, adding screens)
- Automatic doors! Oh my goodness, I love the automatic doors!
What I don't like about the van is that I can not get used to the outside look of it, I am never gonna find this thing in Wal-Mart parking lot!
What I do find funny is that I was looking at the van and really loving it before I ever noticed what kind it was. LOL Too bad they don't make them anymore I'd probably buy another one in 10 years!
