Ford Repair: minivans, head gasket problems, ford models

Question
Hi Steve,

Not a repair question, but I'd appreciate your perspective ....

I want to buy a minivan to use like a truck – to haul bags of fertilizer from Home Depot, and to bring firewood in from the weekend property.  I'm thinking “cheap” and therefore “older,” but I'm concerned about getting a stable drive train.

Of the various minivans out there, which do you think has the sturdiest engine and transmission?  I'd appreciate your opinion !

Thanks,

Lisa Bell


Answer
Lisa-

  Well...if you're going older it's hard to beat the old Chysler Caravan stuff.  They're basically the van that everyone copied to make what they've got not.  As much as it pains me to say it, I'd steer clear of most Ford models such as the Windstar.  Their 3.8L V6 motors were plagued with transmission failures and head gasket problems.  But the old Chrysler products should be pretty easy to pick up on the cheap...but most of them were owned by soccer moms before there was such a term (I know my own mother owned one years ago) so expect high mileage.  Hope this helps.

Steve