Potential new Windstar owner!

[copious]

Hey everyone! I'm going to be minivan shopping soon. It's going to be a Windstar or Freestar because my father just gave me a practically brand new set of Goodyear Ultra Grip winter tires on rims with lug nuts for free from his Taurus that he just sold. The only minivan these rims fit is a Windstar or Freestar from what I hear. I'll have enough for an older Windstar, but a newer Windstar, or a Freestar would require me to save up for a few more months. Should I do that?

I've driven a 2000 Windstar as a company vehicle before and really liked it, but it wasn't the most reliable, but not that bad either. It never had a transmission problem, but did have other random problems, including the power steering pump 3 times. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I'd prefer a year and model with the best reliability record. Of course, when you buy a used vehicle, nothing is perfect.

The Freestar seems a bit more refined and reliable, but is it worth putting out more money? Or buy a $1500 Windstar and budget another $1500 for potential repairs and still be a few dollars ahead? (maybe a certain year is better, or is a base model better)? I kind of like the idea of driving around in the newer style Freestar though, but it would require waiting longer, and I'd like to buy the van in the next 4-6 weeks.

Any ideas, suggestions, etc, would be most appreciated. I posted a similar question in the Freestar forum to see what Freestar owners think. I hope this is OK.

Thanks!

[dannymurphy]

if i had my time back i would not have bought my 2000 windstar. i have had it for 5 months now and have definately spent at least 3000 on it for repairs ans other stuff, i hear that the freestar is a more reliable vehicle but ive never owned one
i like my van but the constant repair and replace cost is too much

[copious]

Thanks. I appreciate the honest feedback. I was kind of leaning towards a Freestar for the reason that it's a bit more reliable and I'd be driving a newer looking van. Although I actually prefer the 1999-2003 Windstar styling the best. And it's a lot more affordable to buy. However not if I need to spend $3000 in repairs in the first 6 months. Of course, every used vehicle is different. Some may need more, some may need less. But in general, just wondering if it would be worth saving up a bit longer to get a Freestar... maybe it would be?