Which one to buy - Windstar or Grand Voyager

[JoRe]

Hi to all,

I'm considering of buying a new car (actually not new but second hand).
On my wishlist are such things as seats for seven and enough space to fit luggage as well. This has led me to two possibilities: Ford Windstar 3.0 and Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3 Ltd. Both are available as year model 2000 with fairly low mileage and at a suitable price.
All the other similar cars like Sienna etc. are much more expencive (at least here where I live).

Ford Windstars are really rare here in Finland and I don't personally know anybody who owns such a car. This is why I would appreciate your honest opinions about which one to get and what am I putting myself into if I buy a Windstar.

Please don't write only statements like "No, never buy that crap" but try to write some grounds also for your opinions.

TIA and snowy greetings from Finland
-JoRe-

PS. I'm currently driving a 1996 Ford Scorpio so car problems are not unknown to me...

[kenneth j somers jr.]

Hi JoRe:

I have owned both vehicles. When it comes to capacity the chrysler has it, in the Winstar when the back of the third seat is folded, the bottom edge of the back hangs out into the space for luggage -- the chrysler the bottom edge of the rear seat is almost vertical. you loose 6 to 8 inches of vertical height in the winstar .
if you change your oil and sparkplugs -- ( now I have different engines than you are looking at, I had the 3.8 liter engine in both). In the winstar, the oil filter makes a mess when you change it, the filter is tucked up inside the fram rail, and difficult to work on. there is alot more room to work on the oil filter in the chrysler. spark plugs I cannot reach the 2 rear passanger side plugs on the winstar from under the vehicle. On the chrysler I could change all six plugs. The fuel economy was about the same 20 to 22 mpg. for both. I think that the chrysler will carry a heavier load, as I had to add load leaveler shocks with helper springs to keep the back end up on the winstar. I hope this has been some help.

[flyboy2610]

My wife and I were looking at both. She liked the way the Windstar felt when she drove it. I liked the Grand Voyager.
We bought both!

[mark v]

Yeah that is a good way to decide about buying a vehicle on how the oil change is a messy job.

[ronmar1]

I have had, and still own both. I currently have a 96 Dodge Caravan and a 95 Ford Windstar. Both have over 200k miles. The Windstar shows a little better quality interior, although the Caravan does have more room. The Caravan seems to be the easiest to work on in most cases. I do my own mechanic work so that is a huge plus for me.

As for durability, keep them maintained properly and they both will serve you well.

IMHO
Ron