If you buy a Ford Windstar be sure to keep a spare set of keys,
especially if you've got young kids. My five year old son Joshua has
been in many a car, and he styles himself something of an automotive
afficionado, but it was all I could do to keep him from playing in and
with Ford's signature family mini-van.
The minivan design has been refined over the years to meet the
demanding requirements of families with young children. A dedicated
mirror allows the driver to peer into the rear seats — two captain-like
chairs in the passenger row [far enough apart to keep feuding siblings
at bay] and a third bench-like seat for two or three in the rear. There
are two rear doors, and you don't have to be a heavyweight wrestler to
open or shut them – the simple push of a button will do. These can even
be opened from "hundreds of feet away," according to Joshua, who never
permitted me do this neat trick myself. A media system, comprising both
a VHS VCR and a radio with headphones allow families to travel together
without interacting with each other – an admittedly mixed blessing, but
one with advantages that any traveling parent will recognize.
The vehicle acquits itself quite well – on the highway and in errands
around town. It is a no brainer to operate. Horn, parking brake,
assorted switches and signals are more or less where one would expect.
We operated the VCR without reference to the manual – my personal litmus
test for consumer friendliness. Gas mileage, at 16.5 mpg is the price to
be paid for keeping assorted spouses and children happy and at a safe
distance from each other on family outings. The back seat folds over and
up, adding space to the smallish cargo area. Air conditioning, so
important in some climates, is more than adequate, with separate front
and rear controls controlled by the driver.
My one complaint is about the Windstar's bells and whistles. Some are
shrill and bothersome. Others, like the one that comes on after it
decides that a turn signal has been on too long, had me searching
frantically for an open door or blown head gasket. There are so many I
mistook my cell phone chirping for another mysterious automotive
complaint. That said, the Windstar will spoil you, especially if your
family likes the open road.
Comments by my 14 year-old daughter Eve:
The new Ford Windstar is GREAT. The seats are real comfortable with
plenty of leg room. There's so much space, at one point my parents in
the front were listening to music, my brother was watching a video on
the wonderful tv that was so thoughtfully put into this van, and I was
reading a book -- all at the same time comfortably and without noise
interference. The controls in the back are also real helpful to adults
since they don't have to constantly change the radio stations for their
kids. The monotonous beeping when one doesn't fasten the seatbelt right
away or when the turning signal is on too long gets annoying though. But
this problem is extremely minimal if you weigh it against all the
advantages and luxuries that this van offers. It should definitely be a
strong consideration for families in need of space, entertainment, and a
great ride.
