The Failstar

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
04/23/2020 at 12:59 • Filed to: None

I believe it was nibby, who asked a while ago for me to post my parents minivan/totally-not-a-driveway-ornament.

The failstar is a much beloved family hauler, which has seen far better days of roadtrips and school runs. The days of having the backseat entirely to myself so that I could lay down (which was probably a horrible idea) on the drive down to Orlando give me the warm and fuzzies.

What doesnt give me the warm and fuzzies is the feeling of driving this turd. Although, it is remarkably better than the dodge caravan we had before this. The v6 gives acceptable performance. The suspension wallows and dives into corners in a rather disconcerting fashion. Pedal feel is comparable to a power wheels toy, or maybe a club car. Not the best thing to learn to drive in.

T he fail star, while reliable in its heyday, has suffered greatly from the ravages of time, and has a dizzying array of recalls and common failure points.

Most of these are related to rust. Both the front subframe and rear axles are prone to it. In this case, my father went through the effort of replacing the front subframe, but his repair of the under floor support is... q uestionable to say the least. The car currently sits, as my dad is notorious for letting projects go by the wayside. It still moves just fine, although the ABS is quite dicey (another common fault). The hope is that it can be patched up just enough to be traded in on a new vehicle. Its a shame, as mechanically it is mostly intact.

DISCUSSION (16)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:12

I don’t recall those being very good even when new, but I didn’t know they had a V6. I think there was a reason this only lasted one model year, but it is a shame that rust will claim it before mechanical faults.

412GTI > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:12

Oh man that reminds me of our old Town & Country family hauler. Rusted in the same areas but too was mechanically solid. I really disliked that van but in reality it was a great family vehicle. I have to ask, is it even worth the time repairing it for trade-in? I don’t think you’d get much over $500 for it it. Might be a better charity donation.

3point8isgreat > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:18

Had one that looked exactly like that growing up! Even the SE trim. That thing was awesome for family trips. Pretty sure it ate its transmission when my parents drove it alongside me to college (I was in my own car).

Nibby > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:18

Kinja'd!!!

wafflesnfalafel > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:23

man... as tough it sounds, that seems awfully close to being sent to Valhalla ...

My bird IS the word > 412GTI
04/23/2020 at 13:31

Hey, my dad thinks he can get a couple grand. I think hes smoking crack.

I kinda want to lemons the car. Cut the roof of and build a windstar-kart.

My bird IS the word > wafflesnfalafel
04/23/2020 at 13:35

Tbh would make more money on the insurance than a dealer could ever offer.

fintail > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:38

I always called these the “Windstall”. I think the first gen ones could be quite troublesome.

Damn I am glad I live where I live, when I see that rust.

412GTI > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 13:47

Yes yes yes! Lemons car would be dope!

GLiddy > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 14:06

I sent my Windstar to the scrappers for $300 and it was essentially rust free and had no body damage. You’re a better man than I if you are intent to fixing this. Then again, you’ve already shown it by all the work on the TA.

I could have fixed my Windstar, all it needed was a fuel pump. (Which is a huge PITA to get to.) The thing is that it had been giving me such problems that I made the decision that the next big thing that goes wrong with it, its gonna go. It had gotten to be too unreliable in its role as a family hauler.

My bird IS the word > GLiddy
04/23/2020 at 14:12

Oh, I aint fixing this. Its dead as far as I'm concernrd. My father believes he can salvage this, but I think he's wasting his time.

thatsmr > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 14:19

This is probably the best $1500 Craigslist car. Starts? Runs? Drives? Stops? Ask 1750 and take 1500 so someone feels like you gave them a deal. Nice cash transportation. If you traded for 500-1000 it would probably sell at auction around the same, and somebody would be selling for 1750 ready to take 1500

Under_Score > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 14:22

My 2012 Toyota RAV4 Limited (key: car that sells for $8,000+ used) was offered $5,500.

No offense, but if the Windstar was on that metric, it probably would get $50. You’d be surprised at how little places offer you for cars.

mazda616 > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 15:39

My friends had one similar to this and had nothing but constant issues. They spent like $800 fixing various things that were wrong with it. Finally got it running and driving right, and it then decided to throw a rod in a drive-thru. They sold it to a junkyard for $250.

duurtlang > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 16:07

Cut the roof of and build a windstar-kart.

I doubt that floor offers enough structural ri gidity by itself. You will need the roof, or some of it. Give it T-tops!

duurtlang > My bird IS the word
04/23/2020 at 16:10

That looks horrible. With that much structural rust t his would have failed inspection here many years ago.