FORD Windstar 1998-2004 Photos, engines & full specs

Ford replaced the Aerostar with the Windstar in 1994 with a much better design and smoother lines. Four years later, it introduced the second generation for it.

It is unusual for an American carmaker to completely change a range after just four years, but Ford did it anyway. Since the first Windstar generation was able to jump the start one year before Chrysler's minivan Voyager, it was a smart move that helped the blue-oval brand increase its market share. Its older Aerostar was already sluggish on the market.

The front-wheel-drive Windstar was a big surprise since it was built on a new platform, used mostly for MPVs. Its rounded shape with long, raked hood and tall stance made it look more upmarket than it was. Its big window area covered almost half of the car's height. In the rear, the designers made a curved tailgate instead of a flat, vertical drop.

Ford installed up to eight seats in the Windstar and mounted power-sliding doors (standard after 2002) on the sides, and that helped to get a basketball team inside quicker than in most of the other cars on the market. A big, wide trunk in the back could hold the gear for them. The dashboard was simple and straightforward, with rounded shapes and a deep center stack.

Under the hood, Ford installed a choice of two engines paired to a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. Unlike Chrysler's minivans, Ford didn't feature an all-wheel-drive system.