Late 90's Ford Windstar questions

[scatterbunny]

I think I've decided that my next vehicle will be a Ford Windstar. I definitely want a minivan, and we can't afford a new one, so I researched and found the safest used minivans are the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and the Ford Windstar. Since the Windstars are cheaper, I think we have to go that route, as much as I'd like to get a Toyota or Honda.

When did headrests on the backseats become standard (I know they still didn't have them in the center spots, but at least on the sides)?

[CPSDarren]

I'm not sure when rear headrests became standard in Windstar. Some new vehicles still dont have adequate head restraints:-(

[threerugratz]

I know you were asking about late 90's Windstars but I'm going to reply anyway. I have a 2000. I'm thinking the body style changed around the year 2000 model and maybe headrests were added then. (I saw an earlier year than mine yesterday at Walmart and noticed no headrests on the back bench which surprised me, couldn't see the middle bench well from where I was, but did see a child restraint which made me happy.) Mine has headrests on both middle bench positions and the back bench has them in outboard positions. I wish there was one in the middle of the back bench (and a shoulder belt). The seats also have the built in tethers on the bottom of the seat back so no tether straps running about in weird directions, lol. Another nice thing about the year 2000 is that the middle bench can be moved closer to the driver's side or the passenger side to allow back bench access from the side you prefer. The back bench can be moved up the middle row too but I assume most minivans have that.

Good luck in your search. Five years ago, I wouldn't have guessed I'd love a minivan but I love ours. I can't imagine having to drive our car all the time. I have a cyber friend who has a late 90's model, I'll see if I can get info from her about what year she has and headrest locations.

Smiles, Lisa

[CPSDarren]

2000 had LATCH, too, didn't it?

[threerugratz]

Oh I forgot to mention that Darren. Thanks. Yes, latch in all 5 bench positions (I am almost sure that even the back bench middle can utilize latch (the inner outboard anchors) as long as the car seat manufacturer allows it. I'd have to double check that as my manual is in the car.)
The latch is very easy to use as well. I know some vehicles seem to have the anchors "hidden" but the Windstar anchors are easily accessible and I can get my Husky in very quickly and easily (well besides the mammoth weight of the thing).
I love our Windstar. I hope it continues to love us back and be reliable for quite a few more years.

[scatterbunny]

According to the Insurance Insitute for Highway Safety, the Windstar's design changed in 1999, and the 99-03 models get worse ratings than the 95-98, which is why I was considering the 97-98 models, also the lower price. I just can't seem to find out which year began including headrests in some rear postions. :( I don't mind not having them in the center positions, but outboard is a must. We'll have dd in her Husky for quite a few more years, but I want to be able to transport other children in boosters, and other adults. Right now with her Husky in the center of my Accord, that just isn't possible. My Accord doesn't have headrests, either--just little bumps, 'pseudo headrests', LOL.

[threerugratz]

Here's the info I found out from my friend. She has a '98
Windstar. It has headrests in 6 out of 7 positions (no headrest in the middle of the back bench). She said the headrests are not removeable until the '99 version. Not sure if you care about that or not but I did remove the headrest behind my Husky to help it install better (only problem is now I don't recall where it ended up in our new house when we moved 2 years ago). She wasn't aware which year specifically that the headrests became standard for all but the middle back bench lap belt only spot but brought up the possibility that the luxury versions of the vehicle may have headrests. And if the second row had captain's chairs there would be headrests there at least.
She also said to steer clear of '95 and '96 model years as they have head gasket problems, but thinks this issue was resolved with '97 model year.
Her '98 model has the driver's seat tilt and slide option so it slides forward on a track and allows access to the 2nd and 3rd row from the driver's side. She has a baby that is rearfacing so this helps so she can put the baby in from the driver's side instead of lifting the baby across from the passenger's side. Her model has only a passenger side sliding door. If she puts the baby rearfacing on that passenger side then the other kids can't get past it to get to the back. She thinks the '99 model offered the dual sliding doors and the ability to interchange the 2nd and 3rd row seats. This may not be an issue for you as you have reasons for not wanting the '99 model year.
I hope that helped a little although you still don't have an answer to the question you asked, lol.
Smiles, Lisa

[scatterbunny]

Thank you Lisa, that was actually really great info! :) Based on that, I will definitely be leaning towards the 98 Windstar.