Hi! This is Ron Ravetti the internet manager at Big Valley Ford. I have read your synopsis. It sure appears you have done quite a bit of research on the supercrew. True, it is quite a unique vehicle. However, as to Saturn's new SUV coming out I remain quite sure they will not hold a candle to the supercrew, rather it will compete with our Escape. When properly equipped the Escape will tow 3500lbs! I believe the Escape to be a well needed vehicle to the SUV line up, at a good price! Have you checked one out? Wish to? Please feel free to contact me.
One more thing. Big Valley has formed a "business Direct" dept to better facilitate your effort to enjoy a hassle free, relaxed buying experience with priority pricing! You can see our "team" (3 of us) in our ad contained in today's asparagus fest insert within the Record, pictures and all. Or, read yet another mention of this new department in the 4.13 auto section. Again, thank you for your comments.
Ron Ravetti
internet mgr/business direct dept
Big Valley Ford

Dear Mr. Ravetti,
I don’t consider being badgered by four different salespeople after informing three of them that we are being helped by the first salesperson that approached us hassle free and relaxing. In fact we were so relaxed that we walked off of your lot with out purchasing. Maybe your hassle free buying experience could use a bit of adjustment?

Thank you for your letter and yes I did do a good job researching the Super crew. By the time I write a review I have known the vehicle very intimately

When salespeople work on commission a bit of ethics is very important. No sale’s lot I have ever been on ignored sales ethics on commission sales. Your sales people need to respect when told, we already are working with a sales person but thank you anyway. We were hassled right off the lot.

Follow-up letter from Mr. Ravetti
(George handles most of my personal correspondence)
George: Thanks for your reply. What I meant by hassle free is dealing with this specific department (business direct/internet dept) your experience would be different. My team (3 of us) do not work the lot. Rather we are the fleet dept selling to internet prospects, personal referrals and business'. Business direct is the new word for fleet. We do business different! Hector is truly a gentleman. On behalf of Big Valley Ford please accept our apologies for the treatment you received here. We strive to help each and every visitor, forgive us if we were a bit overbearing. In the event you wish to obtain numbers on a vehicle without coming in, please visit our site to determine if the unit you desire is in stock, let me know and I'll provide the numbers. Naturally, Hector will be on the deal. Ron Ravetti

Mr Ravetti, where do most of your sales home from? Wouldn’t it be a bit wiser to properly train the sales people that have first contact with your customers?


A bit of a different beginning to a review but I thought the response to my last review was rather interesting. We had not received a hassle free buying experience at the Ford lot at the Stockton Auto mall in Stockton California, in fact it is was the worst experience we had ever had. When we first arrived at the Ford lot a sales person approached us by the name of Hector. Hector answered all the questions we needed answering. We informed him when we needed him we would find him and to let us be while we were looking and comparing. He was very polite and agreed to let us alone for a while. While we were looking at different vehicles at least three other salespeople approached. We informed each and everyone that we already had a salesperson. I can see the competition between salespeople and why they approached us. But I can’t see why they couldn’t respect a thank you and leave it at that. At least I am glad they appreciate Hector, the only polite helpful salesperson we found on the lot. Enough of this let us get on with the review!

2001 Ford Windstar Limited Edition

I think this would be a Van I would feel comfortable having my family in. The Windstar has many safety features such as a sensor system that provides the proper level of inflation for the dual-stage driver and passenger airbags. The limited edition Windstar has side impact airbags for both the passenger and driver. These sensors determine just how much energy should be used to deploy the airbags according to the severity of the accident. Another standard safety feature is the ABS tire warning system that alerts when the tire pressure is low. One of the optional features is the all speed Traction Control that helps maintain traction on slippery roads. How about the Power Heated Signal Mirrors that contain a lighted arrow that alerts traffic behind to you lane changes. These also flash when the sliding door is open. People behind you know that someone is leaving the vehicle. The first I have ever seen is a conversation mirror that is on the overhead console that allows you to see the kids in the back seat with out your attention leaving the road. Foot pedals that move? I guess one auto dealer realized were not all the same height. The brake and accelerator pedals move; the driver can position them at their own comfort level. Wouldn’t that be nice not having to move the seats each time another driver takes over? Maybe the best safety feature is the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH).

The 2000 Windstar achieved a five-star government front crash test rating for the driver and front passenger.

Ok what did I really love about this van? The entertainment system in the back seat. If that had been available when I had young children think of the gray hairs that would have never turned gray. Pop in a video and the kids aren’t nit picking each other. Just, WOW!

Auto Vision Family Entertainment System, headliner-mounted adjustable 6.4” color monitor removable video cassette player, stereo auido through vehicle speakers, two 12v powerpoints, 2 headphones with 8’ cords, infared remote control, sidepocket storage for video cassettes, rear seat control module with volume control, media selection, seek function, two headphone jacks that are compatible with popular video game systems. Cost for this wonderful piece of mind? $995.00

Just imagine the last two hundred miles of a long journey. The kids are tired. Pop in their favorite video game and they will be happy for the last two hundred miles! The drive can put a soothing CD in and enjoy the remainder of the trip. The Windstar has an AM/FM stereo and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with a clock.

My hot cup of fresh coffee will sit perfectly safe in the self-adjustable cup holders. Now I am forever chasing my hot cup of coffee across the dashboard and also catching it frequently on quick take-offs!

The base price of this very useful and versatile vehicle is $33,570 adding the Auto Vision Family Entertainment System an additional $995.00 making the total price $35,220. The gas mileage is 18 in town and 24 highway. The fuel tank holds 26 gallons of fuel.

The Windstar has 3.8L SPI V6 engine and the 4-speed automatic transmission. On the highway there was plenty of power for passing. The front has a stabilizer bar and MacPherson Strut front suspension. There is a Twist Bean rear suspension. For a van it rolled into the turns nicely. The Windstar had a solid feel to it.

The Windstar was very easy for me to get up into. In fact of all the cars, trucks and vans we looked at that day the Windstar were the easiest. I loved the side door. It opened so easily. It had a power slide door. It closed with just a touch of a finger. I remember so many times with my Dodge Caravan having an armful of stuff trying to get the darn door open. The power door is sensational.

The limited edition Windstar had 215/65r16 BSW SELF SEALING tires and a full-sized spare tire. The self-sealing tires are a pretty neat feature. I remember playing with one of these at a tire shop one time. They had a board with 3 nails on it that levered into the tire. Each time the puncture would seal immediately. I offended wondered how many punctures that tire ended up with when it was taken down as a demonstration and if it still held air.

This van will hold 7 people and still has plenty of additional storage space. The model we tried had bucket seats in the first and second row and a bench seat in the third row. The limited addition has many interior and exterior accents that sets off this vehicle rather nicely. To top all this off it has a keyless entry with a keypad.

The Windstar comes standard with a class II towing package and a 2,000/3,500 lbs. towing capacity. I believe this to be plenty adequate to tow a medium size boat. Though I am a bit leery about the V6 engine and if it would have enough power to tow a medium size boat. I would just hate it if I were the person slowing down a long line of traffic on a mountain pass. It sure does aggravate me when I’m at the back of a slow line.

The Limited Edition Windstar we are considering is a black with clear coat and mineral gray two tones. The 10 spoke brushed aluminum wheels set it off very nicely.

The Ford no deductible bumper-to-bumper 3-year or 36,000 mile warranty is accompnied with the 24-hour emergency roadside assistance program.

I would have liked an option of a V8 engine. I really don’t think the V6 will do everything we will require it to do. I like the functionality of the Windstar. I especially like all the safety features. I always compare vehicles and their safety features by thinking to myself, would I use this automobile to bring a new baby home from the hospital? In the Limited Edition Windstar I think I would be comfortable bringing a new baby home.

I love the open road. I get very anxious after just a short period of time of not being on the open road. Just set the wind behind me and I could go forever. That’s exactly what I intend to do someday, is travel and see everything I can see until I finally get tired of going.

Amount Paid (US$): $35,220
Condition: New
Model Year: 1995
Model and Options: Limited edition