In my old 1994 Kelley Blue Book the Aero is listed under Ford trucks, as it should be. However the Caravan is also listed as a truck, which doesn't make sense. Seperate from that, I'm puzzled that people think the Aero rides poorly. When I had my '91 shorty I thought it rode like a limousine. When I can move up to a 4.0 extended I would expect the ride to be smoother yet. Ray Mac

In the beginning all mini vans were listed as trucks. Did not have to have some of the safety items as

I think one of the biggest effects of listing vans as truck is the, Insurance costs.  Having compared the cost of a 97 Ford Aerostar AWD Vs. 97 GMC Jimmy (4X4) is a tremendous difference.   I think a van built on a car chasis gives someone more of a smoother ride especially when compared the Aerostar RWD not to mention better control with the FWD.  Their are pros and cons on both ends but my issue is cost.  Their are less expenses when dealing with RWD.   I agree, that when companies build a vehicle these days they consider how much money they can make off the repairs.   We had a 2000 Ford Focus that had more recalls than former Gov. Gray Davis; it was in the shop more times than it was actually driven.  I got rid of swearing I would never buy another Ford. I inherited a 95 and though not pretty proved to be more enduring that I had expected; never overheated; never stalled; my wife felt more secure in the Aerostar.  

That FWD is the holy grail of bad weather control is really hogwash. I lived in Michigan's lower peninsula for decades and near Copper Harbor in the UP for one winter. I've also ice raced on frozen lakes. FWD is great in the snow for one thing and one thing only. Accelerating in a straight line. Once you add in turning you're losing traction compared to RWD. Remember the traction circle. As long as all forces (acelleration, braking and turning) stay within that circle traction is good. Once the total of all forces extends past the traction circle you are out of control. It is much easier to go past the traction circle with a FWD vehicle because the generation of ALL three forces is the front tires. For instance, go into a corner on a snowy road a little too hot with a FWD car. You have four choices. 1. Brake 2. Take your foot off the gas 3. Do nothing 4. Accelerate Results? 1. If you are already going to fast to make the corner and you brake you will slide towards the outside of the curve. Hopefully you won't hit anything. 2. If you're not going to fast you'll slide and hopefully scrub off enough speed to avoid hitting anything. 3. BANG! 4. Here's where the major advantage ot RWD in the snow comes out. With FWD if you accelerate you will hasten your slide to the out side of the corner, although it may be further up the road before you hit anything. When you do hit it will be much harder though. With RWD when you accelerate you can swing the rear end around and get straight with the corner. However, this is something you need to be comfortable with BEFORE you need it, especially with something as big, ponderous and tall as an Aerostar. Still I feel MUCH more in control in any RWD then any FWD in the snow. BTDT-GTTS. Of course it's best to get accustomed to driving your vehicle in snowy/icy conditions well before you really need to. I always suggest taking your vehicle to a parking lot anytime it get snow cover to get yourself aquainted with the vehicle dynamics AND your reactions.