Doodahs and Gewgahs
or
"Essential" Optional Equipment
www.geocities.com/windstarguy

Our Windstar 3.0L includes a modest list of options, but of course you may want to consider a "fully loaded" minivan. You'll notice in the picture above that we've added a Rubber Maid box and a cardboard box that we leave in the back. They're a must for keeping your groceries from rolling around. We highly recommend the following options as "essential":

Power Convenience Group
This includes power mirrors (you gotta have 'em if you have more than one driver in your house), power windows (the sound of the rear windows opening and closing is cool), and power door locks (including the ultra-convenient real-world-application rear hatch power lock switch). There's a cool feature that lets you manipulate the power windows for up to 30 seconds after you've switched off the ignition (provided no one has opened a door yet).

Floor Mats
I know it seems like they should be standard but you gotta get 'em and you'll know why the first time you go to the beach.

Stereo
Our vehicle had the AM/FM but we upgraded to a cassette deck for those long drives through the coastal mountains. It sounds good.

Air Conditioning
I'm not convinced this is "essential", but it was already there so what the heck. It really feels like it sucks power off the engine, and I guess this would be less of an issue with a GL model equipped with the 3.8L engine. Oh yeah, our van has a pinstripe applied as well. I guess that was on the optional equipment list but I don't remember. Anyway, it looks nice and I haven't seen too many 3.0L's with a pinstripe.

Lots of other stuff that you'd want is already standard, like solar-tinted glass, power steering and ABS brakes, and of course - cup holders!