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Comments
I know that leather is usually slickery when it is new and once it's broken in it gets softer.
Are they soft? hard? slippery?
I'd like to hear from owners that have some miles under them (parden the pun)
c'mon , let's get this discussion rolling.
Anybody notice that there is still no "problems and solutions" discussion for the Freestyle? I guess that's a good thing.
(most likely though becasue it's such a new vehicle)
c'mon chop, chop....let's here some leather stories!
(and keep them clean)
:-)
I did find the 3rd power outlet in the front console -- great for recharging the cell phone!
Now if I could find Freestyle specific, front and rear mud flaps, I'd be all set!
When I was driving the rattle sounded like it was coming from the passenger side. When my husband was driving it sounded like it was coming from the driver's side, although my husband said he heard it on the passenger side. Well we solved the mystery. I had a pair of sunglasses in the overhead sunglass compartment. Every bump made a rattle sound. We took them out and no longer hear the rattle.
5885 miles later we are still loving our FreeStyle!
Nothing to report after 14,000 miles. I've never had leather before and now I wouldn't want to have anything else. Talk about easy to maintain. After that crappy looking polyester stuff in my 2003 Expedition (well, it was the bottom of the line trim level), I couldn't be happier.
I had to wipe down the area where my grandaughter sits and she gets sticky stuff here and there and I used some stuff that my better half uses on his 2002 150 Lariat--dunno now what it is. His truck seats look good, so I figured it's good enough for my car.
With over 3,500 posts in here, it may be time Nitro. With emphasis on "solutions."
Steve, Host
I haven't mounted my I-Pass yet for the same reason. The blacked area would be perfect to mount it since it is behind the mirror, but I am concerned about adhesion to the tape. I will probably mount it there or not at all.
Compared to our 2000 MPV which had leather these seats are not as slippery and the leather is a bit softer. I think that the leather is just as good as what I have sat on in my mother in law's Lexus ES300 (which is not as 'supple' as I would expect for an upscale car).
Anyway I am quite satisfied with the leather seats.
I haven't had any problems/solutions to post yet. This is one great vehicle.
Press the middle button on the steering wheel. The one between INFO and RESET. It may be called "setup" or something like that.
If you don't do anything after pressing it, it should scroll through a bunch of info about the status of just about everything on the vehicle. I kept pressing that button and manually walked it through the steps. One is the oil life.
When it displays the oil life, press and hold the reset button. (It also will tell you to do that step). It took me several attempts at pressing and holding to actually get the display to acknowledge that a reset took place. Hope that helps. (The manual may be a little more {or less!!} clear.)
i hope they put the right oil in.
So now I have my code and my life is complete!
I recall that some of you Freestyle owners changed your own oil/filter. I noted that the original oil filter on the car is not the same as the replacement that is recommended (FL820S). The fluted end of the original filter is different than the FL820S - I have a cap-type filter wrench for the FL820S but not the one that is currently on my Freestyle. Was the original filter easy enough to remove by hand that a cap-type filter wrench was not necessary? I have just a bit over 2,600 miles and want to change the oil at 3K. I know the weight is 5W20 but have not seen any synthetic oil (Mobil 1) in this weight.
LEATHER SEATING - I have used Lexol several times on the front and second row seats and notice the leather is a bit softer. Someone mentioned a family member has a Lexus ES300 and the leather in the Freestyle was just as good. In addition to the Freestyle, I have an 2002 Lexus ES300 and the leather in the Lexus is far nicer than in the Freestyle. I consider the quality of the leather in the Freestyle 'serviceable' whereas the leather in the Lexus is far more luxurious and supple with a much smoother grain. You get what you pay for and the content of each vehicle reflects its price point and segment.
Regards -
M. J. McCloskey
Went w/Hidden dealer after arguing w/3 different draw tite dealers to try to get that part ordered...another long story that does not need to be told.
Anyway - it is out there and available !
I am planning to install a Fumoto oil drain valve in place of the standard plug.This will be much more convenient to drain the oil as well as the side benefit of releasing some oil if it's overfilled.And also for the sake of curiosity perhaps to take samples for used oil analysis some time in the future.
Check out this link which shows the oil drain procedure for a Mazda 6 which has essentially the same Duratec 3.0L engine as the Freebie with a Fumoto F-107 valve installed.
http://www.mazda6tech.com/articles/how-to/change-the-6s-oil-3.0-v6-.html
and also Fumoto's website for further info.
http://www.fumotousa.com/main.htm
BUT you have to remember to do this after the oil change!
I have stuck religiously with the Motorcraft FL820S and a cap wrench that fits the flutes. Works great and the filters are readily available at low cost. I have found that AutoZone has the best every day price, though they always seem to have only one or two on the shelf.
I believe on Freestyle and Five Hundred Ford have made access to the filter easier than my Taurus.
It is no big deal loosening and retightening the plug in the aluminum casting pan without stripping unless you are an uncoordinated gorilla (which probably defines the average employee at quick change oil places!). I have probably done 17 of them by now on my Taurus, so will probably forego the drain valve option, though it is a minor convenience, assuming it is a reliable leakproof device.
Thanks again -
M. J. McCloskey
No sour grapes from a malcontent here, read my previous posts, we really like this car.
In NY the lemon law kicks in if the dealer fails to fix the problem after 4 chances (meaning, it saves you from giving him a 5th chance), or if your vehicle is off the road for 30 days in the first 2 years of ownership. The dealer of course will fight every step of the way (most commonly by defining the problem too narrowly, such as "the first repair was the steering hoses, then the second was the pump, different problem"). If you get to that point, which of course I hope you don't, you should contact your state's attorney general's office for advice. It might help to mention to the dealer early (like now) that you are contacting the AG's office "just in case."
The downside was the dealership. The x-plan price had increased by $111 from when I ordered it 60 days ago and the $1,000 plus $500 rebate went down to $1,000 two weeks ago (they claim). Shipping increased by $25. It took all day to make the deal that I thought was already made and I had to walk out once. I am still unhappy with the dealer experience and the revised deal, but II do have the car I wanted.
I strongly suspect your dealership has pulled a fast one on you. They picked a good time to do that just when you are taking delivery of the car.Did you get a copy of the actual invoice ? Somewhere close to the bottom shows the X-Plan and A-Plan prices.If not, insist that they show it to you.The extra $500 is a Ford cash incentive for Blue Oval sale days thru June 30th if bought from dealer stock.If you bought thru a factory order before the sale period then it is questionable but I would check it out with Ford if you qualify.
I really doubt Ford will increase the X-Plan price at yearend clearout time.
Good luck on the outcome.
It seems that you know more about car dealings than me so I have a question. I am attempting to buy a Freestyle SE AWD. It has the Conv. and safety packages. The sticker says about $28,600 and they are telling me I can have it for $26,400. When I saw the invoice, it was about $200 the X-plan. Is this a good deal? (I am taking the 0% financing instead of the $1000)
Thanks
The final deal was the new x-plan price of $31,455 less the $1,000 rebate for a total of $30,455 plus taxes. I paid cash. What made me nervous is they had me initial numerous boxes on a Ford x-plan sheet with all the line items blank. I questioned this, but they said there was no way they could fill in all the numbers at that time. I initialed, however, that was the one piece of paperwork that I did not receive a copy. I smelled something wrong, but I did not want to leave the car in the hands of the dealer any longer. One more thing. There was a line item on the x-plan form for an increase/decrease over the x-plan price when ordered.
Based on your reply, it appears if I refused to accept delivery, the next buyer could have used x-plan and received the $1,000 rebate plus the $500 because now the vehicle I ordered was now "in stock."
I have poured over the vehicle and the fit and finish is perfect. On the Freestyle, 500 and Montegos I have viewed in the last eight months, the dash storage compartment sometimes had to be shut twice to close. This one snaps shut on the first closing. As I said before, the car is great, but I will look to another dealer when I replace my F-150 with a new King Ranch.
Check out this Freestyle section Ford Freestyle: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences
to get a better handle on what others are paying for their SE AWD and factor in the other options to your needs.
I did not quite understand your question ...."about $200 the X-Plan"
The 0% financing sounds very enticing in lieu of $1000. BUT if you do a cash flow analysis according to Ford's loan payment chart 0% @ $27.78/K your monthly payt will
be $733.40 ; @ 1.9% @$28.60/K the monthly payt is $755, based on $26,400 price.
The $21.60 mo. savings is no big deal and if one is to do a time value of money calculation at say 1.9% APR this will only amount to a PRESENT VALUE of $396.
So clearly, IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS the $1000 cash reduction in price is the better deal.
However the above is a little oversimplified. Because #1, paying out a full lump sum is a big deal and hard on the budget. #2, consider investing the money SAFELY to get a return better than 2% APR and you will be ahead of the game to take out Ford's rate of 1.9% for 36months or longer.
Another tip is, go to Ford's website and tell them you're ready to buy a vehicle IMMEDIATELY and request for a e-Certificate for $750 good until June 30th.Not sure it will work but is worth a try.Chances should be good as dealers are stuck with high inventories and the $1000 dealer cash is an incentive to reduce stocks and make room for MY2006s as well as the new Fusion/Milan,etc models which Ford is banking on future sales. So holding out for another month may be another option as the situation gets a little more desperate.Consider GM publicizing sales at employee prices and also Ford encouraging employees to hand out their X-Plan PINS and being financially rewarded.July and August sales should very interesting but there will be limited choices on the remaining stock.
When I purchased my SEL AWD last month the dealer wanted over $2000 for the extended warranty (I choose 5 year 75,000 powertrain only). I offered him $1000 and he countered with $1600. I declined and next day went online with Ford ESP.
http://www.fordwarrantys.com/
After I registered they sent me a promotional code good for $185 off any warranty. The two I considered were the BasicCare plan (one step up from Powertrain only) for $870 ($685 after discount) and the ExtraCare plan for $960 ($775 after discount). I purchased the ExtraCare plan for less than half of what the dealer wanted for the Powertrain only!!! I'm happy.
BTW I love my Freestyle..... even more than my 93 Explorer!
Regards,
Webbcam
Oh, I meant on the invoice, the X-plan was $200 more than what he was going to sell the Freestyle to me for. I probably would have bought it but I was not a fan of the color (Titanium green).
Thanks!!!
it says....
....".This offer can be used in conjunction with most consumer offers made available by Ford of Canada at the time of purchase or lease with the exception of any RCL Loyalty Certificate, Retail Appreciation Bonus, Ford Graduate Recognition Program , or Young Drivers of Canada Savings Certificate. A,X, and Z Plan members are eligible for this program. This offer is not applicable to any Fleet or Government delivery."
Somewhere else it also says that it excludes the hot selling 2005 Ford Mustang.
We don't normally get as good deals here as you folks down south so as I said your chances look pretty favourable to get similar or better deal. Go get 'em.!
To Webbcam: re Extended Warranty.Good heads up. Both you and Bruneau1 did well.
I almost fell off my chair when my dealer quoted $2300.I didn't even bother to respond.
I'm also concerned about the longterm reliability of the CVT as my wife does not rack up high mileage so chances are we won't detect problems during the warranty period. Won't mind paying low price similar to yours or else I'll take my chances without.
Take care -
I've noticed a weird screeching/clunking sound when I start up my Freestyle after is been sitting for two days or more. Upon startup the engine (or something else under the hood) makes a screeching/clunking sound as the engine turns over. Also, when I engage the climate control there is a similar clunking sound that has me concerned.
On the other hand, if I drive my Freestyle every day (like yesterday and today) it starts up as it should without any peculiar sounds from the engine or when activating the climate control.
I am wondering if it has to do with the region I live in (mid-Atlantic - central VA) where the humidity can cause one to sweat just by thinking about it.
Other than the above issue, my Freestyle has been perfect. I truly enjoy driving this car and the mileage and performance is more than acceptable in spite of what some auto reviewers say about lack of power.
Best regards -
M. J. McCloskey - AWD Limited - Titanium
Nancy
Thanks for the solving the problem! I will get some of that too, because there is really no place else to store my sunglasses when I am not wearing them where they won't be in the way!
almost 6000 miles and still loving the FreeStyle!!
I've never heard of the E-Certificate either...