I went to the test drive and forgot to grab the literature bag on my way out. (Duh!) I do remember, though, that there were two ceiling air outlets--one on the right side and one on the left--that appear to take care of both the 2nd and 3rd rows. My husband remembers seeing separate controls in the 2nd row, much like his Sport Trac. I don't think you can delete the 3rd row. I'm guessing that the FX concept future vehicle would become the 3rd row alternative. Personally, I'll be waiting for that model. By that time, the "bugs" will be out of the car, and perhaps it could replace my husband's Sport Trac.
Ventilation: FRASIERDOG - The Freestyle will have an auxiliary climate control, like Explorers and Freestars. Whether it's a 3-zone (Freestar Limited, Explorer Eddie & up) or other, remains to be seen. The ordering guides for all 2005s are in http://fordaxz.com/2005orderingguides.htm I tried the link, and they aren't working. Again. If it persists, I'll e-tell them. Again.
Pricing: ANT14 - YES!! Now we'll know if they are giving a fair deal, or are trying to steal us blind, deaf & mute. NANCYB must be eager to know.
In other news, I showed the Freestyle ("Freebie" as I call it video to a couple of co-workers. The video is at the auto show link within the fordvehicles.com Freestyle section. They were impressed, but apprehensive of a newly introduced car. The "first year is trouble" rule still lingers.
Contour started my work-week with no battery juice. Had to use the Sam's Club Car Starter Special to get it back in action. It's OK now. These "three months to Freebie" will be interesting...
I'm impressed -- how did you learn the pricing would be announced this week?
Also, about the climate controls, seems there was an option for extra rear climate controllers that cost extra when we sat down with the guy to order one like we wanted. I'm sure everyone gets ventillation, but if you pay extra the passengers get to adjust their own.
I saw that San Antonio's Jordan Ford is supposed to have a Freestyle there when they have a Mustang show on August 18th. Just a little far for us to drive over and back in a day's time. Wish they'd come to Little Rock! If any of you guys are Texans, you might want to check it out.
I think ANT is the most informative poster on Town Hall, bar none. I wish there were Toyota/Honda/etc/etc equivalents of him on here!
I got to play in a 500 at a county fair recently. I was impressed with the interior materials. I would be interested in the Merc once it has the big moonroof and the 3.5. Maybe for '06?
Ive pretty much come to conclusion hes working at ford also. Now which part he is I dont know. Definately not an engineer though. Along with the tripling of the interior budget more basic designs are being used for the cd player and vents to reduce costs in design, but improve material quality. Were also using new design geometry to further fit and finish. Weve also pioneered some new techniques and used some that have been employed by Mazda for quite some time. Our ultimate goal is to reach sigma six, or a perfect car, but nobody has been able to achieve that yet. Weve also been researching quality techniques employed by Toyota and Hyundai and found a lot of it has to do with the machines being used. Most of those upgrades in the assembly, engine, other plants that are currently being done is to improve quality and fit and finish. To further our fit and finish and minimize human error we've been working hard to teach each of the line workers how to properly piece together each part. With total vehicle geometry and mazda quality techniques most of the cabin area is now being done by machines and then theyre checked for quality problems. A lot of the changes at ford arent visible to the outside eye, but inside the company its been changing to fit around Bill Fords new goals. We're also trying to adapt the company to be more japanesse like. New meeting techniques require all suppliers, program managers, and anyone else involved in the project to sit in a room until its solved. This can reduce design changes and thus get the product out into the market faster.
The 3.5L is almost done. If you go by proportionality it'll be producing around 233HP. This may be significantly higher though as I dont personally know the exact specs on it as of yet. The Milan, Fusion , Zephyr, and 6 will all be getting the 35 Duratec as well and a new SVT model may get a tuned version of the 35 duratec. The 6 version will proably add approx. 40-50HP.
If you have no idea what Tier 2 emissions are read this
Basic Information
The Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program is the result of a collaborative effort by a wide range of stakeholders. EPA worked closely with auto companies, oil companies, states, public health and environmental organizations, and others to design a stringent but balanced program that all key stakeholders could support.
Compared to Model Year 2003 and earlier, vehicles meeting the Tier 2 emission standards are much cleaner -- 77% to 95% cleaner, depending on the size of the vehicle. The very large health and environmental benefits of the program are estimated to total more than $25 billion at a cost to consumers of between only $70 to $250 per vehicle, and less than 2 cents per gallon of gasoline. With these cleaner vehicles, consumers will not experience any change in the performance or product selection of vehicles and fuels. Over the past few years, auto manufacturers have successfully worked to meet these stringent standards. In fact, for Model Year 2004, more clean vehicles will be sold than the EPA program requires.
The key to meeting the stringent Tier 2 emission standards in such a short time has been the large reduction in sulfur levels in gasoline. Sulfur in the fuel impairs the effectiveness of vehicle emission control systems. By removing most of the sulfur from gasoline, oil refiners are helping the new emission controls work longer and more efficiently. Average national gasoline sulfur levels are already declining, and by 2006 will be 90% lower than before the program. Sulfur in gasoline has no fuel value, in fact it can damage sensitive components such as onboard diagnostics systems and fuel injection systems. As a result, even vehicles manufactured prior to the 2004 Model Year will benefit from using low-sulfur fuel.
"Power door locks with remote keyless entry and door-mounted keyless entry key pad"
Why add the key pad? I really hate that and think it looks tacky. It always look bolted on and never seems to integrate well with the door. No other manufacturer in the world feels the need to put one of this ugly things on their cars do why does Ford?
As to the pricing, the Limited $29,195 + awd ($1,700) plus protection $795 (a little pricy don't you think?) totals $31,690. That seems favorable to the Pacifica.
Now I wonder when I will be able to get X-plan pricing on these?
Actually the reason those keypads have lasted @ 15+ years is because Ford consumer's actually like them and are in demand. Granted, depending upon the model, it might looked tacked on, or on the body work itself.... But as for the 500/Freestyle, etc it's integrated nicely into the door molding, and doesn't jump out at you.
I have it on my LS, and I've had it in the past in various Ford products and it's a convinient toy to have. Whenever I go to the beach, just stick my wallet and keys in the glovebox, and use the keypad to enter and exit. No need to carry all the bulky keys along with me. Or even when biking where my biking shorts do not have any pockets to carry keys in.
[quote]Whenever I go to the beach, just stick my wallet and keys in the glovebox, and use the keypad to enter and exit. No need to carry all the bulky keys along with me. Or even when biking where my biking shorts do not have any pockets to carry keys in.[/Quote]
Okay, you've convinced me. I cycle a lot and the thought about not having to carry the keys as well is actually quite compelling.
Of course, if I was a thief, I might be thinking that all I have to do is smash the window and look in the glove box to find the keys....
Well... I just said glovebox to give you an idea... I stash it under a slit of carpet under the seat. IN another car I would hide the keys in the fuse box panel inside the footwell. Another I would stash it under the front driver knee pad, where there was a recess. Another I would stuff it in the rear seat cupholder, etc.
KJNorman... had the keypad on an Explorer, and really appreciated it one day when I accidentally dropped my keys on the floor inside and locked the doors. Nice to not have to call a locksmith!!
Skrep... thanks for the info on the pricing. I said a big "whew" == they didn't get too outrageous with the prices. Any idea on what the invoice price would be below those retail numbers? Is there a standard percentage that they add to invoice to get retail?
nancyb - Can't answer those questions but I am sure someone out there can. I am awaiting word on the production of our Freestyle. Should be this week or next.
I got the list of colors for the Freestyle. They are as follows; NAME + (what they kinda look like IMO) Pueblo Gold Clearcoat Metallic (champaine, beige) Norsea Blue Clearcoat Metallic (Med Wedgewood Blue from 2001MY) Dark Shadow Grey Clearcoat Metallic (gun metal grey) Titanium Green Clearcoat Metallic (sea foam green) Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic (dark blue) Merlot Clearcoat Metallic (dark red) Redfire Clearcoat Metallic (bright red) Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic (bright silver) Black Clearcoat (black) Oxford White Clearcoat (bright white)
If you want to see the colors in the paint (so to speak) just go to your local dealer and pick up the little 2005 EXTERIOR COLORS CAR paper. It has all the new colors for the 2005 models including the Five Hundred, Freestyle, Freestar, Focus and Mustang.
IMO the Norsea Blue, Redfire Red and Silver Frost are by far the best looking colors. Of coarse the New Focus Blazing Copper Clearcoat Metallic would look sweet on the Freestyle.
1) It's either late this model year or next. They won't start it since they have their hands full with 500/Freebie/Monty. (Credit ANT14 for the tidbit.) 1a) From media.ford.com's article, second to last paragraph - FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING COMES TO LIFE AT CHICAGO ASSEMBLY WITH THREE NEW VEHICLES - "... The 2005 Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle and Mercury Montego are the first vehicles produced at Chicago under the new flexible system. A fourth product, a Mercury crossover, will be produced here at a future date... "
2)The closest thing is the full "glass ceiling" (front to back) the Aviator will have. This is a completely different animal (not "Volvo P2" based). I saw a prototype at the NY Auto. It'll will use the Duratec 35. Supposedly, it gets dibs on the engine, then 500/Freebie/Monty. (Credit ANT14 for the tidbit.)
3) The prototype I photographed in the NY Auto Show didn't had it. The ones in ford videos doesn't have it either. Since then, Freebie got classified as a truck. That allows it to get 2nd row tint. Whether it will or not remains to be seen. (Others get credit for this tidbit, but I don't recall whom.) 3a) Post 713 has a link to some pictures. The Freebie with surfboards got my attention. The windshield is tinted. However, if you look close, the third row glass is darker than 1st & 2nd (identical). Hopefully, this is also a prototype, since the picture came before the assembly line celebration pictures shown also in the link. (Can't be certain, as it looks the same as the "first Freebie" out.)
The big question is the cladding for SE & SEL variants. I don't know what "light gunmetal" nor "graphite" colors are. I thought (incorrectly) "graphite" was the color the Explorer XLT Sport has, named "platinum". Arizona Beige comes from the Explorer's coloring book (Eddie Bauer).
The fourth one, "charcoal beige", is the one the Blue Freebie has on the edmunds.com future vehicles - ford - freestyle page.
Interesting the Ltd doesn't seem to have cladding, but the SEL does? What's the rationale? Also, ANT, do your sources tell you when the first Freestyles will be on carriers rolling toward the dealerships? How many of them are they making each day?
I do have the info on the rations per trim level, but not with me at this time. Right now production is ramping up, just takes a few days, even weeks for it to speed up. But it's getting there....
As some auto critics stated, the cladding is a note from the Subaru Outback. That gives a sporty appearance, which young sports nuts love. Adding the minivan flexibility & volvo safety it offers over most crossovers, they'll come like ants to picnics. Their parents won't mind such combination.
On the NY Auto show, I saw a clip for the freestyle, showing young sport types going to a gym with those climbing walls to do just that. The surfboard picture I talked about from post 713 is along the same line. All this should hint the cladding's target audience. * The Outback is a bit cheaper. It's also smaller.
The Limited, with the wood trim and so on, would appeal to the no longer young but want a elegant, yet flexible vehicle. And absolutely no minivan or SUV. Note the 500 and Monterey are monochromatic as well. That's their target, also Magnum's. * The monochromatic Magnum has the hormone overload levels of a teenager in Playboy mansion. It's priced about the same as Freestyle. (They have a $1K rebate this month to fend off contestants.) It'll AWD or equivalent by calendar 2005, for a "reasonable" fee (if you're selling it, of course .
All crossover contestants (including Chevy Equinox) have two rows. Freebie has three. The only matching in flexibility is Magnum.
For the record, I'm in the Limited audience, yet won't discard the mid-point Freebie. My wife really likes several of the latter's color offerings.
Let's see... hormone overload? I'm a little short on hormones at this point in my life... but we're semi-committed to the Limited.
Had a Subaru Outback for about 9 months, until a mouse ate my wiring harness(es) and the parts got back ordered. Did you know a mouse could cause over $2,000 in damages in one night? Anyway, traded the Subaru for an Acura sedan, which I do really love. (although the Subaru drove very nicely).
Don't like the looks of the Magnum at all. I think it looks kind of goofy. We were tempted by the Rainier, but it was a bit too pricy for someone just around the corner from an early retirement... and the gas mileage figures get more important when we're seeing $2.00 per gallon at the pump.
So, Sam... who's going to get their Freestyle first... you in (Florida?), or me in Arkansas? Guess we'll have to rely on ANT who has most of the answers!!!!
PS to Ant... don't suppose you could get them to sneak just one of the dark red Limited's onto a truck bound for Arkadelphia, AR?????
they show a Freestyle SEL in Dark Blue Pearl with Charcoal Beige accent. I like the look of the color on this car, and I notice the the surround for the side windows is color matched blue with the car. I like the look.
However, for all other pictures I have seen the surround of the side windows seems to be black - rubberized I presume. Now is the surround color matched only for certain trim levels (SEL?), or was it just a prototype and all production cars will have black trim around the side windows?
I live in Stanhope, New Jersey and not Florida. You missed by a bit . For your reference, I'm 3/4 to one hour west of NYC. Note my earlier references to the NY Auto Show.
As a matter of fact, most of my family is in Florida. My mom, sister & nieces live in the Orlando area, right on the path of Hurricane Charley. This is the second hurricane doing a direct hit on my family in 5 plus years.
My brother in Miami visited them to check how they fared. Thank GOD, they're fine with no "souvenirs".
I didn't see a matching surround other than the door frame itself. I then went to the webshots.com pictures I posted. The prototype Limited shown had the traditional rubber seals around the windows.
The answer will have to wait until the Dealers have 'em.
BTW, does anyone have info on the dimensions of the Freestyle? IMO it's narrower yet longer than a Freestar. I'm quite curious.
Looking at interior photos of the Freestyle (and 500), I see that some climate controls will be blocked by the shifter when in Park. Also, the hazard flashers control is at a very low position, which is very different than all other cars (at least from Ford) which have it either on the top of the steering wheel column or at the highest position on the dashboard.
BTW, I love those huge oversized outside mirrors. Finally, Ford!
Glad your folks in FL are okay. I talked to my cousin in Sarasota this morning. They were very close, but didn't get much effect. My son, who lives in Melbourne, was away in TX this weekend. We heard the storm exited to the Atlantic near Melbourne. Guess he'll find out tomorrow when he gets home. Thank goodness the storm wasn't 100 miles wide, like some of them get. About your dimensions question, the most detailed information that I found to date is at: http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/ford_freestyle_2005/3997/model_ove- rview.html
I don't know what "light gunmetal" nor "graphite" colors are.
The colors in the (brackets) are what I think the colors look like. Arizona Beige comes from the Explorer's coloring book (Eddie Bauer).
The Arizona Beige is NOT a FreeSTYLE color, it is listed as a FreeSTAR color. As for Charcoal? I didn't list any charcoal color and there isn't any even listed on the color swatch paper.
The fourth one, "charcoal beige", is the one the Blue Freebie has on the edmunds.com future vehicles - ford - freestyle page.
I was up in Orlando for an Appt. with Charley but all went well... I mean, considering I dealt with Andrew in 92 with no damage, Charley in Orlando had it's issues (wood-frame construction mostly) but St.Andrew either.
That red Limited Freestyle will be a popular color actually... Shouldn't be too hard to find...
The vehicle has a LOT more in common with mini-vans than it does sedans.
It is NOT just a wagon version of the Five Hundred.
I should know, I have now driven both.
And trust me, there is a HUGE difference in how they handle. Each is very good at WHAT IT IS.
The Freestyle is NOT a sedan/wagon. The Five Hundred is not a minivan. Is the Freestyle a minivan? Not legally, but I would have a hard time telling someone who said it is that they are lead-pipe wrong...
The purpose of the categories at Edmunds is to steer buyers and those interested to the vehicles they may wish to consider. The linkage here, I think, is correct!
At that sums us up. Afraid of minivans but considing a Freestyle. We have a 17 month old and one more on the way. We want space for child seats but not the regular minivan look.
My wife is concerned if the quality will be okay giving this being a Ford and an all new model.
Just waiting now for them to hit Milwaukee for us to take a test drive.
My wife's parents have a vacation condo at the northern end of Captiva Island. No official word on the state of the unit yet - as they are still not allowing people onto the Island - but from the aerial videos we have seen, it seems to be in a bit of a mess, but at least seems to be structurally sound.
I have driven a Freestyle and the Five Hundred. For what it is, the Freestyle is very quiet, easily controlled, very well finished with an excellent and comfortable and roomy interior. I was amazed, though, at how much more comfortable and smooth the ride was in the Five Hundred than in the Freestyle. This, though, just proves I am a *CAR* person!
I got to drive ONLY the AWD Five Hundred. I did not drive the FWD version...
I should add the Freestyle was fine, the Five Hundred was just amazingly limo-smooth and refined by comparison, and by comparison to virtually any car on the market, including, dare I say it, a Lexis 430...
I ask this because the AWD version's have different shocks in the rear. SO I was asking in case this was the factor.
Don't be surprised if you hear some media outlet's mention it's Lexus-like quiet. In fact, with the pre-production batches of 500's made, the cabin's were so airtight from the seals that you had negative pressure upon opening the doors. That was obviously dealt with by increasing the size of the 'fartboxes', to counteract that effect.
Comments
I don't think you can delete the 3rd row. I'm guessing that the FX concept future vehicle would become the 3rd row alternative. Personally, I'll be waiting for that model. By that time, the "bugs" will be out of the car, and perhaps it could replace my husband's Sport Trac.
FRASIERDOG - The Freestyle will have an auxiliary climate control, like Explorers and Freestars. Whether it's a 3-zone (Freestar Limited, Explorer Eddie & up) or other, remains to be seen. The ordering guides for all 2005s are in http://fordaxz.com/2005orderingguides.htm
I tried the link, and they aren't working. Again. If it persists, I'll e-tell them. Again.
Pricing:
ANT14 - YES!! Now we'll know if they are giving a fair deal, or are trying to steal us blind, deaf & mute. NANCYB must be eager to know.
In other news, I showed the Freestyle ("Freebie" as I call it
Contour started my work-week with no battery juice. Had to use the Sam's Club Car Starter Special to get it back in action. It's OK now. These "three months to Freebie" will be interesting...
Sam
Also, about the climate controls, seems there was an option for extra rear climate controllers that cost extra when we sat down with the guy to order one like we wanted. I'm sure everyone gets ventillation, but if you pay extra the passengers get to adjust their own.
I saw that San Antonio's Jordan Ford is supposed to have a Freestyle there when they have a Mustang show on August 18th. Just a little far for us to drive over and back in a day's time. Wish they'd come to Little Rock! If any of you guys are Texans, you might want to check it out.
I got to play in a 500 at a county fair recently. I was impressed with the interior materials. I would be interested in the Merc once it has the big moonroof and the 3.5. Maybe for '06?
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18901 for details
Basic Information
The Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program is the result of a collaborative effort by a wide range of stakeholders. EPA worked closely with auto companies, oil companies, states, public health and environmental organizations, and others to design a stringent but balanced program that all key stakeholders could support.
Compared to Model Year 2003 and earlier, vehicles meeting the Tier 2 emission standards are much cleaner -- 77% to 95% cleaner, depending on the size of the vehicle. The very large health and environmental benefits of the program are estimated to total more than $25 billion at a cost to consumers of between only $70 to $250 per vehicle, and less than 2 cents per gallon of gasoline. With these cleaner vehicles, consumers will not experience any change in the performance or product selection of vehicles and fuels. Over the past few years, auto manufacturers have successfully worked to meet these stringent standards. In fact, for Model Year 2004, more clean vehicles will be sold than the EPA program requires.
The key to meeting the stringent Tier 2 emission standards in such a short time has been the large reduction in sulfur levels in gasoline. Sulfur in the fuel impairs the effectiveness of vehicle emission control systems. By removing most of the sulfur from gasoline, oil refiners are helping the new emission controls work longer and more efficiently. Average national gasoline sulfur levels are already declining, and by 2006 will be 90% lower than before the program. Sulfur in gasoline has no fuel value, in fact it can damage sensitive components such as onboard diagnostics systems and fuel injection systems. As a result, even vehicles manufactured prior to the 2004 Model Year will benefit from using low-sulfur fuel.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18909
"Power door locks with remote keyless entry and door-mounted keyless entry key pad"
Why add the key pad? I really hate that and think it looks tacky. It always look bolted on and never seems to integrate well with the door. No other manufacturer in the world feels the need to put one of this ugly things on their cars do why does Ford?
As to the pricing, the Limited $29,195 + awd ($1,700) plus protection $795 (a little pricy don't you think?) totals $31,690. That seems favorable to the Pacifica.
Now I wonder when I will be able to get X-plan pricing on these?
drive62 "CR-V vs Escape" Aug 6, 2004 11:38am
Lots of folks really like them.
Steve, Host
I have it on my LS, and I've had it in the past in various Ford products and it's a convinient toy to have. Whenever I go to the beach, just stick my wallet and keys in the glovebox, and use the keypad to enter and exit. No need to carry all the bulky keys along with me. Or even when biking where my biking shorts do not have any pockets to carry keys in.
Okay, you've convinced me. I cycle a lot and the thought about not having to carry the keys as well is actually quite compelling.
Of course, if I was a thief, I might be thinking that all I have to do is smash the window and look in the glove box to find the keys....
Skrep... thanks for the info on the pricing. I said a big "whew" == they didn't get too outrageous with the prices. Any idea on what the invoice price would be below those retail numbers? Is there a standard percentage that they add to invoice to get retail?
Thanks everyone!
They are as follows; NAME + (what they kinda look like IMO)
Pueblo Gold Clearcoat Metallic (champaine, beige)
Norsea Blue Clearcoat Metallic (Med Wedgewood Blue from 2001MY)
Dark Shadow Grey Clearcoat Metallic (gun metal grey)
Titanium Green Clearcoat Metallic (sea foam green)
Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic (dark blue)
Merlot Clearcoat Metallic (dark red)
Redfire Clearcoat Metallic (bright red)
Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic (bright silver)
Black Clearcoat (black)
Oxford White Clearcoat (bright white)
If you want to see the colors in the paint (so to speak) just go to your local dealer and pick up the little 2005 EXTERIOR COLORS CAR paper. It has all the new colors for the 2005 models including the Five Hundred, Freestyle, Freestar, Focus and Mustang.
IMO the Norsea Blue, Redfire Red and Silver Frost are by far the best looking colors. Of coarse the New Focus Blazing Copper Clearcoat Metallic would look sweet on the Freestyle.
Odie
2)Are the any plans for a large moonroof in either the freestyle of mercury version?
3)Is it likely Ford will offer privacy glass for the 2nd row seating by next year?
1a) From media.ford.com's article, second to last paragraph
- FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING COMES TO LIFE AT CHICAGO ASSEMBLY WITH THREE NEW VEHICLES -
"... The 2005 Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle and Mercury Montego are the first vehicles produced at Chicago under the new flexible system. A fourth product, a Mercury crossover, will be produced here at a future date... "
2)The closest thing is the full "glass ceiling" (front to back) the Aviator will have. This is a completely different animal (not "Volvo P2" based). I saw a prototype at the NY Auto. It'll will use the Duratec 35. Supposedly, it gets dibs on the engine, then 500/Freebie/Monty. (Credit ANT14 for the tidbit.)
3) The prototype I photographed in the NY Auto Show didn't had it. The ones in ford videos doesn't have it either. Since then, Freebie got classified as a truck. That allows it to get 2nd row tint. Whether it will or not remains to be seen. (Others get credit for this tidbit, but I don't recall whom.)
3a) Post 713 has a link to some pictures. The Freebie with surfboards got my attention. The windshield is tinted. However, if you look close, the third row glass is darker than 1st & 2nd (identical). Hopefully, this is also a prototype, since the picture came before the assembly line celebration pictures shown also in the link. (Can't be certain, as it looks the same as the "first Freebie" out.)
Sam
The fourth one, "charcoal beige", is the one the Blue Freebie has on the edmunds.com future vehicles - ford - freestyle page.
Sam
On the NY Auto show, I saw a clip for the freestyle, showing young sport types going to a gym with those climbing walls to do just that. The surfboard picture I talked about from post 713 is along the same line. All this should hint the cladding's target audience.
* The Outback is a bit cheaper. It's also smaller.
The Limited, with the wood trim and so on, would appeal to the no longer young but want a elegant, yet flexible vehicle. And absolutely no minivan or SUV. Note the 500 and Monterey are monochromatic as well. That's their target, also Magnum's.
* The monochromatic Magnum has the hormone overload levels of a teenager in Playboy mansion. It's priced about the same as Freestyle. (They have a $1K rebate this month to fend off contestants.) It'll AWD or equivalent by calendar 2005, for a "reasonable" fee (if you're selling it, of course
All crossover contestants (including Chevy Equinox) have two rows. Freebie has three. The only matching in flexibility is Magnum.
For the record, I'm in the Limited audience, yet won't discard the mid-point Freebie. My wife really likes several of the latter's color offerings.
Sam
Had a Subaru Outback for about 9 months, until a mouse ate my wiring harness(es) and the parts got back ordered. Did you know a mouse could cause over $2,000 in damages in one night? Anyway, traded the Subaru for an Acura sedan, which I do really love. (although the Subaru drove very nicely).
Don't like the looks of the Magnum at all. I think it looks kind of goofy. We were tempted by the Rainier, but it was a bit too pricy for someone just around the corner from an early retirement... and the gas mileage figures get more important when we're seeing $2.00 per gallon at the pump.
So, Sam... who's going to get their Freestyle first... you in (Florida?), or me in Arkansas? Guess we'll have to rely on ANT who has most of the answers!!!!
PS to Ant... don't suppose you could get them to sneak just one of the dark red Limited's onto a truck bound for Arkadelphia, AR?????
http://www.fordvehicles.com/freestyle/photogallery.asp?name=EXTER- IOR&num=5&bhcp=1
they show a Freestyle SEL in Dark Blue Pearl with Charcoal Beige accent. I like the look of the color on this car, and I notice the the surround for the side windows is color matched blue with the car. I like the look.
However, for all other pictures I have seen the surround of the side windows seems to be black - rubberized I presume. Now is the surround color matched only for certain trim levels (SEL?), or was it just a prototype and all production cars will have black trim around the side windows?
Kerry
As a matter of fact, most of my family is in Florida. My mom, sister & nieces live in the Orlando area, right on the path of Hurricane Charley. This is the second hurricane doing a direct hit on my family in 5 plus years.
My brother in Miami visited them to check how they fared. Thank GOD, they're fine with no "souvenirs".
Is Arkadelphia a southern-style Phily?
Sam
The answer will have to wait until the Dealers have 'em.
BTW, does anyone have info on the dimensions of the Freestyle? IMO it's narrower yet longer than a Freestar. I'm quite curious.
Sam
BTW, I love those huge oversized outside mirrors. Finally, Ford!
About your dimensions question, the most detailed information that I found to date is at:
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/ford_freestyle_2005/3997/model_ove- rview.html
The colors in the (brackets) are what I think the colors look like.
Arizona Beige comes from the Explorer's coloring book (Eddie Bauer).
The Arizona Beige is NOT a FreeSTYLE color, it is listed as a FreeSTAR color. As for Charcoal? I didn't list any charcoal color and there isn't any even listed on the color swatch paper.
The fourth one, "charcoal beige", is the one the Blue Freebie has on the edmunds.com future vehicles - ford - freestyle page.
I hope this cleared up any confusion.
Odie
That red Limited Freestyle will be a popular color actually... Shouldn't be too hard to find...
It is NOT just a wagon version of the Five Hundred.
I should know, I have now driven both.
And trust me, there is a HUGE difference in how they handle. Each is very good at WHAT IT IS.
The Freestyle is NOT a sedan/wagon. The Five Hundred is not a minivan. Is the Freestyle a minivan? Not legally, but I would have a hard time telling someone who said it is that they are lead-pipe wrong...
The purpose of the categories at Edmunds is to steer buyers and those interested to the vehicles they may wish to consider. The linkage here, I think, is correct!
Sometimes it's hard to pin it down - we did unlink the PT Cruiser from Vans after a lot of debate.
Steve, Host
My wife is concerned if the quality will be okay giving this being a Ford and an all new model.
Just waiting now for them to hit Milwaukee for us to take a test drive.
Kerry
Sam
Sam
Now back to talking about Freestyle...
It may be good to compare it with cars you tried before. That way, those eager to know can have something to refer to.
Sam
I should add the Freestyle was fine, the Five Hundred was just amazingly limo-smooth and refined by comparison, and by comparison to virtually any car on the market, including, dare I say it, a Lexis 430...
Don't be surprised if you hear some media outlet's mention it's Lexus-like quiet. In fact, with the pre-production batches of 500's made, the cabin's were so airtight from the seals that you had negative pressure upon opening the doors. That was obviously dealt with by increasing the size of the 'fartboxes', to counteract that effect.