Ford Freestyle - Taurus X

barnstormer64

"Doing 70 in a tight Interstate turn is better left to the NASCARs amongst us. You can do it, but I felt borderline on controlling that turn."

 

Guess you can call me Earl, then.

 

I, too, noticed this. I was doing about 70 in a 55, and for once the speed limit was actually justified. There was a fairly tight S-curve where I could feel the car start to slip just a bit. But it seemed to recover nicely. Not sure if that was due to the AWD or not.

barnstormer64

The tires that come on the Freestyle Limited are Pirelli P6 Four Season radials.

 

Scanning the web (for prices, actually, not reviews), it appears that there are LOTS of complaints about these tires. Lots of flats, blowouts, etc.

 

Wow, better make sure I have the spare aired up.

 

I don't think I've had a flat tire in 20 years, other than the time I got a nail from driving in a construction area.

mas23

It was a Ford incentive for the holiday season. You can get it by buying any 2005 Ford before 1/3/05. Maybe it was local to the Chicago area.

freestyle gal

Thanks for letting us know where that third powerpoint was--not exactly in an intuitive location! But, it's pretty handy when you need to charge your phone and your laptop at the same time. Believe it or not, it happens to me quite a bit and having the second one up front is very cool. I just figured it must be around the middle of the car somewhere and I didn't even look for it. I found the rear one really easy because I had a 2002 Exploder, then a 2003 Exploitation. Teasing about the names--I've driven nothing but Fords since 1984. If I ever bought anything else, I might as well pack up my stuff and move out! Especially if it's not made the USA. Hubby is a machinist union guy, don'tcha know. He's driving a 2002 F150 Lariat, but he's enjoying my Freestyle and all of the fun little gadgets/message center (that's a whole other post about the accuracy of the MPG, gallons used, miles to go until empty, etc.). I'm driving on the freeway most of the time, keeping it under 2K RPM and getting about 23 MPG in my FWD SEL. That's if I figure using the trip meter reset to zero and the gallons used function reset after I get gas. The MPG message function is averaged over 500 miles of driving or something and I'm getting 20.1 or 20.2--kind of been bouncing around in there for a couple of days. I've put almost 500 miles on it this week so I was kind of hoping to see that number start creeping up a bit. Is it even realistic to expect 27 MPG or is that only with a tail wind on a flat, straight freeway? I'm going to Los Angeles via Interstate 5 so I might get my answer then.

barnstormer64

Way off-topic, but if you want to charge cell-phone and laptop at the same time, then you need one of these:

 

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/igo-juice-adapter-review.html

 

With that setup, you can pack what you need to power the laptop and cell phone (simultaneously) in the car and at your hotel room in one relatively small package. Beats the heck out of doing that any other way that I've found.

 

I'll bet that 27mpg would be possible at 55 mph on a flat freeway at constant speed without any wind.

 

And to get it further back ON topic, here's a picture of my new baby without me blocking it. LOL

 

http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/images/freestyle.jpg

nvbanker

"I don't quite get why they have the old fashioned radio antenna"

 

The old fashioned attennas still work the best in some applications. Many cars now, and yours may be one, have both the rod, and the antenna in the window as well, so they cover both spectrums of distance and urban reception. The rods may never entirely go away.

stever

Barnstormer64 was supposed to airbrush the radio antenna out of his photo, just like all the car companies do on their ads. Like this :-)

 

Unscrew it for the next photo shoot!


 

Steve, Host

tidester

You just missed the fine antenna embedded in the windshield! ;-)

 

tidester, host

barnstormer64

"Barnstormer64 was supposed to airbrush the radio antenna out of his photo, just like all the car companies do on their ads . . . Unscrew it for the next photo shoot!"

 

More important would be to get rid of the unsightly light pole sticking out of the back of the vehicle.

 

But gotta be careful, 'cuz you can also see it through the rear of the vehicle, as well.

stever

What? I thought that was your cell antenna coming out of the rear quarter panel.

 

I guess we'll all have to chip in for a copy of Photoshop for you. :-)

 

Steve, Host

northlakes

You are (all) welcome about the third powerport location find. I just found the location of the manual lumbar adjustment. I will save that for another post.

freestyle gal

Thanks for the posts re: the "IGo." $119 for this extremely handy thing. New car payment. Uhhmmm. But I do have a PDA to charge too so a gadget like that is in my future for sure. Re: the radio antenna. I swear I never even noticed the antenna on my new Freestyle until someone mentioned it on this board. I ran out and looked to find it on my car and said to myself "Son of a....gun!And how funny is it that they don't show it in the brochure. My Expedition didn't have one and living on the coast, I had a hard time picking up my favorite radio show "Car Talk." I do actually get better reception for FM now; guess now I know why. Re: your new car, Mr. Barnstormer: Pretty! and it looked just as nice with you standing in front of it, too. Mine is silver with shale leather interior. It has such nice lines to it. A Chrysler Pacifica was parked across the street from my house today and I felt very smug about how much cooler my car was ;-)

freestyle gal

Mr. Northlakes: I'm glad I'm not the only one that had trouble finding that manual lumbar adjustment lever. And once I found it, getting my arm in the right position to adjust it kinda hurts my shoulder. I'm a yoga and Pilates instructor (as well as P.E. teacher for special needs kids) and I pride myself on being flexible. I guess I'll have to balance that out with how easy other stuff is to get to--I love the stereo controls on the steering wheel. My husband is very jealous of that! Even his fancy 2002 F150 Lariat doesn't have that on there. Tee hee. Sometimes it's the little things...

barnstormer64

Hmm, I don't think I found that lumbar control, either.

 

On the Taurus, it was a little switch that was easy to find, and it actually inflated/deflated the lumbar support. Pretty slick.

 

Ref: the Igo and three devices. You can do that, too.

 

http://www.igo.com/Product_Detail.asp?ProductCode=MOB+AC0002-10

 

Wow, they even have an iPod adapter now. Cool!

 

And for the record, I already have Photoshop . . . and Premiere Pro, After Effects, Encore, and Audition. Yes, I've sold my soul to Adobe. LOL

 

Not to mention to Canon . . but that's another story.

 

http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/PamTillis

 

OK, so there's a start to the story Haha.

barnstormer64

I still haven't got used to the stereo controls on the wheel. I still like them on the radio.

 

I did notice that the Freestyle (at least the Limited) has the automatic volume control changing, which is a very nice feature. No more turning down the volume when you slow down and then turning it back up when you speed up.

 

Yes, I'm lazy.

northlakes

OK, you twisted my arm (pun intended). The manual lumbar control (if you have them) is a four inch lever about halfway up the seatback on the outside edge of the driver and front passenger seats.

 

Regarding FreestyleGal's comment on adjustment, I lean forward and reach back. Adjust. Lean back to check the feel, repeat if necessary. Not to be done while driving. Thankfully, it doesn't need to be changed often.

 

I don't believe the Freebie lumbar support inflates, it is mechanical, but works nonetheless (having just repaired a seatback on a 1996 Contour with manual lumbar).

figueroafamily

=========

"Doing 70 in a tight Interstate turn is better left to the NASCARs amongst us. You can do it, but I felt borderline on controlling that turn."

  

Guess you can call me Earl, then.

  

I, too, noticed this. I was doing about 70 in a 55, and for once the speed limit was actually justified. There was a fairly tight S-curve where I could feel the car start to slip just a bit. But it seemed to recover nicely. Not sure if that was due to the AWD or not.

=========

 

Hi Earl .

 

I did not slip, yet you could feel it was at its limit. Not something I like to push often.

 

Congrats on your new Freebie! Don't worry about photoshop critiques...

 

Sam

andyman73

This may be a repeat, wanted to jot this down while I think of it. The CC thing may be tied in with traction, it sensed a possible traction issue and temporarily disengaged the CC. My 85 Beemer would do this when encountering massive potholes or puddles. 99 Contour also does this. Just food for thought. Tho does sound like yours was a little over sensitive, since a FL dealer was able to "tighten" up the performance for you.

northlakes

Since tapping the brake pedal also normally kicks you out of cruise control, perhaps the jolting caused the brake pedal to bump the switch. Just a thought.

anotherwagon

Just noticed that Ford is offering $1000 Marketing incentive - Manufacturer to Dealer.

 

Our papers have some dealers that are advertising Freestyles now. One even listed a $3000 discount.

 

Also, they are advertising military incentives - haven't found the extension on that one.

barnstormer64

"Just noticed that Ford is offering $1000 Marketing incentive - Manufacturer to Dealer."

 

You have GOT to be kidding, right?

 

If true, blame me. LOL. Figures.

 

Hmmm, I wonder if they'll apply that for me?

 

Got a link?

anotherwagon

Found it the edmunds incentive section - think it started the 4th - let me check -

barnstormer64

OK, I found it . . hey, wait . . it started on the 4th.

 

I've got a call in to my salesman right now.

 

They supposedly had looked for any incentives but didn't find any? Hmmmm.

 

Hopefully they'll apply this manufacturer to dealer incentive to me?

 

Or maybe just keep it and give me a free 6yr/75k warranty? They quoted me $1230 for that, but I can get it for $925 at fordwarrantys.com

anotherwagon

Make them do something - they certainly should.

barnstormer64

I shall try . . . woulda been easier BEFORE I bought it, though. LOL.

 

Although in Texas, you do get 3 days of "buyers remorse" before you're obligated to keep the car. Not sure how the 600 miles it'd have on it by the time I got it back there would affect things, though. LOL

 

I was mistaken on the warranty price . . that $925 wasn't for the "Premium Care", but the next level down. The internet price for 7yr/75k miles for Premium Care is $1185 (after the $175 reduction), which compares quite favorably to the $1230 I was quoted there.

 

Maybe I'll offer to tell him where that third powerpoint is for the $1000 incentive. LOL

barnstormer64

I just called. Talked with the salesman, and with the lady who does the finance/purchase arrangements.

 

She couldn't find any manufacturer to dealer incentives. Perhaps that was because of X-plan pricing and/or the 1.9% financing deal?

 

She did say, though, that after she had reported the vehicle sold, that there was a $750 X-plan rebate, and that Ford would be sending me the check for that.

 

So, I'm suspecting that perhaps the $1000 incentive is replaced by the $750 one if you get X-plan pricing?

 

If the $1,000 incentive isn't available because I took the 1.9% financing, then I could just pay cash for it and skip the financing, since that only saved me $1100 anyway. For only $100 difference, I'd just as soon pay the cash and avoid the almost $1000 per month payment for 3 years.

 

I did go ahead and say that I wanted to get the 6yr/75k warranty. I got that on the first two Tauri that I owned, and they never paid out. I skipped it on the 2002 Taurus. However, with the new CVT technology (and no powertrain 7/70 warranty that I could find in the documentation), it's probably worth getting. That price is with the $50 deductible.

anotherwagon

You should fax her the info. The dealers here are certainly using it in their ads here...

 

It is interesting trying to figure this all out.

 

Wonder if they have a Z plan rebate? If you talk to her again - ask for me

barnstormer64

I was reading the info to her over the phone. She was asking for a plan number, but Edmunds doesn't have that kind of info.

 

When they look for the rebates, they put in the VIN number and also any special pricing plans (X-plan, etc). And that's what pulls up the rebates.

 

Why she missed the $750 X-plan rebate until after she had reported the car as sold is beyond me. But she did inform me that it's headed my way from Ford.

 

My guess (until I hear more) is that the $1000 incentive doesn't apply with X-plan (even though Edmunds says that it applies to all other promos), and that I get the $750 one, instead.

 

Of course, I probably could've bargained them down to X-plan price without actually using X-plan, if I'd wanted to try. LOL

 

You said that yours has a "build date" fairly soon. Is that the date they START building it, or when it's supposed to be finished?

anotherwagon

Our build date is today! Am a little nervous....

 

I think we have an estimated arrival date of somewhere around the 20th - not sure about that.

lumber2

Good luck hope the vehicle pregnancy is as short as predicted and the due date is accurate!

anotherwagon

Oh, thank goodness it is a vehicle pregnancy. Too funny!

 

Just noticed some ATL dealers have some AWD LTDs on the lots. I think this is the delivery of the ones everyone expected in Nov.

barnstormer64

"Just noticed some ATL dealers have some AWD LTDs on the lots."

 

If that's just from FordVehicles.com, don't be so sure. And after my experience, I wouldn't trust it until I'd seen them with my own eyes. LOL

 

Here's the deal on that $1,000 manufacturer to dealer incentive on the Freestyle. It simply doesn't exist. Edmunds must have wrong information somehow.

 

I also checked carsdirect.com, and it shows that there's no manufacturer to dealer incentive.

 

I anticipate that this error will be corrected in the relatively near future because of the call this Ford dealership made to Ford directly about the issue.

 

At any rate, I'm tickled to be getting the unexpected $750 rebate for X-plan. My salesman also told me that he had one customer who unexpectedly received a $900 rebate one time for a "customer loyalty" rebate from Ford Credit. Hmm, I wouldn't mind getting one of those, too. Especially since I now owe $1500 a month in payments to them for about 9 months more. LOL

 

This must be my lucky day, too. I was going to open up a 36-month CD for 2.85% APR. But there's also a CD available at my bank (they don't list the rate on the website) where you can get a 30-month term, and any time after 6 months, you can adjust the rate up, but just one time.

 

With the shorter term and option to increase the rate later, you'd think that this CD would have to be less than 2.85% APR, right? Nope. It was 3.1% APR. That's practically the 3.3% you can get on a 60-month CD right now at that bank.

 

That was a pretty darned decision to make. 2.85% fixed, or 3.1% with the possibility of increasing the rate later. LOL

anotherwagon

Still thinking there must be something since the dealers are adv $3000 rebates in the paper. ?? Dunno

lumber2

Notice $1000 advertised locally as well.

tidester

Please feel free to use the Contact Us form. Thanks!

 

tidester, host

barnstormer64

"Still thinking there must be something since the dealers are adv $3000 rebates in the paper. ?? Dunno"

 

That's probably $3000 off MSRP, not $3000 in rebates.

 

The MSRP of the vehicle I got was $34615.

 

My price (before X-plan rebate) was the X-plan price of $31,900.42

 

So, if you could negotiate X-plan price (probably not that hard to do, really), you'd be getting a discount of $2714.58

 

Add in the $750 X-plan rebate I got, and I got the vehicle for $3464.58 under MSRP.

barnstormer64

"Notice $1000 advertised locally as well."

 

Is it advertised as a "manufacturer to dealer rebate", or what?

barnstormer64

"Please feel free to use the Contact Us form. Thanks!"

 

Would I just ask them to verify the rebate information with Ford, then?

anotherwagon

I will check the ad at home but it said something about incentives - hope it isn't "recycled" yet.

tidester

Would I just ask them to verify the rebate information with Ford, then?

 

Basically you think they may be in error - tell them why you think so and they'll take it from there. They really do appreciate the feedback!

 

tidester, host

stever

I don't think any state has a three day buyer's remorse period for buying a car, although a dealer may have some sort of return policy. Unless the dealer went door to door to sell you the Freestyle (link).

 

"Auto manufacturers are using a plethora of special incentives and rebates to help drive traffic into dealer showrooms. But a survey by Consumer Reports Auto Price Service shows that consumers are frequently not being told about those programs by salespeople."

 

US Newswire

 

Steve, Host

explorerx4

man, you really sweating out the details! i'm kind of em pathetic about your investment choices, since i'm trying to figure out what to do with some money saved for my first going to college.

i'm waiting until after the next 'fed meeting to decide

barnstormer64

Engineers are bred to sweat the details, I guess. LOL

 

Steve is apparently right about the buyer's remorse law (or lack thereof). Man, you just can't believe ANYTHING people tell you any more. LOL.

 

This is unbelievable. Guess what I got in the mail today? Yup, a rebate letter from Ford that says I can get a $768 rebate on any vehicle (excluding Mustang and a couple of others). BUT, it's only good from 1/11 to 1/31. Drats!

 

I wonder what the chances are that they'll honor this for me since I bought the vehicle on 1/8?

 

The letter is dated 1/4, but I didn't get it until today. Had I received it on Friday, I certainly could've waited another week to go buy the vehicle.

 

Oh, yeah . . . I went to get the CD today. The one that was 2.85% for 36 months. Well, there was also a 30-month called a "step-up CD" mentioned on the website, but you had to call or go in person to get the rate. Basically, it gives you the option to change the rate ONCE after 6 months have passed. So, in this environment of rising interest rates, I figured it'd be worth checking into.

 

I figured it'd have to offer a lower rate. How low that rate was would determine if I'd do it or the fixed 36-month CD.

 

Well, guess what the rate was? 3.10% !!! Higher than the other option. Not much decision-making required for that one. LOL

explorerx4

guess i'll be checking the rates tomorrow! i would go back to the dealer about the additional rebate. it doesn't come out of their pocket, but maybe you could do somthing to make it worth their time to process it for you.

either way, enjoy your freebie.

freestyle gal

Still loving my Freestyle, week 2. Whenever I take off from a dead stop, the steering wheel does a turn to the right (maybe wheel travels a distance of 3"). You only notice it if you've got your hands lightly on the wheel. I don't jackrabbit away from stops, so I don't know what it is. Is it a front wheel drive thing? Also, anyone have a slightly cranky CD player? I've got the 6-CD changer and it spits out CDs and says that they're bad discs. These are fairly new, very clean CDs that work on all my other CD players. Also, I'm getting depressed reading all of the postings re: rebates, etc. I paid $28,500 at 2.9% financing for 4 years for my SEL FWD with all available options except moonroof and DVD., plus they paid off my Expedition (2003, 46K miles). No discounted maintenance contract (well, they kindly offered one for $1,700, and we kindly declined). I wasn't expecting rebates quite so soon on a newly-introduced vehicles. I need assurance that I didn't get hosed???? In any case, I feel like it's a nice car for the money and the money I'm saving in gas is a nice compensation.

mas23

Man, I thought I did good with my $500 Ford Credit rebate and free 2-yr scheduled maintenance until I read about all these other incentives. I thought about getting the extended warranty but it was too high (about $500 per year for 2 years). I guess I should be happy getting the Freebie at the A-Plan price.

andyman73

Did you feel like you got hosed, before reading these posts? IF not, then no hosing was had. But if you did feel like you were getting hosed by a hoser(making you the hosee), then you should have turned off the water. Your deal, as described seems okay. Think about it, 4 weeks from now, others will be in the same boat, as the rebates grow. Will they think they got hosed out of a better deal? Who knows.

 

I paid 15000 for wife's new Sable wagon LS premium. MSRP was 29500. I don't feel like I got hosed in the slightest. It took several days, they had to search, and then procure, and then deliver. It was end of model year and so limited availability.

 

Wife wanted the LTD AWD Freebie, but couldn't keep waiting. She's pretty happy with the Sable. And it's loaded, so that's keeping her happier.

 

I hope that as your continue to drive your new Freebie, the hosed feeling will subside, and allow you to enjoy your purchase.

lumber2

Ford Motor Credit Corp Freestyle rebate

With apologies to Steve if I'm breaking Edmunds rules showing this link to a dealer in my state

 

http://www.quirkcars.com/specials/ford/ad.htm

 

pnewby

The Ford Credit rebate listed in the add only applies if you finance thru FMCC. I purchased my LTD in Nov, and got a $986 rebate which was equal to 2 payments on my '02 Expl. This rebate didn't show up when the dealer did the search, but it was honored since I had a letter with the rebate ID no. that listed 500/Freestyle as one of the eligible vehicles. Never had an x-plan rebate, but I'm happy with the deal.

pnewby

Just wondering if anyone could tell me if they have the black rubber mats in the bottom of the cup holder and tray in the rear console? Mine doesn't and I wondered why.