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Comments
I think you did OK. I think the A-plan price is about $1500 or so less than X-plan price. And this last "customer loyalty rebate" I got in the mail (that I may or may not receive) wasn't applicable to A plan pricing.
Actually, I've had this error on the only CD that I've played so far. However, to be fair, it's a CD-R . . . made by a songwriter out of Nashville . . that I shot the CD cover for.
Click to see CD cover
Also, it's only spit out that CD once so far. Once I put it back in, it seems to be fine. It might be that the CD was a bit dusty. I'd say to try one of those CD's that clean the laser, but I'm not sure you can use those in a changer like this.
"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?"
FWD shouldn't cause this. I'd have it looked at. Haven't notice it on my vehicle yet. Have you left traction control on? You might play with it on vs. off and see if that makes any difference. But it should be fine with it on, which is the way I always have mine set, on both vehicles that have it.
Interesting, because Ford doesn't show any cash back (with or without the low APR), and neither does Edmunds. It's possible this is a regional thing? Guess I'd have to put in that zipcode on Edmunds and see.
It is kinda odd that they'd be advertising rebates on the 500/Freestyle so early, especially when they're not even capable of putting very many out on the lots yet.
I got the extended warranties on my '89 and '96 Tauri. I think I paid about $1200 for each (both 6yr/75k), and that each ended up only covering about $800 worth of warranty work (one event on each car).
So, when the 3-years was up on my '02 Taurus last October, I decided NOT to get the warranty on that vehicle. (Now watch the engine blow up tomorrow LOL).
I probably should have just waited on the Freestyle to make this decision in a few years. I guess I was just a bit worried that they might start having problems with the CVT and/or AWD, and then increase the price.
I also figured that with the new CVT and an AWD, that paying $1200 for a warranty that (statically for me) has paid out $800 wasn't such a bad deal, since there's simply more that could go wrong wiht the vehicle.
I had wondered what "L" did. On a normal automatic transmission, it normally just locks out the over-drive (highest gear).
According to the manual, the "L" gear simply adds more "engine braking" with the transmission when you're coasting. This would be useful in very mountainous terrain, especially if you're loaded down and/or towing something.
I haven't installed them, but I did get them. The salesman pointed them out to me. Said he'd let me install them, because not everybody likes them.
Then, before I pulled away, he remembered that he'd forgotten to give me the box that had the remote for the DVD player and the two wireless headphones.
Possibly. But given my conversation with the dealership, it really does sound like they simply can't find any mention of this marketing incentive, and that they'd gone so far as to call Ford specifically about the situation.
They mentioned that they had created a "reference number" on the issue, so that they can "get it off the internet", or something.
So, it sounds to me like it's a mistake on Edmund's part.
Once I inform Edmunds, hopefully they'll let me know the outcome. At least then I'll know if it was a mistake or the dealer was possibly lying to me.
That could be but one wonders about evasion in response to a direct question about an incentive. Perhaps Barnstormer will get to the bottom of it!
tidester, host
When he showed them to me, they were in the rear of the vehicle, behind the third seat. But I think he placed them there. Not sure if they were already in the car before that or not.
Sorry I'm not much help . . . I was "playing salesman" myself, as I was trying to show my brother all the ins/outs of the '96 Taurus Wagon that he'd just bought off me at the same time (there at the dealer). So, I didn't get to pay as much attention to my own vehicle as I normally would have, especially since I still had a 4.5 hr drive ahead of me to get back home.
The most direct proof will be if somebody posts on the forum that he was able to get this specific $1000 "factory to dealer incentive" applied to his vehicle.
I guess I'll wait and see what the dealer is able to do for me on that $768 "cusomterly loyalty" rebate I got that started 3 days after I bought my car. You can bet I'll call Ford directly (they have a 1-800 number on the letter) to ask about getting that applied if the dealer isn't able to make it happen. At the same time, I can ask about any factory to dealer incentives.
It won't be the end of the world if they won't apply the $768 rebate and the $1000 incentive doesn't exist (or I can't prove its existence). After all, I was willing to pay what I paid for the vehicle.
Still, it's a bit irritating to know that if I'd just waited on more weekend before I decided to go buy the vehicle I could've saved $768. But like they say, timing is everything.
PS: Wanna buy mine for $768 if I don't get the customer loyalty rebate applied? LOL
Thanks for your insight, andyman73. If I've done the math right on your numbers, I would say you did very well on your wife's Sable wagon (nice cars--the Taurus wagon I drove for a few years was a great car). I guess in the end, it never makes good financial sense to buy a brand new car, especially when you do what I do: keep trading them in before they are paid for. The financial people say not to replace cars until big and important parts are falling off. So, maybe the sanest mind set is pay what you think the car you want is worth to you and don't sweat it after that. I see Lincoln Navigators for $15,000 off MSRP--I still wouldn't want it!
The traction control is always on unless you push the button, which makes the indicator light glow right above the button (which means it's off), right? Geez, now I've even confused myself ;-) So, if I have that right, it's on. I will turn it off and see what happens. I was getting excited that this might be first time in my last two cars that I didn't have to put it in the shop right away (2002 Explorer--a car built on an off day I'm afraid; torque converter bad, rear end bad, in the shop for 35 days in the year I had it. Traded that in for 2003 Expedition and was in the shop two days after I had it for airbag sensor issues, but perfect after that).
Nice CD cover!
Nope, it doesn't make sense at all. I always keep my vehicles for 8 - 12 years before trading them in (which is basically giving them away with Fords -- LOL).
But I do buy new. My first "real car" (after getting a job) was an '83 T'Bird that was a "Ford Executive Demo" (yeah, right LOL) that was a year old and had 30k miles on it. I feel that I missed the best 30k miles of that car.
Since then, since I can afford it, I buy the cars new, so I can get what I want.
I'm always leery of buying cars that are only 1 or 2 years old. Why? Because I'm always wondering just WHY that person traded it in. Was it a lemon? I guess there are always a few who want a new car every 1 to 3 years and will trade-in perfectly functioning cars. But I always wonder if people with that mind-set really take care of their vehicles the way I do. Do they try to go 5k to 7.5k or even 10k miles before changing the oil, for example? I try to do mine every 2500 miles, and certainly by 3000 if I possibly can.
Yep. Light ON means that it's OFF. One of Ford's "brighter ideas", I guess. LOL
"So, if I have that right, it's on. I will turn it off and see what happens."
I doubt this will help, but it's worth checking anyway. I was thinking that perhaps you'd turned it off by mistake, and that turning it on might help.
"Nice CD cover!"
Thanks. If I'd known when I was taking pictures that day that he might want it for a CD cover, I would've done things a lot differently. LOL. I'd never met Jimmy before, and just decided to go into the bar that night and listen to some good music and take some pictures. One thing led to another, and . . .
Best darned CD I think I've ever heard, too. Seriously, and that's not because I'm biased (though obviously I am biased - LOL).
Mainly, it could have been a rental car, specially if it's a year old, and has 20K miles. That's NOT a bad thing though, since much of the mileage is highway, the vehicle suffers less than constant stop/go commuting traffic. Maintenence is also followed on them religiously. And again, using common sense if you notice it's a specific vehicle that are available in rental lots.
About a year ago a friend bought a Taurus that screamed "RENTAL". It had around 24K for being just a year old. And so far she's had no issues with it.
And some other examples...buying a used Camry, or Buick, etc. You know you have a good chance a little old lady drove it gently. Don't want to buy a Mustang GT, or Corvette since chances are the previous owner drove it hard.... Or a car from me for that matter.
Sometimes it might have given the owner too many issues. I know of someone who had major problems with their Grand Am in the first year. They gave up, took the lose, sold it to their brother... And he's had no issues with it at all-go figure. Although the chances are slim for someone to exchange a vehicle that has not yet been paid for.
We hear so much "Oh this car is giving me soooo many headaches, I'll trade it in and never buy a _____ again". YET, when reality hits, chances are they aren't able to. OR, maybe the vehicle never gives them a problem again for 5 years after, then they are praising it.
Another common issue, since most of the U.S. loves to be in debt, chances are maybe the person couldn't pay it, and the vehicle was repossessed.
My personal preference is buying new only because A) Get a discount
Like everything, there's pros and cons over buying new/used.
Anything I should be looking for at the Auto Show here in a few weeks in Houston?
Also, do you know what happened to the original concept of the Freestyle that included the rear part of the vehicle sliding forward? Basically, everything behind the C pillar slid forward until the D pillars and C pillars became one. Leaving something that would resemble half a pick-up bed in the back. Never did figure out if the vehicle was going to have a "mid-gate" so that you could close off the inside from the outside, though.
Was that at technical issue, or just a price issue? Any idea if it might return in a future year as an upgrade/option?
Also, the salesman mentioned something about "self-adjusting shocks" on the AWD Freestyle I got. I hadn't heard anything about that before he mentioned it. Any info? All I got from the conversation is that it will automatically (each time you hit a "bump") lower or raise the shocks to try to keep the vehicle level, so that the AWD can function properly.
Willing to bet that you could bolt in a set of Nivomats into the Freestyle and get self leveling rear suspension.
He acted like they were on the vehicle. But he could have easily been thinking of the Montego.
I don't know how those salesmen can keep all the different vehicles straight in their heads.
Based on this link, they do have them.
http://www.zf.com/defaultz.asp?id=1048&lang=1
The auto shows usually slow down my involvement here since I have to concentrate on them so much.
The Houston show will receive much of what you currently are seeing, maybe one or 2 vehicles might be missing. Usually the more popular shows receive the more spoken about introductions.
The Freestyle you mentioned was the concept version which mimicked the sliding roof panel the GMC Envoy has. It could be a possibility in the future, but it hasn't helped the Envoy much. Plus people have been reporting numerous squeeks/rattles wind noise leakage, water leakage with such a design. So it's important to build the better mouse-trap learning of other's issues. I believe the key is, versatility, and how much of it will the Freestyle owner need.
Yes the rear of the AWD have self leveling shocks. They are constantly working (even when loaded) to keep the rear of the vehicle at optimum level. This is only on the AWD versions to better enhance it's capabilities.
I would first check to make sure that the air pressure in both front tires is the same, and the air pressure in both rear tires is the same. Uneven pressure can cause a pull one way or the other. If that is not a factor, I would ask the dealer to look for service bulletins.
For a FWD vehicle you are not trying to jackrabbit, there should not be noticeable torque steer. Any other thoughts?
I wondered about possible issues like that. While intriguing, I'd rather have the more "solid" vehicle.
I'll probably be going to the show . . trying to get a friend to consider the Magnum SRT-8 version . . just so I can drive it. Hahaha!
I don't know if you had anything to do with the programming of the CVT's characteristics on the Freestyle (or know anybody who did), but congrats to the team that designed that. It's perfect!
I don't understand all the complaints I keep hearing about (even the salesman mentioned that). That CVT does exactly what it's supposed to do . . . seamless "shifting" that's so fine you just don't notice it. Perfectly smooth. Exactly what I'd want an automatic transmission to be like.
Could be some sort of alignment issue, but I'd think that would show up under other circumstances, as well.
And my experience with the Taurus (not sure if that's due to the FWD or not) is that the alignment needs very little adjustment. I only did it when I replace tires and when I replaced some front-end bushings.
My '83 T-bird ate tires for breakfast becaues of alignment issues. I had a Firestone alignment policy, and I tried to keep it aligned every 3k to 5k miles, but it just didn't make any difference.
or did you order thru the same dealer?
Even though I'm going to buy the extended warranty for the Freestyle, I hope you're right!
The evolution of transmissions will be CVT's, or even IVT's. It's only limitations at this time are the amount of torque/weight they can carry around. IVT's do not have that limitation.
I do believe in a good 20 years about 80% of vehicles in the market will be CVT/IVT's. It's just gonna take awhile for people to accept it, learn more about it, adjust to it. Luckily the Ford CVT has received praise, and been better received than GM's, Nissan or VW's unit for that matter.
By my measurements, the largest box you can shove into the Freestyle (with a DVD player) is some 35" wide by 28" tall by 66" long.
That's about 37.4 cubic feet.
http://www.torotrak.com
1000 rpm at 75 mph? Wow! I assume there's some reason that the Freestyle's CVT can't do that?
I thought I'd read somewhere that some manufacturer's are actually programming "shift points" (virtual gears?) into CVT's so that they feel like "normal" automatic transmissions, because people seem to prefer that.
I just can't understand why anybody wouldn't prefer the feel of a CVT like the Freestyle. It just seems axiomatic to me that this is how a smooth automatic transmission should feel, and should be the ultimate goal.
So when can I buy a Ford vehicle that has one of these babies in it?
I think I know what's gonna be replacing my '02 Taurus!
Nothing has been set in stone, as to which manufacturer's will want to use these since it's still in the early stages of development.
Some shift points, as well as "crawl" ( when your stopped at a light and release the brake bedal to creep/crawl forward) are being programmed into CVT vehicles to address customer's needs.
I found a review of the Freestyle on nctd.com (New Car Test Drive - http://www.nctd.com/review-drive .cfm?Vehicle=2005_Ford_Freestyle&ReviewID=1649 - phewww!) which said, "Rapid acceleration generates torque steer, a side-to-side tugging of the steering wheel. This occurs not only in the front-wheel-drive Freestyle, which is not uncommon, but also in the all-wheel-drive variation, which is unusual, or at least should be."
It does say rapid acceleration, however. I would still check the tire pressures. I have not personally sensed it on my AWD.
Veeery interesting to see, even though we are
likely several years from implementaton.
Thanks again for the link. Interesting stuff.
I prefer IVT's because there's no load limitations as CVT's would have.
Nice review.
I haven't noticed the torque-steer, either. Maybe we just hang on too tight? Hehe.
I'll have to try to remember to barely hang on to the wheel the next time I accelerate.
However, I'm not really doing any "rapid acceleration" at this point.
Hoping to use it for the bike rack in the Spring.
Ya know, so many people complain about the few hundred dollars they couldn't grind out. If they weren't happy then why did they buy anyways. It's all relative, if you like it enough to buy at the agreed price. Well then, you got a good deal. Doesn't mean you stole it. But still.
Wife really wanted a leftover 04 Aviator, but 35K was still too high.