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Comments
Can't see out w/the dvd and.. don't want them watching tv all the time.
from post 1076 ANT14 - you can "go to" his message by number if you want to check it out.
This is on the Freestyle? Where is this little plug?
If this is on the Freestyle, then you might try the 2/4 combination to get into "dual play" mode. I'll take a look at the manual again, but I think it said this only works with the DVD.
They can't watch TV, unless you hook up an antenna.
Thanks!!!
Seems easier to just plug in the portable for long trips....although if it were in the headrest instead of overhead.....
But I suppose that's all obvious.
Even with the DVD player, there's no "wired audio" for the rear seats. It's all done via the wireless headphones. And I think they can only listen to what's coming from the DVD player. DVD/CD/Aux In.
I was just wondering what the Ford guy was talking about....
As a reference I have a 2000 Explorer XLT with cloth and the front seats are uncomfortable after about 3 hours of driving. Our 2002 VW Passat Wagon with Leather seats are very comfortable.
Looking at Freestyle for family of 5 and longer road trip comfort.
Thanks
I'd rather have a lighter color of leather, or perforated leather. Keep the AC on and grab some leather treatment stuff, like Lexol.
Steve, Host
The SE is only available in cloth.
I find the driver's seat to be quite comfortable for 3-hr trips. Haven't tried the rear seats for that long, but I suspect they're just as comfortable.
Wouldn't want to sit in the 3rd row for that long if I could help it, though I suspect it could be done.
The pebble leather is a relatively light tan, but not nearly as light as my '02 Taurus. It's lighter than my '96 Taurus was, though (which was more of a camel).
Some occasional use of a good leather cleaner should keep things relatively clean, I'd imagine, at least with adults.
On my Windstar Van, I switch over to Bridgestone Blizzaks - excellent tire.
I still have not seen one Freestyle on the road yet! I've seen one 500--kind of nondescript, I must say. Of course, my Silver/shale Freebie looks like about 10 other cars, too, but I would recognize another one because I'm really looking for one. My local dealer sold the one black LTD they had (James Ford, Half Moon Bay), and the dealership from which I bought my car (Hayward Ford) only has one or two and they are a big dealership. Things that make you go hmmmmm....
Steve, Host
I have an SEL with leather seats and I just returned from a "power road trip" to Los Angeles from San Francisco. I drove down on Saturday, drove home on Sunday--7 hours each way. I'm a 5'4" female with a tender back and I did just fine. My daughter is about my size, and she found the passenger seat quite comfy. My husband (6') finds the passenger side a little cramped. Comfort is kind of an individual thing. I'm very uncomfortable in my husband's 2002 F-150 Lariat (leather seats) and he's very comfortable. My 2003 Expedition (cloth seats) was probably the most comfortable car I've driven for long trips. As for your family in the back seats, they aren't real plush (I have the 40/60 split seats) and I guess if the kids were small it might be more comfortable than if your kids are bigger....
As best I can tell, they did it mainly to get an extra mpg on the EPA estimates for CAFE. I've read one or two places that the engine's tolerances were made tighter, too, and that's why they went to the new oil. I haven't been able to confirm that with anybody who'd actually know, though.
Our previous vehicle was a Mazda MPV with beige leather interior. In the 5 years we had that vehicle we never had any problems with dirt. Leather is very easy to keep clean - actually easier than fabric.
Colour comes down to personal preference and we just like a beige interior over black.
I have ridden in a 2001 Explorer and the Freestyle seats are much more comfortable (in my opinion).
Not sure about the bench seat for comfort in the second row. We have the 2-seat configuration in the second row and they are quite comfortable as well.
I think I did 4+ hours in one section of the return trip to New Jersey. No problema!
Since our family size is only two people until July, I can't attest of the 2nd/3rd rear seats. But I don't see much of a difference in seat feel.
Sam
Length:
Freestyle is 10 inches longer than Explorer and 6 inches shorter than Expedition.
Width: Freestyle is 2 inches wider than Explorer and 4 inches narrower than Expedition.
Height: Freestyle is 3 inches shorter than Explorer and 8' shorter than Expedition.
Curb weight: Freestyle is 300 lbs lighter than Explorer and 1500 lbs lighter than Expedition.
Gas mileage: Freestyle gets 36% better mileage in the city and 33% better mileage on the freeway than either Explorer or Expedition.
Pretty impressive vehicle, if you ask me.
Length:
Freestyle is 12 inches longer than Pathfinder and 14 inches shorter than RX330.
Width: Freestyle is 2 inches wider than both Pathfinder and RX330.
Height: Freestyle is 5 inches shorter than Pathfinder and 2 inches taller than RX330.
Curb weight: Freestyle is 700 lbs lighter than Pathfinder and 50 lbs heavier than RX330.
Gas mileage: Freestyle gets 14% better mileage on the freeway and 27% better mileage in the city than Pathfinder. Freestyle gets the same mileage on the freeway and 6% better mileage in the city than RX330.
Again, Freestyle compares quite favorably, IMO.
10 inches shorter than a freestyle, but still carries 7. i think the ingress/egrress from 2nd/3rd row is better in an explorer.
prefer the rwd drive with tri mode 4wd.
i can meet/exceed the epa highway numbers with 4 people on board, loaded with luggage, cargo box on the luggage rack. this ia at about 10 to 15 over. i find it strange i get my best mileage under these conditions.
Since I live in southern California and do not go to the snowy mountains, the front wheel drive will be fine, and will save $1,600 and give slightly better mileage than the four wheel drive.
I had initially thought that I wanted to replace the Mountaineer with a sedan so that I could carry things which rattle in the trunk, but the versatility and quality of the Freestyle is very attractive, and the smoother ride will help with the cargo rattling. I am surprised at how much more I like it than the Five Hundred and Montego sedans.
Putting a piece of wood on the dead pedal to bring it even with the frame rail hump to its left gives a little more footwell space.
This is what happened. After just 7000 km a bolt in the transmission broke off due to a design and/or production error. My local dealer had to make pictures of the damage on special request by ford officials. I still cannot believe this is happening to me.
Ford better hope it's a production error and not a design error.
Was the bolt on a moving part (not many in a CVT), or on the CVT case? Did the dealer find the broken bolt by opening your transmission? Just technical curiousity...
P.S. There are garage and driveway cleaning fluids available.
For detailed info, see http://cvt.com.sapo.pt/ivt/ivt.htm
A31993 -
What does that tell you and what should we look for?
My Freestyle was built on Dec 10, 2004
I believe that it showed up on the lot around January 3, 2005.
We brought home our new Freestyle SEL FWD this Saturday. Its Norsea Blue with Shale leather, 6 passenger configuration. The price was right -- fortunately purchased on the Z-plan (my Dad)including a $750 rebate. Its our first car purchase in 12 years. Of course my wife will use it to commute between San Jose and Sunnyvale and I inherit her '92 Ranger (also Z-plan) so I don't have to drive my '76 Bronco (A-plan) anymore. There was an '84 Mustang in there too but it was totaled in an accident three years ago. Cars are like real estate in California, keep forever.
We got everything we wanted except the rear console; leather, color, safety package, aux. rear air conditioning, front convenience package, 50/50 rear seat. I guess I will try and order the rear console through the parts department, as we felt we really wanted it but wasn't worth continuing to wait. I will also install a hitch for our bicycle rack as that becomes available on the aftermarket.
So far, I am very pleased with how it drives. Since it feels stronger than our Ranger with its 145 hp, 3.0 liter engine, the power isn't a problem. I am hoping for a very reliable vehicle that we will get to use a lot.
We've ordered ours and it was due in today or tomorrow (an argument in the HH) but no word as of yet. We were able to do the Z plan too (my dad) and this is the first time I've used it. Hoping to put it to use more later - hubby wants a truck and two kiddos down the road....
Hope you enjoy and let us know how it goes. We really do have a good group here!
But it's got plenty of power . . far more than you'd think for "just" a 200hp engine.
Compare the mid 8-second 0-60 times for this vehicle to other vehicles in the class, or even other sedans. I think you'll be surprised that it holds its own quite well.
I was concerned with power as well, but after my first 1000km trip (literally the day I picked up the car), I fell in love with the feel. It does feel different. The way my brother-in-law put it (who is a Chrysler mechanic), it's like taking off in a plane - as you reach cruising altitude/speed, rpms drop and you just motor along.
I believe that previous posts for those in the know (ANT14?) implied that motor changes to a larger engine wouldn't take place for 2-3 years. Expect mostly cosmetic changes in the next couple of model years.