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Comments
Here are just a couple of my thoughts and comments;
Overall I like the concept, not too big or too small, & not too high. 2-WD option is FWD vs. RWD & AWD is option & hopefully a good one (& not too expensive to maintain). Third row sitting appears to be adult useable & will fold out of the way & “flat”. Handling and gas mileage is car-like NOT SUV like.
I like the overall exterior looks and style of Freestyle, but I can’t really decide whether I like the 2-tone paint or not. I have only seen a couple of colors, and I may need to see a few more before deciding.
Interior, I do not like the Pebble Ash leather, it too bright/light, and too much toward the yellow side and too much of it. They (Ford) should have tone it down more towards the khaki/brown/taupe side That is just my opinion.
I have not seen a Shale interior, hopefully it doesn’t have the dreadful cement grey look, like in some other vehicles that I’ve seen. The pictures in the brochure look very promising. And black well black is black, you either love or hate it. It seems a bit strange that black is only available on the LTD.
I wished the white face gauges were standard across all trim levels. In looking at the brochure on the steering wheel controls, I notice that the cruise controls are on the left, and the audio on the right. That seems backwards from everyone on else, is there a reason or purpose or is Ford just being different? Audios on the left allow for changes via left or right hand, now there all right handed maneuvers via steering wheel or console.
Are the roof rails usable or just there for looks. I didn’t see any available crossbars, or even groves for them to be added.
Does anyone know if the leather seats in the SEL is different or the same as in the LTD.? Also can you get heated on the SEL, or is it only available on the LTD?
I’m a sucker for new models and I’ve been burned in the past. Anyone care to comment on Ford being able to get the Freestlye right in the first year?
I am thinking to buy a Freestyle, but I am wondering how is the experience of who has already bought it. I am only worried by the fact it is a new car and maybe there is something could be fixed in future revisions...
Thank you in advance for any thought.
Fabrizio
Hit 500 miles over the weekend---nicest car I have owned. Love it! Getting lots of looks and questions from people in parking lots, etc. Ford should send me a nice gift (or rebate) for touting their car so much! :-)
The Crossover Continuum
What's funny is that editorial is calling it a wagon, but we've listed it in SUVs here and haven't cross-linked it to the wagons forums.
Steve, Host
That is something I am going to have to retrain myself. I did notice it is the opposite on the Focus. Not sure why it is different....
Cross bars are now listed on the Ford accessories page.
Heated seats only on LTD. Don't know if the seats are different? I do know 2nd row moves on LTD but not SEL.
We got the black leather in our LTD. It looks good, I'm sure I'll remind myself of that in Aug. I was worried about keeping the light tan clean.
Have fun shopping...
I'm sure you will get many replies from the Freestyle owners on this forum. We are a friendly, helpful bunch and we seem to be pretty much unanimous in our positive experiences with our new Freestyles. The biggest issue seems to be for the poor people who have to wait for theirs! I needed the space of my Expedition, but really got tired of poor mileage, guilt of driving something so big, but felt frustrated because I really do need the space. The Freestyle is such a smart car! It's got more fun-factor in driving it, it's comfortable, and has just as much space as my behemoth did. Since I don't need to tow anything and don't offroad, it is the perfect vehicle for me. As for the rumors of lack of power--don't you believe it. It's quite zippy and the CVT transmission probably won't seem weird at all. If you are carrying a full load of people/cargo, I'm not sure how the power would feel--other posts do address it. If you do a search of this board using the search feature, you can quickly gather all of the posts dealing with that issue. As for quality, I've had a couple of minor fit and finish issues that were quickly and easily resolved. Drive one--look at the maintenance schedule and see how little maintenance is needed on that transmission. I was worried at first about buying a "prototype" but now I'm glad I made the plunge--I have total confidence in my car. The safety features are great, and it has nice creature comforts even at the mid-trim level (SEL).
I am glad to know you are satisfied of your car. I am seriously thinking to buy it. I will try to have the chance to try it before to buy it.
Thank you again.
Fabrizio.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=2898&src=L- P%20vans
<jgriff wrote> "I wished the white face gauges were standard across all trim levels"
I agree, I wish we had white faced gauges. It seems with sunglasses on and the shading effect of the dash, we have difficulty seeing the instrument panel. Maybe there will be an aftermarket stick-on kit available shortly.
I tried to buy a locking gas cap, but no listings yet and it appears to be unique. Nothing at the auto parts store matched.
I did order a rear console at the Ford Parts Department. It is due this week. Should be straight forward to put in. Only costs 3x what it would as an option.
Has any one noticed an unused electrical connector behind the right rear tire (just in front of the rear bumper)? Any ideas what that might be for? Trailer lights hookup perhaps or reverse sensor harness?
hmmm, I guess saying CVT transmission is redundant <g>.
Steve, Host
Any info will be greatly appreciated
canadian*guy
Thanks for any guidance.
Another one for the second console would be nice.
Good luck!
Luckily for us, we found what we wanted less the rear console and I ordered that last week. We benefitted because the price for an ordered vehicle was up a couple of hundred bucks over the one on a lot that our dealer had transferred to him when I found it after scouring the not so local dealers's inventories.
Good luck
Steve, Host
late last night I was reading a Freestyle review (from a Google search), and I don’t remember by whom or which site. However they mention what a pain the memory seats were in, that by design they would always go back to a standard setting. Therefore each time you entered, you had to press your 1 or 2 number for the settings to take place.
I’m familiar with memory setting that will set on your FOB ie. mine FOB would execute the #1 memory setting, the spouse #2 etc.
Can anyone confirm this?? If this is so, I’m not sure it would be worth it. If I drive the Freestyle 90% of the time, I don’t want to have to remember to hit the M1 button all the time. I might have to step down to the SEL.
Rollover...
It seem almost a given that the Freestyle will most likely get 5 Star crash rating.
Anyone care to comment/predict on what the rollover rating, in percent or stars might be.
Better or worse than the Pacifica?
Hopefully the price won't be too much, less than a grand would be nice. And without killing the MPG too much.
Yep, I want the speed without the gas penalty.
You're right, 5 stars is a given, by the NHTSA testers none the less. The 5 stars all around were even without the side air bags and curtains.
I would expect the rollover to be about egual, although it should be somewhat better with a lower center of gravity and 300 lbs less weight.
mine is that pueblo gold color
Great car, only complaint is you can't retrofit the SE model for radio controls on right part of steering--thus I would suggest the SEL not the SE for people reading this since it comes standard
very minor complaint and this is one of the best driving cars I've had
drives tight like a volvo with great road worthiness but not as hard and stiff
thanx for the info
canadian*guy
Finally saw another Freestyle on the road yesterday. That was the first one. We do seem to be an exclusive crowd at the moment!
RE: power points: The one deep in the console is fairly inconvenient if you actually put stuff in there. I keep CDs in it and have to remove them to use that power point.
RE: sac ltd awd: Congratulations on your Freebie sighting! I still haven't seen one yet. sj freebie's wife is driving one around the area in which I work but I haven't spotted her yet. I think there is another one further up the peninsula, Pacifica or San Bruno maybe, on this forum, but haven't seem him either.
RE: stereo controls on right side of steering wheel. I'm right-handed and use those controls far more than the cruise control, so even though I'm used to having the cruise control on the right, I'm glad they arranged them the way they did in the Freestyle. Besides, in San Francisco Bay Area traffic, you seldom get to use CC anyway. It is a right-handed world, unfortunately for left-handed people.
So, you should get two w/both consoles.
Freestyle gal: but if they were on the left, you could drive, turn up/down the radio with your left hand on the wheel and hold your phone w/your right hand. (gasp!) Gotta save up for the hands free gizmo.
Had a SEL sighting here, it was green. I've actually seen it a couple of times, they are in a huge community down the road a bit.
Still having fun with your new car?
Ford and Chevy collaborating?
THAT's why the past two winters have been so cold...hell is starting to freeze over!
:-)
Regarding "ranger's" question about torque, take the horsepower number and torque will be within ~5% of that value. True for most typical cars.
And the right hand/left hand volume thing reminds me that its a matter of habit. I like my left hand free for the turn signal lever - it works on my Freestyle. I can't say it does on some Escalade's or Lexus that go flying by. My right hand always reaches for the radio anyway, so it just has a shorter travel these days. Mute is nice, and auto volume adjust is very nice.
Thanks to the person who recommended the fordwarranties.com site. My dealer originally quoted a much higher price but matched the price with the discount in an email sent to me by fordwarranties.com. If you go to the site and register, you'll get an email for an additional 175.00 off. Because I am a low mileage driver (I traded in a 99 Contour with only 31,000 miles on it), I purchased a premium care extended warranty for 7 years / 60,000 miles.
Oh well,,,Just dreaming.
Depending on how long I plan on keeping a vehicle, I tend to bypass the extended warranties. And if the vehicle tends to be problem prone, then before the factory warranty expires, I'll dump-it and move on to something else.