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Comments
I think it's the same radio as are in the newer F-150's, etc. But the only adapters I see are for older ones (2003 and older?).
You'd think with all the trucks out there, somebody would've figured this out by now.
The information I've read said that there isn't any really long term cost savings at this point (this was an article specific to the Escape) and that the main reason to drive them was emotional: you feel good driving a cleaner burning car. The Freestyle has a "green" rating of 8 out of 10. That's pretty darn good. And you know, batteries aren't the easiest things on the environment--neither their manufacture nor their disposal.
Gas prices in San Francisco and LA are around $2.25/gal. for regular. Still cheaper than Europe! I heard on the news that they are expecting a barrel of oil to top out at over $80. Oh man...
And the really ironic part is this: the electricity that's used to CHARGE those batteries is almost always generated (in the US) by burning coal, oil, or natural gas!
And when you factor in all the efficiencies, I believe it takes MORE energy to run a pure electric car.
Now the hybrids are a different story, since they actually use some of the wasted energy in the vehicle itself to recharge the batteries . . you don't plug them in.
I don't worry too much about the "Greenness" of them . . but reducing the gasoline consumption (along with moving towards nuclear power) is the ONLY way this world is going to keep on moving (in the long run).
There's still a lot of oil reserves out there to be found. But, to keep up with current demand (and predicted growh in demand), it's going to take a LOT of money. Which means the price will have to rise for that much oil to continue to be pumped out of the ground.
It's not so much a question of the reserves as it is a question of the economics of producing it fast enough to meet demand.
This car gets better every day. Still a very Happy Freestyle Pilot here, even more so after taking our Expedition (now the wifes tank) down to the gas station. Man, the ride and feel of the Expedition made me appreciate the Freestyle even more, and so did the gas receipt.
Just got the windows tinted darker today and it makes it a lot nicer during the day when the baby is watching Shrek 2 for the 3,000th time.
Pebble leather interior is great, looks clean and wipes up nice. My long legged 2.5 yr old was tapping the back of my seat with her snow covered boots and and she said, "Ooops Daddy, I got the seat dirty" No, Problem, Baby wipes made it look like new again.
I always throught that leather would be a nightmare, especially with a baby and 2 large dogs, actually the leather cleans easier and the dog hair wipes or vacuums right off.
The Rotts really killed the back of the Expedition, their hair imbeds itself into the carpeting, very hard to get out, especially on the back of the second row seat.
I put the 3rd row down and used that padded treadmill mat that I mentioned earlier and hauled 260lbs worth of canine to the Vet today, they fit! and they like the headroom & dvd player :O)
Still getting a lot of weird looks at red lights.
Did the System check today, pretty cool feature that tells you how much oil life you used (I assume its determined by your milage) and it checks everything one by one in the center cluster.
Only complaint I have, someone already mentioned, the DVD player should be in the seat backs, so it does not obstruct your rear view mirror. But I can live with it.
K's Daddy :O)
Interested in hearing what you think of the above.Dealer does not have anything like that in stock.Also check out the headliner, what shade is it like.
We selsected out a plain SE FWD (did not want to get mesmerized by all the bells and whistles)and took it for a 180km test drive over freeway,country road, stop and go on a steep mountain road and the SE FWD performed very favourably to our liking.Then took a SEL AWD for a short 10km back to back test and found the AWD feeling like a much heavier (altho only by 150#) and less zippy. We also would prefer the 3 to 4 mpg advantage and our reason for wanting the LTD FWD. In Canada the LTD standard equip. comes fully loaded and the only extra options are AWD,DVD, and split 2nd row bench. Yes ESC would be nice and I'll bet it will be included in the '06.
Bigger engine, well not quite yet as IMHO the current CVT30 probably will not handle the higher torque of the Duratec35. If they could get the CVT from the Nissan Murano then it would be ideal or for ZF Batavia to develop a beefier CVT35, or even the GM/Ford HD 6speed tranny currently under development.
Don't tease me about the Mercury MetaOne as Mercs are no longer sold in Canada a few years ago.
Enjoy your test drive on Saturday.
You don't want the CVT from the Murano or at least not it with the way it is calibrated in the Murano. Before we purchased our Freestyle and after we test drove a Freestyle we took a Murano for a test drive. I expected it to be like a sports car compared to the Freestyle because of the smaller size and larger more powerful 250HP 3.5L engine. Well the performance was pathetic. It felt like it could hardly move itself compared to the Freestyle. I wonder what the 0-60 times differences are between the two? Both my wife and I agreed that the Murano felt grossly underpowered. Now I had big expectations going into the test drive because I'm a numbers person and knew the size to power ratio difference between the two. But my wife does not care about numbers and they mean nothing to her and she still thought that Murano was underpowered. She said that she would be scared to drive it daily because it could not take off from a standing start fast enough. During the test drive I made a left turn in front of some on-coming traffic and floored it. My wife yelled at me to floor it because we were moving so slow but it already was. This is why everyone should drive the Freestyle instead of simply looking at the numbers on the Freestyle and saying it is underpowered. I believe that the Freestyle drives so well is because of the way has the CVT calibrated or programmed. I have read that Ford spent a tremendous amount of time working on this and got it better than anyone else has on their CVT's up to this point. I also believe that the Murano's CVT must not be able to take a lot of power and that Nissan must have the engine detuned at low speed or from a standing start so that the CVT can handle it. Otherwise there is no reason 250HP should feel so pathetic.
I brought up the CVT on the Murano as I believe it has at the present time the highest torque rating that can be handled such as the Murano comes with 242 Tq.
Sometimes perception can be a very personal thing.I read somewhere (MotorTrend?) that the Murano's 0-60 is 7.5 secs, and the Freestyle AWD is 8.2 secs. But I'll ignore the speed stats, and what's more important to me is that I will totally agree with you that my overwhelming preference is the Freestyle for its functionality and design.
However,I do have a healthy respect for Nissan's V6s as I don't think Ward's Automotive will include them in their 10 Best list year after year for no apparent reason.
I have to agree with you about them consumer reports and the other critics. They get very annoying after giving a long lists of criticism yet turn around and recommend it. What they criticize about the Freestyle is far from true. I think it's got plenty of acceleration power and pep to pass by any car. They say the interior is plain and blaw; I find it very simple and very classy! It was designed with great taste and very comfortable.
Does anyone know where I can get accessories for the Freestyle? A security cargo shade and a bra for it? There is hardly any accessories out there? The found a great cargo liner that folds up neatly for the Freestyle on Ebay that is very durable for being only 3lbs. to haul things that is chemical resistant but no security cargo shade or bra for it. When is Ford going to make some accessories for this car?
http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/
The Freestyle accessories are growing daily...
Steve, Host
Heres my pitch to Ford add silver frost to Ltds
Hopefully, if the vehicle is still there next week, we'll get the chance to test drive it and see it.
K.
I have an AWD SE model I bought in Dec. 04
Now has 3800 miles--I am getting 22-23 mpg in mixed highway stop and go that is consistent now
and that includes bad Minnesota weather
not bad at all I think
I did that many times to my 2002 Taurus . . . except there was no "protection" as you talk about.
I think I've gotten over it now, and I haven't done it yet to my Freestyle.
I have had this happen several times. First time, I thought it might be interference from a cell tower. Since then it has happened several other times.
This is probably my one disappointment, reception is never clear and then the buzzing thing....
I haven't been using FM or AM much, just the CD/MP3 player.
I have to say that my FM reception is kind of crummy overall. Since I live on the coast, I don't expect good reception there but when I drive "over the hill" into the Bay Area peninsula, I was hoping for better reception. And when I use my windshield wipers, everytime the wipers engage to begin moving, you can hear a little "pop" through the stereo. Not huge, but I do like to listen to NPR which is FM. I have the 6 CD changer, but not the audiophile system. I had the same issue with my 2003 Expedition.
My favorite road music is currently the new U2 CD and Lenny Kravitz's greatest hits. "I Want to Get Away" played at full volume down the freeway while sipping a double latte gets you going for sure...
"For Comparison Shopping all vehicles classified as SPECIAL PURPOSE have been issued mileage ratings from 11 to 36 mpg city and 14 to 31 mpg highway."
This includes a huge variety of vehicles, probably from a Hummer to a hybrid Escape, making it virtually useless as a comparison tool.
This sticker statement I am sure is added per federal agency, probably EPA, regulations and being a government regulation, it produces no common sense categories whatsoever.
http://tinyurl.com/3rb5t
Last week I had that same situation. Met a friend at a restaurant (I was already waiting at the table). She approaches the table all happy and giddy, "Hey look, it's a Freestyle out in the parking lot, even has the window sticker still on it, it's so cute" I give her this one eyebrow up look... "It's MINE Airhead! at least for this week"...
Once done with lunch, we exit and I show the Freestyle to her, and suddenly had 3 other people come up and start asking questions about it. SO before you know it, I'm doing a 10 minute demonstration at the parking lot of Hooter's, who would have figured.
Her issue is, she loves the VolvoXC70&XC90, but her budget allows for a Freestyle only and she's ok with it. Yet her husband has issues with the "Ford emblem" even though the most reliable vehicles he ever had, were previously Fords.
Yesterday a black one with Georgia plates (in Mass), today a dealer plated black one.
have seen green (yuk). When I'm in our 98 Volvo 70, it looks so big. Hell even the driver of a MINI sits taller than I do in that Volvo.
I have to do a pilot/freestyle back to back.
As our Ford savvy guy you may have missed this article: CVT: RIP?
http://tinyurl.com/3rb5t
Does it make any sense what the author is saying and that the CVT could just be a stop gap tranny for the Freestyle ?
This creates a real dilemma to buy now and then have regrets that say within two years something much better is on the way with the GM/Ford A6 and the Duratec35 combo,or even the GM/Ford A6 & Duratec30.
I can see the CVT and Duratec30 will be perfect for the smaller Fusion, Milan, etc.
The CVT doesn't need to be married to a specific engine. It can be used in other vehicles as well. CVT's have performed well in Ford of Europe vehicles, and the investment made will be certainly utilized to it's full potential.
Granted, as vehicles are receiving stronger engines to keep up with the competition, and you marry other technology such as AWD...the CVT must also grow to accept these. Or be left behind to be teamed with smaller engines.
But the industry has been too harsh in quickly killing of the CVT, and depending upon the vehicle, it can make a world of difference. Ironically, many forecaster's believe CVT's will be the future, when automatics get too saddled with so many gears.
If the CVT can do the same job as a 6-7 speed automatic, with less parts, simpler design, efficiency and reliability, the CVT's only limitation seems the power it is limited in carrying out.
Naturally, there's some vehicles where a CVT wouldn't work. And it's not in the obvious trucks only, but in a Mustang for example. People equate that downshift thrust, as connecting them to the vehicle. When in reality, the CVT would perform the same action much quicker, and efficiently. But again, perceptions...And those take time to change.
Torotrak is an IVT, which can handle higher torque engines and the company who designed it, are currently using it on an Expedition. http://www.torotrak.com I think this can solve the CVT's limitation.
The current powertrain is quite enough for the vast majority of family orientated users.
Assuming the Fusion is 4-500lbs lighter still, they are going to rave about the smooth engine transmission, the quickness of the car....
then say if only it had the D35 engine, it would be a BMW 3 series competitor....
Wow--I have a FWD SEL with 7k on it and I can't seem to get more than 22.5 mpg. I got it up to around 24 mpg when I was driving a little slower on the freeway (the first couple of weeks I had the car). The San Francisco Bay Area freeways are conducive to higher speeds(75-80 mph) so I tend to take advantage of that. When I do mostly city driving, it will go as low as 19 mpg. I was hoping for a little better mileage, but this is the best I seem to be able to do at this point. It's still so much better than my Expedition was and my husband's F-150 is that I'm not complaining too much. My husband and I had to drive separately down to Los Angeles, but drove back at the same time. He had to keep stopping for gas (400 mile trip one way), but I left Los Angeles with a half of a tank and only had to stop once and then blew into Half Moon Bay with a half tank in reserve. Sweet!
Lower still happens often and creeping over 21 is cause for celebration
Chalk up MPG winner to the Freestyle
First question: When you reset the MPG number it never goes back to 0. The windstar I had prior would go back to 0 if you were standing still. Is this by design or a bug?
Second question: I configured with bucket seats in the back and I just realized(must be getting slow with age) that there will be a gap between the seats when you fold them down. Anybody come up with a work around that will fill in the gap? The obvious answer is to get some type of plywood / panel material, just wonder if someone came up with something more than the obvious.
Third question: Can anyone tell me if this vehicle is being sold in Europe. I was looking for some cellular equipment that was offered on a Sweden Web page for the FreeStyle but their American distributor does not offer it. Go figure, I didn't think this was being offered overseas.
Fourth and last question: I had a key pad lock on my first windstar. I believe that you could set the lock so if you exited the car the doors would automatically lock after a certain time period. The thought is you could always get back in because of the key pad. This doesn't seem to be the case with this. Did I miss something or is this just the way it is?
In the catalog for the car they highlight Fords Bluetooth set up ("mobilease"). GSM carriers here have it and the other guys are getting it. Permanent car set ups are expensive, esp when compared to portable ones ($50 a headset).
Hit 1,500 miles today and continue to love this car. I am puzzled about this lack or power thing that keeps getting mentioned. My Freestlye goes too fast!! Very peppy engine! My AWD getting 17.5-18mpg but I do all city driving (stop and go) so am not disappointed since under best conditions it is rated at 19mpg city. If you are considering buying a Freestyle, don't hesitate--this is a nice car!
If you go by Ford Media production statistics up to mid-Feb, AWD accounted for 55% on the Freestyle.So obviously 45% of the total built were on SE and SEL FWDs. Granted that a good number of those FWDs were included in the early production.
My concern is that Job1 schedules for '06 are as follows:
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/products/job1.2006.04march05.htm
I can't believe that customer orders from this point will be 100% for AWDs as different people have different needs.So if the market segment calls for additional FWDs will Ford build them in SE, SEL, AND also include the Limited??
C'mon Ford, you've got a problem in the Marketing Paradise and it's time to start delivering. If someone has a good answer I'd sure like to know. Frustrated; rolleyes;angry.
Sorry to dump this rant on the rest of you happy Freestyle owners and I sure want to own one too.
dbc:
Been there! done that!it doesn't work out quite well that way.The cost will be close but you'll lose out in quite a few critical items which will not be included that way.I just want to add that the Limited marketed in Canada is well packaged as Everything is standard equipment and only the DVD Ent.Center is optional. I understand for you folks down south the LTD is unbundled for quite a few stuff.
My dealer is willing to sell me at invoice which is even lower than X-Plan by a few hundred $ but unfortunately cannot place it thru the order bank.
I hear what you're saying if I were to take up a short term lease but for prurchasing it for the longterm I tend to be more choosy to get the better value for my investment of over CDN 40G which also includes a big tax hit by our Gov't.
Pretty cool. Squishy, and they have Freestyle embossed on the front set. They fit great. I wonder if I should leave the original floor mats underneath? Right now I have them out.
1800K and I am loving this rig. AWD LTD.
Stylie..
PS i reset my mileage and it was all wacky also..
hehe..I think you may have to travel a ways..