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Comments
Front Comfort and 50/50 rear seat (MSRP 28,400) for 26,346 last night.
I won't buy leather w/o heated seats. Dealer wanted an extra $400 to have the
seats done locally with the heat kits.
Almost bought it. Edmunds TMV lists the price for the for 26,346 so they were
right on the money. If they really wanted to sell the car, they could have thrown
in the heated seats. I really couldn't see spending an extra 400 for seats I didn't
want.
I may look at the Volvo V70 tomorrow.
To date Ford has sold approx. 21,000 Freestyles of the 57,XXX they have built.
Ford comfortable with supply not meeting demand
Steve, Host
Whats the "rebate" $$$
From the article:
"We have no ambitions to overproduce and take it up to 300,000, because that leads to rebates, and we've gone without rebates for seven months," he said, though both offer discount financing."
But if you go to our Incentives & Rebates page, there's all kinds of rebates listed (provided you are in Driver's Ed, own Mr. Ed, or are in college or the military).
There's also $500 in Dealer Cash and low financing rates in my zip code.
Steve, Host
jpc99,
Interesting thought, but I'm thinking mucho mas dinero? Since I do use the hatch constantly and it's often the first point of entry I need to make, that idea of yours makes a lot of sense...Hmmmmmm
If there are deals to be had, this is the preverbial Corn Field to the Crow.
Odie
So, I've got a 2004 4X4 Explorer loaner and I miss my Freestyle! I don't think I'll ever go back to a SUV. I've been seeing tons of those little Toyota Hybrids zipping all over--I never see them in a gas station, though. They are just so darn small....I guess we can't have it all--at least not yet. Gas hit $2.69 here and that loaner Explorer is sure a lot thirstier than my Freestyle.
tidester, host
***************
March 7, 2005
Dearborn, Michigan. Ford Motor Company told dealers that 2005 Ford Freestyle vehicles with the 3.0L 4-valve engine and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) may exhibit intermittent drivability concerns on deceleration and/or during turning maneuvers.
To solve this drivability concern, Ford will reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM).
Owners who experience intermittent drivability concerns with their Freestyle should consult their Ford or Lincoln-Mercury to have the above mentioned service performed.
:shades: :shades:
For that matter, anyone heard more about the Mercury version? Still a 2007?
Steve, Host
It would be interesting to see how Ford will handle this late production run whether they might even incorporate some '06 features to your vehicle.That happened to my 2001 Explorer Sport Trac when I placed a late order and received a "free" tonneau cover when I only paid for the swing over cage and Ford had re-priced them as a single option.
My Cdn dealer is still behind the 8-ball on this deal and I am very impatient regarding your success.It looks like us guys up north may have wait a little longer as we could be treated as a secondary market.Either that or our Cdn certification , eg daylight running lights, speedometer, etc, could also throw them off production regularity. Keep us posted as to how you make out.
http://www.safercar.gov/NCAP/Cars/3089.html
Looks like I've run out of excuses to not buy one (grin).
webbcam
ANT please correct me on this if I'm wrong.
I think the SLS was a feature on the Concept vehicles.
Mercury Montego has SLS, which is merely a change to the Sachs Nivomat Shocks. Probably retrofittable if you want it.
Ford comfortable with supply not meeting demand (Chicago Tribune)
Steve, Host
Dan
I live in Upstate NY, drive 30-35000 a year and had a Windstar before I purchased a SEL FWD. Just my observations but unless you are in snowy areas with hills, or areas where you don't see a plow for two days then FWD is more than adequate assuming you have good all-weather tires at a minimum and snows if you so choose. I have been living and working in this area for twenty years and have gotten by with all season tires. This is just my opinion but on flat snow covered roads their should be no problem. On hilly (make a bike rider think twice) you should get by but it could be a challenge depending on road crews, sand / salt etc. If the roads get iced to the point where the slightest tap of the break makes you skid I am not sure AWD or FWD make a difference. The last thing about driving is visibility, when possible that dictates more for me than anything else. If you can't see the car ahead of you or where the road is FWD or AWD doesn't help and that's when I say staying home not worth it. I did drive my SEL in one or two late spring storms here and not sure I saw any difference than the Windstar. If gas consumption or price for the option isn't an issue then I would go for the AWD but felt the difference in mileage was enough that I didn't think the winter driving benefits were worth it. I have about 4500 miles on mine and I am running between 24-26 depending on the trip. Its amazing to see what running at 65 vs 70 does for mileage. One other item, seems like the operating cost of having an AWD is more once you get the car. For example the ESP plan is more for AWD. Too bad they don't make the AWD an on / off choice that allows you turn it on when you need it but when you don't you get the better mileage.
Why doesn't any car maker offer such a switch?
I would prefer FWD with ESC as more useful and economical.
Any chance this will be available in 2006? I like the size and look of the freestyle better than the pilot or highlander but I am leaning towards one of them, mostly because of the lack of availability of ESC in the freestyle. I can wait until 2006, but if it will be any longer, forget it.
When do the 2006 features lists come out?
Also I originally though the engine was too loud on the freestyle but having gone back again and this time test driving a FWD, it seemed to be quieter. Perhaps the FWD version does not rpm as high.
1) The AWD is carrying an extra 150 pounds around, over the FWD. Not bad for AWD, but still there.
2) The electronic AWD on the Freebie uses only FWD unless the sensors say it needs to transfer torque. It kind of, sort of is FWD much of the time. There is the small additional friction of the driveshaft turning in "anticipation" of sensors calling for the AWD, as opposed to the lack of such a shaft for FWD.
3) The final gear ratio of the AWD is slightly higher than the FWD, so it takes slightly more engine rotation to go the same distance off the line. Electronics may even this out at higher speeds. After all, the exact ratio is not hardware limited (a CVT benefit) - the computer decides the effective ratio.
All it means is that an AWD kill switch won't likely give you the full 10% mileage boost of an FWD. :shades:
Odie
Dan
Just noticed that Ford Marketing chief has left after a few months on the job in which truck sales dropped by 51,000 units, and car sales only increased 8,000 despite all the new product. The new guy sounds more aggressive in his approach to keeping the sales going. Maybe there will be rebates in the near future. Heres hoping!
Snow tires go a loooong way in making a vehicle more snow worthy. Add traction control,and a FWD vehicle is better....yes better!....than an AWD with all-season tires.
(case in point....this past winter, I drove home in my RSX during a snowstorm and when I got home realized I had to go back out again....I took our Subaru figuring it would be better in the snow than my RSX....I was wrong, the Subaru was all over the place...and my RSX doesn't even have traction control)
reason: all season tires are made with harder rubber than snow tires becasue they need to handle hot temps in addition to cold temps....hard rubber gets even harder during cold weather and provides poor traction. Add to that the treads on all -seasons are not specifically designed to handle snow/ice traction.
It has been proven, and I believe there is even a Edmunds article on here somewhere. If you want, I can provide a link (after some digging)
Agreed that a significant snow storm is going to add a lot of tension to the commute. 3-4 inches an hour is a significant snow storm and is most likely followed by weather advisory and emergency vehciles only notices...those days, stay home and enjoy the scenery.
(if you can)
:-)
It pays to visit two or three dealers if practical and use one's bargaining to gain leverage with another for ordering. Just a thought. Good luck! :shades:
Odie
I went for the FWD version even though I am in Canada. Have driven FWD vehicles in snow for years and couldn't justify the extra weight and cost of AWD. Selected a SEL with leather, moonroof, etc. instead of a Limited since we preferred the color combinations available. Have been driving for a month and gas mileage is now close to 12 litres per 100 km which I think is around 21 mpg. In my view, reports of it being underpowered are from people who haven't driven it for a while. It has more than enough power for city and highway drving. My summer car is a 2000 Mustang GT Convert. and while it is a great ride also, I am going to have a tuff time getting my wife into it since she like the Freestyle so much.
Bottomline... I have no regrets and no issue so far.. money well spent..
just too much. Can't get Silver on a LTD, Can't get heated seats in a SEL.
Dealer couldn't find a Silver SEL w/ cloth interior and wanted me to buy his
leather version and spend $400 to have the heaters put in.
Sorry, Ford. I bought a Dodge Magnum. If there is any consolation, I traded in a 2000 Honda Accord. At least Dodge isn't a foreign brand.
Hopefully, when I want to trade my 01 Mustang GT convertible, Ford will be able
to meet our requirements.
I bought mine using X-plan, but you're describing basically what I did. Once we agreed on a 24-month lease I said 'okay, but I don't want anything you have here. I want Titanium Green, slate leather, etc...' So, the sales manager went to a special dealers-only portion of Ford's web site and did a more-detailed inventory search which basically gave preferences to the features I wanted and specifically left out those I did not want (DVD player) and searched from the dealer's zip code. I live in Cleveland and they found one about 70 miles away near Youngstown. It arrived the next day. I didn't ask, but I'm guessing my dealer sent one of their Freestyles back in trade.
YMMV, but I don't see why you couldn't negotiate a similar deal. You may end up getting a feature you didn't want or care for, but if you're particular about what you want I think it's possible. Remember, the dealer still makes money even if you agree to pay what it says on the invoice, so if that's what it takes to close the deal I think they'd do it.
thx,
lizzzard
BTW - starting to see a couple in the Twin Cities - nice to have neighbors.
I traded in my Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter that I had to have.Wifey told me I was nuts to buy it and she was right.What I saved on fuel I lost on parts,downtime,and noise and rough ride.This is no.39 new vehicle for me,I'm a car freak.
I feel the Freebie is a well made,priced right,safe,good looking vehicle,glad she's in the garage.
why buy American?Cause I am one!
lizzzard
I will let things slide for another 2 weeks or so until you take possession of your long awaited vehicle before I go after my local dealer and press him to get on the ball.I would prefer him to call me for the good news as I don't want to show my anxiety as originally I got it priced at invoice and now I will expect also the $200 reduction for the 17" wheels.
The advantage of the 17" size is that it is much easier to find an extra set of steel wheels and much cheaper snow tires for winter conditions if it is needed.
Be interesting to see what else comes with your Freebie, is it classified as a MY2006 with some design changes/added or will it still be a 2005. The Limited FWD has been removed from the MY2005 in the Ford Cdn site about 2 weeks ago.
Snow tires go a loooong way in making a vehicle more snow worthy. Add traction control,and a FWD vehicle is better....yes better!....than an AWD with all-season tires.
I agree and disagree. I've driven 4cyl Camry's (89 and 02) as my primary vehicle since Aug 89. Even after a few months of driving on a set of new tires, I noticed problems on slight (35+ degree inclines) on wet pavement. Yes, each engine was/is peppy off the line but after 16 yrs I think I know this by now and can compensate from a full stop. I haven't read a complaint in traction from 6cyl owners, so I am willing to bet some additional weight or strategically located weight allowed for better contact with the road. I believe this is another critical element to control.
I drive 20K a year and buy tires about every 30K regardless of the reported mileage of the tire. Ok, once I used a set of tires 45K. I've spent anywhere from $45/tire to $118/tire. Currently I have a set of Goodyear Assurance Allseason on the car and this has been my best winter ever with moderate regular Pennsylvania snowfalls from Jan-Mar. Cautious driving has always kept me moving, but I clearly had better traction than even previous snow tires. Granted, I had 2 consecutive mild winters and that may have taken some life off the snow tires.
Just last week at the Ford, we looked at the Freestyle and AWD system was described as front wheel and each wheel was monitored separately. It sounded to me like a traction control system. Did I misunderstand?
I don't think that's the case, at all. In fact, I think the number of upscale and AWD vehicles that are selling caught Ford by surprise.
I'm not sure what their reasoning was, though, for limiting the LTD's to only AWD initially. I thought ANT14 said that it would ""become clear" . . but it never has for me.
Doesn't matter to me, really. I like the AWD so far . . . though for all I know, it's always been in FWD mode. :P
My guess is that Ltd buyers for the most part fall into the "I want all the toys" on my vehicle catagory, whereas SE buyers want lots of vehicle for little money.