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Comments
It's getting prepped right now and we pick it up on Tuesday.
:-)
(more later after I get it home)
went through Minneapolis winter with flying colors--outstanding in snow--better than my Jeep liberty by far (our other car). The AWD is volvo in design and very sophisticated--I never felt any delay or slippage
The Blizzak has the hydrophilic tread only 1/2 depth. I bought the new design Nokians last winter and they're terrific.
power is fine,solid friendly vehichle.I had it in snow one time and it hugged the road and I could not break it loose while trying to.
lizzzard
http://www.forbes.com/2005/06/28/ford-mercury-crossovers-cx_dl_0628vow_print.html
A source in these boards who is a direct link to Ford has said that the Frestyle is going nowhere. As far as low sales, it's only been out for roughly six months....most people like to sit on new models to see if they implode or not.
But perhaps the article is right and the Freestyle is going to turn into the Meta One. My guess is that if it happens, they'll just call it a Ford 500 wagon....whatever works. I think the concept of a sport utility wagon (if you want to call it that) is here to stay.
I haven't had a chance to play with all of the toys yet, but that will come in due time.
One thing I have noticed is that the rear passenger door exhibits the "does not close easily" bug that others have mentioned. I first thought it might just be a tight seal to the car preventing it (as was mentioned here), but the other doors work fine. I then tried shutting it with the same force, but I held onto the door handle and when I do that it shuts fine! :-)
My guess as to what is happening here is that the door gasket may be preventing it from shutting normally and may actually be boucing the door back out because it's too thick and springy. If this is the case, then with time, the gasket will compress and mold itself to the door and will eventually close just fine.
I would be interested in hearing from others if they can duplicate the same thing with their door. (try keeping your hand on the handle as you close it)
Going for a long drive this weekend and I'm looking forward to driving my new toy!
:-)
Can you report on the buying experience over in Ford Freestyle: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences? There's a dozen virtual KK's in it for you. :-)
Steve, Host
I'm there!
(boy, you hosts have all sorts of tricks)
But I just saw this article on FORBES with this quote.
"According to supplier sources familiar with the automaker's plans, Ford (nyse: F - news - people ) will drop its low-selling Freestyle SUV at the end of model-year 2007."
http://www.forbes.com/vehicles/2005/06/28/ford-mercury-crossovers-cx_dl_0628vow.html
I wonder how this would impact resale, future service, etc..
I think Forbes meant FreeSTAR not Freestyle. That makes sense.
Forbes - please send us these so called supplier sources so we can discuss further.
Five Fords in Your Future
Steve, Host
http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/fas/consumer/fas_ConsumerHome.asp
Others in the Ford family:
F-Series May, 74,494 - CYTD 335,269
Taurus May, 20,502 - CYTD 92,819
Escape May, 14,038 - CYTD 73,217
500 May, 8977 - CYTD 40,492
That posting of Freestyle being discontinued I believe is in error. ANT14 who seems to be a Ford insider confirmed that the article was in error, and Freestyle was being confused with Freestar, the Windstar successor. Check post 3479.
"I just wanted to say that at our last meeting our area manager told us that in '07 we would be dropping the Freestyle because it was taking too many sales from the Explorer. Also that we will only have a Mercury version of it. He also said that the Freestyle name would be going on our version of a Honda Element. He said they wanted to recycle the name because Ford had spent a lot of money on that name already. Just wanted to tell you what we were told."
Perhaps the Freestyle is not the main issue. As gas prices rise, the Freestyle looks more attractive compared to the Explorer as long as heavy towing is not an issue. Ford may want to hold on to the Freebie beyond 2007 (MY 2008?) (if there is any truth to that rumor). :shades:
Here's ANT's earlier crystal ball post btw:
ANT14, "Ford Freestyle" #3479, 7 Jun 2005 5:08 pm
Steve, Host
LOL
I would think Ford would have enough foresight to know what they are doing a few years down the road....seeing as how it takes that long to design a new vehicle. And for them to change their mind and discontinue a new vehicle after one year is ludicrous...add to that that they decided to move the name Freestyle to a completely different design platform is insane.
Sounds like a bogus post.
Now my dealer is telling me that speed sensitive volume is a feature of the Limited radio only. I know this feature worked in the first radio, as we played with it and it didn't first eat a CD until after a few days. They claim they can't reprogram the SEL because Ford says the SE/SEL doesn't have the equipment necessary to send a signal to the radio to modulate the volume. They can't explain to me how my SEL had the speed vol working from the factory. I ended up leaving unsatisfied because I had no solid proof of my claim and they had no SELs on hand to test drive.
Does anyone out there own an SEL (or even an SE) where the speed vol works?
The sound system is working perfect, as well as the speed volume control.
I do really love my car.
Mine now has 1000 miles and I must say it is the best vehicle I have ever owned so far. Would like to see better gas milage though. I ahve been getting 18.5 MPH, with ALL city driving with the air on...Expect it to get better...
If a vehicle is discontinued, I believe manufacturers are required to provide replacement parts for 13 years after the final model year. The CVT will continue to be used in the 500 and it's my guess in future models as well. Parts and service concerns shouldn't be a problem. Dealers will continue to be trained to service the CVT, engine and suspension. If it's gone in two years, we'll all have a limited edition vehicle. If it's redesigned and re-labeled as a Mercury, my guess is it will be in the style of the new, and ugly, square box style. At least we all bought when it was a good looking vehicle. I'm sure there will be a lot more discussion on this subject.
I was playing with mine tonight. (SEL)
The menu button (I believe its called?) on the right can be pushed in to toggle through the various settings (bass treble, fade balance) and there is also a setting for speed volume. Mine was set to "off" so I found that by pushing the up/down button on the right side of the CD slot I was able to change the speed volume from 0 to 1,2,3..etc.
Try checking your stereo to see if you even have that setting.
Possibly change your dealer...or just humble him a little. They tend to get swollen heads.
:-)
The article listed planned introductions/updates for years ahead and here is what is is in store for 2008.
Copied from Globe and Mail article ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
"YEAR 2008
Ford Focus redesigned: Key volume small car
Ford Five Hundred freshened: Larger family sedan gets newer styling
Ford Freestyle freshened: Crossover utility gets an update
Ford E-series van: Working van
Ford Expedition: Large SUV is updated
Lincoln Navigator: Large luxury SUV is updated
Jaguar S-Type: Rival to Mercedes-Benz E-class and BMW 5-series updated
Lincoln LS: Updated design of American luxury in a larger sedan
Volvo V70 wagon: Key model in Volvo lineup is redesigned
Ford/Mercury mid-size hybrid sedan: Ford Fusion is likely to be available in a hybrid"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
So it looks like Freestyle has a future. Sorry, I do not know where this info was gathered and maybe it too is in question. I think I will ask Globe and Mail for their sources ... lol.
Oh ... I noticed another FS in the parking lot where I work. I thought that was cool.
"The company's new full-size sedans continued to post strong sales. The Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego combined for 10,823 sales in June with 85 percent delivered to retail customers. The Ford Freestyle crossover utility posted it best sales month so far (6,820) bringing combined sales for all three Chicago products to 17,643. First half sales for these products totaled 96,424.
Among trucks, the company continued to see higher sales among crossover utility vehicles. Combined sales for the Ford Freestyle, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, and Volvo's XC70 and XC90 were 28,342, up 31 percent compared with a year ago. Combined sales for traditional sport utility vehicles SUVs were off 3 percent in June."
:shades:
That's an urban legend I'm afraid. Ask any Daewoo owner. :shades:
Steve, Host
I appreciate your comments. Here is a quote on the Federal requirements by a VP at Edmunds.com, Bob Kurilko. :shades:
" Some of the practical concerns in the past, like parts availability, are no longer a big factor in making a decision, Kurilko says.
Federal law now requires manufacturers to stock enough parts after a model is discontinued to cover the entire warranty period, including manufacturers' extended warranties of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles. Plus, what you can't get from the manufacturer, you can get on your own."
Service is another issue, but the D3 chassis will live on, and everything from switches to bearings to transmission technology will be used/shared in other Ford/Mercuries. People will know how to fix a Freestyle, just like people with Oldsmobiles can get service.
As for Daewoo, bankruptcy and dissolution compounds their ability to meet Federal law in a big way. The dust is still settling on that story.
tincup47, "Land Rover Range Rover" #30, 14 May 2002 3:25 pm
Steve, Host