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Comments
I know, your probably saying why? Right? Hey, I wanted a new Hummer H 3 so this was a compromise buying the Freestyle. Don't get me wrong, I love it so far, but there's not a lot of customizing you can do with these, (nor would you want to)
I just thought it would give our new Silver Frost Metallic SEL a little extra flare.
Also I've ordered the crossbars from Ford, but I'm not crazy about how far over the rails they go. Does anyone else know where you might be able to find more options for these anywhere? Thanks, and I look forward to more of your comments. Great info so far.
The raised crossbars I got from a Ford part # were actually generic Yakima bars. I don't know of other options for these, but I will say that I think they are great -- raised round bars are much more flexible than the usual flat OEM type bars, it's a breeze to put on a bike carrier or take it off to haul plywood, etc. One note on the bars, if you have a moonroof, you'll notice the bars are MUCH quieter if installed further toward the rear of the car (4' apart is fine for almost any application, so I put the rear bar nearly all the way back).
I'm the one who posted my issues with the FORD exhaust tips that I installed on my Freestyle. Please reference the attached pic. As you have discovered, those horrible clamps really detracted from the tips so I removed them, painted the hardware a flat-black using high heat engine paint. The pic on the right shows how the paint helps hide those hideous clamps. Nearly two months later and they still look the same and the paint has not flaked/chipped off. Nonetheless, FORD did a very poor job of designing the attachment clamps and I shouldn't have had to paint them to minimize their appearance. The chrome tips really do dress up the tailpipes but you have to decide if the effort and expense are worth it.
Regards -
M.J. McCloskey - AWD Limited
I have tips on my Freestyle but I wouldn't recommend what I did. Oh, they look good. No ugly clamps to hide. It was just hard to install them. I bought some 5 inch tips off the internet. One fit but the left one didn't because of the muffler hanger. I had a lot of time on my hands so I carefully cut off about and inch or so with a dremel tool on both of them, redrilled and retapped the holes for the set screws (stainless bolts in this case) and mounted them. A LOT of work to save a few bucks. I think the tips were 14 bucks each. Not a lot of savings over the Audi ones and not a route I'd take again.
1. FWD vs. AWD. I live in MA, so can expect some snow/ice etc. does the AWD make that much more difference?
2. pricing. I got a "Dealer quote" of 26,500 on an SEL, FWD, leather, dvd, aux climate control. Any sense if that is a good price or not?
3. If the dealer has 15 models left on the lot this late in the year, can i expect some movement downward from the quote?
The dealers are offering incentives up to almost $5000 depending on what you qualify for. I mentioned that other dealers in my area were doing this and my dealer matched it.
I doubt you'll see any movement much lower than what I got...invoice is a good target to go for because they still see some incentives from the factory to move these or else they wouldn't be offering the incentives.
AWD in mass is not necessarily needed. If wanted to go with the FWD and just have a second set of snow tires, you would be fine.....especially with the traction control being standard.
But if you live in an area that is rather hilly or doesn't get serviced frequently with plows, you might want to opt for the AWD.
Run your option package through the Edmunds TMV configurator to see if the offer that you received falls in the taget area.
Good luck
You'd be NUTS to pay invoice right now.
Go to FordVehicles.com . . . do a Dealer Search for your zip code. Then start checking out the inventories of the Ford dealesr near you on that site.
It will list all the vehicles that meet your specs, and you will see the current Ford Family Price, which will be WELL below invoice.
If I had waited two more weeks, I could have taken advantage of these prices. ouch!
(But then again, I did get if for under invoice so I guess thats not TOO bad)
gaarrrrr!
Kevin Smith
Vivian, LA
2005 Pueblo Gold Ford Freestyle SEL
Please post buying details over in the Ford Freestyle: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences discussion. Thanks.
Steve, Host
Well, you're not supposed to look if you've already BOUGHT a vehicle. LOL
I didn't get my Freestyle for that price, but I did get my Five Hundred for that price.
yeah, but you got me curious!
shame on you!
:-)
I was going to rent a U-Haul truck to pick up a few items while our 2006 is on order but then thought....wait...I bet these might just fit in a Freestyle and I'll rent one of those instead from my local Ford dealer.
Here's what I need to pick up and my question is...will they both fit at once...or do I need to make two separate trips:
A dresser that is 49" tall, 20" deep and 39" wide.
A changing table that is 32" tall, 20" deep and 50" wide.
Many Thanks!
Jethro
Also, the FreeSTAR will also be dropped shortly thereafter..
All this from this morning's Automotive News, (registration required to read...)
See also: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102793
Did I read in an earlier post from you that you had a repair/shop manual? If so, where did you get it and how much was it? I searched the web over the weekend and didn't find any available from Chiltons, Haynes or any others.
Thanks.
I am interested in the freestyle but cant decide between the the base SE, SE awd or SEL. I live near Ottawa and we dont travel that much so I wonder if the AWD is really necessary.
I was wondering if anyone had the same dilemma SE vs SEL and what made you decide? plus are there other options I really need? that I should consider?
thank you
hope this message is clear
If all else fails, lay the dresser on its side and take the legs off the table.
tidester, host
No, I don't know but both the second- and third-row seats fold flat into the floor providing a deep cargo well.
tidester, host
I think the AWD/FWD decision is the easier one - especially for you. Mind you, I'm not one of these Americans that think it's frigid in Canada even in August, but I would have to think an AWD would be worth the money for your Ottawa winters.
I went with the SE since I didn't think the difference in price for the SEL was worth it. It's a personal preference. I don't need a 6 cd changer, and I can live without a leather steering wheel and fog lights. My SE did come with dual zone climate option and dimming mirror. So maybe think about what features are in the SEL that you like that maybe are offered as options on the SE.
Realistically, sales aren't slow. The vehicle was never ment to be a 400K seller, and the media is having a hard time accepting that from the Big3.....Nor is the vehicle wanting to be pushed out with $8K rebates either. I do say that marketing/advertising has done a poor job of promoting the vehicle.
The vehicle, like any other model, will grow, get bigger, it's model will change, larger engines/options implemented...sometimes it just happens a bit sooner, because other vehicles will compliment (not replace), others. Just like the CV isn't going away anytime soon because the 500 is out. It just begs to question, why not use a different name on the newer vehicles.... and at the same time, "next generation" of vehicles, will address some of the current ones negative ones.
It seems this 'rumor' of the Freestyle going away after only 2 models years continues to fester. I agree with ANT that FORD has done a very poor job of promoting this great vehicle. At least those of us who already own one know of its virtues even though a few owners have had some problems. I read about the Freestyle late last year in several of the auto periodicals, took two test drives and followed this forum before purchasing my Freestyle AWD Limited in late April. I have not been disappointed in any way. Yes, it could use some more grunt on occasion, but overall the Freestyle is very capable and comfortable and an excellent value. I've had a number of passengers comment on the smooth ride, roomy & comfortable interior and handsome styling. The crossover segment is a growing one and FORD would be wise to hang onto the Freestyle or whatever they choose to call it. Are you listening FORD?
Needless to say, I love my Freestyle!
Regards - M. J. McCloskey - AWD Limited
You pays your money and takes your chances...
Also, to avoid double posting, don't click the refresh button to read posts...it posts again! Most of us learned this the hard way!
Reality is difficult to ignore particularly when hard numbers are involved.
tidester, host
link title
No, it won't win drag races with a Vette or the Dodge Magnum or Chrysler 300C . . but it's not supposed to, either.
For a vehicle that's 500 pounds heavier than the Taurus, with the same engine as the Taurus (well, the better of two offered in Taurus), it's amazing that it has the same 0-60 time when you think about it.
You can look back through the posts here, and read other people's experiences with performance and long trips while fully loaded. You can also check out the other Edmund's Forum on Freestyle actual gas mileage reports. It can make you smile if you compare it to your Tahoe. The best thing to do is take a test drive. :shades:
Why? The main thing is the CVT. I just REALLY enjoy the way it shifts. It's constantly shifting, but in such small ratio increments that you never really FEEL it shift. (Some people mistakenly say that it doesn't shift . . it's always shifting, you just don't feel it).
The only way to feel anything like a shift is simply to FLOOR the pedal as rapidly as possible. THEN you can feel the rpm's jump up very quickly. Otherwise, you just never feel a downshift or upshift.
I supose some may hate that sensation, but I can hardly stand to drive a car with a standard automatic on it anymore. LOL
Question: Is the current Freestyle a 2005 model?
If yes, when will the 2006 model year be on sale? Are there any changes expected from the 2005 model year?'
Thanks!
We have had it since mid March 05. It has 6,900 or so miles on it. This is the only problem we have had with it. I hope that it isn't nothing major. Has anyone else had this type of problem? Mine is a SEL FWD.