Ford Freestyle - Taurus X

prettyslick65

This website had dimensions and other technical info on the freestyle.

http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2005/vmd3102sp.html

Does anyone have any input/opinions on the CVT transmission? I'm curious to know a little more about it's reliablity and durability.

jchan2

I'll be surprised if it doesn't get 28 MPG, with the CVT.

biggie2

I Think 28 overall would be amazing. That means like 31 highway and 26 city. The Focus doesnt get that much better than that.

jchan2

it depends on your driving style.

murfdog

Any ideas on the pricing for an entry priced model. We are not that picky about the extras. If it goes over a certain price, we will go over to Honda/Toyota. We get a discount because of my company since we are a Ford supplier. Any idea how low it could start. That would let me know if I should even pay attention.

Also what colors will be offered. Any idea ?
I hope something cool.

dave989

22k-30k though if they put incentives on it which i dont know if they will. It will proably be even 20k maybe. Which would be a steal for me.

a_l_hubcaps

At the Philly Auto Show, they said $23-29K. I would be shocked if they offered incentives on those MSRPs...they seem very competetive to me.

-Andrew L

jchan2

seems very competitive to me.

badgerfan

How about calling it the Mercury Mesa? Goes along with names that bring up thoughts of the wide open high plains west, and I don't recall it being used by anyone else on a vehicle.

Ford, can I get a royalty, say about a dollar for every one built over the next ten years? I might call it even if you give me a new Mercury Mesa!

murfdog

I am not a big ford person. Remind me again, what is the pecking order at Ford. Lincoln is the higher end. Where is mercury relative to ford/lincoln.

Another way to ask it. What should we expect different from the ford vs mercury version of the freestyle. Price/features. Thanks

johnclineii

A bit more chrome, a few features not available on the Ford, and a slightly higher price tag. Think Buick vs. Chevrolet, but less so.

jchan2

a few features not found on the Freestyle (hey, maybe a DVD Nav system) more chrome and a higher price tag.

rctennis3811

I like the name Mesa..reminds me of New Mexico and Arizona. All I'm hoping for is that it will be named after something adventurous.

jchan2

hmmm.. sounds nice....

johnclineii

too close to Mercury Mess?

nvbanker

Like the Mystique (Mistake). But to revive the Monarch? I don't know...... Why does it have to be an M?

johnclineii

Because the Ford family, currently running Ford again, has said so. Until they change their minds.

How about the Mercury Moderne? (pronounced moe-dern. as in, the moe I drive this car, the mo I say dern!)

Tee hee!

nvbanker

I like Mongoose better. Will go well with the Cobra....

ANT14

The name game isn't a direct Ford family request, this has to do with a totally different department.

badgerfan

Mercury Mensa, denoting the high degree of intelligent design of the vehicle?

I definitely need to get into marketing. The only problem is I am an engineer and am likely not able to bend the truth enough to make a good marketing guy!

nvbanker

Hell, I liked Park Lane, myself. But what do I know???

jchan2

Mercury Moderne sounds nice, and makes it sound European.

rctennis3811

yea it does

jchan2

would the name bring in more young customers driving VWs?

rctennis3811

I think the name Moderne would bring in the "socially conscious" who don't want to buy something expensive. Bringing in younger buyers..nope. They would need as good an active name as Freestyle.

figueroafamily

Greetings!

I would like to know if the Freestyle will have towing features. And if so, how much. (Of course, ballpark is all I can expect at this time.)

I live in the north NJ area, and wondered what auto shows will occur in the area.

Your advise is greatly appreciated.

Sam

buckwheat

figueorafamily, 2000lbs, you might find many of your questions answered in the following, be sure to click on each title at the bottom of the page for more info:, as far as the shows go someone else might be able to help out. I have plans to attend the NY auto show in April.

http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=10- - 54&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92

figueroafamily

buckwheat, Thank you very much. The link gave quite a bit of info.

I'll be waiting for the Freestyle to come out. It may be a long wait, like when you're on the "wait side" of the bathroom door .

Sam

rcf8000

The press release has a lot of info on safety, but there's no mention of stability control. Interesting.

figueroafamily

Seems you're right, rcf8000.

The Safety section of buckwheat's link (msg. 397) covers the crash-safety features quite extensively. It talks a bit about the AWD+traction control+ABS. You'll find more in the Driving Dynamics section.

As you read both, you may find it similar in function to Explorer's/Freestar's AdvanceTrac. However, AdvanceTrac also checks for spinout conditions, not explicitly mentioned on the Freestyle info.

One thing to recall is that Freestyle is lower than Explorer, so body roll isn't as much of an issue.

Sam

stickguy

any reason this thread was discontinued on the "future models" board? It sure isn't available yet!

tidester

The Freestyle is slated to be released this Spring so the future is not all that far off!

Look here.

tidester, host

ANT14

Edmunds.com is incorrect, the Freestyle is due to be released in late Summer... Job1 date is July 12th at the Chicago Manufacturing Plant.

tidester

Don't ya know we're infallible?? ;-)

Seriously - that's not so far off into the future to preclude bringing it into the mainstream boards! :-)

tidester, host

ANT14

True, but a couple of months is enough to deswade a buyer from one vehicle to another specially if it's a lease vehicle they need to turn in.

badgerfan

Edmunds could cross list it in both boards-I know you can because you have been doing it for the Ford 500.

stickguy

if that's the criteria, about 1/2 of the futures board should be eliminated, since they will be available way before september (Mazda 6, Volvo S40/V50, etc).

I would keep them listed over there until they actually are hitting the showroom, but then again, I'm not in charge yet!

ANT14

Or more like, remove it from the Future's listing till Edmunds receives the spec/pricing, etc for that specific vehicle. There's quite a bit too keep up on on this site, so there's only so much they can do at one time.

stickguy

Saw the latest episode of "Autoline Detroit" on speed channel yesterday. They interviewed the project manager (or whatever her title was) for the Freestyle/500. Confirmed that they would be available late summer/early fall.

Also admitted that she was initially concerned about lack of power from the 3.0 given the curb weight. of course, whe stressed that the Duratech was "tried and true", and that the 6 speed and CVT trannies led to acceptable performance with better than expected mileage.

odie6l

I saw it also, was very interesting. But if I heard one more time how many golf bags they had in the truck I was giong to put mine through the tv. lol

Odie

ANT14

You would have to see it in person to appreciate how truely big it is. Although they are being politically correct instating how many golf bags will fit, I personally say "Look like 4 dead bodies fit in there"... NOT the image they are going for.

kjnorman

We saw the Freestyle at the Milwaukee auto show last weekend. My wife and I are after a crossover as she does not want an SUV, absolutely refuses a minivan, but as we go for Baby number 2, our 2000 Audi A4 wagon may just not be big enough, and my 2001 Eclipse, well forget it.

The one thing we both learned is that the Freestyle is better looking in person than in photos, but I have only seen photos and this car with a tan interior and that color is truly horrible. I hope it comes in a light grey or dark charcoal interior color as well.

Now my wife - who is very picky - finally conceded that she could see herself driving the Freestyle, which is a major turn around for her as in the past she would absolutely refuse to even consider a Ford.

I thought she might like the Pacifica but she didn't so it looks like we may go for something like the Freestyle in the Fall when it come out. Just hope it does not have any major production problems being a first year production and all..

Kerry

jaserb

the wife on a less picky model ;-)

Seriously, though, I liked the Freestyle in person as well. The one I saw was maroon with a charcoal grey interior that looked very nice.

-Jason

figueroafamily

Greetings!

The more I read about Freestyle, the more I like it. This thread makes that double. I'll take my wife to the NY City Auto Show, just to see it. Perhaps we'll be as impressed as the people in the messages above.

The Freestyle would be my first "newly introduced" vehicle purchase. Does Ford regularly put rebates on such models? Are they big (I hope) or small? An Explorer size or better rebate would be nice .

Sam

johnclineii

One of the chief goals of ANY manufacturer is that its new models NOT have ANY rebates. If there are rebates at all, they will be very small, and indicative that either the entire market is very soft or that the new model is not selling to expectations.

Put another way, large rebates on or closely after introduction? Dream on...

figueroafamily

Well, my expectations are now back in synch with reality...

Sam

jaserb

The Pacifica was also an "all-new, segment busting" vehicle for 2004 and there are now $3000 rebates on those. But if Ford prices it right a rebate isn't as big a deal to me. Would you rather buy a loaded up Explorer with a $5k rebate but a $38k sticker or a loaded Freestyle that might hit $29k? I made those numbers up, of course, but I'd definitely wait to see how Ford prices this puppy before deciding whether or not to hold out for rebates.
I've got at least 2-3 years more good use out of the current Family Truckster, so I'll be able to wait and see how rebates, reliability (of the CVT, etc) and resale shake out.

-Jason

johnclineii

And the reasons for the $3k rebates on Pacifica?

a. DaimlerChrysler initially WAY overpriced it.

b. The vehicle did not sell to expectations.

jchan2

was because the seating was less than a minivan, it didn't have the image of an SUV, and it carried a sticker price way beyond any well equipped Odyssey EX or Pilot EX.

birkiebob

Well, well. Looks like Ford is finally taking a stab at the Honda and Toyota (and Saturn?). I've been WAITING, but it looks like the wait will continue. The 3 liter engine does not have the torque needed to pull my popup camper. The Saturn has the torque AND the mileage (but only seats 4), while the Honda has the torque but suffers (a little) with the mileage. When will Ford quit using smokescreens (just stretching an Escape is a smokescreen), and get it RIGHT?? Put a 3.8 or 4.2 in it as an option at least.