Ford Freestyle - Taurus X

scootertrash

The Element is trying to be ugly, the pathetic thing about the Aztek was that is was trying to be cool and the designers thought it looked good!..

passat_2002

"The only vehicle on the road uglier than an Aztek is the Element! "

Hey! Them's fightin' words where I come from!

Honda correctly predicted that Gen Y (and late Gen X'ers) would take to the Element because it looks nothing like what their parents drove. But the true beauty of the Element is in it's versatility and usefulness. Anyone who drives a Freestyle should be able to appreciate that.

nitromax

I alwyas get a little stomach re-gurge when I see a Chevy Avalanche. Way too much plastic cladding and the body proportions are horrible.

bobw3

I don't consider any vehicle that only seats 5 as competition to the Freestyle.

stever

Time to link this again:

Full Test: 2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD .

I'm a boomer and my 30 something nephew has an Avalanche that I liked quite a bit in person. I also like boxes like the Element, especially compared to the Aztek/Rendezvous/RX 330 styles. Different strokes.

I saw a Freestyle this morning in a parking lot near me and it was one of the nice blue ones. Didn't have time to gawk over it unfortunately.

Steve, Host

bruneau1

In addition, the Freestyle drives like a car. The Pacifica is clumsy and not too much fun in traffic. Too wide for lots of garages, but it's a looker. Too bad Ford has decided not to produce the Freestyle in 2008. It will be replaced by a boxy vehicle called the Fairlane. Us old folks remember that name, don't we. Que sera, sera.

bruneau1

The Torrent is an Equinox, for the good or the bad. Maybe they did something about the sloppy steering and uncomfortable seats. Long live the Freebie!!

stmss

Took your advice, found a 06 AWD Limited (full load with nav system and DVD)with 12km and went for a test drive with all kids and wife along. Just for fun, after this test drove the XC90 (5cyl version, not v8). The XC90 was not top of line but still 33% more $$. I know this may not be a fair comparison as these vehicles, I would think are suppose to be in different classes. Here is what we found and the benefits of each.

Volvo - a little better low end response with the turbo. Not much better, I think, once it got wound out. I may be a bit predjudiced here as I have two turbo vehicles and use to expecting quick passing power at low rpms.
Volvo - quieter drive, Freestyle seemed louder from wheels and engine but acceptable.
Volvo - interior bits (at least in the front row) more upscale. Front seats were more comfy but I don't think up to the standards of our current Volvo.
Freestyle - far better ride in my opinion - more firm, handled the expansion joints and road imperfections better - seemed to be tighter and better screwed together vehicle!
Freestyle - far better thought out interior - overall larger interior, more legroom in middle and third row, more headroom in third row, better use of space behind the third row, much easier to access the third row. Vehicle access is unique and low enough so the kids are not falling out if climbing from third seat (believe me, this is a problem with most 3rd row SUVs!)
Freestyle - better visibility, less blind spots, very easy vehicle to get use to.

At the end of the day, the three kids voted and two voted for the Freestyle and one to keep our current Volvo wagon (not sure why). My wife is hesitant to get back into a larger vehicle from a car (but knows we must), but also prefers the Freestyle over the XC90.

I have not driven any other competitors as frankly, I cannot find very many (other than minivans or full SUvs). The Highlander is too small in the back, the Endeavor has no third seat, the Equinox is too small, the Pacifica is a Chrysler product (long story), Nissans are too ugly - Is there any others I have missed that should be considered?

All that is left to do now is pick my colours and make my deal.

bizarroronj

I had the CD player/radio replaced at the same time that my transmission was replaced.

As a result, I drove a Taurus for a few days.

I can't remember for the life of me if the buttons on the CD player were backlit or not.

I have the feeling that the dash is very dark at night. But maybe I just got used to the CD/Radio in the Taurus.

QUESTION: Are the radio buttons (presets, band, etc) back lit?

passat_2002

There are no stupid questions. But there are stupid technicians. No backlighting after replacement of your radio says they didn't follow proper procedure on the installation of the new one. Take it back and complain loudly. It's incompetence on their part. Make sure you let the service manager know you're not a happy camper. The Freestyle's a great vehicle. It deserves better service than this.

thegraduate

Have you driven a Honda Pilot? They drive like a car but sit up high like an SUV and have nearly the room of a van. I take it you don't like vans? The Sienna and Odyssey both have MUCH more room than the two vehicles you mention, as well as having more room than Tahoes, Expeditions, and the like. You should go test drive an Odyssey and a Pilot before your purchase, PLEASE! The new Odyssey drives like a sport wagon of sorts. Heavy car, but sporty steering, lots of go, and 28 mpg HWY! Just a suggeston. BTW, both Odyssey and Pilot seat 8 passengers.

bobw3

I considered both, but for me the Pilot didn't have enough space behind row 3 and in row 2 (leg room) and the Odyssey was too un-car like in handling, and they were both two expensive for me. I only paid $22,500 for my Freestyle and it would have been around $30K for either Honda.

stmss

No I have not driven (or even looked at) at Pilot. I did look at Odyssey in the early years before I got our current V70. And yes I have an aversion to vans for two reasons. The last time I looked it was difficult or impossible to get three seated across the middle seat (that may have changed now,if they are 8 passengers). Most made you use the third seat for the fifth passenger and as soon as you did this, you lost storage but more importantly, you now had a passenger next to the rear glass all the time. Whereas with a bench across the middle I only need to use the third seat part of the time - reduces accident exposure in rear enders! Vans were fine if you had a family of 4. The second is my driving style does not lend well to vans or high centred SUVs so I am looking more for a larger wagon - which is pretty close to what the Freestyle is. I now drive a V70 and a Saab 9.5 so I will be really really surprised (and impressed) if an Odyssey (or pilot) handles like a sport wagon. But, I will look at them.

bizarroronj

So, the buttons should be back lit?

Looking at the console without the lights on, they look different than the buttons on the climate control console. Like they were painted on rather than slightly transparent.

Someone get out there, turn on the lights and tell me if the buttons on the radio are backlit....please?

Thanks!

BRJ

northlakes

I went out to the garage, and turned the key to the accessory mode, then turned on the parking lights. All buttons and lettering on the radio are backlit, except for the volume control label. I hope that helps. :shades:

johnclineii

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107285

manasota

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/0505_favsuv/index.html

daire

Interesting, but I hope they don't turn the Freestyle into another gas hog! That's the main reason we are buying the Freestyle....versitile capacity plus gas mileage.

stmss

Dropped by on the way home last night and looked at the Pilot. Couple inches wider than the Freestyle but almost a foot shorter and this shows up in the 2nd and 3rd seat leg room. The 3rd seat has very short head room and would be suitable for kids only. The 3rds row seats were also thin looking flip ups - similar to the third row in our Volvo wagon. Fuel economy is a few (3) mpg less, but bigger engine so expected. Price for similar equipped a few thousand more than Limited Fresstyle but finance and lease rates from Honda a good 4% higher!. Obviously not having a problem moving them. Did not have a chance to drive it nor did I get a look at the inside of an Odyssey as there was none in the showroom and no salesman available to help.

bizarroronj

You're my hero!

Thanks! I'll bring it into the shop this week.

pnewby

Interesting link, but still a 3rd party opinion. Has Ford made a statement concerning this? It really would be a shame to do away with what may be the best all around package Ford has put out in years. Where's ANT14 when you need him? Took mine back to have the radio revisited (no backlights or speed volume after replacement) and got a Chevy Uplander (2006) to drive. Wow, I almost forgot how much I like my Freestyle. More comfort and usable room than a minivan, roads were wet and the FWD on the Chevy lost traction on every takeoff, the Freestyle has spoiled me in more ways than I realized. :shades:

tayl0rd

The Pilot absolutely doesn't handle like a sport wagon! We have one in the household against my persuasions to get a Freestyle Limited; unfortunately, she's a Hondaphile. She doesn't regret getting it, but she is beginning to complain about things that wouldn't have been an issue in the Freestyle, i.e. pedals too far away, lousy gas mileage, too much hassle to let up the 3rd row, and (my personal complaint) NO MEMORY SYSTEM! The only thing that kept the Freestyle from becoming a reality (other than her glaring Honda bias) was that it didn't offer navigation at the time. And, yes, the Pilot is pricey compared to a comparably equipped Freestyle (not to mention certain standard features on the Freestyle that aren't even available on the Pilot, i.e. MEMORY SYSTEM!)

But I'm beginning to rant, so I'll stop there.

One last thing, though. She has the Pilot (EX) w/ leather and nav. The driver's seat already looks like it's 5 years old and she hasn't even had it for 5 months! Apparently Honda uses some fairly light duty leather. How's the leather holding up in the Freestyle?

stmss

I didn't look into all the features or lack of them, it had to get past the size and practicality test first.

BTW, when we jumped up to our Volvo in 99 my wife insisted that she need this vehicle (at significant $$ over others that would do the job). The vehicle has been good and we still have it, but I made her sign a waiver that she was not allowed to complain about anything with respect to the design, maintenance, costs to run, features, colour - anything. She has done good and I have only had to pull the waiver out a few times. It has been quite peaceful car ownership the last 6 years.

behoops

I have a couple questions about the warranty coverage of the new Freestyle we're picking up tomorrow. :-)

1. Our salesman said it comes with the standard 3-year/36,000-mile
bumper-to-bumper warranty. That makes it sound like it covers any
defect/malfunction not caused by us. Is that true, or are the certain
things the standard warranty doesn't cover (e.g., a light bulb burns
out).

2. If it's true that the standard 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper
warranty covers (nearly) everything, why does the 3-year/xx-mile Ford ESP
Warranty (at places like http://www.fordwarrantys.com) even exist?

3. Any other comments or suggestions about whether purchasing an
extended warranty is a good idea for people like us (relatively
conservative drivers who will likely put about 10K miles per year on
our Freestyle)?

Thanks for any input!

stever

Check out the Extended Warranties discussion while waiting for responses in here.

Steve, Host

jpc99

I purchased a FWD SEL in March. I have little more than 18,000 miles. I have had no issues at to this point. I am taking it in today to have them look at the abs sensor. My wish list for mods would be to have the back side glass panels vent out like vans do. With this summer heat it would make it so easy to cool off the car. My second ask is for higher arm rests for driver. Window sill is too high and the arm rest below and the center console is too low or far back from steering wheel. My question is has anyone experienced the CVT not "shifting" when it gets up around 60-65? Typically, I can go 55-60 at about 1500 rpms. I have had more than two times where I will get up to 65 and I am at 2500-3000 rpms. I am on a flat road and I have tried to reduce speed to see if the CVT "wakes up" but it doesn't seem to do any thing. The only way I have fixed it is by pulling off the road and turning the car off. Love the car otherwise.

nitromax

When did you buy your Freestyle? Was it in 2004?

Just wondering because there was an issue with the early models of CVT needing a reflash of their program module. Maybe that's all yours needs and since you're going in for service today, they may be able to do it.

passat_2002

What nitromax said. Except I think the needed re-flash includes some models made in 2005 as well. A total of two control modules need updated software. The PCM is one of them.

scootertrash

1.) it's your responsibility to understand what is covered or not and not depend on that a salesman says. All the info is in the glove compartment and on the internet. You should read and understand it if it's of concern to you.
2) Warranties like that are for people who might want a 36mo/48k or 36mo/60k warranty. What if you drive 25k per year and don't want to use up your warranty in 18 months.
3) The real Ford warranties are transferrable and REFUNDABLE. If you trade-in or sell and don't want to give them your warranty, you can request a pro-rated refund and Ford will send you a check.

nitromax

I found this in this months Manufacturing Engineering magazine. An interesting article on the Ford CVT and the company that is doing the grinding on the heart and soul of the tranny.

http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-mag.pl?&&ME05ART53&000007&2005/ME05ART53&ARTME&SME&

stever

Interesting link, thanks. Got a larger pic of the cut-away tranny handy? Ours isn't all that big either.

Steve, Host

schilke

Go for it anyway. If you leased it for only 3 years like I did, who cares about oil burning later in life!

ritchey

Has anyone found a replacement rim (or steel wheel) in either 18 or 17 inch size for the Freestyle? I am looking to mount snow tires on my AWD LTD in place of the standard P6's. Thanks.

northlakes

In this paragraph from Automotive News, 8/15/05, it implies that the new Fairlane concept will now be built on the Freestyle chassis. Weird. :shades:

**************************
"The Fairlane was on Ford's Mazda6-based CD3 platform. But the plan has evolved to a similar-styled vehicle built on Ford's bigger D3 platform that originated with Volvo. Both are front-wheel-drive platforms. Through 2010, Ford will rely more heavily on those two car platforms."

maymay

I don't think I've seen anyone here insisting this Freestyle will continue, we're all pretty much in the dark and wondering what will come. As of now, there still isn't any information directly from Ford, and there are several articles out there like this that claim to know all but are still a little vague and don't cite any actual source.

We've had ours nearly two weeks now, and it's by far my favorite out of anything I've ever driven. Checking out the prototype of the Meta One, what I'm really looking forward to in the near future is memory foam seats. My Freestyle Limited has everything I want on it and nothing I don't, and I sincerely hope that when I go to replace it in a few years I can get something very similar to it with just a couple of more options, like the memory foam seats. I'm not interested in every gizmo and gadjet, just the ones that make driving pleasant and comfortable.

Had leather and adjustable pedals been available on the SE we probably would've bought one since our car was totalled and we needed to buy in a hurry. I would've much rather done that and waited a year or two to get a Limited with a couple of improvements and a proven track record.

Anyhow, it'll be interesting to see what Ford does with this car. Their marketing is abysmal so it's a little puzzling why they'd make such a great car and then do very little to sell it. We figure they're either clueless when it comes to marketing, or they are just testing it out on people who are hungry enough for this sort of car to go find it on their own. The latter would be a terribly dumb way to sell cars XD

funfun

I have been reading this forum faithfully or several months. We are planning to purchase a Freestyle Limited, and need some advice about some features and accessories.

We plan to spend time in Northern Michigan during the winter. Is the AWD system necessary? I remember several people in northern states comment that they did not think AWD was necessary.

What is your experience with the need for the auxiliary air conditioning? On a hot day is the auxiliary air conditioning necessary for the second row or the third row seats?

How do you like the new navigation system?

What about the Ford dealer installed remote start? Is their a better one available somewhere else?

Does the dash on the 2006 glare like the 2005?

How about any other advise that might make the car better.

cmuniz

1) AWD is not necessary, but I would recommend it. It adds more traction while driving, but not for stopping. Tires are important and the OEM Pirellis seem to do well.

2) I would really recommend aux air. It does a great job of keep the temps inside (both hot & cold) comfortable. Remember - it's a long vehicle.

3) Glare is a problem with pebble interior, like mine. I would recommend you get a different interior color since they don't seem to be a problem. I doubt that changed for 06, but not sure.

4) If you are going to spend time in hot climates get the windows tinted. It looks good and does the job.

Don't know about remote start or DVD since I don't have either.

caf49

Interesting....the article states that the trannys are made in Ohio.
I specificially remember peeling a sticker off the window of our new 2005 Freesyle last month stating that it was made in Germany. Wish I kept it to verify this.

stritch242

My 2005 Freestyle , also purchased last month, had the 25% out of US production, 75% in US production sticker and it also listed the transmission being made in Germany.

I believe the production date is May 2005. (might be June '05, definately one or the other)

stritch242

passat_2002

I believe that many of the more expensive parts of the CVT (like the chain) are sourced from Germany. The CVT itself is definitely assembled in Batavia, Ohio at a plant that was originally a joint venture between Ford and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. I believe Ford has since bought out the ZF share of the plant.

Following is borrowed from myford500.com.
credit to johncleneii

"The label is based on value of parts. The chain, I KNOW is very, very expensive. And it comes from....Germany. Same one used by Audi."

nitromax

The article states that the grinding of these parts didn't take place in the states until February of 2005. I'm assuming that before that, they were made in Germany. That could be why your sticker shows made in Germany.

jpc99

I got the car back today and it appears that the two issues were related. Since I had a bad ABS sensor this was causing issues for the CVT. According to service there are speed sensors in the ABS system that feed info to CVT. Sounds like the ankle bone connected to leg bone syndrome. Isn't the digital world wonderful. I will let everyone know if this does not correct the issue.

JPC

manasota

We bought our remote start through the dealer. He had a local car accessory shop install a Viper brand system.They (the Ford dealer) said it was far superior to the one they offered but I have a feeling that their shop didn't want or couldn't handle the install. In any event, we're very happy and would recommend the Viper system. The thing is, if you don't get it installed right away, you may never get around to doing it if your anything like me.

I believe the auxiliary air conditioning comes standard on the Limited. If not, I get it anyway. It's not the kind of thing you can ad on later if you decide you need it.

Get every 'toy' on it that you can afford.

pnewby

The aux. air was and extra cost otion on the LTD. In the front seat, I don't know that I would miss it, but according to rear seat passangers, it is really nice to control their own comfort.

lax123

We went to a dealer to look at an Explorer and my wife saw the Freestyle there and had to drive it. We both love the way it drives, the smooth performance of the CVT and the interior space. I have been reading the articles and forums and have one big question about the Freestyle. If I load up the Freestyle with my four kids and luggage (skis, snowboards, etc) for a ski trip, will I have trouble climbing the mountain roads? Some of the reviews indicate a lack of power as the only issue with the Freestyle. :confuse:

bobw3

I think the lack of power is based on the horsepower seeming low for the weight of the vehicle; however, it's being compared to vehicles with automatics. The CVT makes better use of the available horsepower. Plus when you first step on the gas, the CVT doesn't give the sharp jolt forward like an auto or manual transmission, but then the 0-60 times are pretty good, but again I think it's more of a perception then a reality of lack of power.

lax123

That's what I gathered from reading about the CVT as well. I'm hoping to find some real world experience where the Freestyle was loaded with passengers and luggage and climbing hills. Any comments on reliability of the CVT or is too early to determine how it performs over time? I know some foreign carmakers have been using CVTs for some time now.

bruneau1

If your Freestyle is AWD and fully loaded and climbing lots of hills, it will do it, but at the price of more noise (high rpms to perform) and much poorer mileage (lots of high rpms to do the job). We have FWD which is lighter and doesn't have the additional friction of AWD and also carry only two passengers, so we find ours peppy and responsive. I would suggest giving it a try under the circumstances you want and decide. We love ours, but the Freestyle could use more engine for AWD and heavy hauling. Good luck.

cmuniz

Bobw3 is exactly right....the cvt/engine mgmt sytem is great at getting best performance out of both. I live in the mountains and have had no problems with power, but don't carry kids and ski equipment. What I can say is that I traded a Toyota Highlander for my Freestyle and it has as much power or more on the uphills than the 220 hp Highlander.

blue05

I have an 05 Freestyle awd that was a little sluggish so I installed a K&N air filter (33-2308) . This allows the engine to breathe better so you get improved acceleration and maybe a few extra horses.