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Comments
Seriously, I think we should keep these message boards in tact due to the Taurus X simply being an evolution of the Freestyle. They are not two separate vehicles so lets keep everything the same and perhaps just add Taurus X to the message board titles. There probably should be a new forum however for just '08 and newer Taurus X issues... you know for when those new automatic trannies start blowing up while our CVTs run forever.
- Chad
Does that information help you at all???...:):):)
I didn't know the Freestyle existed before I bought my '06.
I saw a used '05 at a dealer, as I was leaving, having not really cared for the Escape and Explorer models I drove.
:P :P :P
Ford has never really pushed the Freestyle, always treating it like some poor, unwashed orphan. Now they want to sell Volvo, who provided the chassis (X70 I believe) - so does Ford then put something else down there?
Dredging up the Taurus name for the 500 and Freestyle has to be one of the most obvious, desperate marketing ploys that has ever been done. It tells the public and the motoring press that you don't know how to do your job.
We should all write the CEO and tell him just that.
Thanks,
Tom
1) a different and much more powerful engine
2) a 6-speed trany
3) a completely different AWD system
4) AdvanceTrac
5) much better NVT
6) much better Styling (subjective, I know.. but most would agree)
7) Ford "Sync" (optional perhaps, but most will want it when they see it)
8) a much different name. Ford has decided to link the X to the Taurus sedan.. not the Freestyle.
Give the Taurus X it's own forum listing and topic areas. It will reduce confusion.
Important to consider is the car shopper in 2008, 2009 & forward. Will they know to search for Freestyle in order to get Taurus X information?
FS rated one of best CUV's for rear crash testing...BTW
edited down for post full link here
//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19569300/
"The test results released Tuesday found several SUVs had improved protections against whiplash injuries but gave poor marks to vehicles made by several leading automakers, including BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said the simulated rear crashes at 20 miles per hour showed that many large vehicles fall short in protecting against neck injuries, which lead to 2 million insurance claims a year costing at least $8.5 billion.
Several SUVs made progress — 17 of 59 SUVs from the 2007 model year received top ratings in the testing, compared with six of 44 SUVs tested in 2006.
The best performers among 2007 SUVs included: Acura MDX and RDX; Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge and Ford Freestyle; Honda CR-V, Element and Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Kia Sorento; Land Rover LR3; Mercedes M Class; Mitsubishi Outlander; Subaru B9 Tribeca and Forester, and Volvo XC90.
SUVs from the 2007 model year rated poorly were: BMW X3 and X5; Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender; Cadillac SRX; Chrysler Pacifica; Dodge Nitro; Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer; Mitsubishi Endeavor; Hummer H3; Hyundai Tucson; Jeep Liberty; Kia Sportage; Lexus GX470 and RX; Nissan Xterra; Saab 9-7X; Suzuki XL7; Toyota 4Runner and Highlander."
I think that the T-Rex is still a Freestyle underneath. It is true that they are renaming the line, but the design and basic functionality is the same. The length, width, height, weight, seating capacity, and even most of the sheet metal are all the same.
Would we rename a Mustang forum because they added an engine / transmission, or changed the sheet metal?
When Ford re-designs the entire platform, THAT is the time to set up a separate forum.
So long as a new user will come across their vehicle of interest when they search for "Taurus X", I think the T-Rex forum should remain with the FS.
To this end, I suggest that Edmunds rename this forum as "Freestyle / Taurus X".
Just the fact that we are having this discussion is an indicator that the FS and T-Rex are the same vehicle. No one had any questions when they created the "Acadia" or "Outlook" forums.
I took out an AWD Taurus X Limited two weeks ago. I was very impressed with the quality inside and out. The new 3.5/6sp drivetrain is an improvement from the 3.0/cvt in my opinion. The color combination of the interior was impressive as was the fit and finish. I have taken quite a few Freestyles out and was looking to purchase one, but after reading the improvements Ford made with the X, I'm glad I waited. Its only a matter of time before we're getting one......
Well, I own a 2006 FWD SEL. Anybody else care to chime in with their FS specs? BTW, only about 15K on my FS.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/Index2.cfm?myClass=PC&myYear=2008&myMake=Ford&myMo- del=Taurus&GoButton=View+specific+vehicle
then the curb weight
then the fact that the car pictured is NOT an 08 taurus despite being labeled one.
Interesting. The first time I clicked on the link I saw both Taurus and Taurus X. If I click on the link now I see only the Taurus. I wonder if they found the problem with the website?
The Taurus details don't list DRL, which can be programmed on the FS. I wonder if they still work on the Taurus X...
UPDATE:
Yup, they fixed the site, it now refers to the Taurus X in the "SUV" category instead:
US DOT Taurus X Safety Ratings
Right pictures, still no mention of ESC (which is standard, I believe, on the 2008) or DRL.
That I know of.. nobody has yet crash tested a 2008 Taurus X.
Hmmm, maybe the DOT has solved our problem of "renaming the forum". They insist that the FS and T-Rex are the same car! :P
not sure if that's in your direction or not...
Ford didn't discontinue the CVT just to p!ss you off. They did so because it had become way too expensive to build, and because typical Ford customer's didn't seem to want it anyway, as was shown by continually declining Freestyle sales. I like my CVT too, but I also fully appreciate that it was simply a good business decision by Ford to discontinue it's use.
I really think it is a superior tranny for this type of application. I just think ford pissed up by not continuing it and fully embracing it in the edge, flex, truly setting themselve apart and using that to an advantage as opposed to not using it as a forward thinking marketing image builder.
ford needs to figure out how to lead again as opposed to having the follower mentality it has embraced as of late. it needs another taurus again and I'm not talking about this one.
I assume it's your opinion that one of the reasons FS sales went down was because of the CVT, unless you have some facts to link FS sales to the CVT?
I agree with the previous poster who said that they should have just changed the name and left the transmission alone. I really like the CVT. Personally, I think the change to the 6spd was purely a cost-cutting measure.
Admittedly.. I have only anecdotal evidence to support that claim. But there was never a positive review of the Freestyle's drivetrain. In fact, the reviews were always quite the opposite concerning engine and transmission. For better or worse, people read the reviews, and believed them to be gospel truth.
But as I said before, I think the "typical" Ford customer here in America was unsure what a CVT was, and therefore steered clear of it. Without argument, it had surely become too expensive to go on using, given the dollar/euro exchange rate. (Most parts, I believe, were from Germany/Austria) So call the 6-spd a "cost-cutting" move if you will. It still simply makes good business sense to use it instead. That was my point. The "marketplace" will now tell the tale. I'm betting that the '08 "X" will sell much better than the '07 Freestyle did. The new drivetrain will be a big part of the reason why.
I would imagine looking at the actual numbers it would have no worse a failure rate than a traditional unit.
Ford could have lead but has chosen to follow with the 6spd, I'll be looking at the flex when it comes out and may be swapping our FS for one if the numbers are favorable, if they are not, I'm not sure what the next 7 seater will be...
I still get mad when I hear the complaints about the "underpowered" engine and drivetrain. I love performance cars, and while the FS is a long way from "performance", it certainly has more than enough to move it along quickly. I think the only reason the CVT is being dropped, is the cost to make it. I certainly think the number of problems is below average. I know the 60k service is expensive, so I assume that is indicative of the cost of the tranny. :confuse: