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I'd make absolutely sure you're not doing it again.
Funny thing is, I just did this the other day with my Freestyle.
- Chad
This is particularly disappointing since I am eligible for x-plan pricing, and combined with the current $2000 cash incentive, I can get a very good deal on a new TX SEL, and it would be a terrific replacement for my aging MPV.
So, does anyone know if Ford has finally addressed the water intrusion issues?
(FWIW, I am cross shopping with the Hyundai Veracruz GLS, which with currents incentives can also be found for low-mid twenties.)
Thanks!
If you google "Freestyle water leak" you will see several long message board threads (including one or two here on Edmunds Carspace) - mostly from 2005 and 2006 owners.
Glad to hear that you haven't had any issues.
I googled for water leaks and found three main sources of leak:
1. Moon roof drainage leak and runoff design issue
2. Improperly installed grommet in engine firewall
3. Plugged air conditioner drain, allowing condensate to drip on front carpet
The moon roof issue looks to be the worst. The fix is making sure it doesn't leak in the first place, as the runoff goes to the third seat. Makes me glad I didn't get a moon roof. Maybe you shouldn't either, if this is a big concern. (Instead, the Family Entertainment System is very nice, much more than a DVD player.)
The firewall grommet is a simple production error that's quick to fix on new models, and should be by now.
The plugged air conditioner drain happens in a lot of cars. (Bug crawling in or something?) But I don't see any sign from consumer reports it's more common in the Freestyle. In fact, CR says the Freestyle climate system is much better than average reliability.
this minor issue should not be any reason to not consider the TreX if you are that interested in buying one as there simply are no guarantees in life...
you can google anything and find a problem for it. it will never go away.
Thanks!
My FS was an in-town vehicle. It got about 18.5 in town if I was REALLY careful. Under similar conditions (but not as much trouble to achieve), I get 31 MPG with my FEH. That is a 60% increase in fuel efficiency. And keep in mind that my FEH is AWD, while my FS was FWD, and that the 2008 T-Rex will probably NOT get as good of MPG as my CVT FS. I also generally got 22 MPG on a mixed tank with the FS.
I have always been impressed with the FS at highway speeds. My own experience is of 75-80 MPH with 25.5 MPG. At highway speeds the difference is less, but I suspect my FEH would get over 30 MPG in similar circumstances. FWIW, I find that my FEH is quieter than the FS at highway speeds.
If I had needed the 7 passenger seating & etc. I would have stayed with the FS. However, I'm glad I switched. I suspect that gas is going to get far past $5.00 per gallon soon; I have heard predictions of $150 / barrel of oil by 2010, and possibly $200 / barrel by 2013. The developing nations are increasing their use far more rapidly than we are reducing our use!
In my case, the payments were very close, so it wasn't an additional financial burden.
Take a look at the city MPG of the SUVs. It may surprise you. In actual use I doubt that most of them would get over 20-21 in town, if you check the forums for "real-world MPG" of each model. I'm currently getting 31 MPG, though I expect that to decline in cold weather.
I do like the smaller SUV, just because it is easier to maneuver & etc.
All this time we had a Freestyle CVT discussion buried at the bottom of the topic list.
So, most of the recent CVT posts have been moved over there; apologies if this thread seems a bit disjointed now, but at least we can get back to other X issues.
Here's the link:
stevedebi, "Ford Freestyle Taurus X CVT Transmissions" #54, 22 Apr 2008 4:52 pm
If Ford wants to attract people buy this lovely vehicle, they should introduce a Hybrid version, Hybrid+Deisel version will be great!
Is there a way to pass this message to Ford people?
Have you priced diesel lately?
As for the Taurus X, I love it and bought one. But I think it's on the way out next year, with Ford neglecting to even advertise it. It will be replaced by the Flex coming now, and the new car-like Explorer America, that's due in about a year.
The dealership we're working with doesn't currently have anything we're interested in, but is willing to do a dealer exchange for a new TX, or find a used TX or FS at auction based on our specs. This will be our 3rd Ford from the same saleman (new dealership). Currently we're considering the Used TX option, but want to see if the incentives on new get any better this month. We're not in a rush to buy, but the longer we wait, the less variety we'll have to choose from.
Below is a pro/con list I've come up with and invite any comments /additions. Further below are questions regarding options we're trying to finalize.
New
pro - it's new,
cons - more $$, quickly depreciates
Used TX
Pro - Cheaper, can get CPO to bring warranty out further
Cons - Used and most of the current used mrk is former rentals
Used FS
Pros - even cheaper, slightly better gas mileage
Cons - not as peppy as TX, CVT(?)
Finally, we're REALLY undecided as to the 2nd row configuration. While the bucket seats are convenient for access to the 3rd row, they limit the car to 6 people. We tested all three configurations ( bench and buckets w/ & w/o console) and the kids had no problems with any of them. Please let me know which you chose and why.
Thanks,
Peeter
However, if you don't want these, the FS has an advantage in price and fuel economy. OTOH, many people have trouble finding anyone to repair the CVT, even if it's covered by warranty.
A used TX may be fine, even as a former rental, if you get enough warranty. We bought my wife's Freestar minivan that way with a bumper-to-bumper 100K warranty, with the car at only 15K miles. The warranty lists like $3K, but you can bargain them down to well under $1500, especially by quoting web sources that sell the same Ford warranty for that. Overall, the Freestar at a year old was about 60% of new, even adding the warranty.
The bench seats in the second row are nicer for the console and comfort. But if you need 7 passengers, get the bench.
In my case, I got the bucket seats and console. My kids prefer the third row, where they can sit up high because of command seating. However, the little rascals don't always bother with the flip seats and often just jump like monkeys over the second row seats, folded down or not. They have lots of room in front of them to look around. Like the back of the bus when you were a kid. For bigger people the bucket seats in the second row are indeed nicer. Each can recline independently and there's a console and cup holders, etc.
I like that the 3rd row on the FS are vinyl. Spilled the chocolate milk? No worries.
I like the CVT and view it as an enabling technology for the future - which I believe to be electric engines. We live in a VERY hilly/mountainous area and that played into my desire for the CVT. I do a lot of biking and wish I had a CVT on my bike.
I think the improved fuel economy of the 3.0 w/CVT is worth it. There's plenty of power there. On fuel, the Fwd FS is competitive with anything out there that hauls 7 - beats most actually. 10% improvement is a lot at $4/gallon.
And I've had 29mpg on highway trips if I keep the speed between 65-70mph. I have a 2500 mile road trip coming up this fall and I'm going to keep the speed at the posted speed limits to see if I can break 30mpg. Around town I get 20-23mpg consistently and it's rare that it ever goes below 20mpg.
Personally I'd never buy the TX because the added HP and reduced MPG aren't worth it to me. Plus the price is too high in comparison to other vehicles. When I bought my FS, it cost me $25K and there wasn't much competition out there back in '05 for a 3 row vehicle that could hold adults in all rows with this MPG and price.
I plan on keeping my FS for many more years (no major problems so far), but if I was in the market, I'd look at a Mazda5 on the small end or a Honda Odyssey at the large end. You can get a well-equipped Odyssey for the same price as a TX and get more space and better mpg with the Odyssey. There are a lot of full-sized crossovers out there, but if I'm going to spend $30K then I'd rather get a minivan with better MPG and more space.
Has anyone one else encountered this or know where it's coming from?
Any help/direction would be much appreciated
Thanks!
I wonder if Ford will allow me to trade my 203 HP 3.0L Duratec for the new 240 HP one? Should bolt right in. A little extra power with more fuel economy is always welcome.
Also, why not drop the 240 HP 3.0L Duratec in to the Taurus & TaurusX for more fuel economy with gas at $4 per gallon? That would give the Ford Edge the more powerful, newer 3.5L Duratec for some differentiation with the TaurusX at least, making the Edge the "sporty" one and the TaurusX the more serious utility model. Ford would still have the larger Flex with the newer/bigger V6; more differentiation there for the luxury crossover. Ford, are you listening to my wise opinion? ;-)
I think ford has added a version of VVT to the new engine, that technology wasn't available until this year for the 3.0.
Also, note that the Escape is 600 lbs (at least) lighter than the FS, and the engine might not yield the same 1 MPG advantage in your FS.
Any "engine swap" would also have to modify the CPU code so that the transmission and engine were matched correctly.
I got some more info on what Ford did to evolve the 3.0L Duratec for the '09 Escape from Motor Trend: new intake and exhaust manifold shapes, new fuel injectors, higher compression ratio ( I think from 10.0 to 10.3), new heads, variable valve timing, and revised valve cams. Those changes would have been great just a little earlier. Ford could not find the budget to do this over the period from 1994 to 2007 to the Duratec 3.0L V6 while it was being put into everything on the planet. Now other V6s are taking over where it used to be, while the 3.0L V6 finds its way into fewer and fewer applications. Maybe it will make a comeback as fuel efficiency gets priority. Fusions and Escapes still get it, although Taurus no longer has it.
Mark
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1 "$1,500 Customer Cash + $3,000 Owner Loyalty Cash + $500 Ford Credit Bonus Cash. Owner Loyalty Cash available to customers that currently own or lease a 1998 or newer Ford car, SUV, or truck through F-550 and purchase a new 2008 Taurus X. Offer not available on Red Carpet Lease or with Lease Renewal Cash. Proof of ownership required. Trade-in not required. Ford Credit Bonus Cash requires Ford Credit financing. Not all buyers will qualify. Residency restrictions apply. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by 9/2/2008. See dealer for qualifications and complete details. *Based on both NHTSA five-star crash-test rating and, with optional electronic stability control, IIHS Top Safety Pick. Star ratings are part of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's Safercar.gov Program (www.safercar.gov)."
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Confirmed with the Ford dealer today $5K off! We were talking about at least $5.5K below the invoice price likey more, but a Ford Program Car maybe even a better deal.
Prices are very soft on Ford Products!
It was just extended to 9/2/08!
This probably belongs in Prices TaurusX Forum Discussion click here
The electronics are super, as well as the car engineering.
The Taurus really is a secret phenomena that's a super deal right now.
See more details on my very extensive review of the Taurus X here.
(PS. My Taurus X Limtied is Ice Metallic Blue, not red like in the pictures.)
I also carry two big mountain bikes on the roof, along with four on the back hitch, to go with the six riders in the car.
The only issue is getting cross bars to go on the back part of the rails that aren't raised. Ford's cross bars won't be out until the end of the year, if then. The solution I and others have used for the cross bars is discussed in detail here.
Under those same conditions, the Freestyle probably gives 27 MPG in my own experience and what others report, in addition to EPA MPG comparisons. I'll take the 3.0L with the CVT, especially in hilly or mountain driving here in the Rockies. That CVT is unbeatable when varying ratios like butter up and down hills.
If Ford knew gas would be hovering near $4/gallon now, they would have reduced the bore in the new 3.5L V6 to make it around 3.0L, like the old V6, and made the TaurusX beat everything out there on fuel economy. Add direct injection and get another 1 MPG out of it (as Acadia/Outlook/Traverse are doing now) with more power. Then, the TaurusX could beat the old Freestyle on fuel economy.
Discussing our experiences with the Freestyle/TaurusX's V6s, remember Ford plans to put something like the Mazda CX7 4-cylinder turbo 2.3L (or so, maybe a 2.0L) into the future CUVs in the Freestyle/TaurusX/Explorer class. Currently, the CX7, a smaller CUV, running direct injection, a turbo, and VVT, gets horrible fuel economy. I don't know how Ford will change that with the Ecoboost theme of putting 4-cylinders in where smoothe V6s used to be, but stay tuned. We may be telling youngsters in a few years that the glory days of smoothe V6s were better than the followong period of thrashy 4-cylinders, so enjoy your V6 while it lasts.
It looks like this car is mostly trouble-free.
Thanks!!!
We had to replace our ~8 year old MPV, and like many families, we need the space of a full size vehicle with three rows. As much as I like more efficient people movers like the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo, they are simply too small (good luck getting two or more hockey gear bags, cooler, and folding chairs behind the third row in either of those cars). Not to mention the third rows in those vehicles are clearly kid-sized only, which limits their usefulness IMO.
As for the fuel mileage of the Taurus (and Flex for that matter), relative to the competition, it's right in line or better. Show me another full size, 7 ADULT seat vehicle that is more fuel efficient (and I'm not talking about insignificant 1mpg differences either).
The fact is, there will always be a market for vehicles like this. There will always be people that need the space, and can afford the gas, even at $4/gal. Let's also not forget that people getting out of big body-on-frame truck-based SUVs like the Expedition or Suburban will see the mileage of the Taurus-X / Flex as a huge improvement.