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No more are we there yets.
I don't need one one every car in the fleet, but on the family/trip car, I want one.
A portable laptop worked for a while, in a pinch, but I tired of the power inverter, charger, laptop boot up time, etc.
If you don't want to use it, it simply folds away.
Oh, and vad - most systems have inputs for games, so you play on a bigger screen.
It's a co-pilot. A navigator. Someone that reads the maps to you, on the fly, never gets lost, knows where all the nearest gas stations are, and where the nearest burger joint is.
I have a portable, but the built-ins have big screens, many accept voice commands and all give voice guidance, so you need not take your eyes off the road. They also offer a nice safety feature - backup cams! A big plus when you drive a crossover that's too tall for you to see a baby stroller right behind you as you back up.
Portables go from car to car, but can be stolen, and you deal with cords. They cost less but have smaller screens. It's nice to have choices.
VZ Navigator is also neat, IMO, though at $10/month that adds up. Best Buy had a Tom Tom One for $119 on Black Friday, that would have been a better deal. Updated maps run about $70 every 18 months, so in the long run a dedicated unit may actually be a cheaper option.
To each his/her own. That's why there are many options, thankfully.
It's a whole lot more than just a map, though. The latest Garmin has traffic info, gas prices, even movie show times. All context sensitive.
Getting back on topic, for a big crossover, I'd want a built-in GPS for the backup cam alone.
Is it too pricy ($2500)for back camera? For 1000 buck you can get Pioneer system with GPS, NAV and Camera and it will be installed in your dash (on-star will work too and plays DVD.)
Carputer in my Armada that I put in myself with an 8" screen, it's great but took some installing and I rarely use a lot of the computer stuff in it.
Garmin 670c for my Legacy/other cars. I've gotten to really like this unit, for under $500 I have traffic, voice, etc. I could even do MP3s if I wanted to as well. Bluetooth too.
In my next Armada I will likely get the built in DVD and Navi w/backup camera as the OEM integration is great. For a regular car I will stick with my garmin.
-mike
I think he was talking about the IIHS safety test, which would be the same for both, regardless of the power and trans options I think.
-mike
"...and the Ford Freestyle has been renamed Taurus X".
And the changes are classified in the article as....
"...some 500 changes to the new Taurus, changes that were already scheduled for the mid-cycle freshening..."
So the real reason the IIHS has already tested it is because its an UPDATED version of an existing vehicle.
Their testing isn't done at random. It's done with their members (insurance companies) needs in mind. The number of Freestyle's/TX's in the real world outnumber Acadias/Outlooks/Enclaves, so the real world usefulness of destroying one is a better payback for the IIHS. One would expect them to beat up an Acadia/Outlook/Enclave on their next full size SUV go-round.
I realize the context of the post I replied to didn't imply that, but I wanted to clarify, and provide extra info. If it helps nobody, oh well.
Take a drive in the Freestyle and a drive in the Taurus X back to back and there will be a noticeable difference in several areas, not just the name badge. In all honesty, my post wasn't really about safety, but to restate that the Taurus X was more than just a 2007 Freestyle with a new name.
I wasn't trying to step on anyone's toes.
That's why I said 7 ADULTS I don't care about the exterior dimensions as much as the interior's ability to hold 7 adults plus some cargo.
Trying to keep up with all the posts; I'm bound to miss once in awhile!
I think you're taking in Ford's marketing BS a bit too big here. While the engineis new and is (finally) big enuf to push the thing around in AWD and the grille is now of Gillette design (I think they should have called it the Taurus Trac II) it is most definitely NOT a new car or even a redesigned car or even a 'freshened' car. It's the same car with a new engine, a new grille and a stupid new name. It does have the same old dismal sales figures though.
Styling is purely subjective, so I won't bother telling you how I feel about the styling.
I'd say it is more than a "refresh." I have a "refreshed" (mid-model change) Accord which included nothing more than a change in taillamp design and added chrome in the grille, bigger wheels, and....that's it. The new Taurus has many more internal changes and a new powerplant, new method for mounting the engine, plus modestly revised styling.
I honestly don't know why sales are so poor. We prefer its look, to the dozens of variations on the same bulgy sheet metal look and don't need an AWD station wagon to try to pretend it's something else. It was our front-runner but fell behind as other manufacturers offered much bigger incentives to address the Can/US pricing discrepencies.
Because it's a wagon. For almost same price you can get full size CUV, VAN or SUV.
Wrong marketing again. I admited good car but who is looking to buy overpriced wagon and more important they have offering Explorer (3 row) for almost same price. If I was on market for Ford, I will be buy Explorer. It's better brand from ford.
IMO, a safety feature should not be bundled into an expensive option. But with that said, an integrated NAV is very nice as compared to an add-on. It's not $1500 nice, but nice nonetheless.
Probably barely, and that is for both the TX and the FS combined. BUt I get the rest of your argument.
And Audi Q7 is just as big as an Acadia, but there is no way you are going to hold seven adults in it, let alone cargo. You could fit more in a Hyundai VeraCruz. SO it has to be about exterior size. That's how real SUVs do it. That's how cars do it. It's tradition.
A freshoining is simply mid life interior improvements and maybe some minor exterior improvements. This is definitely a midlife freshening. No question no doubt. Ford is now known for huge mid life freshenings. Take the current Explorer.
Precisely why people aren't buying the Freestyle in droves . . . they don't care about the TRUTH, just image.
Yep, nothing like less power, less room, higher cost, and less fuel economy to be a better vehicle. :confuse:
Uh- you probably just opened up another can of worms. Some FS/TX owner probably has steam coming out his ears as he reads this. Marketing the FS as a CUV was extremely intelligent. There are few wagon entrants in the market called station wagon. It's the new bad word for the Auto industry. And CUV/sports tourer is the new in.There are definitely several FSowners who have been fooled into thinking it's a real CUV, and that helps it's slow sales.
You'd rather have the Explorer? What? That is one terrible SUV. The Taurus X is so much more spacious, smooth, powerful and better handling. If anything, The TX probably steals a portion of what's left of the fallen Explorer's sales. The TX is just a better offering from Ford. A CUV buyer who occasional considers and SUV wouldn't go near the Explorer.
You nay think the TX is a dismal player in this CUV market, but really it's a smart entry. It's not the best at anything, but becuase it's just a station wagon, itsperfect for people who want another car, but need the space for extra passengers. If it looked like the Ford Edge, Ford probably coudn't keep them in stock.
Actually more power, but to a much heavier, less nimble (yet over a foot shorter) vehicle.
Read my post #4653 on page 233 about my personal experience with Acadia trans. I've never have problem "car stopping". It can be lot different problems or not following user manuals. Also, i'm participating at another forum for acadia (i can's put a link here), just search on googles "acadia forum", I've never seen such problem before there.
Image Is Everything (Alternate Route)
R-Class anyone?
The next roomiest CUV is the CX-9, which is almost the same size as the Acadia. A little less headroom in the 3rd row, but my head was fine (I'm 5' 11"). If you don't plan on getting captains chairs for the second row, might be worth checking out the CX-9.
Other than that, there's not much to choose from in terms of crossovers in that same size. Maybe the Taurus-X? The 2009 Pilot is coming out early this summer! It should be bigger than the outgoing model, you should see some pictures coming out at the Detroit show in January.
I can agree if Ford put it on Edge platform it will be hot vehicle. In summer we will see FLEX, another Ford CUV. The costumer will confuse what is it really CUV? TX or Flex?
And Audi Q7 is just as big as an Acadia, but there is no way you are going to hold seven adults in it, let alone cargo. You could fit more in a Hyundai VeraCruz. SO it has to be about exterior size. That's how real SUVs do it. That's how cars do it. It's tradition.
I'm not too concerned with tradition, but comparing vehicles with similar capabilities, like holding 7 adults and some cargo.
Unless you need to tow a lot, the Taurus X gives you more legroom, more cargo space behind the 3rd row, better MPG, and car-like driving dynamics over the truck-like dynamics of the Explorer.
Actually, the Explorer is 193" vs 199" of the TaurusX. And being up higher, it has a higher loading floor in the back and higher climb in height up front...not too convenient to me.
Occasionally, truth and perception coincide. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
But I think that the old Freestyle, with it's more efficient engine and CVT, is a better vehicle than the new Taurus X. Ford knows how to make good vehicles, but can't market them and they know how to screw them up!
No.
Actually, I'd say the next closest is the Taurus X. The interior is much more spacious, and comfortable. The third row would be best in class if not for the Lambdas. Then the CX-9.
It was definitely good of Ford to add power, and only 1 or 2 mpgs was lost, which I wouldn't have a problem giving up for the signifigcant and greatly needed increase in pickup. I'd say the TX is a better vehicle than the FS. Well actually that's not true because they are the same. Ford corrected some of it's errors. It just didn't quite cut it on the styling part.
Actually the TX is 201inches, and I don't really care about a couple of inches difference in loading height. Ground clearance is nice to have.
NNo- just if the TX had the stylng AND proportions (becuase it already has the chrome) of the Edge. And I believe the TX will be phased out in 2010.
The Explorer name is more familiar, but so is the stigma- the tire fiasco, the SUV gas mileage, the bad handling.
I hope so.
But if you need seating for 8 or need a lot of cargo space, then the Acadia is a better choice, but on the other hand, if you really need that much interior space I'd get an 8 passenger Sienna.