What do guys think of the Ford Freetyle? We are thinking about replacing the our 2000 Mazda MPV with 170,000 mile with it. I like the fact it has a Duratec motor since we had great luck with ours. I wish Mazda would countinue to make the MPV. Also the CX9 is a little to spendy for our taste.
What do guys think of the Ford Freetyle?
- Thread starter tangojetta
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Never been much of a fan..it's always looked like an Explorer with a lowering kit on it.
I've never driven one, but I think they are nice. I like the looks better than the Pacifica. I'd drive it before a Freestar. I always thought it looked more like a stretched-out Escape vs. a lowered Explorer
WE have a 2005 Freestyle, My wife loves it. The seating in great with our three boys and hockey gear.
Love the CVT trans. Don't let anyone tell you that it's under powered it gets up and goes. Drive one for sure and put it through the paces. Great fuel mileage out on the highway. We have seen as high as 30mpg but would say 26 is a good average. Around town the lead foot wife gets about 18mpg city. The folding seats work out great if you have to haul some large items. She got rid of her Expedition for this and has never looked back. The Freestyle even has more room behind the 3rd seat than the Expedition. We have not had one problem with the car in 35,000 miles. My wife would not give it up for anything. Goes great through the snow also. Take one for a drive I think you will really enjoy it.
Love the CVT trans. Don't let anyone tell you that it's under powered it gets up and goes. Drive one for sure and put it through the paces. Great fuel mileage out on the highway. We have seen as high as 30mpg but would say 26 is a good average. Around town the lead foot wife gets about 18mpg city. The folding seats work out great if you have to haul some large items. She got rid of her Expedition for this and has never looked back. The Freestyle even has more room behind the 3rd seat than the Expedition. We have not had one problem with the car in 35,000 miles. My wife would not give it up for anything. Goes great through the snow also. Take one for a drive I think you will really enjoy it.
Did you get the AWD version of Freestyle?
I've been looking at the Freestyle for awhile now. To me it does seem a tad underpowered. There's not a lot of torque down low. I like the space and the overall size. I'm waiting for the '08's with the 3.5L dura motor. In the meantime, I'll be scoping out the CX-9 which at least in my neck of the woods will be price competitive with the Freestyle, according to the Ford and Mazda stores.
Well, I do have an AWD 2007 Ford Freestyle. I have been getting 20 mpg in town. The best part is, I have seen highway miles as high as 29 mpg on longer trips. (Even though the epa rates it as 19/24). I fact, I heard of a guy on another forum with a FWD Freestyle who had seen 34 mpg on the highway - but I am sure this is the exception, not the rule. No problems with mine. You Ford Taurus owners, what kind of fuel mileage have you been getting with this same engine?
The CVT transmission take a little while to get used to, but I have nothing but good things to say about it. It is not even close to being underpowered to me. I have heard that the 2008's will get the 3.5L engine and 6 speed transmission. I bet fuel mileage will take a hit.
In fact, I challenge anyone to find another AWD vehicle this size that can get fuel mileage this high. For anyone who does not tow anything significant, the Freestyle's room and fuel mileage make it hard to beat.
The CVT transmission take a little while to get used to, but I have nothing but good things to say about it. It is not even close to being underpowered to me. I have heard that the 2008's will get the 3.5L engine and 6 speed transmission. I bet fuel mileage will take a hit.
In fact, I challenge anyone to find another AWD vehicle this size that can get fuel mileage this high. For anyone who does not tow anything significant, the Freestyle's room and fuel mileage make it hard to beat.
I did not know people actually bought these other than rental car fleets. The Honda Odyssey is supposed to the minivan of minivan's at the moment...not to mention the best in terms of resale.
The reason we are not looking at the Honda is because of the tranny issue, my brother is on his 3rd tranny on his 02 Odyssey with 62k. I think honda has some real quality issues with the Odyssey that has not been mention in public.
Have you seen a CX-9 in person yet? The Mazda stores around here won't be getting there first cars until maybe next week.
If you want AWD and good gas mileage and also need all that room, there aren't many other options. The only downside is lack of towing ability, it is worse than most minivans. If you don't tow then than doesn't matter. I'm not sure I like the looks and a CVT makes me nervous but it is a nice vehicle otherwise. I would definitely check one out if I was in the market for that type of vehicle.
Yes our dealer has one LIQUID PLATINUM Sport ( MSRP: $29,980)checked it out last week. Nice vehicle.
Third seat area not the head room of the Freestyle. Not as wide either. As for towing We pull a 6x10 enclosed bike trailer with our Harley inside now and then with no problem.
Our neighbor has a AWD Freesyle and has pulled a double snowmobile trailer out to Colorado twice and goes up to the U.P. almost every weekend. They have not had any trouble at all with there's either.
I don't think the mileage on the 3.5 will be better. It went down on the new Ford Edge by 2 mpg. Which has the 3.5 6 speed auto.It's small than the Freestyle I don't know if it weighs more though.
Our Church's Odyssey 2005 had one of the rear hatch hinges snap off, darn near knocked the priest out when it came down.
Third seat area not the head room of the Freestyle. Not as wide either. As for towing We pull a 6x10 enclosed bike trailer with our Harley inside now and then with no problem.
Our neighbor has a AWD Freesyle and has pulled a double snowmobile trailer out to Colorado twice and goes up to the U.P. almost every weekend. They have not had any trouble at all with there's either.
I don't think the mileage on the 3.5 will be better. It went down on the new Ford Edge by 2 mpg. Which has the 3.5 6 speed auto.It's small than the Freestyle I don't know if it weighs more though.
Our Church's Odyssey 2005 had one of the rear hatch hinges snap off, darn near knocked the priest out when it came down.
We have a 2000 MPV, and I'm considering the Freestyle. I've heard mixed reviews on the CVT, so I may wait until the 3.5/6-speed combo comes out. Right now the Saturn Outlook is my leading candidate for a replacement. When it's time to sign the papers, the Freestyle may win out, as it's currently about $4K less than the Outlook. I plan on getting FWD only regardless of which one we pick, we don't really need the AWD here in WI. FWD and a set of winter tires has been great on the MPV.
Looks like we are in the same boat, I really wish they would bring over the next generation MPV. I really like our MPV...it has been the most reliable car we have own(we had Hondas and Toyotas in the past)the only thing that went wrong with it was a coilpack.
Work at a ford store (500 and freestyle mixed review)
We have only had a few minor problems with them. Couple of latch mechanisms in the second row, early examples the center dash compartment lid bubbled, seen one trans issue on an 05, couple minor recalls, but other than that they have been very solid cars. Oh yeah some early strut noise issues that are gone now.
My folks love the 500 (CLOSE sister car). Why more former Taurus owners do not get one of these is just beyond me. Only wish the front seats went back 1-2 more inches and down 1 more inch and it would be awesome.
Reading the 2008 gets a minor restyle and more sound deadening. Will be awesome then. The new engine will be a nice alternative for some leadfooted drivers out there.
We have only had a few minor problems with them. Couple of latch mechanisms in the second row, early examples the center dash compartment lid bubbled, seen one trans issue on an 05, couple minor recalls, but other than that they have been very solid cars. Oh yeah some early strut noise issues that are gone now.
My folks love the 500 (CLOSE sister car). Why more former Taurus owners do not get one of these is just beyond me. Only wish the front seats went back 1-2 more inches and down 1 more inch and it would be awesome.
Reading the 2008 gets a minor restyle and more sound deadening. Will be awesome then. The new engine will be a nice alternative for some leadfooted drivers out there.
I like it for my MiL who likes a big wagon, but not high up SUV style. I think the Edge will replace it, it is sort dated.
This is built on the 500 platform. They retooled the Chicago Assembly Plant for these, used to make the Taurus there. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if that was what I was in the market for. Also, the CVT won't be an option anymore. The 3.5 duratec with the six speed trans will be whats available. You will see a drop in EPA numbers on mileage as this is due to new testing procedures. Real world mileage should easily beat EPA as long as your not a race car driver type.
Seeing the amount of money Ford spent to retool the plant for these cars and the amount of engineering effort that went into these I don't think you could go wrong buying one. If you don't believe me, check back in five years and we'll let the data do the talking.
Seeing the amount of money Ford spent to retool the plant for these cars and the amount of engineering effort that went into these I don't think you could go wrong buying one. If you don't believe me, check back in five years and we'll let the data do the talking.
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