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SUVs Ford Freestyle Ford Freestyle What Would You Change?
120 messages, Last post on Feb 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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While the Acadia is a bit bigger than the Freestyle (4 inches wider), it is roughly in the same CUV market. Next year the Freestyle gets the more powerful engine (less MPG, though), quieting critics that don't think 208 ft-lbs in the current 3.0L is enough. The Freestyle may need to get some of the Acadia features, like sliding rear seats, an ad campaign like Acadia's, etc.
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jan 20, 2007 5:30 am) The 6 speed in the Acardia is not the exact same in every respect as the one in the MKX/Edge. Mark |
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 21, 2007 7:03 pm) I am told that the second row captain's chairs do slide. Unfortunately there wasn't one FS on the lot here in SoCal that didn't have second row bench seats. |
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| Since I haul lots of cut firewood, an air-level suspension would be extremely useful as an option. And maybe xenons headlites as an option also. | |
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 21, 2007 7:03 pm) |
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Having owned a 2005 Limited for over a year and a half here are my comments on the subject: Things I like: 1) The overall interior packaging (how the seats fold) and general space is very good - I would not change the general layout. Changes I would do (in no particular order): 1) Option of HIDs - the current ford lights are pathetic. 2) Higher quality dash materials with soft feel surfaces. While I do not mind the overall look, the dash is beginning to look dated compared to some of the newer GM lambda offerings. Also my car is just not that well screwed together - too many rattles. 3) Motorized rear tail-gate lift. 4) Back up camera 5) A modular second row center console so that it can be removed and inserted at will. I have removed mine (unscrew four bolts) to add access to the third row as we have child seats in the second row, but this currently leaves an ugly metal bracket behind. 6) More sound insulation. 7) The 3.5l engine. 8) While the CVT is okay and I do not mind keeping it, I would like the option of having a sport mode that would simulate a 6 speed manual box and have a manual shift option via steering wheel buttons or paddles (paddles preferably) similar to what Nissan is doing. The shift options should be Economy (full CVT) - Sport (auto like 6 speed) - Manual (manual shift 6 speed). 8) A better quality leather option (there is too much vinyl in the current leather seats). 9) Improved night-time illumination of center dash/console while driving - mood lighting ala VW/Audi. 10) Much improved exterior styling and no I am not keen on Ford's new three bar grill. 11) I would like them to lose the "Stadium Seating" feature of the car. While nice in concept, and probably okay for children, when I sit in the back I feel like I am looking into the roof of the front of the car. I'm too tall. The Stadium seating would work if they raised the roof line of the front of the car so that the rear passengers can actually see out the front. Also this would eliminate the "step-up" in the roof line of the car than can make the Freestyle look awkward in its side profile. 12) Dual screen in the back of the head-restraint DVD option - not in the roof. 13) Adjustable head restraints for tilt - not just up and down. My wife complains the the head restraints push her head too far forward as she can not push them back. 14) Lose the bolt on body cladding. It looks so 80s. The two tone versions remind me of Kitt on Knightrider  . Bend the body metal into wheel arch flares instead of using plastic. One would think that this would save cost as well. After all you only have to bend the metal once - rather than also mold some plastic and then have the extra cost of paint and assembly. 15) I have the remote starter and it is great. It could be even greater if the starter fob communicated with the car and let you know that the car had started when you are still a 1/4 mile for the car. 16) Talking about the remote starter I would like the seat heaters to be on a dial as opposed to a toggle button (like my Audi A4). If you start the car on a chilly 0F morning, the seats do not heat up as you have not pressed the seat heater button (before you get in the car), but with a dial you could leave the seat heat setting on "warm" the night before so they come on when you start the car up remotely in the morning. 17) While having a Aux in connector on the audio, I would also like proper iPod integration so that you can control the iPod via the audio, have full menu support and standard functions via the Audio screen. If this meant upgrading to a Nav system to get the screen for these functions that would be acceptable. Well that is my laundry list of improvements I would like to see. Will it happen? Doubt it! The current Freestyle was the first Ford I have ever considered and bought. In 2005 when were bought it was simply best crossover (for pretty much any money) that suited our needs. Were we thrilled with everything in the Ford? No. But the utility of the car was great and I still think it is great today. However the competition has caught up and if I were to buy again now, odds are I would get either a Saturn Outlook or the GMC Acadia. Both cars have style, even better room and a nicer interior (though still not perfect). |
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Replying to: kjnorman (Jan 23, 2007 7:17 am) Don't underestimate the power of "customer requirements!" tidester, host |
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Replying to: kjnorman (Jan 23, 2007 7:17 am) 
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Why I think Ford will not offer a backup camera: The problem I see with a backup camera is that it is 2 easy for a customer to stare at the screen and therefore not be aware of vehicles, objects, bikes, people who are to the side of the camera view but moving toward the back of the vehicle. With the back up sensors, you still have to look around and be aware of your surroundings. I think Ford might be worried about liability from people that get run over by some maroon who only looked at the screen. Nissan has already told us that under no circumstances should we refer to the backup camera in the Quest and Murano as a "safety feature" it is strickly a convenience feature. Mark. |
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Replying to: kjnorman (Jan 23, 2007 7:17 am) i noticed this because my kids like them on, and when i go to work in the morning, sometimes the passenger seat heater goes on, although i am the only one in the car. i don't know if the freestlye works the same way. |
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