Freestyle owners experience requested

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Dec 13, 2008 | 11:31 PM

#16

diamondt29

New User

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 2

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I just purchased a 2007 freestyle with 5700 miles for half the price of a new one. My 2000 x is getting tired and the mileage was killing us. we love the freestyle and is has plenty of room for the family. this was a concern. I am now looking at converting the x to a powerstroke from the v10 to keep for long trips where we need the extra room for luggage etc. would recomend the freestyle, you will not be dissapointed.

Dec 14, 2008 | 10:03 AM

#17

johnpvb

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 164

Likes: 1

From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Sounds like a great deal, diamondt29! Have been looking myself for a low mileage Freestyle. Did you get the extended warranty?

Dec 25, 2008 | 05:50 AM

#18

Scott_XLT

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: California

OK, I'm a bit late to this thread, but I've got an 06 Freestyle AWD with CVT and I love it. It does go great in the snow, and we've got two kids, but sometimes will be shuttling around family and friends such that all seats are taken, and it does a great job. In town mileage is not so great, around 18. However this is a seven passenger vehicle, so what does one expect? I have taken some highway trips where I have averaged 26 -27 mpgs. With the CVT, if you can keep the speed down a bit (~70 maybe) the CVT has a nice tall final gear ratio that can deliver great mileage for such a big vehicle. Plus I have hauled some bulky items in the back with the back two rows folded down, no problem. I highly recommend it.

Dec 25, 2008 | 09:53 PM

#19

Big Bad

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 937

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Quote:

Originally Posted by R-WEST

Just picked up an '08 Taurus X, and it's the same as the Freestyle, except for the tranny. I only have 200 miles experience with the new one, but I don't like that transmission already.

The Freestyle's CVT was light years ahead of this one - when I came to a hill or something, a little pressure on the loud pedal, and up we went. With this one, a little pressure gives - nothing - a little more pressure, still nothing, then a bunch of pressure and we're downshifting and revving like crazy. It feels like it's a 4-cylinder or something. Maybe a top-end run will show the 3.5's supposed extra 60 HP, but for general cruisng around, it's not impressing me.

And, while the CVT wasn't the greatest at holding you back when going down a steep'ish hill, it was a nuance I could live with. This one has an Overdrive cutout button on the side of the shifter, but even in "cutout" mode, it doesn't really hold you back very well. I think they should have kept the CVT.

I agree with you completely, the CVT is lightyears ahead of a coventional auto, the lack of downshifts is a huge plus in my book.

The problem is (from what I've been told) that the CVT was only designed to handle 221 lb-ft of torque and would have taken some pretty significant investment to be able to handle the 3.5s ~250 lb-ft. And most people are just accustomed to convetional auto and just can't wrap their minds around the CVT.

But I agree with you totally, once you become used to the CVT, going back to a conventional auto makes you feel like you're taking a step back into the stone ages.

Jun 7, 2011 | 08:40 PM

#20

XJeepGuy

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 212

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From: Okanagan BC

These posts seem to have halted around 2008 . Are any of you Freestyle owners still around here ? My daughter bought one a couple of years ago and I believe she is having that input shaft problem now . I see two of you had the problem at around 60K , one of you said it was a manufacturing defect , did they ( Ford ) admit this ? Anyone else have the issue since these postings ? I was just curious as to how you detected it was that , what were the symptoms or sounds ? Her's is making a ticking sound when the vehicle is in Park or Neutral and its definitely coming from that general area , its not a engine tick.

Thanks for any help

XJ

Jun 8, 2011 | 08:14 AM

#21

Southern Bronco

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 543

Likes: 0

From: South Ga.

My father bought one in 06 the same time I bought my wife's new Freestar.Needles to say the Freestyle stayed in the shop with transmission trouble for about half of the time he had it.Ended up swapping it for a Freestar in late 06

Jun 8, 2011 | 01:58 PM

#22

Diesel Smoker

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 194

Likes: 0

From: WI

I posted back in 08 wow but still have 06 freestyle AWD now has 96,000 miles. Still no problems change oil every 3-5000 miles rear brakes once and tires once.Still looks like a new car even after 5 years of wi winters.

Jul 14, 2011 | 06:54 PM

#23

lawnspecialties

More Turbo

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 563

Likes: 71

From: Garner, NC

We have an '07 we bought new in June, 2007. Black Limited.

It has always been my favorite "family" vehicle we've ever had. But I'm slowing turning away from that. It has a little over 50K and has been driven by my slow, easy driving wife since new.

First, it was the throttle body intake sensor.
Last month, it was the AC compressor.
The dealership keeps reminding me about the rear brakes getting very close and how the rotors must be replaced as well.

Yes, its been four years. But I've had many vehicles do far better. My biggest issue is how I read each of these problems I've had is a "common" problem with the Freestyle. Dang, is there anything else coming up that's a common problem? That compressor replacement was a doozy.