The same-ol' Windstar in a new package... Worth another look.
Written: Jun 08 '04
Product Rating:
Reliability:
Seat Comfort:
Build Quality
Roominess:
Pros: Quite powerful for a loaded people hauler; new interior is high-quality
Cons: Lack of Traction Control in the 4.2L, SEL; Rear seat room is sparse.
The Bottom Line: If you are interested in purchasing a minivan, the Freestar is worth a look; be sure that you are comfortable as driver and passenger before making your decision.
A few weeks ago I was flying back home through Florida and had to stop for fuel. Wanting some dinner, I, along with my pilot buddies packed into the awaiting courtesy car, a gleaming white Freestar SEL. Toting the keys, I hopped in the front and proceeded out of the airport.
Let's start with external style. Personally, I like the styling of the up-scale model Windstars more than I liked this Freestar SEL's styling. I think it's a bit too upright compared to the previous Windstar. Alas, I wasn't gonna let it change my decision on wether I would like this van or not.
The dash panel is nicely laid out and everything was pretty easy to use. Perhaps a little more confusing than I was used to for a Ford product, but I guess things are changing compared to my old Explorer (See my review at epinions). The radio had a combo CD/Cassette unit which worked well, however, the driving noise and the rain falling on the car hushed the best audio experience. The A/C controls were also more contemporary in design and subsequently took a few miles to get used to. I guess if you're gonna own one, be sure you can get comfortable with ALL of this van's controls.
The instrument cluster was tastefully designed - albeit better than the Windstar, definately. Illumination (the usual Ford green with red needles) was also easy on the eyes but still kept the numbers easily discernible.
Probably most exciting, and possibly most annoying aspect of the Freestar was the immense amount of torque produced by the 4.2L V-6. On the damp roads, proceeding out of stoplights, the Freestar's front wheels would spin like a top all the way across an intersection if your right foot would allow it to - and that's barely at ~3500 rpm! It would have been nice to have some sort of traction control system to control the wild tendencies of the drive wheels. Some unexpected understeer was noted on turning from a standstill too - most likely due to some wheelspin.
The Freestar was not an instant hit with the rear passengers. The 2nd (middle) row were quite pleased with the Captain's Chairs style accommodations. The rear seat was the culprit for complaints. Three 18 to 20 yr olds moaned all the way across Tallahassee in revolt about the space issue from this supposedly extended wheelbase minivan. There were no complaints, however, from the rear A/C, which was cold enough to chill a side of beef.
Overall, for this one-day rental, I would like to give the Freestar another chance to win my heart if I was to be looking for a minivan. It is definately a departure from the Windstar and the new engine makes up for the old Windstar's 3.8L issues. Until that point, I'll stick to my Saab 900 and it's quirky habits.
Recommended:
Yes
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: SEL, 4.2L V-6
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