Ford Freestyle
I need something with decent gas mileage, good cargo/people capacity for going to dog shows and such, and does not need to be 4WD. I have had minivans (3 so far) , but would like to try something else. I also want it to be low, so I don't have to lift bassets and a lazy Chewie into it everytime I go somewhere! I saw a couple Ford Freestyles - they look interesting. I read the reviews, but I don't know anyone with one personally. Do any of you have one or know anything about them???? I need to decide in the next day or so! |
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| I know they are incredibly boring looking and seem to be very popular with senior citizens in our area.
In terms of a dog car, I couldn't have a better vehicle than my Honda Element. It's not a van but you have a ton of room in it. I drove everything from a Jeeps to Land Rovers to Porsches and everything in between. In the end, for utility purposes, the Element won. I really like the thing a lot. Oh, and I also have lazy non-jumping dogs too and the Element is nice and low to scramble right in. The clamshell doors open wide so it's good for fat dogs too.  |
Oh, I love the Elements. Unfortunately one isn't in the budget now. 
If the Escort (paid for) would have held on another year, I would have had 2 big payments gone.... then I really could go shopping! Now I need something reliable, but not too spendy. |
got sheep wrote: Oh, I love the Elements. Unfortunately one isn't in the budget now.
If the Escort (paid for) would have held on another year, I would have had 2 big payments gone.... then I really could go shopping! Now I need something reliable, but not too spendy. The Element is a lot cheaper than the Freestyle, though. The base MSRP on a Freestyle is $25K. You can get an Element well under that, especially if you go with the low end model. I believe that one starts at like $17K. |
| Thanks - I'll look some more.
The Freestyle I found locally was a 2005. - at much better price. We have a Honda dealer - I'll go pick their brains!  |
I'd go with a toyota rav4 or honda crv if you want dependable!  |
| My sister has a Freestyle-and loves it! Where we live, they are fairly popular...great in snow, good gas milage, and lots of room inside. A few friends have them also and are happy with them. No problems with the car have come about for anyone so far.
Good luck with what ever your decide. |
| OK, Todd nixed the Freestyle - only has a 36,000 mile/ 3 yr warranty. He said there is a reason it only is gauranteed so short! I drive LOTS of miles!
I like the RAV4 and the CRV's - just don't need the 4WD. Todd has a big Dodge Ram Pickup for that! And no decent priced used ones around here - unless they are high miles or no warranty. I have the dealership searching the area for an Element - they only have one in stock and it is the SC - fancier and more expensive. I want one I can hose out! Any other suggestions?? |
| Prius! You'll save on gas and I think the tax breaks are up to like $4000 now. |
| Personally, I'd go to edmunds.com ...the best source for car buying. Gives you ratings and expert reviews. Choose a style of car you like and price range, and it will give you cars like it or comparable. |
| Have you checked CarMax.com?
Here are three in your area: Quote: Exact matches in your selected search area '05 Honda Element LX 4WD (Auto) 4D Sport Utility $16,599 53K Green Auto 4 Waukesha '06 Honda Element EX 4WD (Auto) 4D Sport Utility $21,998 5K Orange Auto 4 Kenosha /Free Transfer '04 Honda Element EX 4WD 4D Sport Utility $16,998 45K Orange Auto 4 Naperville /Free Transfer Want more vehicles that match your search criteria? Please consider expanding your search area. Used CarMax vehicles can be transferred between stores. |
SheepieBoss wrote: Have you checked CarMax.com?
Here are three in your area: Quote: Exact matches in your selected search area '05 Honda Element LX 4WD (Auto) 4D Sport Utility $16,599 53K Green Auto 4 Waukesha '06 Honda Element EX 4WD (Auto) 4D Sport Utility $21,998 5K Orange Auto 4 Kenosha /Free Transfer '04 Honda Element EX 4WD 4D Sport Utility $16,998 45K Orange Auto 4 Naperville /Free Transfer Want more vehicles that match your search criteria? Please consider expanding your search area. Used CarMax vehicles can be transferred between stores. Yeah, I know the prices are a bit up there.........but if you follow the site down thru they have alternatives. |
| Id get a diesel. I have a diesel jetta and just love it...granted its a small car but works great for me and panda....diesel fuel doesnt freeze, you get awesome gas mileage and everyone can hear you coming......
ps...my gas averages...36 city/46 highway...and i only fill up every 2 weeks or so! |
| Dawn has 7 dogs-- keep that in mind when giving suggestions!
The CrV and Rav4s are great for a single, maybe 2 dog household. I think you could maybe get a crate and half in there. Our boys are tall and Bear couldn't even sit all the way up in the back of one of those. |
| Thanks for all the suggestions! Even the ones that won't work for me are great - because thay all have good points.
Right now I need one to haul 3 people and 3 dogs on a regular basis. That would be me, LeAnne, Breanna and our 2 OES - Chewie and Clay and of course basset hound Simon. We will all be going to shows all summer and fall. Hopefully Simon finishes his rally RE and then he will be optional - although he is such a momma's boy! Todd and I also go tent camping and need some room to pack gear and supplies. And Simon usually comes with us. Then there are the trips to the dog park with the rest, and trips to the vet, etc. Todd uses his truck for hunting with Maggie, Macy and Tator, so they won't be in my car too much! And of course, Todd is leaving for up north with his truck on the 5th, the dealers will be closed on the 4th, so I need to have a vehicle by Tuesday night!!! Yikes, that's tomorrow! |
| Don't buy anything you don't like just because you are on a time crunch. You don't want to end up hating it. One the other hand you could always rent a car for while Tod is gone. |
| I have a Honda CRV without 4WD or AWD.
The back seats fold down completely flat. It's got lots of room for dogs..... But for me with two kids and dogs....it's kind on the small side for me. It does have excellent gas mileage and dependability. |
| I'm going in to look at a 2007 Element. I am excited, but nervous!
We have never had a brand-new vehicle before  . The thought of car payments on anything has me nervous, let alone this much!
So, by later today I may have signed paperwork. The actual one I am looking at getting is coming down from St. Paul/ Mpls. It will be here tomorrow. More later...... |
| Wishing you lots of luck! |
| My brother in law has an element, he's a musician and tours around the country with it (and all his equipment in the back). I wan't really a fan of them until I got to drive it/sit in it, and now I totally want one.
You can totally fit all 7 dogs in there! |
| It's going to be an Element!
The dealer it was going to come from (they were going to swap vehicles with our local dealer) wanted us to pay the $697 THEY paid to get it to Mpls from Florida - NOT! So, it is coming from a dealer in Sioux Falls, SD instead.
It is blue - Atomic Blue metallic - front wheel drive, automatic. It is getting here on a trailer from SD tomorrow - they are leaving at 6am to go get it. It will be here late in the afternoon - I am so excited. 
I can't wait to start flipping seats around in it and driving. I hope the dogs like it. . Chewie hates Todd's big truck - the tires are huge and the ride is very bouncy. He even tries to leave the area when we go for a ride. I have to physically lift all of him up in it! He normally loves to ride and go places. |
| I'm SO glad you went with a Honda and found a car you love!!! |
| Cool, you'll love it! One thing I was gonna mention. I don't know if your dogs travel in crates but if they don't, and I know not everyone has this experience, but for some reason Clyde was really weirded out by the floor. He acted like he was going to slide all over the place and got all weird. I ended up buying the Elemats to give him some traction. Just thought I'd toss this out in case you wound up finding a need for it.
Have fun in your new car! |
| Happy Vrooming around in your new car, post a piccy of it when you get it.
Tell Todd, now you have the car, you now need new Personal Plates to go with the car, something "Sheepie" of course.   |
| Congrats on your new vehicle Dawn. I bet the Element gets good gas mileage; I have a CRV and it gets excellent gas mileage. I am so pleased with my Honda. I bet you are going to be happy with your new car. |
| Congrats Dawn! Enjoy! |
Nice!! Congratulations! I hope you love it.  |
| Thanks everyone!
It is on it's way here as we speak. It should be at our dealership sometime this afternoon.
Todd , son Travis and 2 nephews are going up remote camping in northern MN on Thursday. They actually thought they could take it. I said no way, I'll only have it for 2 days! That's what he has his 4WD Dodge Ram pickup for. |
| OOH Congrats Dawn..... what a cool vehicle! You are going to love it. I can't wait to see pics of the dogs in it! |
Quote: Todd , son Travis and 2 nephews are going up remote camping in northern MN on Thursday. They actually thought they could take it. Shocked I said no way, I'll only have it for 2 days! That's what he has his 4WD Dodge Ram pickup for. Cool
they're nuts! no way I'd let them either!! |
| Congrats on the new vehicle Dawn!!! I'm still zealously guarding my new car, 5 months later Hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it! |
| Woo hoo!
Or should I say Beep beep! |
| Ahemmm....it's been two days and we don't have pictures yet?? What's up with that??? |
| They are coming!!!!! I took them, but I have to go to work in a bit. I will really try and get them posted tomorrow, I promise! |
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