kevinb120

We of course drove the 500s and got the Ford training schpiel today. I of course picked at everything with my fingernails and laid underneath the car

Loved the car. Dont bother with still pics or indoor car show thoughts, the car looks stout in 'real life' when its out and around on the road. It is an american car that I can honestly say trumps the Japanese stuff, and they kick butt in this market.

Very impressed with content per dollar the PERCEPTION(ive talked about this before) is at least $3000 cheaper per model line then it should be-this thing TOPS out for 31k for cryin out loud. The CVT is wild, and I like that it also uses the phateon's 6 speed auto for the FWD's. I will get more into details later, but Ford acually made MAJOR improvements to the Volvo platform, it is a much better chassis now. Audi actually has sold 400,000 vehicles with the same CVT metal 'belt' system it uses. One of these days they will make a 500hp car with a cvt that can accelerate at max hp/rpm non-stop untill you let off the pedal. It even uses the same all-in-one coil over load leveling system caddy uses in the high-end stuff, with 5 people in them they did not sag a fraction of an inch, no compressor noise, its silent and fast.

Funny enough this car is not ment to be a speed demon, but it beats the V6 camry and 300 v6 handilly(7.4 to 60) with much less horsepower. The CVT is wild to drive, it does not slow down at all either when you get off the gas, you can actually engage "low" to program in engine braking/drag for curvy roads or hills. Of course there is no gears, so its not like L on the average auto. Other then a tad of lag on 'launch' all acceleration is butter smooth, all the time. You have to get used to no 'kick down' at ALL when you go from cruise to pass. Tons of improvements to the duratec to make it smoother, and they work. Steering is silk-smooth and boost is dead on for the driving style, suspension is unbelievably compliant, very pleasurable to drive, one the best driving sedans I have ever been in under 40k. Absolutely no loss of any composure while turning and braking over a very bumpy surface. It just does what you tell it to do and never gives you any poo about it. Brakes are excellent, they are very large and thick, front and rear are ventillated, they are Freestyle-spec brakes, so they are made to stop 400lb more vehicle. Pedal has excellent modulation.

Suspension is mostly hydroformed and there are HUGE cross-body braces everywhere, including a large one under the rear of the front seats, you can actually put your feet under it in the back. There are monsterous strut tower bracing, and the b-pillars and cowl cross-car beam are 3 layers of metal, unheard of. Front frame rails are octogon shaped to provide stiffness from every angle, and there are enormous reverse shotgun braces behind the front wheel wells for intrusion protetion(and I mean BIG). Door side impact braces run diagonally from upper front hinge point to door latch point, its not just a stick. Hyrdo tuned bushings all over the place, oil pan is now a structural piece. Most members have conventional 'U" bends but have reverse curls on the edges for great strength. The car looks like it has a full cage setup with no skin. Re-inforced rockers that no one else has(3 layer), car is overbuilt everywhere. All testers have around 2k miles, not a SINGLE squeak, creak, rattle, NOTHING.



If the driver is 5'10 and the rear seat passenger is 5'10, there is easilly over 9" of room between your knees and the seat backs. You can put your feet under the seats pretty far. Trunk/interior is enormous. SEL cloth is wonderfull, I thought it was swede when I got in, no poo. Overall everything fits perfectly, interior is very well laid out, all buttons 'feel' good and click and move like they should. Finally power seatback on limited. They do not have poo like the uber-cupholder that spins around like MB uses, but DUH. Everything works as it should be, quality is really nice for price point. Standard features galore, even on 22k SE model. 6cd mp3 players and climate control, steering wheel controls appear in the mid price point range. All vehicles have keyless entry pads now, abs standard on all models. It can actually hold a 10' stepladder in the car, and the 8 golf bag trunk promo is no joke at all, its a monster. The h-point(hip height) is 5" higher then average, visibility is excellent, car never feels 'top heavy', nor does it look it .



All body seams are excellent, paint excellent, gaps are razor sharp. All the trim work around the greenhouse is on par with a german sedan. Mirror color caps, lamp components, and any trim pieces are mounted tight enough you cant put one piece of paper in the gap. All rubber overlaps in ways that make sense, all seals consistant and attractive, no wavy chunks of plastic in the door seams when they are closed. Styling is MUCH different in person. Great color choices, all wheels look good, 18's look GREAT. Very tastefull. I thought it would look just like a passat like it does in photos, but it changes in person. One very nice touch is a little underlip on the trunk lid that curves back in, and the tail lights meet it at the top and taper into it, you have to see it to understand.

This thing is NOT supposed to be going against 300 hemis or audis. It has SOOOOO much more engineering then Avalon/camry/civic/and the GM sedans. Wonderful car. Having a more pedestrian all-purpose family car like this really opens the door for a wild RWD vic replacement. I TRUELY believe that this car outclasses the staple sedans from Japan, on all levels. I have total respect for the excellent toy/honda offerings too, so this is objectively biased, not personally. The GM mid-size sedans arent even in the same century as this car.

I really thought this thing was going to feel way undepowered, but it doesnt. It also is so pleasant to drive you adjust to it instantly. It just feels GOOD. I do not think they need to make any attempt to turn this into some racing sedan. The 260 hp(it would feel like 325 with the cvt then)duratec 35 would be nice, but its fine the way it is now. Great car.

Evil_Capri

Thanks Kevin!!

I've been waiting for a review of the 500, and can't wait to take a test drive once they arrive at the dealership where I purchase our Fords.

I expected the Mustang reviews to be Excellent (I haven't read through all the posts, yet!), but I've been crossing my fingers on the 500/Freestyle. Seem as if the car(s) have received more 'bad press' than any other car I can remember, AND the people providing comments have only seen pictures, AND haven't even driven the car(s).

I figured the car(s) to be tight, but like you I was/am a little concerned with having only 200hp for the first two years.

Appreciate the information!!


When do, or did, you drive the Freestyle?

kevinb120

I did drive the freestyle. It does everything it is supposed to do. Ford having a car is much more important right now, so I spent most of my time with the 500.


I just drove a 3v 05 Exped limited we just got in this morning too

HG3535

Thanks for the review. I can't believe that I am getting this excited over a sedan, but I can't wait to see it, set in it and drive it. If you get anymore info please pass it along. Thanks

Blip

Thanks for the information.

Sounds like Ford may have a model to consider when it's time to replace my wife's 03 Audi A4.

(Edit: :shock: Yes, my keyboard Phantom has struck again.)

FrankBullitt05

I drove the 500 and let me say, it blows the family Taurus away. The 500 was alot smoother and felt really solid (I'd put it up against a Rolls...seriously). My Mom was in the passenger seat, and really like it (especially the cupholders in the door.) This will probably be the next car my parents get...that or a Jag...