The Freestar is one of the least looked at minivans in the segment. They changed the name to make it look like they did a major change with the car. It doesn't sell real well anymore, as more people are going with the Oddessy, or the Twon & Country. I really think Ford should build the Fairlane Concept, and if they do, they will do very well with this car. Most people don't like the stigma you get with driving a minivan, but with the Fairlane, it looks like a fancy wagon with a little bit of Range Rover added. I am a Ford salesperson, and truthfully, I like the idea, and hope they build it. It would help us out alot in the segment.

 

The Fairlane was a sedan, but dont forget it was ALSO a people moving station wagon at one point. that said, this is also a people mover, a small one, and I bleieve it stays true to the original family hauler fairlane. NOt every Fairlane was a muscle machine.
Id really like to see htis in production, and soon.

 

It looks like the Honda Element

 

Is the Freestar not selling enough?
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Let's put it in this way: if you watched car and driver yesterday they compared Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ford Freestar. Freestar finished dead last. It does not have as much space like other vans, and there is also quality problem. I heard a lot of people complaining about Freestar's quality.

 

If they replace the freestar with this, and soon, i'll be happy. It would stand out. It just better be able to offer as much space and flexibility as the competition.

3 JEFF'S IN 5 POSTS!
haha

 

Yes I agree...EXCEPT...please change the name to something else!

 

i've said this way 2 many times on this forum.............DUMB PEOPLE

 

Slap Some Wood on the Sides, and Call it a Country Squire! LOL

 

I dunno, to people who don't know what a fairlane was, fairlane sounds like a pretty cheesy family car name that would be appropriate for something like a minivan. Its too friendly sounding to put on a crown vic replacement, rwd v8 sedan. I say Falcon is a good name for a police car, give the soccer moms the fairlane.

 

you couldn't be anymore wrong.....the Freestar is still selling good and lots of people are buying them.

 

I am not wrong about the Freestar not selling well. I can personally attest to this, as I sell Fords, and have been for 8 years. The sales on Ford minivans have been slowly declining for years. Proof of this is look at the total amount of rebates you can get on the car. There is currently a total of $6,000 on 2004 leftovers, and this doesn't include the free DVD player at $1,200. Plus there are alot of 2004's left on dealers lots, trust me, I know. If you see alot of them around, remember, these vans are in fleet service with alot of companies.

If you look at the Oddessy, or the Sienna, these cars sell with no factory rebates or incentives, the dealers sell them at or just below MSRP, and you have to wait for them when you order one, as most dealers hve a limited supply. And if you look at what people want, they all like the fold-in-the-floor seats like the Chryslers. Of course most don't know how awful the reliability issue is with Chrysler's transmissions, as they always go around 50,000 to 70,000 miles ( I HATE CHRYSLERS). Plus whenever one of the big 3 car magazines does a comparison test, the Ford Freestar is always in the back of the field.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Fords, I wouldn't be selling them if I didn't, and the new Freestyle is hurting sales of the Freestar, as it is better looking, offers AWD, and is something different. Plus, alot of people do not like the stigma of driving a minivan. The Freestyle is a heck of a car for the money, especially when you compare it to the bloated, and way overprices Pacifica. If I was married with 2 kids, and I had a choice between the Freestar and Freestyle, I would always choose the Freestyle. It just looks better, and is based on the Volvo, so it has a good heritage.

That is why I believe what I hear when Ford is seriously considering dropping the Freestar, and replacing it with a production version of the Fairlane Concept. The proof is what it is based on, the new Fusion chassis, with the new Duratec 3.5L V6 that will produce around 250 hp, plus the car would be able to have AWD available as an option. Being on the Fusion platform alone would save millions, as they would all be built together at the same plant.

This car has great looks, sort of like a Range Rover, and as they are saying, more interior volume than the Freestar, and both rows of seats would fold flat into the floor, as must feature now adays (unless you like lugging out the middle seats). If you would put this new car in the dealers showrooms, and there was some good initial write-ups with the press, it would be a hit with families, as it is way out of the box in terms of the routine minivan looks, and shape. Imagine it with an interior like the Limited 500, or Lariat F150. These cars and trucks have beautiful dashes with great looking consoles. This would be a real classy looking car for families. I like it, and I want Ford to build it. It would be a good idea.

 

...sorry, the name still bugs me, but its a great idea otherwise

 

Totally agree. They would have to name it something else, but you know it would have to start with an "F".

 

yes...but ford is available to more 'F' names than Fairlane, I can't come up with names so I dont know

 

telle em to make somthing up! like Freedom, Facile (means skilled), or sumtin

 

Motor Trend just confirmed what you've heard, Jeff. In the April issue, they have this in their new "MT Confidential" box:
"Heads rolled after the launch of the yawn-a-minute Ford Freestar minivan. So Dearborn is trying something different. The boxy, but cool Mazda6-based Fairlane show car replaces the Freestar as Ford's people mover for model year 2008."
I think this is awesome, I think it has a huge chance of boosting sales for ford. This is easy for me to say, cause i never really knew what a fairlane was other than some big sedan or something that ford used to make. I have no attachment and i think Fairlane is an appropriate name for a family people mover.

Maybe its different in some other language, but i know that in French, "facile" means easy, it might be a bit of a weird name up here in Quebec, although its better than the Buick LaCrosse which in Quebec french slang means masturbation. Its called the Allure for us now.

 

I agree, Mustang Sallad. I think this is a GREAT idea and will bridge the gap between Mini-Vans and SUV’s but with more versatility then even the FreeStyle. Plus the looks are growing on me. I would rather have the name ‘Fairlane’ associated with a pure sedan, but I think if, BIG IF, brings the concept to the market with minimal changes it will be a hit.

 

Hey Jeff, hey Jason, I haven't yet got my April issue of MT yet, but this is fantastic news. Like I mentioned, I sell Fords and the Freestar just doesn't sell worth a lick. Jason, you mentioned if this will come to market mostly unchanged, it would be a hit. Well, Ford has been good at taking the concept cars that are first shown, ( i.e Mustang and Ford GT concepts) and turning them into prduction cars that are 90% or so like the concept (the Mustang production was better than the concept) .I am sure the car will have the same exterior looks, stance, and hopefully they will keep the wheels, and the suicide doors, as this gives it style unlike anything else out there in the van segment.

I can safely say, the canvas full length skyroof will probably not be feasible, but you may see a skyroof similar to the one in the SRX Caddy SUV. Plus the concept has a real funky dash, console, and interior. I am sure this would be toned down some, but don't be suprised to see an interior like a Lariat F150 or something similar in style, with good materials, and excellent fit and finish. I can't wait to see & drive one. This will make Ford a serious player in the minivan wars. And I changed my mind, I hope they keep the name too. This is a great move by Ford.

 

Yeah, everyone needs to get off this whole idea that Ford owes them something in keeping their names like Fairlane and Falcon off limits of certain types of cars. I am in my mid-twenties and everyone I know will be in the market for this type of vehicles as we are all approaching that time when kids enter the picture. The name Fairlane means nothign to me. I don't care if it was a quasi-cool car way back in the day, but it by no means is in the same field as Mustang or Thunderbird. it is the equivalent of bringing back the name Escort on some model in the year 2025 and everyone freaking about it. Think about how many names by all the different car companies out there that are no longer on the same type of car as they originated, but no one cries like this...

Malibu, Impala, Monte Carlo, Lumina (car), Lumina (van), Mark, Montego, 500......

Now, don't go all crazy and jump on the list and say stuff about how certain cars can still be traced back to their roots, a la GTO....

Times change, people die, cars die, cars names come back, people DONT CRY OVER IT....

I think the name is very fitting for the vehicle. It makes complete sense to me. Henry Ford's estate is in the background of all the pics, theres all these trees, picnic baskets, tables and chairs etc... The name being that of the estate begs to be a family oriented vehicle centered around safety and family hauling.

Let's all jsut be thankful it is tasteful design....

AND QUIT CRYING!!!!!!!

 

Looking at the photo of the '58 makes me think...wonder exactly how well/poor was the fit and finish? Was there even a warranty? Rust protection? If the members of this club could back in time and look at one on the dealership floor, wonder how many 'goofs' we would find with just about everything? We've come to expect a lot - sometimes we get it; sometimes we don't.