Got a Freestar for the weekend

Yep going for a new mini or new used. Freestar SEL 18,000 miles 2006. Silver
in color. 4.2 engine takes off smooth and strong. Dont know what the tranny is yet but looking it over, take pic and post a link on here..I can get it for 16,500 but trying more for 15,500 that all the budget I have.. Been seeing alot of Windstars but for some reason every ones buying them up. Just when I am ready to buy. A used car dealer says the Windstar has become popular. No he was not selling me a pitch, its true at least in North Carolina. He said they are selling better than anyother used minivan. Reason low resale value and options. Other mini van are sitting around even used Freestars.So mabe I can get a deal. hope it works out. When the wife comes back I will start snaping pics.

That's funny Gary, my BIL just drove up to Buffalo from Kentucky in their 'new' 2005 freestar. They were in the market for a used MV and found them to be in very short supply in the Lousiville area. He knew we liked our windstar so he didn't hesitate on the purchase. I didn't get a chance to drive in the 2005, only sat in it and checked under the hood.:icon16: The 2004+ 3.9/4.2's do have a drastically different upper intake, different EGR system, etc. As far as I can tell, they still use the AX4N transaxle. Love the fold-n-go seats in the freestar!

Joel

I just this morning was told by a friend that her Freestar (year?) with 73,000 miles "needs a new $2000 transmission" per her dealer.

The same dealer that recently talked her into a $600 service visit that included a tranny machine flush. The tranny problems began soon after the service, and have gotten steadily worse. At 30kmiles, her husband had done the simple drop-pan-and-refill. He was too work busy to do the 60kmile service.

When she first bought this car, I told her never to let anyone "machine flush" her tranny. She now remembers that conversation.

Well my wife loves this van if it does have the AX tranny like the Windstar why are others having problems. After mine started slipping on the Windstar I had the dealer change the fluid and it was fine. I try to keep it changed every year now. Is the 4.2 too much engine for the AX in the Freestar. Should I buy or stay away??
I got the pics but for some reason want take the pics on the board. I will work on that. I will check on the tranny first ..

Gary, I wouldn't say the new 3.9/4.2L is too much HP for the AX4N as I belive the HP ratings dropped a bit with these versions of the essex series engine. Like any other trans it seems, if it's got a mechanical flaw from the OEM, it will fail regardless of use or care. You see this across the board, all makes/models. No internal defects and the AX4's last a long time with regular ATF changes. I actually hate to see the freestar go away. As far as I know the Oakville Ontario windstar/freestar plant (a little over an hour away from me, over the boarder) is retooled solely for the new Ford Edge and clones now. I hate to buy imports, but IMO- the nicest looking new MV's asside from a freestar are either a honda oddesey or hyundai entourage. Hyundai is really starting to get pretty ballzy with their pricing though. That's a no-go for me.

Joel

When is the last year for the Freestar? The local dealer near me usually has a couple of used Freestar's (they don't sit on the lot very long) now and then and the prices are usually 16k for a decently equipped van with around 24k miles. My '01 will be paid off in June (bought used in 2002 with really low credit union loan) and I may trade it in.

When is the last year for the Freestar?

Online sources say spring 2007 is it. My guess is as soon as you start seeing rows of Ford Edges, that will be it. The Edge is coming off the old winny line.

Joel

Another Ford mistake!

Well got the Freestar!! 14,075. Gave them the Chevy malibu.. They gave me 996.00 for it. I was going to drive it to the junk yard and let them have it. The engine sludge and the rod bearing knock and all. Not my fault my wife before I married her. She just added oil when the oil light came on went over 30,000 mile with out changing it. Im suprised it lasted as long as it did. I now have the winnie for the 8 mile drive to work. The freestar has a 4.9 201 hp with more torque than the windstar. It takes off smooth and quick for a van.

Congrats! That's a great deal for an almost brand-new van! You could barely touch a little bare-bones econo car for that. I bet you can toss any PO171/174 worries out the window with that new upper intake design. Air filter looks easier to r/r, the list goes on.

Joel

Finally got my pics http://groups.msn.com/FordFreestargroupinfo hope this works. Will add better photos when I have time.. Just added a DVD player into it the other day.. Still a Minvan is the way to go for price... Glad my wife loves them.. No high SUV payment for me.. Hey not to upset anyone... I like them!! Just cant shell out $$$ for one..Or at least a 2006 with low miles...

Nice pics Gary. I like that HUGE diameter insulated PCV line on the new 3.9/4.2L. I wonder if that's to reduce oil carry-over into the IM?? I hear you on the cost thing. Daily drivers being the horrible investment they are, used MV's are a sweet deal. Some of your domestic SUV's are a bargain now too. That's why our other vehicle is a chevy trailblazer. You can buy a 2006 trailblazer LS 4x4 for $16-18K. It's absolutely insane to purchase one brand-new.

Joel