Freestar seats.... SUCK

[ModMech]

I drive an '04 Freestar (new Windstar) for work, up to 1500mi/week.

You know what? The front seats SUCK.

My wife's WS seats are GREAT, I can drive that thing ALL DAY (600 miles) w/o any discomfort, but this Freestar! My back, legs and feet are all numb after only 2 hours!

The worst part is, there is a replacement van on the way..... another Freestar (2007 I think).

Can anyone tell me if the 2006 Freestar's seats are the same (uncomfortable) ones as the earlier vans?

TIA.

[wiswind]

I don't know the answer to your question.....only that you might look into optional seats. Only thing I know as an easy try is to check them out at a dealership. See if different trim levels give you any different seats.
Problem with that solution is that it is hard to tell if a seat is uncomfortable until you are in it for a extended time....
If you found a Freestar seat that you really liked, you could see if one could be gotten, say from a junk yard, or by ordering them.

For the new vehicle, you could look into the available options, and see if you can choose a different seat.
Again, choosing without sitting is tough.
Also, you may or may not be able to make any option selections if it is a company car.

[ModMech]

Yes, I could have it ordered with the optional SEL trim and leather seats, but I will not pay for that ($3500 in round nubers).

[12Ounce]

I agree with your assessment of the seats, ModMech, ... the seats plus the lessened ground clearance are keeping me in my '99.

[Paul Scanzillo]

Interesting feedback on the Freestar seats!! We are looking to upgrade from our 95 Windstar to a late model Windstar or possibly a Freestar. We seem to still prefer the Windstar look and roominess inside...or is it my imagination that the Freestar is smaller? In anycase, I'm interested in the pros and cons to the Freestar vs a late model Windstar.

Thanks

[12Ounce]

I think, except for some few setbacks, the powertrain and braking has improved over the years and may finally be best in the Freestar. The engine electrics and the intake manifold look improved, to me, on the Freestar. I'm not sure about the interior space ... perhaps the Freestar is a bit smaller vertically because of the fold down seat ...???

As mentioned, the front seats are very spartan on the two early Freestar units I test drove ... but they may have been improved more recently.

The trailer towing capacity has been reduced. Fold down seat???

The rear ground clearance has been reduced ... could be trouble for us tow..ers.

Take note of the changes of the locks for the rear hatch ... was two on the sides ... now one at the lower center. I prefer the earlier design.

You may find a well mantained late model Windstar at a bargain.

[phil-l]

The Freestar's towing capacity has not been reduced - though it's hard to tell if you're looking at Ford's web page, which seems to obscure the Freestar's towing ratings.

Like the Windstar, the "default" Freestar towing capacity is 2000 pounds; the optional tow package gets you to 3500.

However, it's well known in the RV world that the Windstar/Freestar is an under-rated tow vehicle; the redesigned transmission (showed up in the last year of two of the Windstar and continued in the Freestar) is rated for 500 ft-lbs of torque, addressing a weakness of earlier Windstars.

For more than you want to know about minivan towing and the Freestar, take a look at this thread:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/17159884.cfm

[12Ounce]

You are corrent on the towing capacity ... I just checked!

The last time I looked it up, (when the Freestar first appeared) the class II package was not yet available.

Thanks for the update!

BTW, Does anyone know the maximum road speed recommended by Ford when towing with a Freestar?

[phil-l]

I've never seen a manufacturer-recommended "maximum speed while towing" for the Windstar/Freestar. Note that some states mandate a maximum towing speed that is less than highway markings. However, I just spent Memorial Day weekend camping in a popup towed by my Windstar; it keeps up with traffic just fine!

I did an informal campground survey of non-truck RV tow vehicles, and also saw popups towed by Grand Caravans and Kia Sedonas (All Sedonas are rated to tow 3500!). I even saw a short (8-foot box) Viking popup paired with a PT Cruiser (note that the PT Cruiser is based on the Neon - and is only available with a 4 cylinder engine).

It's fairly common to see Windstar/Freestar models towing mid-size hybrid campers - in Canada, where taxes and culture create different sensibilities. Curious about the culture? This article looks at why Canadians choose vehicles differently than Americans:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/con...6081718401479/

For me, practical realities and budget led me to investigate towing with my Windstar. I learned a lot - and prepared my trailer and van - before proceeding. But the combination served us well in 2000+ miles of towing in the past 6 months. I suspect more American RVers will learn about the capabilities of modern minivans as life with $3+ a gallon gas becomes normal.

My frustration? Manufacturers appear to artificially hold back on the tow ratings of minivans, likely in part to boost SUV and truck sales. I'm waiting for the first manufacturer to realistically rate their minivan tow capacities - and include accurate, complete owner's manual information about towing equipment (i.e., trailer brakes and controllers; weight distributing hitches) and practices (i.e., proper load balancing, axle weights, safe towing technique).

[ModMech]

Paul,

We OWN a '98 WS 3.0 (thank GOD), and I have the Freestar as a "company vehicle".

The Freestar is a much better vehicle from MANY standpoints than the WS, but the engine and front seats are NOT two of them.

Our W/S has 115,000 miles on it, and I just replaced the first engine part - the serpentine belt idler pulley ($15) as the bearing gave up. We have the Vulcan 3.0L V-6, and while it is definately not overpowered, it is adequate given the vehicle's weight. The driver's seat, WOW, compared to that of the Freestar, I could drive the WS for 8 hours with ease (and I have).

The 3.9L Freestar engine IS the 3.8L headgasket leaking POS that it always was, just with 0.1L greater displacement. Yes, they are still having "issues" with the front covers. However, the Freestar regularly returns 24-27 MPG highway, which is VERY impressive. 20 MPG city, just like the WS 3.0 we have.

The Freestar offers all position shoulder belts, standard length front doors, duel sliding doors (and very good safety with them), and is generally a better vehicle than the Windstar IMO (driving both).

I will not however, EVER own a 3.8L or any of the derivitives (3.9L, 4.2L), Ford screwed enough customers with that one already.

The 3.0L also uses a different transmisison than the 3.8L Windstar, so that may be a bonus for us. I just changed the ATF for the third time, and it does not have a trailer hitch, and never has had one.

All-in-all, I would seek out a late model 3.0L with dual sliding doors as a replacemet for our '98 should the need arise. But if the buy-out on the Freestar is low enough, I can always get new (different) seats

[Riordan3]

I also own a 1998 Windstar with the 3.0L engine. Love this engine. It has 183,000 miles on it and the engine and tranny have not been touched except for new alternator bearings at 170,000 because of noise. I also have towed with this vehicle. Uhaul installed a class 3 hitch on it and I towed their biggest enclosed trailer with it twice from Chambersburg Pa to Pittsburgh Pa full of furniture ( son's college junk ) out on the turnpike over all those mountains and had no problem maintaining the speed limit or above as long as I did not have it in overdrive when going up the hills. I probably was overloaded each time because not only did I have the trailer full but also the inside of the van after removing the middle and back seats. What more can I say about this vehicle. Its bulletproof. I will tell you though I change the atf fluild once every year regardless of the mileage in September or October after the hot weather is over. This vehicle has never let us down. I average around 21 or 22 mpg around town and around 27 on trips. I just installed its second set of plugs at 182,000 miles ( first set were in 120,000 miles ). I noticed an improvement in the idling right away. And like everyone else has said the seats are very comfortable on trips. We take it down to Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Charleston SC for vacations and we are very comfortable in it. I too would try to stay away from the 3.8 Liter variant motors. Boy what pig motors. My neighbor across the street had his 3.8 liter blow a head gasket in his 98 Windstar around 65,000 miles and he also had transmission problems with it earlier than that which was covered under warranty. And by the way this 3.0 liter of mine uses no oil between oil changes. I have been using the Motorcraft 5W30 semisynthetic motor oil in it and also Motorcraft oil filters. We are going to keep this vehicle till something major lets loose and that may be a while the way things have been going with it. This vehicle was my company car and I bought it when it had 146,000 miles on it about 3 years ago for around 2,600 dollars. What a deal this turned out for me. Just my 2 cents

[ModMech]

the powertrain and braking has improved over the years and may finally be best in the Freestar.

12,

I agree with the powertrain, the newer engines have not proven to be head-gasket eaters, but the front covers are still not "lifetime" parts.

The new transmissions (5spd?) are VERY smooth, and seem to return better mileage. I would never gamble on the CVT however.

The brakes on my '04 FS also SUCK. It has been to three dealers, one in Chicago, and two near home (MN), and everyone says they are "normal". Well if you pump them, they grab WAY HARDER on the second pump, and that is NOT normal. Issue is "low pedal" and poor brake performance. My wife's WS will completely spank the FS in braking, and it has rear DRUMS!

Now, I am certain this is not an affliction with all vehicles, but the ycannot fix this one, even at customer pay rates.

[dandi]

I dunno, the seats in our Windstar are pretty uncomfortable to me..... The outside driver's side bolster has collapsed (quite a while ago, I might add) but for me the problem is the seat back. The lumbar support is too high. I am average height.

Maybe it's because I am spoiled by my Audi's seats......

I drove a Frestar rental last year and thought it was okay - I like the dash design a lot better, it's more modern-looking. I also like the exterior design, and thought the headlights were better than my '99's. But it was still loud and un-refined sounding.

Dan D
'99 Windstar SE

[12Ounce]

Per the '99 Windstar glove-box manual under the section titled "DRIVING", page 165;

"Driving while you tow ... Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer."

The '00 glove box manual says to follow local regulations. ????

[sandokana]

Originally Posted by ModMech

I drive an '04 Freestar (new Windstar) for work, up to 1500mi/week.

You know what? The front seats SUCK.

My wife's WS seats are GREAT, I can drive that thing ALL DAY (600 miles) w/o any discomfort, but this Freestar! My back, legs and feet are all numb after only 2 hours!

The worst part is, there is a replacement van on the way..... another Freestar (2007 I think).

Can anyone tell me if the 2006 Freestar's seats are the same (uncomfortable) ones as the earlier vans?

TIA.

The 2007 Freestar carries on with out any changes so your seats in your new van will be just as uncomfortable as the earlier models