2003 polit ex-l vs 2006 ford freestyle

[drunkinmonk]

First off you guys have a great site here and I have been lurking for the past week. I normally lurk forums for a few months or so before posting but this is urgent. I am forced and wanting to get a 7-8 pax vehilce for my family and it would mainly be my fiance cars. I am needing to do this by the end of the month. We recently purchased a 2001 galant V6 and we are surely gonna take a hit on it when trading it in but here are the two cars in the final round.

The pilot is priced at 19,900 with 44k miles. Grey with leather and DVD. The freestyle is 19500 with 14K and warranty.

I like the pilot cause it feels pretty luxuries compared the ford. It also drives pretty nice and has a solid feel to it. I also like the visability when driving. It also has leather and DVD for my kids one 3 month, a 3 yr old and a 10 yr old.

I dont like the rear seats hardly any room. The middle seats dont fold down and excess to the rear seats is not convient. I think the middle between the console and radio is a waste of space. Who knows maybe we might like it in the future.
All in all i really like it its our first choice.

The freestyle is really roomy inside like a mini van has both options of middle row bench or 2 captains seats so easy access to the rear. Low to the ground like a car. I also like the styling. I like the fact its built on the volvo chassis its very safe.

I dont like the cvt transmission it feels like it never shifts so its doesnt give it the torquey feel when giving it gas. Its pretty peppy for the size just like the pilot. I dont like the cheap interior and the options are limited.

Tell why the pilot is the right choice. TIA

[colorider]

Welome to the forum.

Perhaps a good starting point is to simply review this thread which compare the Pilot to the Freestyle.

Good Luck!

[rocky]

Boy did some of those exchanges get fiesty towards the end.

I started that thread and yes, I did buy the Pilot in July 2005, an 05. The Freestyle I felt could not be relied on at that point in its lifecycle to provide a reliable transmission. The CVT is much better now, but not a vehicle I would buy second hand. go to www.myfordfreestyle.com to get a sense of all the problems these vehicle have. I doubt their tranny will last 100k. Some early ones didn't even make 10k. I bet the one you are looking at is a lemon lawed or just a lemon

My Pilot now has 25 k on it. We've travelled as far South as Greenville SC, 960 miles, in a day and will be doing that again shortly

The pilots is streets ahead of the Freestyle and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another or recommend it to a friend.

[N_Jay]

The Freestyle is a nice station wagon, but it is NOT an SUV.

I have rented Freestyles on several occasions.

[jl_ss]

Just the fact that a 2006 low mileage Freestyle is the same price as a 2003 mid-mileage Pilot should tell you something. I would try to bargain down the price of the Pilot with that info though. Use the argument of "Why should I pay more for a much older, higher mileage, out of warranty vehicle when I can get an almost new, low mileage 2006 vehicle for less?". If the saleman is on the ball, he will have plenty of reasons why, starting with reliability, but it can't hurt to try.

[waynerd]

The Freestyle is WAY blah inside, and fit and finish are awful on the ones I've seen. My neighbor had leased one for a year and didn't really like it as much as he thought he would, coming from a long line of Explorers. He's got an Escape now.

[mtryb]

2003 Pilot would be my choice. Reasons - Reliability and resale value.

My brother, a Ford fan, won't own one out of warranty, there are just too many problems.

The resale value of an vehicle that serves as a rental vehicle plumets faster than you can imagine. Purchasing ex rental vehicles (I suspect that the one you are looking at falls in this category) can be risky as they are often abused by drivers who don't care about the car.

Honda's tend to last a long time with just following the maintenance schedule. Resale values are exceptional.

Good luck with whichever choice you make.

mtryb

[trayr]

Sorry to bug you guys off topic a bit, but does anyone know if there are major differences in the design or safety from the '03 or '04 Pilot and the '05 Pilot? We want a used Pilot and can afford the '03's and '04's, but heard there might be airbag and other upgrades in the '05. Help.....?

[drunkinmonk]

Thank you guys for your input. I am glad to hear you went with the pilot over the ford. I was a import owner for the longest time and just have been in love with my chevys. I am not a ford fan at all. I would rather see anything but a ford in my drive way. I think I will try the approach with the price of a newer car compared to a used 03 car even though i think pilot is worth the money. I will go out and try to see if I can test the car for the day. Will update you guys again. Thank you!

[rocky]

Originally posted by trayr
Sorry to bug you guys off topic a bit, but does anyone know if there are major differences in the design or safety from the '03 or '04 Pilot and the '05 Pilot? We want a used Pilot and can afford the '03's and '04's, but heard there might be airbag and other upgrades in the '05. Help.....?

Upgrades in airbags waited until the 06 year

[rocky]

Ford Kills the Freestyle

But wait theres more!!!!!!

Presenting the all new 2008 Ford Taurus X!!!!!!!

http://www.themustangnews.com/carnew...207-08taur.htm

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshow...rd-taurus.html