24th Nov 2007, 17:37
The largest quantity of vehicles sold in America are full size trucks. Now we are debating small minivans and pint size pickups with car frames. There is absolutely no way I can operate out of one of these minature vehicles. I cannot fathom the appeal of small, cramped, uncomfortable little vehicles that you pay on for 4-5 years and ride in only to justify fuel and what you saved to buy one. In the interim you are uncomfortable and crammed inside, and lose total functionality.
But a low payment and mpg may be the focus with many, but not if you look at what trucks can accomplish for you. Why not examine why the most popular vehicles in America are not these small vehicles, and why people desire and actually own full size useful trucks? My full size truck pays for itself many times over every month; in function, and not just in resale. I have completely remodeled my home, worked on others, carried equipment, gone to estate sales, towed a boat, and on and on. I suspect many others wish, or at some point see that there is much more than just fuel costs, and how much they skimped to save a few bucks at the end of ownership.
My last small pickup I once owned was extremely limited, and pulling 3rd seats in and out of minivans to carry drywall, plywood, furniture and the like is not my idea of being able to immediately take advantage of oppy's and sales on weekends; and is not especially safe loaded up and limiting driving visibility.
The endless miniature car debate on a full size truck review is not applicable. We all know we get 12 mpg in the city in this size vehicle. It's not a surprise, but if I see a bargain in the paper new or used, I can save money being the first one there with a decent truck that can bring it home. I can drive to stores in the little economy car, buy new furniture and then have to pay to have it all delivered or........... be at an estate sale on a regular basis, buy antiques and then bring some great values home in my full size truck. If not that I cannot pass on anything else that can be carried or towed at any given time, without wondering if my truck can handle it. It does not have to be a 1 ton or dually, but little pickups, minivans are not very functional. And then you make 2 or more trips or not at all, especially with a Ridgeline or other small truck that has the tiny little 6' bed.
A larger truck can make money even if just plowing and can save a ton of money taking advantage of closeouts, returns, sales etc. and bringing them home the same day. I would buy a large van if I could not own a full size truck, but certainly nothing smaller. Just another viewpoint to share.
24th Nov 2007, 20:07
There are probably only 7 Freestar reviews because nobody buys them and therefore there aren't many Freestar owners around to even write reviews. I'm guessing most people remember what an awful disaster the Windstar was. Absolutely nothing but headaches, and Freestar is nothing but a Windstar renamed. Kind of like recently when nobody bought the new Ford 500, so they renamed it Taurus; goodness only knows why, because that was another car plagued with problems.
And Chevrolet vans? You couldn't sell me one for $100 brand new. Chevy cars and trucks are the cheapest junk on the market; any Toyota product puts them to shame.
25th Nov 2007, 00:14
Now that we are on a tangent on minivans, one should ask; are we basing vehicle reliability on Carsurvey.org?
I have heard from many transmission shops, media, car dealers that sell cars (even GM dealers), and best of all, from friends and family who own vehicles. I have heard about Ford dropping more transmissions across the board (except maybe one Taurus I know of that had three engines, but the original transmission in 230k). My uncle got rid of his GM van (Montana) because it was a death trap! Look at all crash tests and you will find its fatal flaws. Not to mention that it is mediocre and poorly built. How could you possibly recommend I transport my loved ones in this hauler? I know of many Chrysler vans that have dropped many transmissions. In fact I do not know of many people whom have had trouble-free experiences with Chrysler van transmissions or electronics.
Yes, Honda had trouble on their Odyssey van, but I hear that it has been resolved on the newest model. Honda has extended the warranty to 7 years and 109,000 miles, and will replace the transmission. My friends with domestic vehicles were forced into paying hundreds of dollars. Many problems with getting the problem fixed are due to poor communication on the part of the dealer, and to Honda not getting the message out about warranty coverage.
What did GM and Ford do to solve their problems? GM made a vehicle that is on Forbes list of 10 worst vehicles of the year, and now they are no longer available.
Ford gave up and sold the last Freestars with a hefty discount to consumers, and quit building family sized vans.
From my own experience; we have a 1999 Honda Odyssey, and not a problem with its transmission yet, with well over 100k. Many like you on here say I should dump it and buy a new GM van? What, an Uplander? APPALLING! Puke! No Thank You!
25th Nov 2007, 07:55
00:14 While we have had a dodge, a couple Chevrolet products and several Fords. We did have the transmission go out on the dodge, but at least it was over 100,000. The Oldsmobile Silhouette tranny started going out around 90,000. My brother did drive it like he stole it, and burnt the tires off of it. So I guess that was coming. But our Fords we have never had any major problems out of.
25th Nov 2007, 10:27
I wonder if I can put my Trac Rac ladder rack on after sawing off the roof of the Odyssey and then mounting a frame hitch to make it into a truck. Why the talk about Taurus etc, on a full size truck review? I doubt most of the commenters even own a full size truck... I own a new car as well as a full size domestic truck, but have made zero comments on it as it is not this specific market segment. I am almost about to comment on my motorcycle, but perhaps its not at all relevant whatsoever as well.
25th Nov 2007, 13:18
The reason there are no more reviews for the freestar is because Ford decided to quit making them since they could not fix the ongoing issues with them. You have to love a company who does not know how to fix THEIR OWN products and claim that "quality is job 1". There is a reason why Ford is in the financial mess they are in.
24th Nov 2007, 11:51
So what full size Honda truck should we buy?