rboe

Was going to ask how to remove the dealer badge, went to take a look so I'd an intelligent question and was able to peal it off (very thick and soft decal type badge). So many thanks for mentioning it here! :bow: :hyper: I think the heat helped loosen things up a bit.

From the Freestyle forum Ford has finally extended the maintenance replacement of the brakes with some owners converting to a different brand of pad to cure the problem. And it's a problem. Braking on the Edge has not been a problem for me. They seem firm and quite powerful but I have yet to try a panic stop. On this forum the J hook discs and matching pads seem to be one solution when it comes time to replace. I think it was here that a different tire was used to help out too. I suspect your driving style would dictate just how big a problem this would be. It certainly would not appear to be one from my experience. I'm enjoying the car very much but after ten years in a minivan the transition is tougher than I thought. I'm not used to all the bells and whistles either. Not sure I deserve such a nice car!

Right after I bought the Edge I took it to Sedona. Which means a big long slug up 17 until you get on top of the rim. Once there my buddies driveway is so steep it appears 4low is required to get up it. Driving back you have to go up the big hill south of Camp Verde, another test of a cars HP, reserve power (can you run A/C while hill climbing?) at a low speed. Due to the slower traffic they reduce the speed limit so you can't just roar up it or take a run at it. Not once did I use the little button to take the tranny out of OD mode (this changes the shift logic), mainly because I just didn't remember and the Edge just did its' job. Unless you like to shift, I don't think this will be a concern for you. Short steep drives, long slugging up hills it just plain performed and that is without flooring it or in any fashion trying to flog it. Didn't even notice the engine heat rising. This is very good! Going back down the big hill on 17 the Edge did not try to over rev and over speed like the Town & Country tried to do. It also handled the cornering much better - less body roll. Today I'd push that little OD button and gain the engine braking - if only to try it out. The Mazda's are pretty slick looking alright and I think they may be fun to drive. Just a bit cramped for my needs so I never drove one.

I came from the Caravan and more recently the Town & Country. I really miss the huge volume available to the minivan owner. But I had gotten fed up with Chrysler quality control and the dealership (and their service department, but I digress). The styling of Nitro is not my cup of tea and think Dodge and Chysler have really dropped the ball in this regard. I think the Acadia is a decent vehicle and worth looking at. I was all set to buy the Ford Freestyle and most of those owners panned the Acadia after driving the Freestyle (I have not driven the Acadia). The Acadia just did not offer the mileage I was looking for and frankly GM cars drive me bonkers. The controls are never where I expect them to be - to the point I'll rent just about anything to stay away from them. Ford, Suzuki, Chrysler and Jeep have been much more user friendly. Your mileage may vary as they say. Ended up with the Edge as it was just more exciting visually than the Freestyle and I was concerned about depreciation (another hit I took on the T&C due to Chryslers over production). The Edge will haul four people in comfort, plenty of room in the second row which is a big concern for me due to elderly parents. They just don't bend that well anymore. The back will not come close to the minivan in volume but I can sleep in the back - a big requirement since I need to sleep back there when I take the telescope out to star parties. Just can't do all nighters like back in the college days. I'm about 6' tall so the length and a flat rear was critical. The Hyundia Veracruz is another one to look at. Never drove it but checked the user boards. The back did not quite fold flat and many owners reported mileage problems which was a deal killer for me. The interior is very well done, exterior is not as nice as the Edge but I think you owe it to yourself to check them out. And that Ford Freestyle. It may cruise down the road better than the Edge (longer wheel base), haul more - just a less than inspiring interior and the sound system is nothing to brag about (the Edge wins here!). The new Taurus X is the Freestyle with the Edge drive train - never tried one. I think I sit higher in the Edge than in the old T&C and that is a plus for me. I really really like the shorter turning radius of the Edge too. With the van I felt like I docked it when parking. The Edge is more like a sports car to me. Hope that helps a bit.

Now a diesel Edge would be the cats' meow. Give those VW folks a good scare.

For sure, I was looking for a snap shot to give me a hint on what to expect in mileage (and to test out the cool new feature - I'm not used those kind of bells n whistles). But otherwise you nailed it pretty good. If mileage was of no concern I would have gotten the Expedition. :happy feet: If it was of higher concern I would have waited for the diesel Jetta wagon. The Edge is bigger than the Jetta, more fun, and built better from what I can tell. The interior has more visual punch than the Freestyle I was looking and the shorter wheelbase is making maneuvering a lot more fun.

After hearing all the responses I've been a bit concerned about my own mileage. But with the help of the hints here I reset the mileage ticker, Drove to work. Reset and drove home (didn't forget to work in between). Averaged 25.8 in, 21.4 going back. This is from North Phoenix to downtown so it's a bit down hill and a lot cooler in the morning with less stop and go (otherwise we're talking pretty flat driving). Strictly city driving, no freeways (17 miles) but the lights are mostly sync'd so it's a good steady drive for the most part. I'm also pretty light on the foot. Came from a Chrysler Town & Country where I normally achieved 20-21mpg in town and about 24mpg on AZ freeways (75mph limits). At first I was hoping to best it by getting the Freestyle but was seduced by the Edge and decided what the hey, a guy has to live it up once in a while so this is very good news for me. The real test will be the mileage at the fill but I'm certainly encouraged. One does drive a bit more careful when measuring mileage. One last item, just got the car last week, first thing I did was drive to Sedona so I only have about 540 miles on it. As it breaks in I hope to see these numbers bump up a bit.

Yup, the hottest...... :speedie:

Yup, that is an improvement alrighty. I'll have to keep an eye out for it - I'm in North Phoenix my self. RedFire though, so those would look better on mine than yours.... :whistle:http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php?# Help Toggle Side Panel