insman

I'm a long-time Ford SUV buyer. I've owned 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2003 Explorers. Living in snow country and living at the top of a hill, 4WD was important and I just stuck with what was working. By 2005, gas had reached $3.00 and I began looking for an alternative to my Explorer V-8 which was getting less than 12 mpg. Since Ilease my vehicles, it was time to get another one and I chose the Freestyle AWD. It proved to be a good alternative to a standard SUV, but the mileage was not so much better--about 15-20 mpg, and the CVT transmission and low HP engine drove me nuts. I made a vow not to get another Freestyle. It was long, noisy (mainly because of the engine and the transmission) and seemed like a thrown together car. As my lease was coming to an end in May, i considered other vehicles. i drove the Murano and a couple others, but there was nothing there that made an impression on me. Then I drove the Edge. The Edge had plenty of torque--something the V-8 Explorer didn't have as much of, and it was quiet. So quiet that it seemed like I was in a totally refined machine. It also looked modern and good. It also handled like a European sports sedan (on par with my Acura TL), so I was sold. I ordered my 07 Copper-colored machine with chrome wheels and satellite radio and haven't been upset since. It's a wonderful car. I didn't get the expensive options like the BAMR or the leather upholstery (don't like leather and hate sunroofs), and just went with the SEL model with satellite radio. I'm pleased when I consider a Murano equipped much worse was going to be $5,000 more. The car mags pan this car because of its weight, but it feels solid and is big enough to haul my clients around (I'm also an insurance agent with Nationwide) and yielded me 25 mpg on a recent trip to South Carolina. Not bad.

My Edge has the charcoal interior and all the "metal" trim is a brushed aluminum color and does not reflect. Of curse, my car was made early in May 07, so that might be the answer. I did notice that several on the dealer lot had the shiny chrome on the dash and I avoided them. It just might be a matter of looking around.

AS I posted elsewhere, I went on a 700 mile trip this weekend in my SEL AWD. I got 24.9 in interstate/rural driving on eway and 21.9 the other since we were sitting in traffic for nearly an hour. Just to compare. My 05 Freestyle rarely got 17 mpg (mostly around 15 city) and the best I got on the highway was 23. For reference, my wife's Toyota Camry (I tried to tell her) with the 4-banger gets around 26 highway and 19 in town. I'm doing better with the Edge (well, almost). My son's Acura TSX with the fancy Honda engine gets a little less than that. Ford has a winner with the 3.5. It's smooth, powerful, and gets decent gas mileage. unless you want a hybrid or an underpowered car, this is the best I've seen. BTW, gas priced soared this weekend. On the trip down, regular was 2.89 and onthe trip back it was $3.25! This was in WV, VA, NCand SC. Just makes you sick!

I'm an XM man, but the Edge SEL AWD came with Sirius. I find the Sirius programming really infreior to XM's lineup, but it's a matter of taste. With the XM-Sirius merger looming, do not expect any deals to continue service. NO competition means no deals.

I've had very good gas mileage. Mine's a SEL and I got it on May 16th. I had to make a trip to South Carolina and now have 1196 miles on it. The first tank, I got 19.8 mostly on rural roads. Not bad. The next tank was the trip, which was mostly interstates in hilly country and got 24.9. I thought that was fantastic. ON the trip back, we had to sit in traffic on I-77 for nearly an hour which hurt mileage, but still got 21.9. I'm well satisfied and think it is one fantastic vehicle!

I picked up the Edge a week ago and you know what? The roof rails aren't bad, and I love the Edge. I started out in 1992 with an Explorer--you know the one. Green and tan two-tone and I thought it was the greatest car in the world. That coming from a sports car freak. I went through several more, 1995, 1998, 200, 2002, and 2004. When I'd had enough Explorers, I decided to go for the Freestyle in 2005. I was never so disappointed in my life. The CVT droned at all speeds, the engine didn't suit the car, and it just looked like an old man's car. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. That's when I ordered the Edge. I've always been impressed with foreign cars. My iwfe had to have a Camry (and talk about a boring car, but the thing just rides well and absolutely no problems in 5 years). I even bought an Acura TSX which has been bulletproof for some time. I never thought Ford could build a vehicle so good it rivaled the two cars mentioned above. Well, it has. The Edge simply is a perfect vehicle. It rides nice and quiet, but still handles so well you forget you're in a CUV. The interior, and I got the cheap one--cloth seats, no climate control, no roof. I was on a budget. It's as luxurious as my Acura. It may be heavy, but it runs well and the seitchger is every bit s good as the other cars I own. I owned 16 Fords from 1972 to 1998. I never hd a real problem, but the other makes just seemed to be on my wavelength. I still own an F-150 with the two rice burners, but this takes the cake. If this is the direction Ford is going, I'm on board. Blazing copper over charcoal. and so far I'm getting over 20 MPG. I hope this car is a hit for this long-time Ford fan.

Put some hard questions to the dealer. It has to do with him looking out for me--said why would I want to pay two payments in a month. I assured him that it was OK and I'll pick up the Edge this week. thanks for all your help.

Well, after only a 32 day wait, my Edge came in, but I can't pick it up until May 16th. Bummer. The lease on my Freestyle runs out on the 16th, so I have to wait until then to pick up the Edge and sign new papers. Must be some kind of dealer rule this time. I was willing to make the last payment and turn in the car early, but they wouldn't go along with it. I got the Blazing Copper Metallic with Charcoal interior. It's the SEL with 18" chome wheels and no BAMR (I've had sunroofs on my last 10 cars and never opened them or even had the sunshade open). It's rediculous to continue to pay +/- $1,000 (or in this case $2000+) for something I don't use. It came with the roof rails which I did not order and they charged me $95 for those. I'll bet you can't take them off either. Hopefully in 13 days I'll drive off the lot. I almost wished it had taken longer to build!