I picked this up on Monday, January 29th. The new Isaac24 mobile. This was the commercial I was referencing with the 3rd row seat: • Video isaac24.com Facebook: theelevator24 Twitter: djirich5
I definitely didn’t see that coming but when you explained all the little issues with the Saturn it made perfect sense. I think this van seems pretty great, less issues and lots more space seems like a nice upgrade. I’ve always thought minivans (and some SUVs too) are really good for hauling things that aren’t ideal to be put in the bed of a pickup. Looking forward to seeing all that’s to come with it!
It had a good run, but I was tired of it. Honestly one of the hardest things was getting in and out of it. It's hard to tell but it was SUPER low, like almost Miata low. My Monte Carlo wasn't even that low. Even with only being 5'8" I hurt my back plenty of times getting in and out of it. It also had a tiny back seat and an even smaller trunk, which was annoying since it was almost always full of my tools and stuff. It didn't exactly comfort me either that you could pretty much take any key, jam it in there and open it up. But I miss the rust-free-ness, and the ease of working on the engine because of the size. But I don't miss adding a quart of oil every 2 weeks. Or the fact that it got 18 mpg when it should have AT LEAST gotten 30. I miss my Explorer a lot, but they go for more than I wanted to pay for another one, especially because they do have some issues. I LOVED mine, but you either get the 4.0 V6, which has timing chain issues (it's the design with 3 timing chains) and you get a crap transmission, or you get the 4.6 3 valve V8, what I had, with the better transmission, but you have to deal with cam phasers. Not as bad as the 5.4, but they still fail, and mine were failing the entire time I had it, and I just drove it since I didn't realize that the problem was as bad as it was. The better solution would be to get a 2002-2005 model instead with the 2 valve 4.6, but then you get the older interior with the MUCH weaker frame. These vans are CHEAP because honestly nobody wants one lol. They have their issues, but with the driveline setup being so basic and used in a lot of vehicles, I'm not worried. I also love the way this thing rides. It rides like a Toyota Camry, literally. It feels like a tall Camry too, I almost forget I'm driving a van because it drives like a new Camry, a mid-size sedan that glides over bumps. That's the advantage of it being front wheel drive and unibody, with a V6, instead of rear wheel drive and body on frame, with a V8, like a full size van or like my Explorer.
My local mechanic told me the Freestar minivan is the best van out of the bunch. He said the Freestar has the fewest repairs, and the best safety rating. I have owned a Freestar since 2008, and there has never been any problems. What you say in this video about the other brands is true, and I have also heard it. My Freestar is rust free. The headlights clean up with a Mothers headlight restoration kit you can buy at your auto parts store. I have seen Freestar transmissions last for over 200,000 miles. On my Freestar, I do a transmission fluid drain and refill every 15,000 miles, and a transmission flush and filter change every 30,000 miles. The freestar is a well built and rugged mini van.
They are wonderful vans. I would argue that the all time best van out there is the Toyota Sienna, but these certainly aren't bad. Plus they don't have an extremely high resale value like the Sienna. I feel like EVERY single minivan out there, except MAYBE the Sienna, has had some sort of major driveline issue during its life. Honda, Chrysler, GM, Hyundai, Nissan, all of those vans had major issues at one time or another during their run. I like Honda vans but they have terrible transmissions. These may have some problems, but in my experience, they have the fewest. I've heard people tell me "they suck and GM vans were better, that's why there's more on the road" well logically it's because they sold more GM vans where I live, because I'm from a very GM heavy area. So that's completely false. Even then, GM vans age like crap. I can't remember the last time I saw a GM minivan with intact rocker panels (I live in Michigan so rust is a big problem), the full exhaust system, all of the windows, etc. Mine has some rust, but I got a good amount of it on the subframe welded. For the age it's less rusty than most other ones. I need to get a proper headlight restoration kit, since I did the old DOT3 brake fluid trick, and for the first time ever, it failed me. I've heard mixed things about these transmissions, but my experience has been great, knock on wood. I honestly don't know if my fluid has ever been changed. And yep- they are great.
A friend of mine bought a Chevy Astro at the same time I purchased my Freestar. At 100k he had to replace the transmission. A short time later his rear axle had to be rebuilt because of worn gears. I also looked at the Astro at the time, and did not buy it when I saw the crash test data on them. The Astro folded up like a accordion, and received a poor rating for frontal impact. The Freestar did better, and received a five star rating for crash test. Where the Freestar got a bumb wrap was when some of the 2004 models left the factory without the camper tape installed between the metal body panel between the lower cowl panel that runs from the left to right side. That allowed water to seep down and penetrate the PCM. That caused issues with the van and the shifting in the transmission. My Freestsar is a 2006. When I bought it in 2008, I checked that, and made sure it was sealed. It was sealed. My mechanic who fixes all makes and models said the Toyota Sienna was over rated, and costs much more. He said you can get a Freestar for much less, and it is just as good. Also the Freestar is front wheel drive, and does not have a rear axle with gears that wear out like the Astro does. I have also seen another Freestar with over 600,000 miles on it that was still on the road.
@@ericknoblauch9195 I never cared for Astros. They're not minivans but were marketed like them. It's the reason why the Ford Aerostar (an actual good van) existed, to compete with the Astro. Then GM made those stupid dustbuster vans. All that you told me about his Astro doesn't surprise me. The 4.3 V6 is a good engine and everything around it is hot garbage. Pretty much all GM small vans suffer in crash test ratings, including the later Montanas and stuff. I remember hearing about transmission issues with the Freestars related to a recall, so I guess that's what it was about. I specifically remember hearing that it only applied to 2006-2007 models though, so maybe they were wrong. The Siennas are good but also have timing belts, at least in some years. I don't think it's worth it to spend $5000 more at least for one vs one of these or a comparable Town & Country. I love mine being front wheel drive because it makes it drive even more like a car than it already does. Somehow that 600k mile van doesn't surprise me.
@@isaac24 The Freestar transmission recall was on the 2004 and 2005 models to cover the torque converter. They had pins in the converter that would break and destroy the transmission. Ford had a new and revised converter available to install.
@@ericknoblauch9195 Ah ok thank you for clarifying. I assume at almost 230k mine has probably already been done. The original owner had it from new to 2013 and the guy I bought it from had it since 2013 so I assume one of them had it done.
Depends. The van is my daily driver/people hauler but if I'm going to pick up stuff or somewhere with a rougher road/less forgiving areas I take the truck.
His was an SEL. His was one color, had cloth seats, no power doors, no woodgrain (around the radio), no gauge information center, and no digital climate controls. Other than that his and mine are pretty much the same.
It belonged to a mom before me. Vans are great. My only wish is that the fuel tank was closer to 20 gallons in size instead of 26...$70 fillups aren't fun, especially considering my truck has a 27 gallon tank so I'm used to it, but hoping this thing will get 450 miles to a tank or so to make it worth it.
