I was just about to give up on selling the freestyle when

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
10/05/2016 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

I listed my 2006 ford freestyle for sale about 2 weeks ago and after some initial interest, including a person who got a PPI whose mechanic asked for an additional $200 to determine the health of the CVT that they wanted me to pay, and I balked because I don’t think such a test actually exists (especially since we changed fluid last year and they said it was pretty clean).

Now, the interest has tapered and I never found a great replacement in terms of specs and cost. I had all but given up, but just recently a Focus Wagon with the 2.3L duratec just got listed nearby so I have bitten the bullet, lowered the price and bumped my CL post one more time.

The focus wagon isn’t my top choice but the 2.3L is a a reliable engine that responds well to modifications and has decent handling. I think my wife would like the logic of it all except for the low rent interior. It’s a more logical choice for a backup to two 30 year old German cars than say an Audi A4 or Saab 9-3 which is what my heart tells me to want.

DISCUSSION (5)

LongbowMkII > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/05/2016 at 14:36

A Mazda5 has the same motor, newer chassis and more cargo space. Tough to find a 5spd however. Just a thought.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/05/2016 at 14:38

I was so close to pulling the trigger on a 2006 ST Sedan in Aug ‘05. They had it in Red without the stupid spoiler packages and the shop was a Cosworth parts seller so they could upgrade parts and keep the warranty intact.

In some ways, I wish I had done it. In others, commuting in the tC wasn’t terrible,

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > LongbowMkII
10/05/2016 at 14:45

I’ve had my eye out for 5s but it’s a bit heavier than the ZXW and as you pointed out very few with the manual. Also, I think the cosworth parts were a little easier to bolt onto the focus than Mazda variants with the same engine, and I know I’d at least be tempted to do such silly things.

LongbowMkII > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/05/2016 at 14:47

I may or may not have a cosworth intake manifold in my search history.

Takuro Spirit > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/05/2016 at 15:15

I love me a ZTW. So hard to find in stick, and without the rockers rotted out around here though.

I love the way they drive though. Except for the always busted armrest/center console, the interiors aren’t THAT bad.