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Aspirational Vehicles. That's what they call vehicles like Ferrari and Lamborghini. They are aspirational vehicles. These are cars most of us can only aspire to and dream about. Most every manufacturer makes an aspirational model or a "halo car" that creates a buzz and defines the automakers dedication to dreams. But most of us don't live in the world of exotic sports cars. We live in a world of four-door sedans, pickups, SUV's and minivans. So while we may aspire to drive a Ferrari, we settle for the minivan because of our needs and pocketbook. Companies like Ford understand the marketing value of its performance line but they bank on their bread-and-butter lineup. The Ford GT may be sexier, but the minivan market pays the bills. In reality it's more important to have the best minivan than the best sports car. Of course there is a perceived stigma that some younger drivers feel owning a minivan. Some opt for large bulky SUV's with less room, safety, fuel efficiency or maneuverability but they won't get a better or safer vehicle than the 2004 Ford Freestar. It's hard to argue the versatility and utility of a minivan. The 2004 Ford Freestar represents the latest generation of Ford minivans and will rule as the undisputed leader until the 2005 Dodge Caravan debuts later this year. I recently drove the 2004 Ford Freestar in a long distance test and it passed with flying colors. The comfortable ride made driving a pleasure and the advanced traction control on my model surpassed the perceived safety of traditional four-wheel-drive in winter driving. Exterior styling while crisp and fresh begs the question as to why Ford changed the name from Windstar to Freestar for 2004 except to make sure that new models start with the letter "F". As simply an evolutionary upgrade of the Windstar, I question the value of the name change. Inside the 2004 Freestar, I found the design clean, organized and easy to use. The new fold flat third row seat is an ingenious and practical design. No more removing and storing the seat for temporary space. Reversing the seat makes for a rear facing tailgate bench seat when parked. With the fold and tumbled forward second row seats, the 2004 Freestar has room for hauling. Prices for 2004 Freestar are similar or lower than the previous Windstar and the five trim levels range from $24,600 to $33,775. Of course the Freestar Limited that I drove provided unprecedented appointments. I appreciated the Electronic Parking assist when parallel parking on the Plaza and the signaling exterior mirrors are a welcome safety feature for those signaling a lane change. The 4.2 Liter V6 provided a very adequate 201 horsepower rating and even more impressive 263 lb-ft of torque. Mated with the latest generation four-speed automatic transmission the Freestar preformed flawless in a variety of environments. With an EPA Fuel mileage estimate of 16 City/23 Highway combined with the large 23-gallon fuel tank I could theoretically drive from Kansas City to Chicago without stopping for gas. I understand that the 2004 Ford Freestar may not be an "Aspirational Vehicle" as used in the automotive press. But if you are in need of a great family vehicle that makes more sense than an SUV, aspiring to a new 2004 Ford Freestar would be a good decision.
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©2003 - Stan Risener