A Literary Test Drive, No Stigma Attached
Inherent in the Y chromosome is an aversion to and disdain for minivans. Few self-respecting red blooded males are prepared to embrace a vehicle referred to as a "mini" anything. I've often thought that the automotive marketing gurus responsible for creating a burning desire for a particular model or class of vehicle blew it when they perpetuated the "minivan" designation.
Had minivans been characterized by the marketing departments as truck-vans, sport-vans, or anything else that evokes a sense of ruggedness, I bet the Y chromosome'ers would have eagerly adopted the vehicle genre without needing multiple sessions of psychotherapy to restore their sense of masculinity.
When Ford offered the opportunity to road test their new-from-the-ground-up Freestar minivan, or should I say masculine-van, I swallowed my pride and jumped at the chance. I had heard and read a lot about the new entry and it piqued my curiosity. Would it hold its own against the benchmark Honda Odyssey, all-new Toyota Sienna and even newer Nissan Quest?
Until I attempt to answer that question a little background is necessary. First of all, the Freestar is built in Ford's Oakville Ontario plant, which has been assembling one blue oval model after another since 1953. Today it's the Freestar that is rolling off the assembly line at a frenetic pace.
You could be forgiven if you encounter some difficulty distinguishing the 2004 Freestar from its 2003 Windstar predecessor. They closely mirror each other in exterior design, although the Freestar presents a slightly more angular nose than the Windstar. If you liked the Windstar's exterior, you will undoubtedly like the Freestar, however if you were of the view that the Windstar was outclassed by the competition in design execution, your opinion may remain constant.
Inherent in the Y chromosome is an aversion to and disdain for minivans. Few self-respecting red blooded males are prepared to embrace a vehicle referred to as a "mini" anything. I've often thought that the automotive marketing gurus responsible for creating a burning desire for a particular model or class of vehicle blew it when they perpetuated the "minivan" designation.
 |
| I had heard and read a lot about Ford's new-from-the-ground-up Freestar minivan and it piqued my curiosity. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
When Ford offered the opportunity to road test their new-from-the-ground-up Freestar minivan, or should I say masculine-van, I swallowed my pride and jumped at the chance. I had heard and read a lot about the new entry and it piqued my curiosity. Would it hold its own against the benchmark Honda Odyssey, all-new Toyota Sienna and even newer Nissan Quest?
 |
| If you liked the Windstar's exterior, you will undoubtedly like the Freestar. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
You could be forgiven if you encounter some difficulty distinguishing the 2004 Freestar from its 2003 Windstar predecessor. They closely mirror each other in exterior design, although the Freestar presents a slightly more angular nose than the Windstar. If you liked the Windstar's exterior, you will undoubtedly like the Freestar, however if you were of the view that the Windstar was outclassed by the competition in design execution, your opinion may remain constant.