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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7147 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 5:13 PM
You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: albook (Feb 22, 2008 10:22 am)
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Replying to: cason1 (Feb 23, 2008 2:24 am) 4Runner LTD with QV package + Tow TMZ app 34K MDX Base TMZ app 38K At least these are the numbers for SE PA. The seating comment is certainly a fair one and something that does bother a significant amount of people. I'm not sure that it is something that one could get used to if it bothered them initially. Fortunately, neither my wife (who realistically will NEVER actually drive it) were at all uncomfortable in it. Probably cause I am already accustomed to driving with the seat down as far as it will go with the back of the seat tilted back more than most people. This will probably be a very difficult decision. The only other car still in the running is the new Murano which I have yet to drive (and I am aware that the wife thinks it is "ugly" - not that her view would affect my decision  ).
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Replying to: tourguide (Feb 22, 2008 8:09 pm) In saying all of that you are proving Ford's point. It's distinctive enough that you noticed it. It's also distinctive enough that you don't like it whereas others, myself included, think it's an excellent design. I'm tired of all these swoopy, curvy CUV designs to be honest but they are here to stay for a while I guess. The Enclave's design seems to cater to the masses, meaning everyone seems to like it or, at the least, some aspect of it. But Buick needs that because they sell in low volumes and they can't afford to be more creative (yes, I don't think the Enclave's styling is particularly creative) or they'll lose sales. Ford can afford to be creative with the Flex because they'll have a similarly sized car-based Explorer on th lot right next to it which you can guarantee will appeal to the masses as all past truck-based Explorers have. Banking Ford's future on one vehicle's design is a gross miscalculation because the picture is much larger than that. Do you think the Enclave is going to save GM too? I'm not looking to start a war with you. Just trying to clear things up a bit. 
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Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 23, 2008 3:13 am)   The outside is "fugly but the interior is great! Regards, OW |
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Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 22, 2008 7:31 pm) That's definitley a little while off. And the Flex needs a good engine now. That's the opposite of what I was saying. Feature-wise the Flex SEL is comparable to the Acadia SLT 4SB. Price-wise the Flex SEL is $5000 cheaper (FWD models). Acadia is definitely not 5g more expensive than the Flex. The SLE starts just under 30g. the SLT 1 is 33g. The SLT 2 is 36 g. That compares to 28 (or almost 29) 32 (or almost 33) and 34 (or almost 35). I say almost because I can't remember if the prices were something like 32990. So they are definitely close. Having only sat in 2 or 3 Acadias I don't see how you or anyone could feel a GMC product is worth that kind of premium but that doesn't mean you're not allowed to. A lot of it will be style. Sure, there are many who don't like the looks of the Acadia, but it's a more widely accepted look. There will no doubt be more who don't like the look of the Flex, as it looks so different. As for me, there are few cars on the market today whose looks I truely hate (the Tribeca is one of them). I don't think the Flex looks terribly bad. That's just not nearly enough to buy one. |
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Replying to: tourguide (Feb 22, 2008 8:09 pm) You're right. Not that the Flex looks bad, but it doesn't cater to the masses in styling, and that IS what Ford needs. There aren't enough family CUV buyers out there who want to be defferent for Ford to have an entirely seperate vehicle, and still sell numbers similar to a Highlander or Acadia or Pilot. And that IS what Ford wants- to sell in numbers like that. Why is the Buick so stylish? Yes it has to be, because the competition is.Now I'm sure about to get a whole lot of defense from diehard Ford (FS) fans. |
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Replying to: freealfas (Feb 22, 2008 3:43 pm) Paging Mr. Freealfas, the 70's are calling - your station wagon is now ready for pickup. Seriously now, I know this is an opinion - I get that. I just personally hate the styling. It looks old TO ME. The Scion knock-off belongs on a short wheelbase. When it is stretched - it looks like a 70s family truckster - sorry it DOES. I am sure it will have some redeeming qualities inside - the exterior appearance won't be one for me. In all honesty, I like the things Ford has done technology wise - they have been a leader with some really cool features, they just lost my money with the look of their rides - that is all. |
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Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 23, 2008 3:13 am) We may like it, but I know there will be many more who don't. That might not be all bad, but also, Ford can't get any gray area. There will be few who would buy it like a Highlander (plain styling). It's a love it- hate it design. A CX-9 or VC would also get noticed on the road, but they aren't love it hate it designs. Ford can afford to be creative with the Flex because they'll have a similarly sized car-based Explorer on th lot right next to it which you can guarantee will appeal to the masses as all past truck-based Explorers have. That's totally off. Ford will have to differentiate the two so they won't cut into each others' sales, there fore the Explorer will probably be marketed like the Jeep Patriot- a CUV that has "off road capability". A crossover for the real SUV people.The Flex will definitly be marketed to a wider variety of people. Banking Ford's future on one vehicle's design is a gross miscalculation because the picture is much larger than that. True- but ford has had several misses in the past 4-5 years. They need anything they can get (they finally did get one vehicle right- the Edge). Do you think the Enclave is going to save GM too? No- but it saved Buick.And it's got MB and Lexus shoppers looking. The Enclave has definitely done its job.
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Replying to: baggs32 (Feb 23, 2008 3:13 am) I noticed it because I've been looking for a vehcile that meets our families needs of space, features, economy, etc and there are few choices that dont exceed our means in anything besides a base model. That was what caused me to look in the first place. It is the unfortunate Scion-stretch-station-wagon look that ruined it. Banking Ford's future on one vehicle's design is a gross miscalculation That isn't the Flex's fault alone. If you look at the rest of the product lineup they are playing it safe in many cases. No real inspired designs, lots of 'evolved' redesigns with a few minor changes here and there. That isn't going to get the job done - in the same way (as you point out) that the lambda platform alone isn't going to rescue GM. No arguement there. Ford is really slow to bring some of the things they need into their product line - like Eccoboost. That engine has been rumored for some time - they need it yesterday, but it will likely be a long time before we see it in widespread use. Things like that are why I see touble for Ford. They are moving too slow towards the changes they need.
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Replying to: albook (Feb 23, 2008 9:50 am) How do YOU KNOW? it may outsell the lambda's when it gets here, it may not but that begs the question, how do YOU KNOW? "It's a love it- hate it design. A CX-9 or VC would also get noticed on the road, but they aren't love it hate it designs. " the VC, correct as it is quite plain and the CX is absolutely polarizing, you've heard it here. "True- but ford has had several misses in the past 4-5 years" name them then...FS is one, 500 & variants to a lesser extent as it sold though not to hopes and dreams amounts. any other "facts" you'd like to offer to the class
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