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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7122 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 1:24 PM
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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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Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 02, 2008 12:02 pm) Agreed. I mostly find the Navigation screen is a very big help in controlling all the media equipment in my Taurus X Limited. I've got many media sources (AM/FM/ Satellite Radio / Front 6-CD player / Bluetooth streaming selected from any phone in the car / USB input / Analog Audio input jack / rear DVD or CD player) and many options in each than can fill a full screen or two. And that's just for media control. The screen is also useful for phone books, number entry and selection, and phone control. Finally, the screen is useful for it's nominal purpose: navigation maps, choosing destinations, picking Points of Interest, and so on. I have several portable Garmin GPS units for my cars and biking. They're much lower cost ($300-$500). But the screens are much smaller. I've found GPS cost goes mostly by screen size, and lesser so by features. Similar screen size Garmins tend to go over $1000 as well. Also, I've discovered my Taurus X Navigation System uses more than GPS satellites. It also reads distance and steering wheel position, and thus was able to continue to navigate in tunnels, even ones with turns within them or immediately after. Same in big cities with tall buildings and no reception where my Garmin portables cut out due to reception issues. Another advantage of the built-in units is that someone is less likely to break into my car to steal the GPS. And the built-in unit starts up faster and is always immediately available when needed with out having to assemble my portable unit and placing it on the dash. I got my Navigation System at Invoice price, around $1700. Obviously I feel it's worth it. ateixeira wrote "Getting back on topic, for a big crossover, I'd want a built-in GPS for the backup cam alone." The backup up camera is one thing I've come to dislike. I've ridden with friends who've had back up cameras and they are actually more dangerous than no camera. If they look at it, they miss cars driving by as they're backing out. And the wide angle lens makes it impossible to judge distance to not hit anything. And the mirror image thing messes with quick judgment. I much prefer the sonar beeping that increases in frequency as you back up. I've found that it's much better to have your head up looking in all directions for what's coming your way, while the beeps in your ear tell you how close your bumper is to anything like a curb, child, toy, or car parked behind you.
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Replying to: cason1 (Feb 23, 2008 2:27 am) I'm no Volvo fan either, but I think this is one of the best designs they've had in years. As for the Acura, I'm not in love with that styling, and I wouldn't be willing to pay that much for so little Acura. But that's just me. The MDX is really the only Acura I'd buy. |
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