Article Comments - 2009 Ford Flex First Look / First Drive / Full Test

66 messages, Last post on Feb 26, 2009 at 6:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Flex, Wagon

First Look: 2009 Ford Flex - The 2009 Ford Flex might be another crossover, but at least it's not boring. (more)

First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex - First Impressions: If you like the look of the Flex, there's nothing in the way that it functions that should prevent you from getting it. (more)

Full Test: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD - Bottom Line: As everyday transportation, it's the best, most comfortable Ford you can buy. (more)

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#47 of 66 Funny Car and Driver magazine Flex quips by coldcranker Jul 30, 2008 (4:05 pm)
The latest full test drive of the Flex appears in the Sept. '08 issue of Car and Driver, out now. I chuckled at some of the odd lines they had in there about the Flex: ---- styling is "T-square chic" ---- looks like a billboard starter kit ---- Look for the hillarious salesman-customer simulated conversation in there where they go over the Flex, Edge, and TaurusX, near the beginning of the article. Somebody please post the others, as I can't remember all the funny stuff. Part of me likes the no-nonsense box styling, and then I think: Did they have to make it a plain box? I also agree with a previous post which though the price was too high, even for a basic Flex. My '05 Freestyle was only $22,500 new, so around $30,000 seems high to me, too. Car and Driver hated the seats (looks like plastic bags, uncomfortable) and they say that understeer starts too soon in a turn. Otherwise, the Flex looks like quality materials, is very quiet, and feels very solid. For some reason, even though the GMC Acadia is slightly heavier, the Acadia is faster 0-60 than the Flex with about the same horsepower. The Flex and Acadia use the same transmission (maybe a little difference in gear ratios in there), so I guess the Acadia engine must have better low-end torque. It might be Acadia's direct injection, something the Flex unfortunately doesn't have in the current model.
#48 of 66 Full Test available! by KarenS HOST Aug 07, 2008 (9:43 am)
Full Test: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
#49 of 66 I'm surprised...... by nvbanker Aug 15, 2008 (9:45 am)
The positive reviews on this vehicle surprise me - as I have not been attracted to it in reality, though in anticipation - I was. Seeing it on the dirt has left me a bit cold over the lack of styling outside, and how low it sits. I was hoping it would be a taller vehicle with a higher seating position, like the Taurus is. Hope it sells though, Ford needs a home run desperately right now..... Replies to this message: coldcranker (Aug 17, 2008 5:53 am) nvbanker (Aug 17, 2008 9:38 am)
#50 of 66 Re: I'm surprised...... [nvbanker] by coldcranker Aug 17, 2008 (5:53 am)
Replying to: nvbanker (Aug 15, 2008 9:45 am) nvbanker, The "lack of styling", as you put it, is the styling. Jelly bean styling is getting old to some. Its why the Scion Xb and miniCooper were such a big hit with the youngsters who associate anything that doesn't look like their parents minivan or Taurus as rad. Whether or not that approach works for the Flex, an expensive and large vehicle, remains to be seen. It seems Ford thought the styling world is turning more toward boxes. Low is better, as rollover resistance is best that way. Replies to this message: nvbanker (Aug 17, 2008 9:38 am)
#51 of 66 Re: I'm surprised...... [coldcranker] by nvbanker Aug 17, 2008 (9:38 am)
Replying to: coldcranker (Aug 17, 2008 5:53 am) The "lack of styling", as you put it, is the styling. I realize that - and I don't really like it; but then again, I hate the XB, especially, the first edition, so that may explain it. The only Flexes around here are all black, and that isn't a complimentary color for this shape, IMO. The Gillette front end Ford has now adopted doesn't do it for me either though.....fortunately, the Lincoln Mercury Division still has some artists designing for them and I can buy there for now until Ford drops the Nuevo-Fairmont look again.....
#52 of 66 Re: Because it's different [mrpepsi] by icescort Aug 22, 2008 (12:51 pm)
Replying to: mrpepsi (Apr 28, 2008 2:35 pm) Popular. but not 100,000 sales !? what number would you consider OK? If they only sell 120,000 of these by late 09 it will be cosidered a flop. It is a nice car. It is expensive and a hybrid will be 5 grand more. I dont think the public moved out of full sized wagons so much as they were pushed out of them. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Aug 23, 2008 9:32 am) cccompson (Aug 24, 2008 3:43 pm) nvbanker (Aug 24, 2008 7:39 pm)
#53 of 66 Re: Because it's different [icescort] by coldcranker Aug 23, 2008 (9:32 am)
Replying to: icescort (Aug 22, 2008 12:51 pm) " If they only sell 120,000 of these by late 09 it will be cosidered a flop." Get ready for a total of about 40,000 sales by this time next year. Would that be a flop? Thats where its headed. Replies to this message: cccompson (Aug 24, 2008 3:43 pm) nvbanker (Aug 24, 2008 7:39 pm)
#54 of 66 Re: Because it's different [coldcranker] by cccompson Aug 24, 2008 (3:43 pm)
Replying to: coldcranker (Aug 23, 2008 9:32 am) If that many. I looked at a couple yesterday - both were SELs with AWD and priced just under 40 grand. Nice as they seemed to be, THAT's alot of money for a family hauler with no guarantee of reliability or good resale value. No, IMHO, Ford has again missed the boat by overpricing its product. Replies to this message: nvbanker (Aug 24, 2008 7:39 pm)
#55 of 66 Re: Because it's different [cccompson] by nvbanker Aug 24, 2008 (7:39 pm)
Replying to: cccompson (Aug 24, 2008 3:43 pm) Ford has again missed the boat by overpricing its product. That's what Chrysler did with the Pacifica - and it never recovered. Even after they brought out cheaper ones later - the bloom was off the rose, and it was actually a very nice car.
#56 of 66 Re: Another Edsel? [larym] by rgurta Aug 26, 2008 (7:04 am)
Replying to: larym (Apr 26, 2008 6:24 am) I have had my Flex for about six weeks now and have 1000 fun filled miles on it. My current gas mileage is 20.6 in mixed driving.