That's fine. One last thought before turning the this discussion back towards the Flex: The Current Taurus has no Ties to the previous generations. It is simply an upgraded, re badged Five Hundred.
Don't own one, but have driven several, both fwd and awd, and in the snow too. I don't see how anyone could complain about either the power or the traction. It's difficult to view such people as informed consumers.
What sold me on the utility of the Flex is the towing capacity. It's rated at 4500 lbs., it bugs me the only thing to tow with it a truck or truck based SUV. If it get the mileage it's rated for, it'll be sweet.
The drive home from the dealer was nice. Sync is pretty sweet. Very quiet and smooth, big blind spot over the left shoulder. Info system said 24.3 mpg.
I'm having a dickin's of a time posting a pic, is that a pay-only member thing?
Anyhow, it is an SE, brown metallic, black interior, with a white roof. The only three options it has is the sync, satellite radio, and the white top. We'll add a hitch later. The vista roof looks neat, but I don't need it $$$! It has a lot of features standard, that I usually think of as options, ie, fog lights, backup sensors, electric seats, f/r climate controls, etc. I'm not sure I have found all the features yet.... I need to do some reading in the manual.
The buying experience was rather pleasant, no real dickering. They gave an 'advertised' discount, then the rebate, trade-in, a good finance rate, I really couldn't ask for more. They were detailing the car, when I got there, provided a full tank of gas - we drove off satisfied.
Thats your opinion on the 500/Freestyle, but compared to its competitors its underpowered. Ford has added more power with the Taurus line which was a good move. The compact and midsize car market is very competitive. Neither the 500 nor freestyle are full size at least in my eyes even though they may advertise it as one. Compare the 500 to a Crown Vic in the size deptment and the 500 will come up short. The Taurus has always been a midsize car, now Ford wants market it as a full size since dropping the crown vic. The Freestyle/500 had a somewhat short production and they didn't sell well then add to the fact the vast array of competition out there and its understandable why people dismiss the two. Auto companies love unibodys and FWD, no doubt for the ease of assembly and cost, sorry I'm not a fan of either.
I would have to say that you are wrong about the size comparison. The Crown Vic may be larger on the outside but it does not have more room in the interior, where it counts. The 500 is the roomiest car I have been in since my Dad's 73 Town Car. I do think it could use more power but it does just fine in most cases. It averages around 20 in town and and gets into the upper 20's on all interstate trips, amazing considering the size and its AWD. We have driven the new Taurus and it does have more power but I don't think you can get the CVT anymore, which did take some getting used too. It is not the most popular car but I feel it is a great car. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion, that is what makes this country great.
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1986 F-150,5.0,4X2,AOD,XLT Lariat
2000 Expedition EB,5.4,4X4
2005 500 SE AWD
2003 Honda Rancher ES 4x4
my dad just picked one up with a ton of rebates and came out to a pretty good deal id say.. that v6 is a pretty good fit it has decent power and it has gotten 23 on the hiway so far with 6 people and luggage on a trip up north we took. the flex has 5 ciggy outlets so everyone could charge their own cell phone... its more fun to be a passenger in this flex then to drive it but i like it so far with 700 miles on it
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Big B's Fleet......
2002 F-150 5.4L with K&N intake Magnaflow Exhaust, programmed, 33" BFG A/T KO Rhino Lined and a drinking problem!
2000 Mazda protege es 1.8l
2003 Honda civic ex 1.7l
1997 ski-doo 583
2000 ski-doo 700
I though the fles was supposed to be able to carry a lot of people. While looking at Expeditions for my sister&brother-in-law I looked at a Flex and was dissapointed. My wife and I were going to be looking at a Flex in a few years, but after seeing the one yesterday, I think that we will get an Expedition. I was no impressed with the amount of seats or room inside the Flex. I think this is one of the first vehicles from Ford that I am dissapointed in lately.
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I must say... if you were looking at an Expedition, you are right it is not an Expedition. If you have Expedition needs, ie towing, 4x4, other truckish duties, it is not a suitable replacement. However, if you need a bunch of seats and a car - it's a great vehicle. We bought one, because we needed a station wagon. We already have an Excursion, and we've done the mini-van thing. Kids are a little older, it drives better than a mini-van, so it really hit a sweet spot for us. Maybe in a couple of years your needs may be different and it will make more sense.
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