When we last left our road trip diary the Ford Flex was whisking us through eastern Colorado and on into Nebraska. Thrilling, I know. With 75 mph limits, straight roads and just enough traffic to avoid being the only car on the road, this was the Flex's time to shine. And shine it did. I turned on my Valentine One, set the cruise control and drove for hours in perfect comfort. Once acclimated to the system, Sync works exceptionally well with an iPod. Sirius' weather link kept me apprised of the looming thunderstorms (which eventually halted my run), and the flat-looking seats kept my butt supported and warm with no complaints. I also managed to, at those speeds, beat the EPA estimated 24mpg with a 25.7mpg tank.
That night I tried, for the first time, sleeping in the Flex. I was hoping the back, seats folded flat, would make an acceptable bed. They don't. It's like sleeping on the floor of a dog's kennel. The front seats don't recline enough for sleeping either. The second row bench is interrupted by the refrigerator so that's out, too. I had an easier time sleeping in our old Lancer than I did in the Flex. That was the last night we tried that. For a detailed account of the rest of that day-- including Iowa-- please see my illustration below. <
But hey, I got to go to the world's largest truck stop! The truck stop dentist wasn't in my plan.
That'll show all those other truck stops without embroidery shops!
Nothing worse than a road trip with a dirty dog.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 4,739 miles
bloodyr says:
02:09 PM, 10/ 2/08
LOL! That drawing is awesome...
uncanny_man says:
03:06 PM, 10/ 2/08
Miles and miles of sparse, straight highway? Welcome to the U.S.A. that the rest of us drive in. That's why, to me, acceleration, comfort, and fuel economy are way more important than "steering feel" and handling at the limits.
ekimfeenux says:
03:08 PM, 10/ 2/08
Yay for MS Paint drawings?
ddoouugg says:
03:15 PM, 10/ 2/08
nice post!
actualsize says:
03:44 PM, 10/ 2/08
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Corn | || | Corn
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I never thought I'd ever type this, but
"ROTFL LMAO!!"
Thanks for that, Mike
PS: steering feel around center, that connected feel you have when driving straight ahead or when following sweeping freeway curves, is very important, don't you think uncanny man?
actualsize says:
03:45 PM, 10/ 2/08
RE: the above. I hate it when the formatting goes all wonky and their's no edit function. It looked so great from here.
ptmeyer says:
04:31 PM, 10/ 2/08
Very accurate portrayal of Iowa.
Here is another viewpoint :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyeY0hWU28I
adavis2493 says:
05:12 PM, 10/ 2/08
Though people think that thing looks like a Hearse, I have to admit, that is one of the best looking cars I have ever seen, following the Audi A5.
dragonflight says:
05:43 PM, 10/ 2/08
@adavis
I think it's distinctive looking, for sure, and to my eye somewhat attractive. But it's quite the stretch to compare it to a well done sporty car.
carfreak8394 says:
06:07 PM, 10/ 2/08
@adavis2493,
I agree that the Flex is a pretty good looking car. However, the Audi A5/S5, in my opinion, is definitely one of the best looking cars in production right now.
hondacura4 says:
06:57 PM, 10/ 2/08
"That's why, to me, acceleration, comfort, and fuel economy are way more important than "steering feel" and handling at the limits."
Why not have all those in one package?
arumage says:
04:59 AM, 10/ 3/08
There are a few vehicles out there that will give you all of those features in one package; however, none of them can haul around 6 or 7 people.
dougtheeng says:
05:54 AM, 10/ 3/08
Am I the only one who can't read what the rectangles on the drawing say? I see corn, Flex, RV and then what?? I feel silly for even asking...its early, thats my excuse.
actualsize says:
06:53 AM, 10/ 3/08
From top to bottom, Doug:
semi, semi, semi, semi, semi, flex, RV.
mlevere1992 says:
07:01 AM, 10/ 3/08
If all you see if Iowa is from I80, you are missing some of the best scenery and driving roads. Iowa is not all corn and pigs. Mike, I hope you caught sight of the Iowa Speedway from I80, just east of Des Moines. Also there is a good road course just south of Councle Bluffs. We are not all hicks...... Just the ones that live near the Missouri border.
canadaphant says:
10:34 AM, 10/ 3/08
So the Flex doesn't even have wipers? First the headlights are so poor that you can't drive at night, now rain stops you. You sound like you're driving an open wheel race car, not a family van!
sellaturcica says:
04:03 PM, 10/ 6/08
I think the Flex is cool as hell. But, I like the Wagoneer, XB, Element and old Volvos too. They're boxy and beautiful, baby.