I just spent an enjoyable weekend in our long-term 2009 Ford Flex. It's not exactly a perfect vehicle, but it's as close as Ford has gotten to perfect in a very long time. Although I have issue with the Flex's seating position and its shifter, most of the time I find myself thinking, "Man this is a well done vehicle," or some such gush. I've even recommended it to several friends.
One thing that jumped out at me this weekend was the Flex's solidity. So far our Flex does not have a single squeak or rattle. There's no loose trim. No bugs in the Sync or navigation systems. In fact, after more that 16,000 miles in just six months you'd swear our Flex is brand new.
Okay, it did have to return to the dealer once for an unscheduled fix; at 1,686 miles its brakelights stayed on, so Santa Monica Ford replaced the brake pedal switch. But that's it. Otherwise solid as a rock. If you ask me, one trip to the dealer in 16,000 miles is a record any vehicle manufacturer would be proud of.
Now I don't know how the Flex is going to hold up over the next six months or six years, but up until this point, it's been one of our most reliable and durable long-term cars ever.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 16,158 miles
dougtheeng says:
01:18 PM, 02/ 2/09
Love the vehicle inside and out, but thats an ugly gauge cluster.
mlh says:
01:22 PM, 02/ 2/09
Funny, I just clicked through to comment on how much I like the gauges -- very simple and clean.
pengwin says:
01:53 PM, 02/ 2/09
Clean? There's a piece of plastic wood going through the top...fugly
canadaphant says:
02:05 PM, 02/ 2/09
I agree, I like the simple gauges; it does look like they could be bigger and still fit in the dash. Maybe the visibility is fine the way they are, but why wouldn't you want bigger gauges if they fit?
adavis2493 says:
02:34 PM, 02/ 2/09
The design is really clean which is great considering what other manufactures are doing. But I do agree the piece of wood is kind of stupid. I know VW was able to pull this one off with the Passat, but it just isn't working here.
billt9 says:
02:58 PM, 02/ 2/09
It's a gauge cluster at home with older folks who reminisce about the 80s and 90s...
pengwin says:
03:44 PM, 02/ 2/09
yeah, clean gauges go to the VW/Audi group and BMW. No one else makes a better, easier to read instrument panel.
ctpax says:
04:34 PM, 02/ 2/09
That wood panel around the gauges is supposed to resemble the ones on Rolls Royces and Bentleys. It's kind of cool but it's another proof that Flex appeals to a rather old population. Yet another proof of that is Flex's hearse like shape. =P
"If you ask me, one trip to the dealer in 16,000 miles is a record any vehicle manufacturer would be proud of. "
my 06 325i hasn't been to a dealer in 20000 miles since it was purchased. Not a big deal. This is what should be expected from a car (meaning no unscheduled visits), especially as expensive as the Flex.
clarkma5 says:
05:19 PM, 02/ 2/09
So the flex...doesn't flex?
tmanz says:
10:49 PM, 02/ 2/09
"If you ask me, one trip to the dealer in 16,000 miles is a record any vehicle manufacturer would be proud of. "
"my 06 325i hasn't been to a dealer in 20000 miles since it was purchased."
For a car that this group has had ahold of that is impressive. I'm going to jinx it but our two inexpensive cars are at about 230,000 miles combined and haven't been to a dealer once and only one trip to a shop for a smog check on one.
I've replaced regular wear items: brake pads, spark plugs, air and oil filters and fluids but no other repairs.
All of the cars that they test scare me away with the little problems (and not so little) here and there.
1487 says:
05:43 AM, 02/ 3/09
I finally got to sit in the Flex and the interior is as nice as it looks in pics. Very upscale and full of soft touch materials. I wasnt in a Limited so I didnt see that wood in the gauge cluster. If the Taurus interior is like the Flex's it will be a winner.
greenpony says:
06:42 PM, 02/ 3/09
Last Friday on my way home from work I saw two Flexes in a 15 minute period. I have yet to see so many G8s, and it's been out for longer.
BigFordFan150 says:
06:47 PM, 02/ 3/09
I like the flex it doesnt look bad i heard its sorta quick and so far reliable.
Just wish it looked like a Mazda CX9 ooooh so good but its curved rear hacth gives up 3 cubic ft!
Proud of you Ford!
Next car Tarus hope its this good as well!
glassfan says:
12:55 PM, 02/ 8/09
My 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe has 49,000 miles and has never needed to go to the dealer for a single issue.
frank908 says:
05:12 PM, 02/ 9/09
I have yet to see any on the road that aren't parked in front of a Ford dealership. And greenpony, i would compare the Flex to an Acadia before a G8. Where's the logic in your comparison; two totally different segments. I Acadia and all its clones all the place and I'm on the road a lot in a heavily populated (NY Metro) area.
I like Fords, but this one is wierd.