Back on October 29, 2008, I wrote a post about our Ford Flex's quiet cabin at highway speeds. One year later, you wouldn't know that we've added about 27,000 miles unless you looked at the odometer. The Flex is still quiet and, impressively, there are no rattles or squeaks to be heard.
The only thing that seems a little different -- and my memory could be faulty here -- is that the Flex's ride quality doesn't seem to be quite as good on broken pavement as it used to. Director of Vehicle Testing Dan Edmunds suggested that the worn rear tires might be the cause, as there's not as much tread as there used to be to provide cushion and flex.
Speaking of tires, some readers commented on my last post noting how much we've been using the Flex. I believe the Flex's 37,000 miles (we started reporting on it in Sept. '08 with 1,700 miles on the clock) is a record for an Edmunds/Inside Line long-term test vehicle. There have been others with more total mileage, but none with as much of a rapid gain. Of course, it helps that we've driven back and forth to Oregon twice (Dan), to Colorado (Paul), and to the East Coast (Mike).
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
wobbly_ears says:
09:56 AM, 10/30/09
I think it speaks a lot about the care Ford has taken lately in the reliability department. It is the second Ford in the LT fleet (Focus being the other one) which seems to have had no issues during it's stay.
If Ford continues this trend, Ford would regain its stature with the American buyers. Good styling+Great reliability==Great Sales+Profit.
Good job Ford!
hybris says:
10:00 AM, 10/30/09
Besides tires the only other thing that I can think of that could effect the ride is are the shocks. And if the LA roads are even half as bad as you guys say they are then maybe they showing signs of premature wear?
bodyblue says:
10:07 AM, 10/30/09
Maybe Consumer Reports is correct after all (in quality rankings that is)...The Flex has taken a beating and it is still tight and squeak free. A great product built to last. I sill cant see the perpose for the Ecoboost model however.
stephen987 says:
11:27 AM, 10/30/09
EcoBoost adds a hundred horses--but like you, bodyblue, I'm not sure that's necessary in a vehicle with the Flex's mission. especially considering the price of entry. I'd be more likely to get a fairly basic SE or SEL with 2wd, and you can't get EcoBoost on those anyway.
Score another one for Ford. Edmunds didn't have any trouble with the Flex, the Focus, or even their '05 Mustang GT if I recall correctly.
gdmstrb says:
11:29 AM, 10/30/09
I'm pretty sure it's the tires. Put new ones on there and it will ride and handle like the day you guys drove it off the lot.
felonious says:
11:40 AM, 10/30/09
A Job 2 Flex is currently my top choice for my next car. In fact, I would probably have one already if I wasn't dead set on waiting for the telescoping steering wheel in the Limited trim.
rick8365 says:
12:12 PM, 10/30/09
Bravo, Ford!!
clarkma5 says:
01:16 PM, 10/30/09
Ride quality is either in your head or in the shocks, probably a combination of both. Your shocks are almost certainly a long way away from "shot", but at 27,000 miles and a year old on a heavy, mainstream car (where the shocks are probably built down to a price, just like any car in this price range), they're not going to feel like they did when they were new. The tires are a reasonable guess for second, but my inkling is that even if it had brand new tires on it all the way around, it still wouldn't have that 100% fresh-off-the-lot feeling in the suspension.
brn says:
01:36 PM, 10/30/09
How are the seats? Quite a while ago, there was post by one writer indicating the seat cushions were beat down. Haven't heard that complaint since.
Mitlov says:
06:14 PM, 10/30/09
Considering what it's been through and how hard you guys are on the testers in general (not a criticism, just a fact), a little suspension wear-and-tear isn't exactly alarming. I'm impressed by the lack of interior rattles (a major pet peeve of mine).
roadburner says:
08:39 AM, 10/31/09
It's good to know that the Flex is a solid vehicle that I can recommend to friends who simply want a reliable family hauler.