I don't know what we're going to do once our 2009 Ford Flex goes away. It helps us with our moves, makes our family road trips so comfortable and is the popular subject of many a caption contest.
And when I had to transport my brand-new 42-inch TV home, our long-term fleet didn't offer many options as desirable as the Flex. That gaping maw of a rear cargo area with its power liftgate and fold-flat seats. Pfew! I just sat in the back with the TV to steady it during the drive while another editor took the wheel.
BTW, premature Black Friday sales FTW!
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor
jerome81 says:
03:19 PM, 10/30/10
I've heard rumblings the Flex may be eligible for getting chopped from the Ford lineup. I have to ask, with the way this car is revered around here, I'd have to assume it also has many satisfied owners, and yet, sales are very low.
What is wrong?
It isn't my type of car (single, in 20s), but if something like the Traverse, or Highlander, or Pilot sell so well, why is the Flex struggling? In my opinion, it looks the best, actually has some personality, and from what I've read is arguably more comfortable than any of the others. Yet it is left hanging.
If I ever feel a desire for this type of machine, I'd hope the Flex would still be around for purchase.
So, what's the problem?
cubbybear1 says:
03:35 PM, 10/30/10
@Jerome
It is lagging behind because it looks different. People don't like different. The Pilot, while butt ugly, sells because of the big H on the grill. The Highlander sells because of Toyota's preconcieved stellar reliability. The Traverse is doing well because it blends in with all the other tranportation pods.
billt9 says:
05:16 PM, 10/30/10
the midsize SUVs such as a Murano can haul 60" TVs no problem.
I imagine a flex can do a 65" TV.
roadburner says:
06:18 PM, 10/30/10
You will love that TV- Panasonic makes some very nice plasma sets. I have a 42" Panny in my basement 5.1 HT/gaming system. It's excellent.
zimtheinvader says:
07:39 PM, 10/30/10
"I imagine a flex can do a 65" TV."
I've read in some places that it isn't usually a good idea to lay the TV's down for transport (especially plazmas like the one in the picture). I'm sure just like all things automotive that could be argued for weeks on end though.
zimtheinvader says:
07:40 PM, 10/30/10
let us know if the TV buzzes a lot. We had a 50" of the same and right after it downloaded and ran a software update it started buzzing very loudly.
dalaw says:
11:29 PM, 10/30/10
You guys need to get a 2011 Sienna, Odyssey, and Town and Country to carry more TVs
caroscuro says:
12:17 AM, 10/31/10
Roadburner,
So far I love it. Really great picture quality. And I love that I can stream movies from Netflix and Amazon on it.
zimtheinvader,
Really? Weird. I hope mine doesn't do that!
adavis2493 says:
08:08 AM, 10/31/10
I don't care what you get to replace the Flex, but you guys need to get a Cruze.
bodyblue says:
09:26 AM, 10/31/10
Plasma TVs will be more difficult to get in CA. They are energy hogs and the commies in the CA legislature dont want them sold in the state any more. I got an LCD and am happy with the pic quality. HI def looks so nice on either set I went with the LCD. I am so spoiled by HD now.
ralphhightower says:
12:02 PM, 10/31/10
Well, 42" is bigger than 32", but our Chevy HHR was able to handle the Hitachi 32" HDTV LCD that we bought. In fact, the HHR was able to return the two rear seats of our trade-in, a GMC Savanah 3500 (15 passenger), to the dealer. It was a tight fit, but it fit.
Our Chevy HHR is a versatile vehicle, fun to drive, cargo capacity, and gets great gas mileage with the 2.4L. We've owned a number of Chevys. My first car as a teenager was a 55 Chevy truck.
Having owned two Fords, both Mustangs (a 66 with a 6 cyl and 4 spd manual, and a 74 II, which should never have had a 4 cyl, even with a 4spd manual), Ford would be my second manufacturer of choice.
I like the 2011 Mustang with the V6, classic looks, fun and great gas mileage, but not practical for carrying our dogs (four beagles) to dog shows.
The Transit is versatile to suit our needs for taking our Beagles to dog shows for competition, but the engine is not suited for interstate driving based on first reviews from Edmunds. The 4 cylinder is anemic!
The Flex? I like the looks; it's unconventional. The majority of cars on the road today have "cookie cutter" looks. I like the cargo capacity for the Flex. We don't have kids, so I would doubt that we would have apple cores rotting in the recesses of the Flex.
firstwagon says:
02:58 PM, 10/31/10
"It is lagging behind because it looks different. People don't like different. The Pilot, while butt ugly, sells because of the big H on the grill. The Highlander sells because of Toyota's preconcieved stellar reliability. The Traverse is doing well because it blends in with all the other tranportation pods. "
I think the Pilot and Highlander sell more for the 1st reason you mentioned then the brands. People don't like different. The Flex stands out from the crowd while a Highlander is invisible. That seems to scare some people, most people.
It's actually what I like most about the Flex. It looks neat. But is that enough to buy one?
My sister showed up for a visit last summer with her family in her new Flex. I have to admit it's a cool wagon with a lot of clever features. Driving it is nothing special though, no better then the Honda and Toyota minivans and not much better then the 2005 Caravan that she traded for it. (and with much less space when loaded with 5 adults plus gear).
To me it compares more to the Journey and the Mazda5 but more upscale. A great wagon for 4 on trips or 6 around town. I think I'd save the $10K and get the Mazda5 though.
jasond52 says:
05:12 AM, 11/ 1/10
Best feature on that TV is Netflix streaming.
texases says:
07:52 AM, 11/ 1/10
bodyblue-plasma TVs used to be energy hogs, no more. A number use no more (sometimes less) electricity than the same-size LCD sets. So I hope CA sets energy use standards, and doesn't specify technology.
billt9 says:
05:05 PM, 11/ 1/10
zimtheinvader,
Seems like the plasma TV manuals do say laying the TV flat upright or downward may cause internal circuitry damage, including the manual of the particular TV in this picture.
I haven't found the same warning on LCD TVs. In fact some of the LCD TV assembly instructions mention laying the TV down to put the base on, without mentioning any ill effects.
Just another plasma TV quirk.
firstwagon says:
05:31 PM, 11/ 1/10
"bodyblue-plasma TVs used to be energy hogs, no more. A number use no more (sometimes less) electricity than the same-size LCD sets."
Newer plasmas do use a lot less power then older ones. However LED LCD TVs use even less.
texases says:
06:55 PM, 11/ 1/10
firstwagon - on average, maybe, but Panasonic's plasmas use less than most equivalent LCDs.
roadburner says:
07:34 PM, 11/ 1/10
I started out shopping for an LCD set back in 2008, but a careful look at a Pioneer Kuro changed my mind in about one nanosecond.