CD Article: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD

[Snowman]

  Considering styling is subjective your rants are getting tiresome.  Take a look in the mirror.

Yes it is, and that's my subjective assessment of the Flex's styling. You don't like the looks of my car, fine, I don't care. I will continue to express my opinion as I'm sure you will. 

I don’t go to the extreme that you do regarding styling. Or in a topic about a car you go on how much better your choice is without considering the criteria others have. IMO you have drank far too much Carlos Ghosn Kool-Aid.

[Schmengie]

  Considering styling is subjective your rants are getting tiresome.  Take a look in the mirror.

Yes it is, and that's my subjective assessment of the Flex's styling. You don't like the looks of my car, fine, I don't care. I will continue to express my opinion as I'm sure you will. 

I don’t go to the extreme that you do regarding styling. Or in a topic about a car you go on how much better your choice is without considering the criteria others have. IMO you have drank far too much Carlos Ghosn Kool-Aid.

Those are my opinions, and I'm entitled to them - isn't that what these forums are for?    As for your ridiculous inference that I'm some sort of Nissan fanboy, I've posted plenty of positive opinions of other makes. Nissan is not perfect and neither is the Versa, and I've said so. Everyone's critiques are based on their own criteria, so criticizing me for that is a bit disingenuous to say the least. I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll make no further comment on this.

[Snowman]

  Considering styling is subjective your rants are getting tiresome.  Take a look in the mirror.

Yes it is, and that's my subjective assessment of the Flex's styling. You don't like the looks of my car, fine, I don't care. I will continue to express my opinion as I'm sure you will. 

I don’t go to the extreme that you do regarding styling. Or in a topic about a car you go on how much better your choice is without considering the criteria others have. IMO you have drank far too much Carlos Ghosn Kool-Aid.

Those are my opinions, and I'm entitled to them - isn't that what these forums are for?    As for your ridiculous inference that I'm some sort of Nissan fanboy, I've posted plenty of positive opinions of other makes. Nissan is not perfect and neither is the Versa, and I've said so. Everyone's critiques are based on their own criteria, so criticizing me for that is a bit disingenuous to say the least. I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll make no further comment on this.

  Opinions are fine but when they are embellished with puking simileys and repeated references to being ugly then that is ranting.

[Leviathan]

Saw one on the way home tonight. Not as big as it seems in pictures but it looked OK.

[Rupert]

I could not believe the styling when I saw it but it does make a statement. I think a comparable competitor would be the Grand Caravan SXT 3.8 or the larger engine (not available here) or Town & Country. Since the flex is upscale the Town & Country is probably the one.
Weights and fuel consumption are about the same. Tow capacity is a 900 LB higher at 4500 Lb. I don't know if that capacity is good for serious towing though. Rear sliding doors are much better I think.
Nah...town and country gets my vote; better price too and no space wasting central console. Also a nifty dash mount selector which can change ratios without taking your hand off the stearing wheel. Something that I would not have thought much of untill towing a trailer through hills. Now if you remove the central console box and put in a nice bench seat and the above selector...might be more interesting.

[Honda Owner]

I saw a Flex on the road today.

What where they thinking? It looks like something a seven year old drew!

[Mitlov]

If I really wanted something this kinda big, I'd look for a Tribeca.  Better value and Subaru AWD.  I think both are kinda ugly, so I'd call that part a tie!   

The Tribeca's got a better AWD system, I'll give you that.  But better value?  It's far smaller inside, not ANY more fuel-efficient, and at least here in the States, slightly more expensive.

[Rupert]

It's a low van. AWD is not required IMO.

[safristi]

  Lindsay LOWVAN..........we get yer DRIFT................................

[Mitlov]

It's a low van. AWD is not required IMO.

Good thing the Flex is available with your choice of FWD and AWD, then, huh?

[random006]

It's a low van. AWD is not required IMO.

What does the type of vehicle have to do with whether or not an AWD system is required?

Wouldn't the climate and location of the owner's home town and his/her driving routine have more to do with it?

[Rupert]

I am not saying that AWD does not have any advantages but for the last quarter century in TO I have not had an instance when just FWD did not do the job. Probably the vast majority of drivers would have similar results. So why pay more $ and use more gas and have possibly more maintenance due to the complexity, for no benefits. Better to spend money on a good set of winter tires. From what I read the drivers of SUV vehicles in the ditch in the winter thought they had more traction when they started out. Slowing down is another matter. Anyway this is off topic...sorry.

[johngenx]

I drove RWD German cars in the winter for many years, and just slapped on good winter tires to have problem free winters.  Pretty much any car can handle an urban winter with the right tires and good driving.

I do appreciate the Scoob's AWD, but it does venture onto not/poorly maintained mountain roads in the winter.