What Does Oppo Think of the Flex?

"Jcarr" (jcarr) 11/01/2014 at 20:24 • Filed to: Car Shopping, Car Buying

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My wife and I are planning to be in the market for a replacement for the Jetta in a year or so and we have a few prerequisites:

Good quality/reliability

AWD (I'm done with 2wd in Iowa winters, even with snow tires)

6+ passenger capacity would be nice, but isn't absolutely necessary. So far our short list includes the Flex and Highlander in the 6+ category, and a number of vehicles in the <6 passenger category.

We expect to be looking in the ~$20k price range.

Oppo thoughts?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:27

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They're not bad, quite comfortable and can be pretty fast with the ecoboost.

New S4. Huskies. Party music. > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:29

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I wrote about the Flex a little bit ago. I have a love/hate/confused relationship with them. I can't help but think of it as the toaster-brother to the Scion xB, and yet, it has an intriguing appeal to me. If you can get rid of the giant silver bread-eject button on the back, I say go for it!

ly2v8-Brian > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:30

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Best looking product Ford makes right now.

TheOnelectronic > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:31

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There's always the Subaru offerings. Something like the newer Outback might work for you, or the Tribeca if the passenger capacity is important. (Do they still make those?)

Remember, not all AWD is created equal. Many systems are just FWD with benefits.

1337HPMustang > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:35

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They're super cool

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:35

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From a personal experience, they are a great road trip car, but ours was insanely unreliable, and ford didn't stand behind the CPO warranty.

Thunderface > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:38

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ECOBOOOOST!!!!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:45

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Not bad. I had one as a rental in Columbus, OH. 3.7L V6 and FWD, but it was quick enough.

It's still really big (Reminded me of driving my father's old Navigator). If you don't need the third row seats, why not an Edge if you want a Ford?

Unless you find a screaming deal on an EcoBoost AWD Flex, or really really love the shoebox styling, I'm of the view that the Edge is a better package, and if you want the space, get the Explorer or even a used Expedition (If you can take the gas mileage hit, or need to be able to tow things)

Jcarr > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 11/01/2014 at 20:51

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What issues did you have?

Jcarr > TheOnelectronic 11/01/2014 at 20:52

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I like the Outback, but I don't think I'm going to be able to convince the wife.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 20:57

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We bought our Flex in 2009, is since has over 120k miles and has been a great car. Yes, AWD is a must, but they are hugely spacious and comfortable, as well as stylish IMO. Only issue is that the reliability is somewhat below what you'd expect. Not bad, but there were 1 or two issues, which may be due to mileage. Other than that, a great car.

Sn210 > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 21:33

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doesn't the Ecoboost AWD have sleeper status? 365hp/350lbft

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 21:45

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transmission, moonroof leak which lead to mold, electrical issues, and unitended acceleration.

Jcarr > Sn210 11/01/2014 at 21:49

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I imagine it does, but we're probably looking at the base engine in our price range.

Stupidru > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 22:24

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I've also considered this for my wife, our dog, and the kids we plan to have soon. They're great cars through and through, but price became the limiting factor for us. We want to spend $20k on a car, but there aren't a ton of Flexs available at that price point. I don't think you can go wrong if you're willing to pony up though.

JR1 > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 22:48

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Perhaps the greatest family car of all time

Thisnewformatisrubbish > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 22:51

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I had one for a rental, 1800 miles in a week. Not a complaint.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 23:06

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wrx. My girls love it.

SPNKiX > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 23:14

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I have one. It's fine. AWD. SEL. Non - ecoboost. Looks fantastic. Handles really well for what it is. I just wish it were a stick because it's always hunting for gears. Tons of room.

ranwhenparked > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 23:41

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Owner loyalty and satisfaction is very high, people that have them seem to love them. And it's the closest thing you can buy to a real station wagon nowadays.

CPT Speedbump > Jcarr 11/01/2014 at 23:52

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I really like the Flex, especially the ones with the more rounded front end. However they tend to be super overpriced, far better then being scene in a Jetta however you look at it, lol. I think it'd be awesome to put one on bags and some nice wheels, then put one of those bagged race car trailers on it with matching wheels to pull a track car (Flex has a decentish tow rating)

Shiftright > Jcarr 11/03/2014 at 03:35

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Looks like a lowered and stretched Honda Element mated with a Mini Clubman, so I dig them quite a lot. Funky cool, potentially very fast w Ecoboost and loads of interior space.