Going wagon shopping to replace the Flex today. I had a 13 Flex Limited EcoBoost AWD and I loved certain things about it (size, side inside, drivetrain, power) and hated others (screens in the gauge cluster, capacitive touch center stack, collision warning system). A flash flood last Friday totaled it thanks to water in the electrics.
It's now Coparts problem to deal with. Note that it runs fine, but every light and sensor in the dash was lit up like Christmas.
So today we are going to try and replace it. The candidates include:
09-12 Flex: the pre-facelift models have a regular gauge cluster (no screens) and regular buttons in the center stack no try mention no collision warning. I'm going to look at a non-EB one just to see, but more than likely if I stay Flex it will be twin turbo still.
Lincoln MKT - a much uglier Flex with a much, much better interior. Mostly just curious what the differences are. Can be had with half the mileage for less money than the Flex.
Mercedes R500 - it's a good family wagon with a decent motor, though rare. Lots of R350's out there but you've told me to run away from that motor.
06-12 Mercedes GL550 - I know, this one is an SUV, but I'm curious of the German Suburban.
Bets on the over/under that I just come home with an Escalade?
Pretty sure you know the answer starts with Mazda and ends with 5.
In reply to barefootskater :
I wish it did, I miss mine dearly. Our four kids are already too big for it and they tell me that they keep growing.
I like the MKT and almost bought one, used, but compared to the Flex, the sloped rear window of the MKT seems to really steal a lot of rear cargo area.
Be on the lookout for MKT livery models. These were a popular choice for airport shuttle cars. Now, in this non traveling covid world, a lot of these are being sold off. They are NA engines but most notable they never had a 3rd row for more suitcase carrying capability.
I know you need a minimum of seating for 6 and these only offer seating for max 5.
Yeah the Mazda is perfect for smaller kids, which is why we have one now (Thanks, John). If the kids were older or we wanted to take a couple extra adults on a road trip it would be cramped.
IMO, the turbo engine is the only reason to get a Flex over anything else. No boost, then it’s just a less practical minivan without sliding doors.
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
Good to know that livery ones do not have enough seats.
In reply to BlueInGreen - Jon (Forum Supporter) :
My smallest kid is over 50 pounds. The jump seats in the 5 just didn't do it anymore. Buttheads!
I hear you on the non turbo Flex.
And for what it's worth, I am looking at an Odyssey and a Sienna as I actually like minivans.
In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :
Not to mention that when you load the 5 up with grownup sized people, it becomes painfully obvious that it’s a 4 cylinder and not a V6.
In my case, the right tool for the job at hand has been a Grand Caravan via Hertz
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
You did well but I'm not finding any deals like that now and up here in the PNW. I would jump on the same offer!
MKT Vs Flex differences that I saw was that MKT offers cooled and heated front seats, Flex only heated fronts.
Panaramic glass roof is exclusive to MKT.
MKT offered two 2nd row heated seats but Flex offers no 2nd row heat.
Generally, the MKT is always pretty loaded, most Flex are less loaded but maximized Flex to maximized MKT has little difference.
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
My Flex had cooled front seats.
Same deal as mine, near you. 2019 w/ 38k for $15.4k You get $300 off with AAA card. Net $15.1k, same as mine but this has 4k less miles than mine.
In full disclosure, mine needed $600 worth of tires right away and a second key was $150, programed at locksmith.
Yeah my main thing with the MKT is that it seems smaller on the inside than it should be based on the outside. The early GL550s have potential timing chain issues. Might be worth it if you plan to fix it preemptively and not actually get caught out by it. I drove an R500 and liked it a fair bit. Id probably delete the air suspension at the first annoyance. It didn't do anything i cared about. The GL550 is about as fast or faster than stock Flex, but a lot harder to make not stock. The R500 is a low 15 car, not as fast as an ecoboost Flex, and unless you manually put it in first gear yourself or get some kind of tune that makes it start in its actual first gear, is kind of annoying to actually go fast in. Certainly no brake-boosted launches. More like lurch-downshift-LAUNCH.
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
Jeeze, they've got like 12 of them! I'll check them out for sure.
In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :
Ask if there is a discount for having a Hertz Gold Account. Might be $300 too (but can't be combined with AAA.) However, it's free to register for a Hertz Gold Account.
Suburban /thread
When you break it down it's just a tall wagon with a Corvette engine.
Have you checked out an Explorer sport?
I'd go minivan of some kind.
Caravans are nice because of stow n go. Try to find one with tow package if you want a hitch. They changed the way they do GCWR at some point where the best you can legally do with a non tow package is 1500lb towing. Tow package is 3600lbs. I wouldn't be concerned adding a trans cooler to a non tow package and towing but be aware you would be afowl of "the man" if you ever made a condition where they put you across the scales out of spite.
All the other brands have the same tow rating tow package or not.
I have this to tow and do SUV things now:
So I am only shopping minivans and proper wagons that seat 6 full size people.
Mndsm
MegaDork
9/26/20 12:35 p.m.
Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to barefootskater :
I wish it did, I miss mine dearly. Our four kids are already too big for it and they tell me that they keep growing.
That's only if you feed them.
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
I have a flex with heater and cooled front seats, heated middle seats, and a 2nd row glass roof.
Why not a big toyota suv of some sort? Not enough power?
In reply to ojannen :
Too much $$$$$
Also GL is definitely out.
