I've owned 2 of these, a 2013 that I drove to 150K miles, and now a 2018. Both with the twin-turbo V6 engine. Very powerful, quiet, swallows cargo like crazy, handles well, lower climb-in height and good tech (even the 2013 had adaptive cruise). It's too bad the Flex didn't make it, but for those of us who own them we are very loyal! PS: I also tow mine four-wheels-down behind my motorhome, have probably towed 50K miles over the years, it's the easiest thing to hook up, put in neutral, and go!
@davidkropp1580 that between 2liter v6 twinturbo and 3liter v6 twinturbo Bhp between 200bhp and 400bhp + Not bad for a Ford flex Shame it didn't have a 2liter v8 twinturbo or 2liter v10 twinturbo setup 2liter v10 good enough to pull even it was small block engine and 200bhp to 1000bhp I just guess it bjp with twinturbo v10 2liter engine But if it had 2liter to 2.5liter inline 5 I sure 200bhp to 1000bhp mark very good That gives the torque enough power to handle towing capacity Anything more than v6 cylinder has better torque power.
The Flex was screaming for a plastic woody "Country Squire" package from the Ford factory, with wire wheels and whitewalls. That option could have raised the profile of the Flex while capitalizing on its Big Wagon overall looks. Ford in the '70's used to have fun with seasonal "Special Edition" cars and trucks using unique colors and interior décor. The Flex always looked like a vehicle ready to have fun but Ford is a different company in the 21st century. If you want fun - try the aftermarket outfitters.
@@AlphaShark Your sense of timing is spot on, the "fake woody" wrap gained fans after the introduction of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. According to users on the official Ford Forum, even today wood wraps for the Flex never really caught on: i.pinimg.com/736x/0b/b0/c4/0bb0c4756213870ab4c49a985f9a02ca.jpg
My mother has had 2 of these since release. First a 2009 model which got me to and from hockey daily for about ~130k miles. Then she got a 2014 model which is still running today with nearly 170k miles. Hasn’t been too much trouble, especially considering the way my mother drives (like an absolute bat out of hell). We hope it keeps on going strong. I will always remember these cars, it’s what I took my drivers test in!
We owned a 2015 Flex Limited. It was a good car, very well equipped. My only issue was the insane repair cost of nearly $2600 for a failed water pump at 94,000 miles.
I just came to learn a little bit more about this vehicle and the end threw me off a bit but honestly I think it’s really need what you’re doing and appreciate that you insert verses and prayer into your videos. I’m subscribing just for that. Good luck in the future!
Back a few years ago, I had my F-350 in for service at the dealership. They gave me the keys to a new Ford Flex (2018). I must say that I was extremely impressed not only for its sleek, unusual, exterior design, but more so for its wonderful ride/drive quality. Once inside and underway, I actually thought this car/suv/station wagon could easily be a Lincoln. Its interior fit and finish put any competitor in the weeds. The Flex they gave me was loaded with every option. Very quiet inside. Incredible power from the Ecoboost engine that felt like a V8 under the hood. I absolutely can not understand why anyone would not want to buy a Flex over some vanilla, look-a-like, SUV. I think Ford made a mistake. If I had a family, I would have purchased a Flex. They are totally cool.
I got my wife the Lincoln MKT Ecoboost (Basically a rebadged Flex) she loves it and she doesn’t want to trade it in. Looks great in pearl white and it’s quite quick
My mother drives a 2012 Flex and loves it. Probably the most comfortable car we’ve ever owned and it was a great road trip car. She’s probably going to drive it until the wheels fall off
It should be mentioned here that the 2011 Ford Explorer rode on essentially the same platform as the flex with the same power train options. It should also be mentioned here that the flex because of that boxy shape actually had more interior space than the 2011 Explorer. The flex replaced the Ford freestyle/Taurus X, and like that vehicle, people I have known that have owned a flex love it and would not trade it for anything. The Dura tech 35 or cyclone engine as it was known, had a fatal flaw though. It had a water pump that was internal to the crank case of the engine, and if that water pump would go to leaking, it would turn your oil into forbidden milkshake. And so because of this, a lot of people when they were told it was time to change the water pump and they were given the bill would say they were just going to sell the vehicle or trade it off rather than pay the cost at the time. I don’t think the eco-boost engine had this design, correct me if I’m wrong, but I know both the Dura tech 35 and Dura tech 37 both have that design. Another engine that has this design is the Nissan VQ series engines. But anyway, back to the flex, a feature that was not mentioned here that was a pretty neat, although quite gimmicky thing, was that on the upper trims, the power rear seats could be folded flat and all, but they had a third setting where the seats would tilt backwards and then you could sit on them For tailgating and such. I think there may have even been away to control the audio system back there, correct me if I’m wrong there, I think the Ford Explorer may have had the same feature, but I’m not sure about that either. There was also a Lincoln version of the flex called the MKT. I think it had a little less boxy styling, but it definitely had its own look to it as well.
@@AlphaShark I enjoy your videos. Also think it is cool that you’re a Christian :-) I’m also very much a car guy and a Christian. I’m also funny enough into musical keyboards and synthesizer as I’ve been the keyboard player often on for some local worship teams in my area.I worked part time as a person that did inspections for a dealership so I’ve been around all kinds of cool cars :-)
@@colbywalsh4610 we had a freestyle , the most problematic thing in 200k miles of ownership was the scroll valve in the AC going south every 2 yrs. to replace it you had to pump down the AC, remove two 10mm bolts and a cover, pop out the brass disk , pop in a new one, seal it up, pull vacuum and refill with refrigerant. Ford's recommendation was full compressor replacement. The Taurus X was discontinued because it was effectively stealing market from the Explorer.
@@colbywalsh4610 the ecoboost has the same internal water pump as the NA. I had to have mine replaced and it was very expensive along with timing chain parts. I had the power third row but it was broken so I removed it to gain more space.
I have owned my Lincoln MKT for just over a year now, I adore it. I know I get repeated comments about driving what typically gets turned into a hearse but I love my MKT. Around town I average 18 mpg, while on extensive roadtrips on interstate at 70 MPH I'm averaging 21 to 23 MPG with the EcoBoost. Plus, I can fit my 6'5" 480 pound butt in the ample first and second row. I tried the third row but it was hysterical 🤣 It's been excellent in snow and ice conditions. The traction control isn't as intrusive as other Ford models, meaning I can make progress more swiftly than waiting for the Ford system to stop freaking out over ice.
I bought a new top trim 2018 Limited model and drove it for five years. The Flex is a very comfortable vehicle with great headroom and handles well.. Unfortunately, that Eco-boost V6 is very thirsty. I averaged a pathetic 16 mpg, and I don't drive aggressively. The build quality was not great, either, with body panel gaps being very irregular. I had zero mechanical issues with the car. A year and a half ago I traded it in on a new Toyota Highlander. The build quality issues really bothered me on the Flex.
We bought a new 2012 limited and owned until it was totalled in 2019. My wife initially hated the looks when we looked at them in the showroom, but eventually loved it because of the room, comfort, safety and peppy twin turbo. Those wide front seats and tons of legroom in the second row were equally enjoyed.
I was chauffeured in a Ford Flex once because my F-150 was in for service. I was shocked at how comfortable the backseat was and the ride quality seemed nice. Sad this model didn’t make it!
The very first time I viewed the latest generation of the Santa Fe, the Ford Flex immediately came to minid. Yes, perhaps, it was ahead of its time. I also suspect that it's 5.9" ground clearance and having all-wheel drive only as an option - worked against the Flex's popularity. Great job on the history lesson!
I rented a Limited with the dual sunroofs years ago. I drove it over the Rockies on a 2600 km road trip. It was a good driver. Our only concern was that the AC didn't make it to the 3rd row seats
Had a 2009 and then traded it in for a 2016 which we still own. Have had the overly priced water pump repair done on it. Other than that it has been a great vehicle and I am sure we will keep for a few more years. Very roomy. Comfortable ride and for the most part, dependable.
Oh man, I worked in IT for two years working for the city. After prepping computers, my partner and I would have to deliver and setup said computers throughout the city. We were given a Ford Flex to make our deployments. Given it was a base model at was okay in the city. On the highway it felt like pushing a brick through the wind. Lol! Great video
My dad was car shopping for an SUV at a Ford dealership in 2009 right when the Flex came out, and the dealership desperately wanted to sell him one of these. Unfortunately it way bigger than what he wanted, and far out of his budget. Instead, he ended up buying a 2008 Ford Edge that had been sitting on the lot for a discount.
The first thing that came to mind even before I got to the end of this video was “That’s the car that Will Farrell drove in Daddy’s Home” low and behold you mentioned it
dude! it's a station wagon and i love the way it looks. but i'm a 70s kid and think wagons are sexy. these things still have a high resale value. i want to buy one but won't pay $5K for it. if i could get one that needs some work for say $2k, ill snatch it up. i'm an auto tech so repairs would not be a problem. thanks for the video.
Probably the Flex has more room than 90% of most SUV. Flexes have always been rare in my area, so I notice them when see one. About 3-4 years ago I was talking a walk to my lunch spot and saw a Flex driving by, even back then they were rare. To my surprise, I saw another one drive by not a minute later. It's vanity licence plate read "Reflex". I thought that was pretty cool.
There's no way you just used the McGee and Me theme song ( 4:01 )! We're you forced to watch it as a kid in church too? 😂 The intro was so bad ass at the time and still is!
Dude you're the first person to pick up the McGee and Me theme song!! Crazy story time, so yes I did grow up with McGee and Me and Adventures in Oddysey, stuff like that. (Though I wasn't forced to watch it, I enjoyed it) and so when I was creating my bumpers I was trying to think of a good 80's tune to throw on there, and McGee and Me came to mind! But I wasn't sure about copyright and my Mom always taught me "it never hurts to ask" so I emailed James Covell the guy that created the McGee and Me theme song and I showed him what I was doing and he gave me his blessing to use the music and just tag him in the description! 😂
The vampires on What We Do In The Shadows have a Flex in the earlier seasons. Though they don’t advertise it, but they did actually leave the Ford emblem visible.
YOU... who not only did not deny him, but pronounced him ...BE BLESSED WITH EVEN MORE CONFIDENCE, CONTENTMENT, WISDOM, POWER, HUMILITY, AND TRUE JOY... in Jesus name. 👍🏾🙏🏾👊🏾
I remember when the Flex came out, and i saw it in a dealership showroom. It was black and to me looked like a hearse. The salesman didn't like it when i asked if it came with the optional coffin.😂
These are pretty good. My only complaint is the black plastic trim pieces on the outside on ours tend to come off. And they're not cheap to replace either. After a few times of this happening on the driver's door and the driver-side rear door, we just said screw it. It's just cosmetic anyway, and we have the numerical lock held down with duct tape.
@josephj.6478 oh yeah, for sure. I hate to admit it, but I've tested its limits. I've done 85mph on 55mph turns and reached 110mph top speed in less than a mile and a half.
Both V6 engines have a water pump problem that can be costly to fix. If the car is low mileage, it should be fine but as they get older and rack up miles I would look out for ones that have been replaced. Transmission servicing is also important as those that haven't been serviced start to see issues around 120,000 miles. Other than that they're solid cars.
these were basically a continuation of the county squire. people that used them seem to really like them. the styling was kinda odd but they were a comfortable three row with east step-in. I don't know, I still like them? As long as you bought a good car that didn't have engine issues I think these were great family cars.
Actually no. The Maverick is built on the C2 platform which also gives us the Focus and Escape to name a few. The Flex was built on the D4 platform which is shared with The Explorer and Lincoln MKT
My mom had one of these. It was nice, and she needed the third row seating. Traded it in for an Expedition EL. It was nice that it was small, especially since it was originally owned in Philadelphia. Really made sense there, but it was impractical for Colorado, so she got the Expedition. Sadly, she recently made the mistake of buying a Tesla. The interior feels like garbage in my opinion in that thing and the suspension is way too stiff for no reason.
@@AlphaShark We had a tt in my family new and it encouraged our neighbors to get a similar one but non turbo. Ours failed after a year and a half due to a leaking water pump in a newish vehicle. My dad had to drive from Portland OR to Eugene at least twice a week and after he went and had the water pump replaced it lasted two days before a flashing check engine light and smoke coming out the tailpipe. He traded the car due to lack of time to deal with ( We loved everything else about the car). The neighbors however still to this day have their flex with over 200k. Its dinged up but that's not the cars fault. So I guess mine is more from my dads experience and speaking with other owners during his ownership that solidified my opinion on the Duratech being solid. Especially considering the neighbor drives like a he stole it lol
We had a Flex. It was my wife's car. We kept it about a year. It was nice but the third row seat was useless. Way too small for everyone excepts the youngest of kids. I realized that, as my sons grew, the family wouldn't fit into this car despite its overall size. We traded it in for a minivan. The van wasn't as nice, we bought a base level one, but it was much more practical. We only just traded that van in earlier this year after nearly a decade.
I’m on it Elijah! And I’ll pray that even if it does come to pass that you do lose it, that God will provide an even better job beyond your wildest dreams.
Ford killed the Flex when they killed the Taurus upon which they shared a platform. Still a great car. I inherited my mom's 2015 Limited EcoBoost Flex as my first car when she ironically upgraded to an explorer. I saved up all summer at my job and purchased a Livernois ECU tune and an intake for like $700 and it made all the turbo noises and after that my mom wagon was the fastest car at my high school and it was not close.
It was based on the Freestyle, without that horrible cvt , which was based on the xc70 ( ford owned volvo at that time) . The funny thing is the Flex is all straight edges , while the edge (same chassis) is all curves
@AlphaShark fords goofball naming conventions. F model names were cars (Fusion, Focus etc) and SUVs were Es (Expedition. Explorer, Excursion). But there were so many exceptions like Mustang
I have always thought these were so interesting but when I tried to find a car review a few years ago I couldn't find any really worthwile. Just got here. But I suspect they have a lot of problems. Every Ford Ive encountered from the last 15 years has been very sub par. But I still think the Flex is neat. One of the most forgotten cars ever.
The whole reason I made this video is because there wasn’t any history videos on it! I love finding a gap in the market and creating videos based on that. This actually had fairly good reliability ratings from what I saw online! This particular Flex in the video has 150k+ miles with no issues (which is nothing for a Toyota, but pretty impressive for a Ford)
I liked the design of the Flex. It was a modern take on the station wagon. Ford didn't leverage the boxy space as much as they should've. They should've created an executive version with first class seating and amenities. A camping version. A more off-road version. A more family oriented version with some type of stow and go. A sporty SHO version with the Ecoboost and AWD. It's a shame they fell asleep on it. A friend had one with 300k miles, and it died, and he made a mortuary post for it. 😂
I wouldn't have minded a Flex, but they were always a bit overpriced. Even today, the used ones have a high price tag. It's too bad, really. The Flex is one of the very few modern vehicles that aren't embarrassing to be seen in. The proportions are nice (though, the rims could have been smaller, to allow for more sidewall, thus accommodating a smoother ride), it wasn't cartoonishly pointy, and generally had a mature look to it; something a grown up would drive. There should have been a V8 option, though.
parked next to one of these this morning, and i don't hate them. just couldn't remember what the hell it was called, and i didn't care enough to look at the plate when i walked past. i did know it was a ford
I heard he drove an Accord. John 8:42: "I came not of my own accord, but he sent me". And with the whole 5 loaves and 2 fish, I wouldn't be surprised if he fit all 12 in.
Anybody else been having trouble with youtube not playing videos right lately? Like if you pause something then it won't let you play, or if you turn your phone from landscape to portrait while a video is playing it automatically pauses and won't resume until turned back to landscape again?
@AlphaShark 2liter v8 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger might be goid 2liter v10 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger 2liter v12 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger 2liter v14 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger 2liter v16 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger Or 5liter v6 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger To 8liter v6 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger More engine choice means could help the people in each market So customers who want a flex can choose from a budget they can afford
I'm not an SUV guy but I always thought these looked pretty good. I also thought the name Flex didn't really fit. Being so angular, this should have been called the Edge, and the Edge should have been called the Flex. I mean both names are pretty lame but at least that would have made more sense.
I always do a scripture reading, and sometimes when talking about a vehicles history, I do not get to every single feature. I just cover the wide details.
Help me reach 30,000 subscribers by the end of the year! If you liked this video hitting subscribe would help me so much! 🎉🎉
I've owned 2 of these, a 2013 that I drove to 150K miles, and now a 2018. Both with the twin-turbo V6 engine. Very powerful, quiet, swallows cargo like crazy, handles well, lower climb-in height and good tech (even the 2013 had adaptive cruise). It's too bad the Flex didn't make it, but for those of us who own them we are very loyal! PS: I also tow mine four-wheels-down behind my motorhome, have probably towed 50K miles over the years, it's the easiest thing to hook up, put in neutral, and go!
@@davidkropp1580 twinturbo v6 that between 2liter and 8liter v6
Mpg?
Very powerful, quiet, swallows cargo like crazy, handles well, lower climb-in height ... your mom or your car?
@davidkropp1580 that between 2liter v6 twinturbo and 3liter v6 twinturbo
Bhp between 200bhp and 400bhp +
Not bad for a Ford flex
Shame it didn't have a 2liter v8 twinturbo or 2liter v10 twinturbo setup
2liter v10 good enough to pull even it was small block engine and 200bhp to 1000bhp
I just guess it bjp with twinturbo v10 2liter engine
But if it had 2liter to 2.5liter inline 5 I sure 200bhp to 1000bhp mark very good
That gives the torque enough power to handle towing capacity
Anything more than v6 cylinder has better torque power.
The way I smiled when you said please leave prayer request in the comments!!!! I’ve NEVER EVER heard that before on UA-cam!!!! God bless you bro!!!!
I’m not your everyday car reviewer 😊
My 2012 has over 400k miles and is still going strong!
That’s absolutely incredible! Is it the EcoBoost or the regular V6?
@@AlphaShark The regular 3.5L, but I have been thinking about buying a 2018 or '19 with the Ecoboost.
I think that non-ecoboost seems to be the best engine that was ever in this!
The Flex was screaming for a plastic woody "Country Squire" package from the Ford factory, with wire wheels and whitewalls. That option could have raised the profile of the Flex while capitalizing on its Big Wagon overall looks. Ford in the '70's used to have fun with seasonal "Special Edition" cars and trucks using unique colors and interior décor. The Flex always looked like a vehicle ready to have fun but Ford is a different company in the 21st century. If you want fun - try the aftermarket outfitters.
I wonder in 2010 if that would’ve sold though, I know now it may have! But 14 years ago, I don’t think that was really in.
@@AlphaShark Your sense of timing is spot on, the "fake woody" wrap gained fans after the introduction of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. According to users on the official Ford Forum, even today wood wraps for the Flex never really caught on: i.pinimg.com/736x/0b/b0/c4/0bb0c4756213870ab4c49a985f9a02ca.jpg
My mother has had 2 of these since release. First a 2009 model which got me to and from hockey daily for about ~130k miles. Then she got a 2014 model which is still running today with nearly 170k miles. Hasn’t been too much trouble, especially considering the way my mother drives (like an absolute bat out of hell). We hope it keeps on going strong. I will always remember these cars, it’s what I took my drivers test in!
We owned a 2015 Flex Limited. It was a good car, very well equipped. My only issue was the insane repair cost of nearly $2600 for a failed water pump at 94,000 miles.
Yes I’ve seen a lot of comments about the water pump!!
your description of the rear cup holders opening earned you a like 🤣
I just came to learn a little bit more about this vehicle and the end threw me off a bit but honestly I think it’s really need what you’re doing and appreciate that you insert verses and prayer into your videos. I’m subscribing just for that. Good luck in the future!
Dude yes, I've always loved the look of these as well as the Honda Crosstour and Toyota Venza. Never owned any though
My mother in law has a limited. Really nice, comfortable car.
I always liked the look of the flex. It reminds me of a station wagon, it would look great with wood paneling on the side and wire wheel hubcaps.
Yes a lot of people have mentioned that!
Back a few years ago, I had my F-350 in for service at the dealership. They gave me the keys to a new Ford Flex (2018). I must say that I was extremely impressed not only for its sleek, unusual, exterior design, but more so for its wonderful ride/drive quality. Once inside and underway, I actually thought this car/suv/station wagon could easily be a Lincoln. Its interior fit and finish put any competitor in the weeds. The Flex they gave me was loaded with every option. Very quiet inside. Incredible power from the Ecoboost engine that felt like a V8 under the hood.
I absolutely can not understand why anyone would not want to buy a Flex over some vanilla, look-a-like, SUV. I think Ford made a mistake. If I had a family, I would have purchased a Flex. They are totally cool.
I think Ford would’ve kept it going if the sales had been there!
Ive had a 2009 Flex and now have a 2018. I love the Flex and sad they stopped making them.
We have a 2019 and we really like it. Not planning on parting with it anytime soon.
I've never seen your channel before this video and I did not expect the closing segment on a car channel. I appreciate that concept man, God Bless!!!
I got my wife the Lincoln MKT Ecoboost (Basically a rebadged Flex) she loves it and she doesn’t want to trade it in. Looks great in pearl white and it’s quite quick
I regret not mentioning the MKT in this video!
My mother drives a 2012 Flex and loves it. Probably the most comfortable car we’ve ever owned and it was a great road trip car. She’s probably going to drive it until the wheels fall off
It should be mentioned here that the 2011 Ford Explorer rode on essentially the same platform as the flex with the same power train options. It should also be mentioned here that the flex because of that boxy shape actually had more interior space than the 2011 Explorer. The flex replaced the Ford freestyle/Taurus X, and like that vehicle, people I have known that have owned a flex love it and would not trade it for anything. The Dura tech 35 or cyclone engine as it was known, had a fatal flaw though. It had a water pump that was internal to the crank case of the engine, and if that water pump would go to leaking, it would turn your oil into forbidden milkshake. And so because of this, a lot of people when they were told it was time to change the water pump and they were given the bill would say they were just going to sell the vehicle or trade it off rather than pay the cost at the time. I don’t think the eco-boost engine had this design, correct me if I’m wrong, but I know both the Dura tech 35 and Dura tech 37 both have that design. Another engine that has this design is the Nissan VQ series engines. But anyway, back to the flex, a feature that was not mentioned here that was a pretty neat, although quite gimmicky thing, was that on the upper trims, the power rear seats could be folded flat and all, but they had a third setting where the seats would tilt backwards and then you could sit on them For tailgating and such. I think there may have even been away to control the audio system back there, correct me if I’m wrong there, I think the Ford Explorer may have had the same feature, but I’m not sure about that either. There was also a Lincoln version of the flex called the MKT. I think it had a little less boxy styling, but it definitely had its own look to it as well.
Very thorough, thank you for the additional details.
@@AlphaShark I enjoy your videos. Also think it is cool that you’re a Christian :-) I’m also very much a car guy and a Christian. I’m also funny enough into musical keyboards and synthesizer as I’ve been the keyboard player often on for some local worship teams in my area.I worked part time as a person that did inspections for a dealership so I’ve been around all kinds of cool cars :-)
@@colbywalsh4610 we had a freestyle , the most problematic thing in 200k miles of ownership was the scroll valve in the AC going south every 2 yrs. to replace it you had to pump down the AC, remove two 10mm bolts and a cover, pop out the brass disk , pop in a new one, seal it up, pull vacuum and refill with refrigerant. Ford's recommendation was full compressor replacement. The Taurus X was discontinued because it was effectively stealing market from the Explorer.
I have a 1996 Nissan Maxima with that stupid internal water pump. The shop wanted $3000 to replace it. My friend and I did it in 10 hours.
@@colbywalsh4610 the ecoboost has the same internal water pump as the NA. I had to have mine replaced and it was very expensive along with timing chain parts. I had the power third row but it was broken so I removed it to gain more space.
Honestly love the reading at the end I'll come back and follow you for that as well as a great summary
I have owned my Lincoln MKT for just over a year now, I adore it. I know I get repeated comments about driving what typically gets turned into a hearse but I love my MKT.
Around town I average 18 mpg, while on extensive roadtrips on interstate at 70 MPH I'm averaging 21 to 23 MPG with the EcoBoost.
Plus, I can fit my 6'5" 480 pound butt in the ample first and second row. I tried the third row but it was hysterical 🤣
It's been excellent in snow and ice conditions. The traction control isn't as intrusive as other Ford models, meaning I can make progress more swiftly than waiting for the Ford system to stop freaking out over ice.
I bought a new top trim 2018 Limited model and drove it for five years. The Flex is a very comfortable vehicle with great headroom and handles well.. Unfortunately, that Eco-boost V6 is very thirsty. I averaged a pathetic 16 mpg, and I don't drive aggressively. The build quality was not great, either, with body panel gaps being very irregular. I had zero mechanical issues with the car. A year and a half ago I traded it in on a new Toyota Highlander. The build quality issues really bothered me on the Flex.
That’s something that’s really important!
We bought a new 2012 limited and owned until it was totalled in 2019. My wife initially hated the looks when we looked at them in the showroom, but eventually loved it because of the room, comfort, safety and peppy twin turbo. Those wide front seats and tons of legroom in the second row were equally enjoyed.
I was chauffeured in a Ford Flex once because my F-150 was in for service. I was shocked at how comfortable the backseat was and the ride quality seemed nice. Sad this model didn’t make it!
The very first time I viewed the latest generation of the Santa Fe, the Ford Flex immediately came to minid. Yes, perhaps, it was ahead of its time. I also suspect that it's 5.9" ground clearance and having all-wheel drive only as an option - worked against the Flex's popularity. Great job on the history lesson!
God Bless you brother!
I still see lots of Flexes here in SE Wisconsin. They definitely have a loyal following over here.
I rented a Limited with the dual sunroofs years ago. I drove it over the Rockies on a 2600 km road trip. It was a good driver. Our only concern was that the AC didn't make it to the 3rd row seats
God bless you brother!!
I have a 2011 Limited that has every option except the ecoboost. Absolutely love the car!
Awesome!
Had a 2009 and then traded it in for a 2016 which we still own. Have had the overly priced water pump repair done on it. Other than that it has been a great vehicle and I am sure we will keep for a few more years. Very roomy. Comfortable ride and for the most part, dependable.
I always thought the flex was always too big, I’ll keep my xB.
Oh man, I worked in IT for two years working for the city. After prepping computers, my partner and I would have to deliver and setup said computers throughout the city. We were given a Ford Flex to make our deployments. Given it was a base model at was okay in the city. On the highway it felt like pushing a brick through the wind. Lol! Great video
Ahh yes, the ford taurus x, the freestyle and the Taurus wagon from the 90s and 2000s
My dad was car shopping for an SUV at a Ford dealership in 2009 right when the Flex came out, and the dealership desperately wanted to sell him one of these. Unfortunately it way bigger than what he wanted, and far out of his budget. Instead, he ended up buying a 2008 Ford Edge that had been sitting on the lot for a discount.
The first thing that came to mind even before I got to the end of this video was “That’s the car that Will Farrell drove in Daddy’s Home” low and behold you mentioned it
I couldn’t not.
dude! it's a station wagon and i love the way it looks. but i'm a 70s kid and think wagons are sexy. these things still have a high resale value. i want to buy one but won't pay $5K for it. if i could get one that needs some work for say $2k, ill snatch it up. i'm an auto tech so repairs would not be a problem. thanks for the video.
Even for $5k I feel like that’s a steal! Keep me updated if you ever find one for $2k!! That’d be a wild deal. No problem!
Reminds me of the Honda Element
They had the eco boost? Go fig! Great video. Be blessed and have a blessed day.
I love this car and I’ve never been in one or driven one but I love the idea of the car and it’s a sleeper
I wanted to get one. I liked the 2013 Taurus, and I think the consoles were similar
Taurus is on the same platform!
Probably the Flex has more room than 90% of most SUV. Flexes have always been rare in my area, so I notice them when see one. About 3-4 years ago I was talking a walk to my lunch spot and saw a Flex driving by, even back then they were rare. To my surprise, I saw another one drive by not a minute later. It's vanity licence plate read "Reflex". I thought that was pretty cool.
My dad leased 4 of these things. They're pretty solid cars that I think have aged well for a mid-size crossover.
Four of them? That is wild!!
Watched this video and now I keep seeing them all over the place.
You're welcome
They are relatively uncommon compared to other models on the road but the unique body styling stands out.
I really dig the boxy design 📦
Yeah I feel like it’s coming back! Boxy is in right now
I find it funny how the station wagon segment died off and then came back as the "crossover"
Sneaky sneaky
Thanks You for the pray. Sometimes, thats something we need. Thanks
I love the Flex. If I absolutely needed a minivan at the time, I would have been all over it. I still want one but have no need, sadly.
I always thought this car was shaped like a hearse
There's no way you just used the McGee and Me theme song ( 4:01 )! We're you forced to watch it as a kid in church too? 😂
The intro was so bad ass at the time and still is!
Dude you're the first person to pick up the McGee and Me theme song!! Crazy story time, so yes I did grow up with McGee and Me and Adventures in Oddysey, stuff like that. (Though I wasn't forced to watch it, I enjoyed it) and so when I was creating my bumpers I was trying to think of a good 80's tune to throw on there, and McGee and Me came to mind! But I wasn't sure about copyright and my Mom always taught me "it never hurts to ask" so I emailed James Covell the guy that created the McGee and Me theme song and I showed him what I was doing and he gave me his blessing to use the music and just tag him in the description! 😂
The vampires on What We Do In The Shadows have a Flex in the earlier seasons. Though they don’t advertise it, but they did actually leave the Ford emblem visible.
If they left it visible they paid to do that. So it was a sponsor, maybe just not outright
YOU... who not only did not
deny him, but pronounced
him ...BE BLESSED WITH
EVEN MORE CONFIDENCE,
CONTENTMENT, WISDOM,
POWER, HUMILITY, AND
TRUE JOY... in Jesus name.
👍🏾🙏🏾👊🏾
I remember when the Flex came out, and i saw it in a dealership showroom. It was black and to me looked like a hearse. The salesman didn't like it when i asked if it came with the optional coffin.😂
Dyk if the reliability was alright on these? Looking at some used
I’d go to carcomplaints.com to check specifics, but I believe these were pretty solid!
These are pretty good. My only complaint is the black plastic trim pieces on the outside on ours tend to come off. And they're not cheap to replace either. After a few times of this happening on the driver's door and the driver-side rear door, we just said screw it. It's just cosmetic anyway, and we have the numerical lock held down with duct tape.
@ogshotglass9291 good info, ty. Does it handle alright and move well enough for it's engine/weight?
@josephj.6478 oh yeah, for sure. I hate to admit it, but I've tested its limits. I've done 85mph on 55mph turns and reached 110mph top speed in less than a mile and a half.
Both V6 engines have a water pump problem that can be costly to fix. If the car is low mileage, it should be fine but as they get older and rack up miles I would look out for ones that have been replaced. Transmission servicing is also important as those that haven't been serviced start to see issues around 120,000 miles. Other than that they're solid cars.
The shortly ran Flex Titaniums are DIFFICULT to find these days.
My gf has a 2017 flex limited. It’s actually a nice ride.
these were basically a continuation of the county squire. people that used them seem to really like them. the styling was kinda odd but they were a comfortable three row with east step-in. I don't know, I still like them? As long as you bought a good car that didn't have engine issues I think these were great family cars.
I totally agree, people that owned them seemed to really think they were sweet
I bought a maverick and just realized it's actually the pickup version of the Flex. That's why they call the bed a "Flexbed". 😅
Actually no. The Maverick is built on the C2 platform which also gives us the Focus and Escape to name a few. The Flex was built on the D4 platform which is shared with The Explorer and Lincoln MKT
I think 35donner was joking haha
My mom had one of these. It was nice, and she needed the third row seating. Traded it in for an Expedition EL. It was nice that it was small, especially since it was originally owned in Philadelphia. Really made sense there, but it was impractical for Colorado, so she got the Expedition. Sadly, she recently made the mistake of buying a Tesla. The interior feels like garbage in my opinion in that thing and the suspension is way too stiff for no reason.
Yeah it seems a lot of Teslas build quality is questionable.
My neighbor had one of these cars.
Everyone knew someone that had one! They stood out on the road!
The Duratech version is awesome. The TT is so unreliable its sad. Awesome looking car and actually pretty comfortable.
That’s fascinating because I’ve seen more comments about the reliability of the TT!
@@AlphaShark We had a tt in my family new and it encouraged our neighbors to get a similar one but non turbo. Ours failed after a year and a half due to a leaking water pump in a newish vehicle. My dad had to drive from Portland OR to Eugene at least twice a week and after he went and had the water pump replaced it lasted two days before a flashing check engine light and smoke coming out the tailpipe. He traded the car due to lack of time to deal with ( We loved everything else about the car). The neighbors however still to this day have their flex with over 200k. Its dinged up but that's not the cars fault. So I guess mine is more from my dads experience and speaking with other owners during his ownership that solidified my opinion on the Duratech being solid. Especially considering the neighbor drives like a he stole it lol
You probably drove too long after overheating it when the water pump went out
@@butterbeantx Probably but that was the last straw for my father and he traded it in so it wasn't fixed for us to know.
We had a Flex. It was my wife's car. We kept it about a year. It was nice but the third row seat was useless. Way too small for everyone excepts the youngest of kids. I realized that, as my sons grew, the family wouldn't fit into this car despite its overall size. We traded it in for a minivan. The van wasn't as nice, we bought a base level one, but it was much more practical. We only just traded that van in earlier this year after nearly a decade.
That’s fair!
The Toyota Highlander owned that family SUV space selling around 100k units a year. The Flex was a little too odd to get anywhere near that number.
Exactly, it was simply too bizarre at the time it released
i love my grandmas ford flex
The should have put the bullet proof 2v 4.6 in the fkex or even the 5.0.
🙏🏻 that I don’t lose my job
I’m on it Elijah! And I’ll pray that even if it does come to pass that you do lose it, that God will provide an even better job beyond your wildest dreams.
Ford killed the Flex when they killed the Taurus upon which they shared a platform. Still a great car. I inherited my mom's 2015 Limited EcoBoost Flex as my first car when she ironically upgraded to an explorer. I saved up all summer at my job and purchased a Livernois ECU tune and an intake for like $700 and it made all the turbo noises and after that my mom wagon was the fastest car at my high school and it was not close.
It was based on the Freestyle, without that horrible cvt , which was based on the xc70 ( ford owned volvo at that time) . The funny thing is the Flex is all straight edges , while the edge (same chassis) is all curves
I’ve heard a few comments say that! Isn’t that ridiculous?
@AlphaShark fords goofball naming conventions. F model names were cars (Fusion, Focus etc) and SUVs were Es (Expedition. Explorer, Excursion). But there were so many exceptions like Mustang
Well I’m sure Mustang was named well before they decided to do that naming convention.
@@AlphaShark even back in the day. Fairlane & Falcon existed with Mustang and LTD, more modern era saw the Probe , but that existed with the Festiva
I have always thought these were so interesting but when I tried to find a car review a few years ago I couldn't find any really worthwile.
Just got here. But I suspect they have a lot of problems. Every Ford Ive encountered from the last 15 years has been very sub par.
But I still think the Flex is neat. One of the most forgotten cars ever.
The whole reason I made this video is because there wasn’t any history videos on it! I love finding a gap in the market and creating videos based on that. This actually had fairly good reliability ratings from what I saw online! This particular Flex in the video has 150k+ miles with no issues (which is nothing for a Toyota, but pretty impressive for a Ford)
To me the new bronco sport looks like a rebadged ford flex
When I see the success of the new Sante Fe I also thought the Flex came out a decade too early.
I considered it a FWD modern day station wagon rather than an SUV
Well yeah, but Ford still marketed and sold it as an SUV.
It's a Ford box vehicle on wheels thing.
I liked the design of the Flex. It was a modern take on the station wagon. Ford didn't leverage the boxy space as much as they should've. They should've created an executive version with first class seating and amenities. A camping version. A more off-road version. A more family oriented version with some type of stow and go. A sporty SHO version with the Ecoboost and AWD. It's a shame they fell asleep on it. A friend had one with 300k miles, and it died, and he made a mortuary post for it. 😂
That’s so funny! But I agree, more diversity in trims really could’ve helped
I wouldn't have minded a Flex, but they were always a bit overpriced. Even today, the used ones have a high price tag.
It's too bad, really. The Flex is one of the very few modern vehicles that aren't embarrassing to be seen in. The proportions are nice (though, the rims could have been smaller, to allow for more sidewall, thus accommodating a smoother ride), it wasn't cartoonishly pointy, and generally had a mature look to it; something a grown up would drive.
There should have been a V8 option, though.
parked next to one of these this morning, and i don't hate them. just couldn't remember what the hell it was called, and i didn't care enough to look at the plate when i walked past. i did know it was a ford
Yessssss
After all of the failing sales and after is was discontinued I’ve seen so many of these
Isn’t that funny!? I’ve seen a ton after doing this video. But I chalk it up to focusing so much on it for the video, that now I see them everywhere
Did this re-emerge as the Maverick?
I’d say they’re pretty different vehicles
Jesus would drive a Ford Flex, but he'd have to have two. Can't get 12 disciples into one Flex, would need an Excursion for that.
I heard he drove an Accord. John 8:42: "I came not of my own accord, but he sent me". And with the whole 5 loaves and 2 fish, I wouldn't be surprised if he fit all 12 in.
@@AlphaShark Yep, I wouldn't be surprised either.
It is a Butt-Ugly vehicle. Nuff said ! ! !
Who wrote that verse?
The Apostle John!
@ just starting to research the Bible.
If you ever have any more questions, my undergrad was in Biblical Studies so feel free to email me: alphasharkpictures@gmail.com
Anybody else been having trouble with youtube not playing videos right lately? Like if you pause something then it won't let you play, or if you turn your phone from landscape to portrait while a video is playing it automatically pauses and won't resume until turned back to landscape again?
I am not! But that’s not to say you aren’t!
@AlphaShark ya just didn't know if it was just my phone or if anyone else was. Seems like it all started after this last update of theirs.
flex thinks its a suv but its just a minivan
2:39
I belly laughed
It reminds me of the toyota bb or scion xb
Larger and bigger the. The toyota bb but with similar style and v8 instead if the inline 4
Yes I briefly made a Scion XB joke in the video, it’s very similar!
@AlphaShark
2liter v8 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger might be goid
2liter v10 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
2liter v12 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
2liter v14 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
2liter v16 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
Or
5liter v6 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
To
8liter v6 quadturbocharger or quadsupercharger
More engine choice means could help the people in each market
So customers who want a flex can choose from a budget they can afford
Just pray the timing chain doesn’t go. Have to rip the whole engine out just like in the Ford Edge
Oh shoot!
@@nicks8991 no the timing chain can be done without removing the engine on the Flex. There's more room than on other cars with this engine.
I'm not an SUV guy but I always thought these looked pretty good. I also thought the name Flex didn't really fit. Being so angular, this should have been called the Edge, and the Edge should have been called the Flex. I mean both names are pretty lame but at least that would have made more sense.
That’s actually a very clever observation!
At the time of sale, I had heard they were gas hogs
Mine only became a gas hog after 170k miles, now it gets 15mpg city. It got 18-19 before
Yeah it seemed that the longer they made these they were fairly fuel efficient
The Flex was a flex before the term "flex" even existed. 'tis shame that it didn't catch on more.
Do you think it was ever a Flex to own one though?
@@AlphaShark It's effectively.a minivan replacement. Perhaps a virility flex if you've got enough kids to fill it. 🤣
Ford tried to flex in front of the Toyota bB or Scion xB.
Didn’t turn out to be much of a flex though haha
Taurus station wagon. The End.
Isaac only loves big cars🚘
What? 😂
@AlphaShark which car you own btw??
I own a 2016 Toyota Tacoma
@@AlphaShark nice
In black???
No in grey.
Is there are reason why you skipped the useful utility and cargo of the Flex?
But somehow had time for scripture quoting??
I always do a scripture reading, and sometimes when talking about a vehicles history, I do not get to every single feature. I just cover the wide details.
@AlphaShark fair enough 👍 thx for reply
3:01 you need to go drive a 2004 Nissan Maxima
That’s fair, that sideways one is weird
I like the Lincoln MKT variant. Some say uglier, i say its more distinctive
The MKT was definitely a very unique looking vehicle!
Weird Flex but ok