I know in years past it has gotten good reviews here. My wife's 2006 GMC Envoy is getting long in the tooth at 210,000 miles and is using a about a quart of oil every 3 or 4k miles. It would likely get shuffled to a needy family member if replaced.

There is no rush but I thought now might be a good time to buy with the economic slowdown. Last production year for them was 2019 and it is pretty easy to find great prices on 2 or 3 year old low milage ones. Would want one new enough to have navigation and rear view camera.

Just a preliminary look, first I have to sell my wife on the style of them...

I've only had experience with rentals, but they were noticeably comfortable to ride 3+ hours in.

Flex was on our list because they are always highly rated.

When the time comes though I think we're going to get a Toyota Venza.

Just an idea for cross-shopping.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
Flex was on our list because they are always highly rated.

When the time comes though I think we're going to get a Toyota Venza.

Just an idea for cross-shopping.

I wish the venza was still in production.

Ours is a 2013 SEL FWD somewhere around 115k miles.

It's been mostly trouble free for us, and is pretty easy on tires.

The only things we've had to do, outside of routine maintenance: 2 batteries, ignition switch, evap valve on intake manifold.

My in-laws have a 2016 AWD SEL, keyless entry & start, so the ignition switch wouldn't have been a problem.

2016 & newer will get you Sync3, which I find to be superior over the Sync2 system in the older models.

Last I checked, very lightly used Flex Limited were available for really good prices.

After either 2014 or 2015, the EcoBoost 3.5TT V6 was only available on the Limited trim & was always only available with AWD.

We've driven ours cross-country (Houston to Albuquerque & Houston to Los Angeles) a couple times & it's never missed a beat.


Hindsight, I'd have searched a bit more & found one with the 2nd row bucket seats, instead of the bench.
It's is easily swapped, though the seats can be expensive 2nd hand.

quote:

Originally posted by eyrich:
I wish the venza was still in production.

Me too...great car. Love mine!

As to the Flex, my brother has one and absolutely loves it and would recommend it. Apparently there are some after-market gizmos you can get to modify the engine’s firmware to suit your taste. Not exactly sure what all it changes, but my brother was adamant about getting it.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:

quote:

Originally posted by eyrich:
I wish the venza was still in production.

Me too...great car. Love mine!

As to the Flex, my brother has one and absolutely loves it and would recommend it. Apparently there are some after-market gizmos you can get to modify the engine’s firmware to suit your taste. Not exactly sure what all it changes, but my brother was adamant about getting it.

Not sure about the engine, but ForScan can make software changes. There isn't a lot of documentation on it, but there is a simple menu where smaller things can be changes.

I recoded mine to use the foglights for DRLs.

Did a lot of ForScan on my F150, tons of documentation on that side. But, the modules aren't all the same between the Flex & F150, so a lot of it ins't direct crossover.

Also, if you find one with the factory tow package, it'll have trailer sway control enabled. From what I've read, it's quite difficult (probably do-able with ForScan) to enable after the fact.

Marky Mark likes it

I have a friend with a Limited with the big motor and he loves it. Near on to 75k troublefree miles.

I always thought they had a retro old school nomad look, just needed a couple of surf boards hanging out the back window, riding in a pair of Birdwells and an OP half shirt.

I drove one as a rental in Wichita in February and really enjoyed it. Felt cavernous inside.

HK Ag

I’ve only rented them & they are comfortable for long trips.

So many years ago I saw the Flex at a car show when it was a concept car/idea. I wanted one then. And still do. They have a neat retro look to them.

quote:

Originally posted by eyrich:

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
Flex was on our list because they are always highly rated.

When the time comes though I think we're going to get a Toyota Venza.

Just an idea for cross-shopping.

I wish the venza was still in production.

Allegedly the Venza will make a comeback in 2021 or 2022 from what I read.

Personally, I think they're the ugliest thing since the Pontiac Aztec, but those who've owned them largely seem to like them well enough.

quote:

Originally posted by HK Ag:
I always thought they had a retro old school nomad look

Sort of like a super-Size Mini Cooper? Peter D. Horbury, the British car designer, was in charge ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Flex

Looks like an outstanding road trip vehicle. Once I yank out and discard the 2nd row bucket seats.

Some models (maybe all) of the Flex water pumps are internal and pretty expensive to replace, FWIW.

If they fail they can leak coolant into the oil and destroy the engine.

You might do an internet search on Ford Flex water pump problems before you make a decision. Particularly buying a used one where you really may not know whether the pump was replaced when the timing belt was. If the timing belt was replaced.

https://repairpal.com/estimato...ump-replacement-cost

^^^^^
To be fair, that's not specific to the Flex. The water pump on my 1997 Toyota Corolla DX is behind the timing belt/housing. The timing belt has a replacement period of 70,000 miles, so pretty much anytime the timing belt is replaced, might as well do the water pump.

True, but I thought the OP might like to know about the issue. It was a deal breaker for us.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Some models (maybe all) of the Flex water pumps are internal and pretty expensive to replace, FWIW.

If they fail they can leak coolant into the oil and destroy the engine.

You might do an internet search on Ford Flex water pump problems before you make a decision. Particularly buying a used one where you really may not know whether the pump was replaced when the timing belt was. If the timing belt was replaced.

https://repairpal.com/estimato...ump-replacement-cost

I believe a member here posted about repairing one in an Edge. I'd assume this engine class is used in the Edge/Explorer/Flex/Taurus

IIRC, it's the Cyclone 3.5 N/A V6, and does not apply to the EcoBoost V6TT.

I'm a big guy and have wanted to sit on one. I rented a VW Atlas last year for a 2400mi over 8 days road trip and was really impressed.