Comments on: Ford announces pricing for Flex CUV

By: JackSpratt

JackSpratt — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:36:56 +0000

Quote: $29K should be the top price.

I don’t care for the desigtn.

autonut: Odessy is the second-best minivan. The Fortd E is the best van

Well Vs. minivans is one thing. As far as being a 7 seater crossover I’d compare it to the Dodge crossover in kind, and the Journey seems like a more affordable and stylish deal.

When comparing it to the Grand Caravan or something… I… won’t comment.

By: Heart64

Heart64 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:50:39 +0000

1c3d0g don’t wait too long the Edge is beating the hell out of it. Slightly smaller but plenty of cargo room and $5K less what could be better- that is more of the comparison. Flex will have its crowd to ever here of Apple people- Flex will draw in the people who want to be different, but I sincerely hope Ford has great instruments in this car to be successful.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:37:20 +0000

Ford E

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:35:52 +0000

$29K should be the top price.

I don’t care for the desigtn.

autonut: Odessy is the second-best minivan. The Fortd E is the best van

By: zoomzoomr

zoomzoomr — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:15:11 +0000

LP… if you’re flexing when cumming, there’s something wrong with your 640mm.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:21:43 +0000

Hmm…this should go head on against the Acadia. It’ll be an interesting match-up, to say the least…

By: JackSpratt

JackSpratt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Looks great, but too $$$ and not a better deal than the Journey.

By: richt62167

richt62167 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:13:53 +0000

teamfordpartsdotcom

I don’t need to work for Ford/drive the Ford Flex or be that educated to have an opinion on what I think of the Ford Flex. I do agree with you the chassis has nothing so do with the crappy/dull styling that was Fords mistake. So lets do the same mistake with the Ford Flex. Then in a couple of years we can change the name (change the grill add side vents and change the tail lights to clear and call it the “New Winstar” See a pattern here. I don’t mean to upset you with my comments. I’m just so dam tired of hearing the same sob story from Ford that there losing money, cutting jobs, because there not making any money because no one is buying there cars. Duh! if you build crap you get crap. Then they have the nerv blame us. build a Car/SUV/Minivan that people want (see euro/ausse Fords) and you might have something to sell besides a Pick Up’s and a Mustangs.

By: Heart64

Heart64 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:54:00 +0000

I think the Flex is kind of quirky in a good way- it adds pizzazz to Ford and will certainly bring in people to Ford’s Dealer show rooms, and it maybe a sleeper right but I bet ya that could turn into a hit!

It depends on how well the rest of Ford’s lineup will go.

By: 400horseSS

400horseSS — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:20:28 +0000

I love the looks but ill take one of the GM’s for the $$$$$.

By: Elvio

Elvio — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:30:21 +0000

too expensive!

By: golf4me

golf4me — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:15:34 +0000

autonut, your first paragraph is exactly what I said…

By: Flipper

Flipper — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:07:13 +0000

The reason for this vehicle is to raise the sales of the Taurus X , right? its the same chassis and it runs from $26.6>32. K. A bargain by comparison

By: jdasch1

jdasch1 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:00:11 +0000

Its cool. The 40 grand version will be less than 10 percent of the market. The 30 grand unit will sell and will get customized heavy. EcoBoost is going to rule in this class.

By: autonut

autonut — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:53:31 +0000

golf4me, the reason one Cab is pricier then another because product manager associated one Cab with higher price. the price in steel, plastic and stamp production are not as drastic as perception that market will accept and will bear the price difference. In a downturn market both models will be sold for about the same price, because trucks are extremely profitable – each truck is 10K to Ford (not dealer, FoMoCo).
Pricing and selling are birds of different feather. Here is why: Honda will sell loaded Odyssey for 40K, because all industry pundits (journalists) call it the best van. When Ford seized production of it’s van since it could not sell it any price, Honda has no problems selling Odyssey’s. To compete with better products companies use price as a factor. It is either greed or high cost of development (mismanagement) that prevents Ford from using this age proved tool. I don;t think it is a good idea, but someone at Ford does. Good luck.

By: golf4me

golf4me — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:05:53 +0000

Teamfordparts…steel and plastic are relatively cheap, and by your reasoning a base plain F150 should cost 2x as much as a Miata…but alas, it does not.

The reasons a Super Cab is more expensive than a Reg Cab are many, but the main reasons are 1) It’s more usable, more desireable to the average consumer. 2) There are additional R&D costs for each model variation, most of which are subsidized by, or passed on to, the most desireable models.(see #1) 3) there is additional cost for tooling and assembly line flexibility to produce the variation. All those are IN ADDITION to your notion of added materials, including seats, switches, safety belts, windows, hinges, doors, lights, speakers, wiring, etc., of which the raw materials cost % is miniscule in comparison.

By: Brendino

Brendino — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:13:50 +0000

LLN – can you say that this joins an ever-growing lineup of Ford CUVs if they’re getting rid of one and adding another?

As for the pricing, it certainly raises an eyebrow, but I’m sure incentives will bring it down. They’d better bring it down a lot though, cause otherwise the Traverse is gonna kill this thing when it comes out with a lower base price.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:02:30 +0000

It’s about 4k too much.

By: bigp

bigp — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:55:31 +0000

i want one in the limited with ecoboost just killing every other minivan out on the market.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:55:14 +0000

trooper1- I’m also suprised about pricing, but obviously the two cars are in two very different classes, and really in the vehicle segment it’s in, it’s not that much.

rich#- Obviously you haven’t sat in the Taurus, it’s a great car. Too bad for it’s bland styling and understated image/marketing.

howsmydriving- What about the families who carpool to school? Or someone who has a small family that needs that extra rear row occasionally, or needs to use it for storage? My current cars a station wagon- this is simply a more accessible one.

By: R1GHT30U5

R1GHT30U5 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:02:16 +0000

I think its a pretty good looking ride but that price is way too high!!! Base should be in the LOW 20s IMO. The ecoboost engine might help but that is a ways off.

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:24:12 +0000

Can’t wait to see a Flex being driven by a 16 y.o. girl, talking on her cell.
If any family needs a Flex, all I can say is: stop breeding already!!!

By: teamfordpartsdotcom

teamfordpartsdotcom — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:36:08 +0000

richt62167,

You must have driven the Flex before anyone in America to make such an educated decision. Do you work for Ford and test driving them? Also, what does a chassis have to do with the sales of a car. Just becuase the Taurus is not selling is based on styling, not it’s chassis and compenents or driving characteristics.

golf4me,

The Taurus also does not come with as much equipment as the Taurus. No vista roof, no 3rd row, no HID, no LED lights, plus just the amount of sheetmetal cost more then what the Taurus. Why do you think a Supercab truck costs more than a regular cab? It has more materials in it.

By: golf4me

golf4me — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:09:25 +0000

Way too much scratch for this, basically a Taurus wagon from Ford. Though it’s based on a Volvo platform, so is the Taurus, and you don’t see the Taurus pushing 40k. Sorry, there are way too many better alternatives for that kind of coin, the GM triplets come to mind. I really like the styling though, but there is no way I’d be able to justify to anyone I know that I paid near 40k for a Ford wagon, even though it might be somewhat in line with others that might be considered competitors. Maybe if it pleasured me while driving or something…It’s a Ford and they have to stay within the confines of what that brand is. Kinda like VW with the Phaeton, really. Great car, not right for VW branding pricewise. That’s not to say it’s not worth it, but in my mind, it just doesn’t compute.

By: richt62167

richt62167 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:55:35 +0000

teamfordpartsdotcom…… I see Mark Fields check cleard. WTF are you talking about?? First of all I would over pay for all those other Minivans even the Dodge and thats piece of ****, before I pay 10 cents for that Ford Flex/Scion XB on steroids. You say the chassis is a Taurus/500. Hmmmm wow’s that working for them they cant give those away. So i think I speek for everyone SUCK IT!! yourself

By: teamfordpartsdotcom

teamfordpartsdotcom — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:31:30 +0000

Ok, lets see.

From Edmunds.com

Honda Odessey
Touring w/PAX FWD 3.5L V6 Auto $40,610

2008 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan/Van
Limited FWD 4.0L V6 Auto $35,670

2008 Toyota Sienna Minivan/Van
Limited 7-Passenger FWD 3.5L V6 Auto $35,465
Limited 7-Passenger AWD 3.5L V6 Auto $37,665

Seems like Ford is right on the pricing in this area. You can see that most are FWD only, not AWD like the Ford in that price range. Plus you get a Vista roof, a pillarless look, SYNC, Naviagtion, power liftgate, and powerfold 2nd row seat with FOOTRESTS. Not sure what everyone is bitching about.
It’s based on the Taurus chassis, and those that do not know, but this is really a Volvo chassis. So suck it!

Also, this will have the Ecoboost a year later. I do not see one product that will come close to this when that comes out.

Why does everyone think that Fords should be priced below 20K or somehing!

By: cookie4me

cookie4me — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:28:44 +0000

I would buy a Dodge Journey before this. Even though the Journey looks like a big piece of plastic on the inside, I would buy it before this thing for the price difference ($18k vs $28k). With inflation at almost 8% a year coupled with the fact that we are staring down $4 a gallon gas prices, ppl are going to be buying for value. Kia is going to make a killing in the next two years!

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:15:18 +0000

LOL @ SwerveEarly. I’m willing to bet at least one Ford exec will stumble onto that remark and go rushing down to R&D to ask if it’s true.

By: F3INT))AP3X

F3INT))AP3X — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:04:49 +0000

Amen to that, Nothing would make me happier than to see Ford come back bigger and better than the rest

By: trooper1

trooper1 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:04:00 +0000

$40 grand for a ford. Thats all you have to think about.

By: F451

F451 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:59:03 +0000

I am truly hoping Ford has success with this vehicle like they have the Edge.

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:51:51 +0000

Isn’t it funny that the europeans and Asians can charge much more for their vehicle and people think it’s ok. I bet the VW Routan will cost as much or even more and it’s still a Chrysler. Check the price for a Honda Odyssey, Chrysler T&C, etc they are in the same ball park and non of them has AWD.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:50:40 +0000

Its a stretched/widened late 90s Fiesta platform. The V6 is a bored out version of 2.8L from 80s Ranger.

By: LexusSoarer

LexusSoarer — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:42:46 +0000

What forms the underpinnings of this vehicle? Is it a new platform?

By: trooper1

trooper1 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:40:22 +0000

Almost $40 grand for this junk? Is ford insane? The AMG C class benze seems like a total bargain at just $15 grand more and your getting a top notch ride. I know they are 2 completely different vehicles but regardless, I think Ford is greedy to charge so much for this junk. Anyone dishing out almost $40 grand plus taxes for this ford truck is truly cracked in the head.