View Poll Results: Choices
Ford Flex
3
13.04%
2016 Honda Pilot
7
30.43%
Ford Explorer
3
13.04%
Other - Specify
10
43.48%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll
3rd Row SUVs
I see them all the time out here. My sis in law bought one back in April. Granted they can fit alot of stuff in it, like a few dead bodies, but every hearse can do that.
I have a comment about the Flex, but I'll keep it to myself....
Thread Starter
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From: Spring, TX
If the Limited wasn't such a jump in price, I'd want to.
Sticker on the SEL like we'd likely want it is around $33k
Limited w/ EcoBoost is around $40k
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
A mini-van is always an alternative. But when people come on and specifically say over and over again..."No minivans" Its means they or their spouse do not want one, its not difficult to comprehend.
Its like when someone asks "what PC should I buy, and dont say get a Mac"
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Yeah...but find a 2015 model and see what ecoboost can do for you!
https://www.diablosport.com/products...-vehicles.html
https://www.diablosport.com/products...-vehicles.html
Thread Starter
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From: Spring, TX
Ex-OEM King
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From: Minnesnowta
If someone wants a car to ferry around a family of 5 and all of our sh1t in the most economical way while having an extra seat or two...then what else would you buy? It's just like saying I want to pound this nail in but I don't want to use a hammer.
Joined: May 2000
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From: where the weather suits my clothes
Not true...because again, you don't read and automatically get a burr up your butt.
A mini-van is always an alternative. But when people come on and specifically say over and over again..."No minivans" Its means they or their spouse do not want one, its not difficult to comprehend.
Its like when someone asks "what PC should I buy, and dont say get a Mac"
A mini-van is always an alternative. But when people come on and specifically say over and over again..."No minivans" Its means they or their spouse do not want one, its not difficult to comprehend.
Its like when someone asks "what PC should I buy, and dont say get a Mac"
sorry who's not reading? 
Just cause Rockyboy took over as most annoying person on the board doesn't mean you have to get your panties in a wad.
We're getting a lot closer to pulling the trigger on a new car for my wife.
2 car seats in the back of her Civic isn't fun. We had borrowed my parents' '05 4Runner for a while, & just recently swapped back.
Top contender right now is the Ford Flex SEL, she loved it when we tested it a few months ago when we first started thinking about it.
Since then, she's seen the new Pilot & surprisingly likes it too, on appearance. My only knock on the Pilot from online research is the 2nd row bucket seats is only an option on the Elite trim. It's also priced slightly higher than the Flex, but pretty in line with a mid-range '16 Explorer.
Explorer will probably get a look as well, either new or CPO.
We've tried twice to check out the Highlander & had no luck with 2 dealers, despite large inventories. First dealer wouldn't let us take it for an extended test drive (asked for an hour), 2nd (smaller) dealer we caught during some huge sale day & there was a waitlist to see a salesperson. The HR manager at my company has one & it's nice, but I prefer the Flex to the Highlander.
3rd row necessary, especially in the event we have another kid in the future. Rather not have to buy another car if/when that time comes. And my wife has a business that requires the cargo space to carry inventory, so the 3rd row down cargo space is a big plus. Her total inventory took up the majority of the 4Runner with the car seats still in.
Since we've given back the 4Runner, she's been using my '00 TL & it's full to the max.
Budget is the mid-30s
Quick online builds put us around here, MSRP:
Flex SEL: $32k
Explorer XLT: $37k
Pilot EX-L: $37k
2 car seats in the back of her Civic isn't fun. We had borrowed my parents' '05 4Runner for a while, & just recently swapped back.
Top contender right now is the Ford Flex SEL, she loved it when we tested it a few months ago when we first started thinking about it.
Since then, she's seen the new Pilot & surprisingly likes it too, on appearance. My only knock on the Pilot from online research is the 2nd row bucket seats is only an option on the Elite trim. It's also priced slightly higher than the Flex, but pretty in line with a mid-range '16 Explorer.
Explorer will probably get a look as well, either new or CPO.
We've tried twice to check out the Highlander & had no luck with 2 dealers, despite large inventories. First dealer wouldn't let us take it for an extended test drive (asked for an hour), 2nd (smaller) dealer we caught during some huge sale day & there was a waitlist to see a salesperson. The HR manager at my company has one & it's nice, but I prefer the Flex to the Highlander.
3rd row necessary, especially in the event we have another kid in the future. Rather not have to buy another car if/when that time comes. And my wife has a business that requires the cargo space to carry inventory, so the 3rd row down cargo space is a big plus. Her total inventory took up the majority of the 4Runner with the car seats still in.
Since we've given back the 4Runner, she's been using my '00 TL & it's full to the max.
Budget is the mid-30s
Quick online builds put us around here, MSRP:
Flex SEL: $32k
Explorer XLT: $37k
Pilot EX-L: $37k
Last edited by NSXNEXT; Nov 6, 2015 at 03:30 PM.
Joined: May 2000
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From: where the weather suits my clothes
Looks like ~400lb difference with hp being about the same.
Last edited by NSXNEXT; Nov 6, 2015 at 03:35 PM.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Sure but saying "I wouldn't be caught dead driving a minivan" is certainly a self esteem issue.
If someone wants a car to ferry around a family of 5 and all of our sh1t in the most economical way while having an extra seat or two...then what else would you buy? It's just like saying I want to pound this nail in but I don't want to use a hammer.
If someone wants a car to ferry around a family of 5 and all of our sh1t in the most economical way while having an extra seat or two...then what else would you buy? It's just like saying I want to pound this nail in but I don't want to use a hammer.
take everything they own everytime they go out. They even take their pillows because they are full of cash.
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From: Maryland
minivans are amazing vehicles for a family.
Everyone I know with a minivan uses them as daily drivers. Dads and Moms alike.Follow up. Drove the Pilot tonight, an EX-L with DVD & Hondasense. Rode nicely as a passenger, but we didn't love it.
Stopped by Ford afterward & checked out the Flex & Explorer, weren't too fond of the Explorer & brought a Flex home for the night. It's the clear leader, she's not too keen on the Durango.
We're having them try to locate us a Flex how we want it configured. Apparently a SEL Flex with 2nd row bucket seats is fairly uncommon. We grabbed the only one they had with leather,the other 3 were all cloth SEs.
On some of the other comments above, a Suburban is just too big & likely out of our budget. My wife would also rather walk than drive a minivan. I don't have a problem with them, but it's going to be her car.
Stopped by Ford afterward & checked out the Flex & Explorer, weren't too fond of the Explorer & brought a Flex home for the night. It's the clear leader, she's not too keen on the Durango.
We're having them try to locate us a Flex how we want it configured. Apparently a SEL Flex with 2nd row bucket seats is fairly uncommon. We grabbed the only one they had with leather,the other 3 were all cloth SEs.
On some of the other comments above, a Suburban is just too big & likely out of our budget. My wife would also rather walk than drive a minivan. I don't have a problem with them, but it's going to be her car.
Thanks again for all the comments & suggestions.
Minivan is a complete no-go. Wife just hates them, I've got nothing against them.
Suburban likely wouldn't fit in our garage & starts at nearly $20k over the Flex we're in right now.
She's been running errands in the Flex all morning & I think she's not going to want to give it back. So, that's likely where we'll end up.
Tough part is that 2nd row bucket seats in a SEL Flex are apparently rare orders. I found 2 within 500 miles that are close to what we want, but about $6k over due to options (appearance package & vista roof). May end up having to order one, which will likely mean a longer wait. If Ford has stopped 2015 production, I think it'll be months until we see 2016s on lots. We'd looked at a Flex back in April & the salesperson told us 2015 production was just starting
Minivan is a complete no-go. Wife just hates them, I've got nothing against them.
Suburban likely wouldn't fit in our garage & starts at nearly $20k over the Flex we're in right now.
She's been running errands in the Flex all morning & I think she's not going to want to give it back. So, that's likely where we'll end up.
Tough part is that 2nd row bucket seats in a SEL Flex are apparently rare orders. I found 2 within 500 miles that are close to what we want, but about $6k over due to options (appearance package & vista roof). May end up having to order one, which will likely mean a longer wait. If Ford has stopped 2015 production, I think it'll be months until we see 2016s on lots. We'd looked at a Flex back in April & the salesperson told us 2015 production was just starting
Thanks I'll have to try that, haven't messed with the paddles too much yet. Do you recommend any particular forum for them?
The Third Ball
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Thread Starter
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From: Spring, TX
Another update. After an overnight test drive, it turns out there are none configured how we want them in our budget.
Started looking used & found some certified out of state & a couple locally.
Likely going to check out the 2 local ones. From a little browsing, found a Flex forum & it sounds like the buckets & bench are a direct swap, so it's a potential workaround.
These are the 2 we are going to check out.
2013 SEL - 55k miles
2014 - 22k miles
The 2014 is listed as an SEL, but the photos show a Limited, so I need to call them & figure that out.
Also only has 1 key, no floor mats or books. Not a big deal, need to find out how much to cut/program a key & if it has keyless start.
Started looking used & found some certified out of state & a couple locally.
Likely going to check out the 2 local ones. From a little browsing, found a Flex forum & it sounds like the buckets & bench are a direct swap, so it's a potential workaround.
These are the 2 we are going to check out.
2013 SEL - 55k miles
2014 - 22k miles
The 2014 is listed as an SEL, but the photos show a Limited, so I need to call them & figure that out.
Also only has 1 key, no floor mats or books. Not a big deal, need to find out how much to cut/program a key & if it has keyless start.
The Third Ball
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Team Owner
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From: Miami, FL
AZ Community Team
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From: Maryland
Burning Brakes
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I went there to get some perspective. But their Pilot v Durango thread was stupid.... I (as are most people cross shopping these 2 are looking at V6 options)
"No comparison, its got a hemi...and racecar...."
SUV is my wifes car. She doesn't need not likely want a hemi and have 15mpg.
In my mind im thinking the durango is the best value. but then again I went in thinking i was going to buy a G37 and I ended up in a TL. Best laid plans...
"No comparison, its got a hemi...and racecar...."
SUV is my wifes car. She doesn't need not likely want a hemi and have 15mpg.
In my mind im thinking the durango is the best value. but then again I went in thinking i was going to buy a G37 and I ended up in a TL. Best laid plans...
I went there to get some perspective. But their Pilot v Durango thread was stupid.... I (as are most people cross shopping these 2 are looking at V6 options)
"No comparison, its got a hemi...and racecar...."
SUV is my wifes car. She doesn't need not likely want a hemi and have 15mpg.
In my mind im thinking the durango is the best value. but then again I went in thinking i was going to buy a G37 and I ended up in a TL. Best laid plans...
"No comparison, its got a hemi...and racecar...."
SUV is my wifes car. She doesn't need not likely want a hemi and have 15mpg.
In my mind im thinking the durango is the best value. but then again I went in thinking i was going to buy a G37 and I ended up in a TL. Best laid plans...