So, the TL had a.....

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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 09:34 AM
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So, the TL had a.....

Oil leak, rattling front suspension, sticking rear door, faded/oxidized clear coat on hood/roof/trunk, and 240k miles.
So, after 55,000 miles over 5 years, we traded it in on a 2013 Ford Flex SEL

Flex is a Carfax 1 owner vehicle & for having 50k on it, drives like the 2015 we had for an extended test drive last week. We originally were looking for a new one & couldn't find one configured how we wanted in our budget. This one saved us about 10k compared to new, so we'll be able to get it paid down quicker & I can get into that new MX-5 sooner!

Not really sure what I'm going to try to do with it yet aside from enjoy the massive amount of extra space compared to the Civic (which is now my daily). I've read that removing the resonator in the exhaust gives it a nice tone without cabin drone, so that might be something I can sneak in.

May try to source a set of 2nd row bucket seats (which I've read is a direct swap for the bench) as that's really the only thing this one doesn't have, that we were looking for in a new one. Both my wife & I like the Ford accessory spoiler, so may try to add that later as well along with a shorter antenna if it won't affect radio reception.

I'm really shocked how much this 4,400lb SUV drives/handles like a car. Really doesn't drive like it's as big as it is. The 289hp is plenty sufficient to get it going, of course more would be better, but it's an improvement over the Civic.
Attached Thumbnails So, the TL had a.....-6e58f59fac4b4471832c4f64f09cfd29.jpg   So, the TL had a.....-8d3e93b799c64f59a8f9b03b717f4d92.jpg   So, the TL had a.....-3d914f7819d34bfd94e01e39ed9cbb38.jpg   So, the TL had a.....-f93840f11333463e95618c7752998299.jpg   So, the TL had a.....-f1c0e75194f94745bc90ad95168a067b.jpg  


Last edited by 00TL-P3.2; Nov 10, 2015 at 09:40 AM.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 09:40 AM
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Wait...is that the new Durango? j/k had to do it.

Nice ride. Enjoy.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 10:14 AM
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Oil leak, rattling front suspension, sticking rear door, faded/oxidized clear coat on hood/roof/trunk, and 240k miles.
So, after 55,000 miles over 5 years, we traded it in on a 2013 Ford Flex SEL

Flex is a Carfax 1 owner vehicle & for having 50k on it, drives like the 2015 we had for an extended test drive last week. We originally were looking for a new one & couldn't find one configured how we wanted in our budget. This one saved us about 10k compared to new, so we'll be able to get it paid down quicker & I can get into that new MX-5 sooner!

Not really sure what I'm going to try to do with it yet aside from enjoy the massive amount of extra space compared to the Civic (which is now my daily). I've read that removing the resonator in the exhaust gives it a nice tone without cabin drone, so that might be something I can sneak in.

May try to source a set of 2nd row bucket seats (which I've read is a direct swap for the bench) as that's really the only thing this one doesn't have, that we were looking for in a new one. Both my wife & I like the Ford accessory spoiler, so may try to add that later as well along with a shorter antenna if it won't affect radio reception.

I'm really shocked how much this 4,400lb SUV drives/handles like a car. Really doesn't drive like it's as big as it is. The 289hp is plenty sufficient to get it going, of course more would be better, but it's an improvement over the Civic.
Looks nice.

But the car has 50k miles on it already and only saved you 10k compared to new?

I personally would expected it to be slightly cheaper than just 10k off brand new.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
But the car has 50k miles on it already and only saved you 10k compared to new?

I personally would expected it to be slightly cheaper than just 10k off brand new.
The mileage really doesn't bother me, when I said 10k, I was comparing our OTD price on this one to the sticker price of a new one, via the build your own on the Ford site. So I assume OTD would be a little more.
We got OTD for under the average market price via KBB, NADA, Edmunds, etc.

It's got everything we want except the 2nd row buckets, and so far seems to have been a highway miled, well kept car.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 11:59 AM
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how much r they going for OTD brand new?
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
Looks nice.

But the car has 50k miles on it already and only saved you 10k compared to new?

I personally would expected it to be slightly cheaper than just 10k off brand new.
+1. I'd expect a bit more savings
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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Is that the ecoboost model?
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 01:12 PM
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^ No, SEL, NA 3.5 V6 289hp.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
^ No, SEL, NA 3.5 V6 289hp.
Nice. Congrats on the new car, hope you have many miles of enjoyment out of it!

Post some pics of the inside!
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 02:48 PM
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Could you PM me how much they gave you for trade-in? I might try and buy it from them...
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by wackjum
Could you PM me how much they gave you for trade-in? I might try and buy it from them...
Sending PM
Edit: Sent.

Last edited by 00TL-P3.2; Nov 10, 2015 at 03:49 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Nice. Congrats on the new car, hope you have many miles of enjoyment out of it!

Post some pics of the inside!
I'll try to take some Note5 shots tonight if it's not too dark when I get home.
I can't access Flickr from work, so I'll either have to attach them or try to post from home.

Really like that it's a metallic (non-pearl) white rather than a plain white. I believe the color is called White Suede. Looks great in the sun.
The interior really doesn't show that it has 50k miles. Either the previous owner didn't have kids, or something. No nicks or damage to the leather, no scuff on door panels, carpet all in great shape.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 03:47 PM
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Black roof.

I don't like the looks of them, but as long as it does what you need it to do (wait what) then congrats.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Flipster23
Black roof.

I don't like the looks of them, but as long as it does what you need it to do (wait what) then congrats.
I much prefer the ones with the black roof, but like the wheels we have over the appearance package black 20" wheels.
Wife really didn't like the black roof. Her car.
Moreso than the black roof, I didn't want the roof rails. So we got lucky there.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 06:22 PM
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Awesome choice. Congrats.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 06:27 PM
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these are pretty cool units. Ford has been a monster lately
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 05:33 AM
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Congrats, that thing is a beast and the front looks crazy, head on. It almost looks like there are no headlights.
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 1StGenCL
Congrats, that thing is a beast and the front looks crazy, head on. It almost looks like there are no headlights.
It's mostly the angle of that shot. The MMC Flex looks a lot better than the pre-MMC version IMO.
And the NA 3.5 got a small bump in power over the 09-12 Flex.

Been doing some research & have a few things I need to pass by the wife. Would lake to swap in the HIDs from the Limited, black out the chrome, remove the exhaust resonators (showed her a video & was shocked that she liked how it sounds), and possibly add the Ford accessory spoiler.
Not sure if she'd go for springs. I've read that they don't really firm up the ride much, but give it about a .75" drop.
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 08:59 AM
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Looks great! Sounds like you'll be very happy with the Flex. Your mod plans sound good too. Enjoy!
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 09:51 AM
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^ Tough one to do that I think we'll both like is to black out the chrome trim inside the taillights. Saw a set on sale, something like $125 each. Need to figure out if that's more worth it than to remove the housings, pull the lens & paint myself.
Wife seems onboard with de-chroming so that's a plus too.
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 04:07 PM
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At least it isn't your average mommy mobile. I like the Flex's design, Ford did a wonderful job making a box look good!

Saving beaucoup money over new is even better.
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 04:07 PM
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Congrats!
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by neuronbob


At least it isn't your average mommy mobile. I like the Flex's design, Ford did a wonderful job making a box look good!

Saving beaucoup money over new is even better.
Closest I could get to getting her in a wagon!
She'd rather walk than drive a minivan or wagon, but loves the Flex, which is essentially a hybrid of the 2.
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 04:49 PM
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Very nice! That design is instantly recognizable as a Flex. Much, much cooler than a mini van.

All the best luck with it!
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Old Nov 12, 2015 | 11:04 AM
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I don't like many fords, but this one is neat.
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Old Nov 12, 2015 | 09:21 PM
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Haven't made it home in time to get any photos before it gets dark. so, here's a few interior shots from the dealer listing:







Tried it last night & with both car seats installed (both Recaro), I am able to easily get into the middle seat & fit, but have to lean just a bit due to the front facing seat.
Unfortunately, with the 2nd row bench, to get into the 3rd row, we'd have to get in through the hatch.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 07:05 AM
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^ same here. To sit in the 3rd row we go through the hatch.

Also I have the Recaro and a Graco (which will be upgraded to Recaro in 2 month) and I still have room to fit in the middle.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 08:02 AM
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^ I'll have to get a shot of the back seat with both Recaros.
One is a ProRide (rear facing for our 1 yr old), the other is a Performance Sport for the 4yr old.

I've seen some threads on a Flex forum where people actually want the bench & swap for buckets. Need to find one of those deals locally. Apparently, the Flex, Explorer, Taurus X & Freestyle all share the same 2nd row seats. So a few options on upgrading to the buckets.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 08:30 AM
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Congrats on the new ride. In our new odyssey we have the 2nd row jumper seat out so there are two captains basically. Hopefully you can find someone to swap seats as I can't imagine getting in through the tailgate. Also if you want some narrower car seats, check out the Diono Radians. We have a bunch and got 3 across last year in our old Rav4.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 10:42 AM
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^ Climbing in through the hatch isn't terrible, but a bit awkward.
Haven't started looking into the buckets yet, only had the truck for 5 days.
We're more than happy with the Recaros, so they definitely aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Is that the ecoboost model?
I don't think they put the 3.5L Ecoboost into the Flex anymore. I couldn't tell from their site.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 02:12 PM
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^ They do, on the build your own, you have to switch it to AWD before the option shows up.
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 04:11 PM
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The Navi looks better than Acura's
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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Congrats. I really like the idea of the Flex. Tons of space without towering over other traffic.
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Old Nov 15, 2015 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I don't think they put the 3.5L Ecoboost into the Flex anymore. I couldn't tell from their site.
They do. It's on the high end Limited AWD.

They dropped the "Sport" model though and made the Edge Sport instead.
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
The Navi looks better than Acura's
It's really good, especially compared to the NAV in my '00 TL-P.
Need to look into recalibrating it though. It was about 1.5 blocks off yesterday. Must have somehow though I was doing 75mph through residential areas (was on the interstate).
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 11:22 AM
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1.5 blocks off?? LOL

yah you need to do some Navi updates.
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 01:20 PM
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^ Did a SYNC update last night, haven't tried the NAV since I got it updated. It seems to be working around our home area. Will have to try it further from the house & see how it does.
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Old Dec 2, 2015 | 05:27 PM
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late to the party but congrats man.
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