Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Looks like it would look pretty cool with a couple of surfboards on the roof, maybe a woody edition I am interested in dimensions...the photos are taken from lower angles are perhaps making the car look shorter and thus longer than probably in the flesh...surfboards?...thats actually quite fitting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Looks fake, but at least it looks like good fake wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 The Taurus "X" comes to market with an Eddie Bauer trim, which should give you some idea of where and to whom this vehicle will be marketed. Also, the Taurus X serves to provide a bottom end protection for the Flex. The Flex can start off closer to $30k, and not leave people on a tighter budget in the lurch. I don't see Ford killing off the Taurus X, but I don't see it outselling the Flex either. The Taurus X will probably sticker for about $24,995 to start, about a $600 discount from the 2007 Freestyle; if the Flex starts at c. $28,995 or even $28,495, that still gives a solid price range where the Taurus is the sole option. This splintering of the crossover market puts a lot of pressure on other mfrs. For instance, by targeting the Lambdas with two vehicles instead of one, they manage to get high ground both on the "value" end and on the "luxury" end. The Flex has the same silliness as the new Chryslers with a MyGig type system on the Nav units. Somehow I don't see a couple with 2-3 kids spending hours out in the garage programming the jukebox that comes with their new Flex. sounds like an in dash I-pod...and trust me...the pimply 13 year old WILL figure it out...and doubtful there will be any Michael Bolton or the sorts.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 (edited) Looks fake, but at least it looks like good fake wood. actually tasteful...and breaks up the expanse.... Edited April 4, 2007 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Looks like they got soft-touch plastics for the top the door panels...finally. I hate the hard plastic ones on my Mustang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Looks like they got soft-touch plastics for the top the door panels...finally. I hate the hard plastic ones on my Mustang one of my gripes on the Edge too.....door panel and dash look fantastic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 actaully tasteful...and breaks up the expanse.... It might be real wood, but it's expensive to steam press veneer into curves--that's one reason why you don't see curved wood veneers on any FLM product except the Navigator. I would not be at all surprised if Piano black, and a ribbed aluminum type finish will also be available. Ford may even splurge for real metal on the Ltd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 The Flex has the same silliness as the new Chryslers with a MyGig type system on the Nav units. Somehow I don't see a couple with 2-3 kids spending hours out in the garage programming the jukebox that comes with their new Flex. I think you're severely underestimating the tech-saviness of today's buyer. From what I understand, "programming" the system requires all of about 2 minutes while you plug in a portable music device (or thumb drive -- does this system use USB or what?) and copy the songs right over. In either case, many of the people today with 2-3 kids are in their early 30's. They are the first generation that was raised with compitent computers and the Internet. They'll figure it out and they will use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 It might be real wood, but it's expensive to steam press veneer into curves--that's one reason why you don't see curved wood veneers on any FLM product except the Navigator. I would not be at all surprised if Piano black, and a ribbed aluminum type finish will also be available. Ford may even splurge for real metal on the Ltd. we would all be dreaming if we thought it would be real wood..too hand intensive and thus costly.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 The Taurus "X" comes to market with an Eddie Bauer trim, which should give you some idea of where and to whom this vehicle will be marketed. Also, the Taurus X serves to provide a bottom end protection for the Flex. The Flex can start off closer to $30k, and not leave people on a tighter budget in the lurch. I don't see Ford killing off the Taurus X, but I don't see it outselling the Flex either. The Taurus X will probably sticker for about $24,995 to start, about a $600 discount from the 2007 Freestyle; if the Flex starts at c. $28,995 or even $28,495, that still gives a solid price range where the Taurus is the sole option. This splintering of the crossover market puts a lot of pressure on other mfrs. For instance, by targeting the Lambdas with two vehicles instead of one, they manage to get high ground both on the "value" end and on the "luxury" end. The Flex has the same silliness as the new Chryslers with a MyGig type system on the Nav units. Somehow I don't see a couple with 2-3 kids spending hours out in the garage programming the jukebox that comes with their new Flex. I'm sure there are plenty of families with parents under 40 who would appreciate this feature. Also, not a bad idea shoring up the lower end of the market with the Taurus X. I imagine the next generation of Taurus X will move stylistically closer to the Taurus than Ford's SUV line. Not unlike the relationship of the Volvo XC70 to the S80. If they could figure out the logistics of offering the 3.0L PIP as the base engine in those cars, they could even afford to drop the price another grand or so. However, this would leave any on road Explorer in the lurch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Just thought of something....I hope the name FLEX is on the left hand side of the rear liftgate, because if it's on the right, and there's a LIMITED model, it's going to read "Limited Flex" LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I think you're severely underestimating the tech-saviness of today's buyer. From what I understand, "programming" the system requires all of about 2 minutes while you plug in a portable music device (or thumb drive -- does this system use USB or what?) and copy the songs right over. In either case, many of the people today with 2-3 kids are in their early 30's. They are the first generation that was raised with compitent computers and the Internet. They'll figure it out and they will use it. I'm square in that segment: problem I see is that you'll need to 'sync' your car-drive to your portable music player---as in you download the latest Gwen Stefani song to your iPod, but now you have to put it on the Flex jukebox. Your Flex jukebox probably has a built-in sync feature, but you still have to do *something* to get it to sync, and doing things is just soooooo 1998. Today, we want things done for us! Sync is a better option, IMO, because it doesn't contain onboard storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 However, this would leave any on road Explorer in the lurch. Yes its going to be interesting to see how the Explorer plays out after the Edge and now Flex and Taraus X hit the market. The only big differentiation I can see they can do with the Explorer is keep it RWD and make it the only Ford brand SUV/CUV with a V8. Lets see, just looking at the Explorer vs the Freestyle...both base models are priced excatly the same..but if you load them up into Limited Trim...the Explorer is nearly 4 grand more then the Freestyle. I'm willing to bet that the Flex will start at 28K and top out at 40K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meelaan Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Just thought of something....I hope the name FLEX is on the left hand side of the rear liftgate, because if it's on the right, and there's a LIMITED model, it's going to read "Limited Flex" LOL LOL Good call... Flex is just a dumb name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAC_Sparky Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I'm square in that segment: problem I see is that you'll need to 'sync' your car-drive to your portable music player---as in you download the latest Gwen Stefani song to your iPod, but now you have to put it on the Flex jukebox. Your Flex jukebox probably has a built-in sync feature, but you still have to do *something* to get it to sync, and doing things is just soooooo 1998. Today, we want things done for us! Sync is a better option, IMO, because it doesn't contain onboard storage. I would be fairly sure that part of the "Syncing" process would include Digital Rights Management. Ford can't openly support music piracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I would be fairly sure that part of the "Syncing" process would include Digital Rights Management. Ford can't openly support music piracy. how would that be any diferent than any mp3 player...they don't have that...I don't think it will be a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I'm square in that segment: problem I see is that you'll need to 'sync' your car-drive to your portable music player---as in you download the latest Gwen Stefani song to your iPod, but now you have to put it on the Flex jukebox. Your Flex jukebox probably has a built-in sync feature, but you still have to do *something* to get it to sync, and doing things is just soooooo 1998. Today, we want things done for us! Sync is a better option, IMO, because it doesn't contain onboard storage. From what I can gather in the press material, the jukebox is integrated with the Sync system, so maybe it WILL "synch" them automatically. I'd really like to see some down-and-dirty details about how everything is integrated in the Sync setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I would be fairly sure that part of the "Syncing" process would include Digital Rights Management. Ford can't openly support music piracy. DRM is a scam. Even Apple is getting rid of it on all of their EMI Records offerings. It's only a matter of time before everyone else follows suit. There's absolutely nothing illegal about copying a song YOU own and putting it in YOUR car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Well, thing about the Explorer vs. Flex vs. Taurus X is: How many people will buy a new Flex instead of an Explorer? IMO, the two customer groups are not as common as one might first think. Right now, I think the Flex has a better shot at snagging the business of people *leaving* the Explorer, than the business of people looking to step into an Explorer. As long as the Explorer remains trucky and able to tow 7k lbs +, it will have a market. The trick is for Ford to figure out how to profitably stay in that market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 (edited) From what I can gather in the press material, the jukebox is integrated with the Sync system, so maybe it WILL "synch" them automatically. I'd really like to see some down-and-dirty details about how everything is integrated in the Sync setup. Jukebox comes with sat-nav. You can have it without purchasing Sync--however it seems that most people buying nav will buy Sync as well. The press release said that the thing could rip CDs & CDRs. Ford’s next-generation navigation system, featuring voice recognition technology and more than 150 hours of music storage. Users can browse the music jukebox via touch-screen or by using voice recognition. They can also create custom play lists and burn CDs for storage on the system’s hard drive. The system also integrates the climate control and SIRIUS Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use, smudge-resistant, 8-inch touch-screen display. Premium AM/FM/MP3 audio systems also are available with a six-CD changer, auxiliary jack to accommodate MP3 players and the latest generation DVD entertainment system with a large 8-inch, drop-down screen. Edited April 4, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Spec page is up: 3rd row seating is disappointing--it's the same as the Taurus X. http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_di...&make_id=92 2nd row looks positively cavernous, though: 44" leg room? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Spec page is up: 3rd row seating is disappointing--it's the same as the Taurus X. http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_di...&make_id=92 2nd row looks positively cavernous, though: 44" leg room? thats kinda funky although in all sincerity the third row does usually become kid ridden.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzler Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 (edited) LOL Good call... Flex is just a dumb name. I'm actually very surprised that it hasn't been used by some other manufacturer already. Especially in this day and age of FLEXible fuel powered vehicles. Is that an umbrella (verticle) storage area at the front of the front passenger door? Where does the cane and/or walkers latch to? Edited April 4, 2007 by Sizzler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 thats kinda funky although in all sincerity the third row does usually become kid ridden.... True, but it would've been nice to see something in the 37-40" range. Move the 2nd row forward so you have 40" 2nd row legroom instead of 44" (40" is still very good in this segment), and then you get almost 38" of 3rd row room instead of just under 34". Although, one must assume that these configurations were tested with consumers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAC_Sparky Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 how would that be any diferent than any mp3 player...they don't have that...I don't think it will be a problem Try downloading a purchased song from iTunes onto your iPod and then transfer it to another computer/mp3 player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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