ShockFX Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Well there isnt much wiggle room for the Flex either...considering that topped out Edge is like 36-38K and the Taurus X is around the same price with an extra seat in it. What's wrong with similar pricing? Stop thinking that the Sloan model of a car for every price is what we need. What we need is a car for every person. If the Edge and Flex have the same price range, maybe the person that liked the Edge but it wasn't "JUST RIGHT" will find the Flex "JUST RIGHT" and vice versa. The Taurus X, Edge, and Flex could all be priced $25k-$38k. They are different enough. Price gap is only relevant in cases like selling a Fusion at Focus prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 ^^^The Flex will be priced above the other 2 - it offers a lot more ... it will overlap, but not completely. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 ^^^The Flex will be priced above the other 2 - it offers a lot more ... it will overlap, but not completely. Igor Correct, and this can be inferred even from a cost of production standpoint. The Flex will be using the next-generation D3 platform debuting with the MKS next year, and is a physically larger vehicle. Therefore, there will be a slight premium when comparing the Taurus X to the Flex. It is also unlikely the Taurus X will survive the MY2010 redesign of the Taurus. The Lincoln Flex (MKY?) will compare with loaded Buick Enclaves on the bottom end, and lightly optioned Mercedes R350s on the upper end. Expect a base price of perhaps $40,000, and topping out near $60,000 with every amenity and luxury feature available. I would also expect the Twin Force 3.5 to be an optional engine above the 3.7 for upper-echelon models. This leaves plenty of room for the Flex to sell from $28,000 to $45,000. For $60,000, imagine this: 3.5L Twin Force: 425hp Performance AWD All heated & cooled leather seating for 6 Real wood and metal accents throughout DVD Navi with THX II sound Rear seat entertainment Vista roof (screens would be in headrests) Ambiant lighting 20" chrome rims LED head and taillights What vehicle compares at 60k? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockFX Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Correct, and this can be inferred even from a cost of production standpoint. The Flex will be using the next-generation D3 platform debuting with the MKS next year, and is a physically larger vehicle. Therefore, there will be a slight premium when comparing the Taurus X to the Flex. It is also unlikely the Taurus X will survive the MY2010 redesign of the Taurus. The Lincoln Flex (MKY?) will compare with loaded Buick Enclaves on the bottom end, and lightly optioned Mercedes R350s on the upper end. Expect a base price of perhaps $40,000, and topping out near $60,000 with every amenity and luxury feature available. I would also expect the Twin Force 3.5 to be an optional engine above the 3.7 for upper-echelon models. This leaves plenty of room for the Flex to sell from $28,000 to $45,000. For $60,000, imagine this: 3.5L Twin Force: 425hp Performance AWD All heated & cooled leather seating for 6 Real wood and metal accents throughout DVD Navi with THX II sound Rear seat entertainment Vista roof (screens would be in headrests) Ambiant lighting 20" chrome rims LED head and taillights What vehicle compares at 60k? Do people want such a vehicle for 60k? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnFan Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Do people want such a vehicle for 60k? Well, they're buying the Mercedes minivan aren't they? They're not cheap you know. I think the MKFlex will eventually replace the Navigator, there's no reason for the Navigator once the MKFlex hits the lot. The Navi isn't famous with the rappers or their wannabes, nor is it famous with the exact opposite. It won't be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockFX Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Well, they're buying the Mercedes minivan aren't they? They're not cheap you know. I think the MKFlex will eventually replace the Navigator, there's no reason for the Navigator once the MKFlex hits the lot. The Navi isn't famous with the rappers or their wannabes, nor is it famous with the exact opposite. It won't be missed. Ford makes $15k(or something like that) profit per Navigator sold. I'd say there is a reason to sell one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Well, they're buying the Mercedes minivan aren't they? They're not cheap you know. I think the MKFlex will eventually replace the Navigator, there's no reason for the Navigator once the MKFlex hits the lot. The Navi isn't famous with the rappers or their wannabes, nor is it famous with the exact opposite. It won't be missed. Are you sure your a real Lincoln fan? The navigator embodies what Lincoln is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joihan777 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Do people want such a vehicle for 60k? Ummm, didn't Ford already try to sell a *nice* car, but for a *very* high price? Did they learn their lesson from the Thunderbird sales slide? $25k-$40k seems like a more rational, sellable figure for the target market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Ummm, didn't Ford already try to sell a *nice* car, but for a *very* high price? Did they learn their lesson from the Thunderbird sales slide? $25k-$40k seems like a more rational, sellable figure for the target market. It's a Lincoln. We don't even know ANYTHING about it yet, so I really wish that people would stop the assumptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockFX Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Ummm, didn't Ford already try to sell a *nice* car, but for a *very* high price? Did they learn their lesson from the Thunderbird sales slide? $25k-$40k seems like a more rational, sellable figure for the target market. When the TBird came out dealers were charging $10k markups. I can't imagine how many customers that turned away. I wouldn't go back to buy a car from a dealer a year later when he tried to screw me before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J2D Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 No way is the Flex worth more than $50k. it's too damn different and will not cater to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 No way is the Flex worth more than $50k. it's too damn different and will not cater to everyone. I'm talking about the LINCOLN, not the FORD. The Ford WILL retail for 25k-40k, give or take a few bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 No way is the Flex worth more than $50k. it's too damn different and will not cater to everyone. and say the SLR is mainstream and everyone loves it? it is the "different cars" that command premium - if you are in the middle of the road, you have 5 other vehicles offering exactly the same features - so you compete on image and price. When you are different - you stand alone, and people buy you and pay premium to escape the "mainstream" blah options. Why do you think iPod shot up as fast as it did? all because of image and " being different when it debuted. They are overpriced and still sell in droves. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Do people want such a vehicle for 60k? I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Ummm, didn't Ford already try to sell a *nice* car, but for a *very* high price? Did they learn their lesson from the Thunderbird sales slide? $25k-$40k seems like a more rational, sellable figure for the target market. The Thunderbird was nice?? The Thunderbird didn't deserve its high price. There was nothing luxurious about it. Recent Lincolns don't seem to have a shortage of luxury and quality that the T-Bird terribly lacked. The $60K price quote was for the Lincoln variant....not the Flex. I can't see a loaded out Lincoln version hitting $60K though...base model probably will start somewhere around $39K or so with pricing topping out around $52K...just my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Well, they're buying the Mercedes minivan aren't they? They're not cheap you know. I think the MKFlex will eventually replace the Navigator, there's no reason for the Navigator once the MKFlex hits the lot. The Navi isn't famous with the rappers or their wannabes, nor is it famous with the exact opposite. It won't be missed. Last time I checked, people aren't really buying the R class. That's why BMW has decided not to develop an R-class type vehicle. I think Navigator should/will stick around, getting rid of it would be quite a few customers to abandon. If you think about it, its been around since 98, one of Lincolns few recent constantly selling vehicles (the other being Town Car), plus most people know what a Navigator is. Navigator customers may not want a Flex type vehicle either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnFan Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) . Edited October 4, 2007 by LincolnFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercurymichael Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Well, they're buying the Mercedes minivan aren't they? They're not cheap you know. I think the MKFlex will eventually replace the Navigator, there's no reason for the Navigator once the MKFlex hits the lot. The Navi isn't famous with the rappers or their wannabes, nor is it famous with the exact opposite. It won't be missed. What is sad is that Lincoln created the large luxury suv segment and owned it while Cadillac tried to catch up. Sadly, Cadillac has now conquered the segment in conjunction with Land Rover and Mercedes and the Navigator goes practically unnoticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockFX Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 What is sad is that Lincoln created the large luxury suv segment and owned it while Cadillac tried to catch up. Sadly, Cadillac has now conquered the segment in conjunction with Land Rover and Mercedes and the Navigator goes practically unnoticed. It's cause the Escalade became the HipHop vehicle of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercurymichael Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Are you sure your a real Lincoln fan? The navigator embodies what Lincoln is. An over priced Ford??? Lincoln used to be understated elegance, exclusivity and luxury. I hate to quote Car and Driver, but they actually nailed it when they said Lincoln has tragically become a Ford trim level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 That was correct...again, Ford let a vehicle rot, not differentiating it more as a luxury Full Size SUV, and tha paltry 300HP isn't enough. Ironically, if we study both unbiasly, the Navigator is actually a much better vehicle all around. All the Escalade has is better marketing, and larger engine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockFX Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 That was correct...again, Ford let a vehicle rot, not differentiating it more as a luxury Full Size SUV, and tha paltry 300HP isn't enough. Ironically, if we study both unbiasly, the Navigator is actually a much better vehicle all around. All the Escalade has is better marketing, and larger engine... The first Escalade was a Denali with a Crest and Wreath badge. The 2nd gen was almost that bad too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 The first Escalade was a Denali with a Crest and Wreath badge. The 2nd gen was almost that bad too. The Denali was actually programmed to be a Cadillac but Cadillac refused at first. It ended up going to GMC with a simple grille change. The success of the Navigator took Cadillac by surprise and the original programmed grille ended up on the production model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Why would someone immediately exclude a car just because it doesn't have HID's? I really don't get the fascination with them. They are nice, but it's hardly what I would consider a deal-breaker if the rest of the car meets expectations. Self-leveling HID's are a world of difference in lighting on a GTI. I certainly see the value of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnFan Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Watchdevil, I don't mind most signatures but your is making me scroll to the right to read the posts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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