Preemptive edit: I spent a RIDICULOUS amount of time writing this very passionate post, then my client - for no reason I can identify - simply deleted it. I’m sorry if what I say below doesn’t reflect how I felt adequately.

The first time I saw a Ford Flex, I said out loud “I want that!” (I was immediately mocked for wanting a minivan.) I’ve loved them since I saw one to the point that my wife eventually told me to shut up and buy one. Almost literally.

I did so and loved the car since I got it. Unfortunately, after many years of faithful service, it started breaking down past the point where it made sense to repair it. I still tried - I really loved the car - but at a certain point I gave up. I’ve now traded it in for an Edge, which is a perfectly satisfactory car but … Kind of disappointing comparatively. Since then, to my wife’s annoyance, I’ve occasionally observed that I missed the Flex.

Unfortunately, they stopped making it in 2019. (Mine was a 2014.) They’ve since started making the Explorer, which I think is a modern replacement, but when I had to replace my Flex it was semi urgent and there was no Explorer nearby enough to acquire. (I live in a rural area.)

Anyway, today I drove to a nearby town and saw this on the side of the road. It’s the same color and I think the same trim as the one I had. It was extremely difficult not to swerve to the side of the road and call to buy it immediately.

  • Tylerdurdon
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    9 days ago

    Go find a lightly used 2019 out there. Do a nationwide search. You know some old grandpa bought one, barley drove it, and then died off leaving his family to deal with getting rid of an unpopular vehicle. It’s out there waiting for you. You may need to fly somewhere and drive it home, but it’s out there waiting!

    • toynbeeOP
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      8 days ago

      It might not be clear from the picture, but the Flex in the post is one I saw for sale. What you describe was a great source of temptation for me.

  • Sanguine@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    9 days ago

    The exolorer has been part of the Ford Lineup for a long time. The flex was one of a kind, tho short lived because, not knocking your style, but most people did not like it.

    • BlackVenom
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      9 days ago

      Outside it looked goofy af. Inside it was a mansion.

      • toynbeeOP
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        8 days ago

        How dare you! Outside it was beautiful.

        Incidentally, the last car I admired this much visually was a 1984 Celica.

        edit: This wasn’t the one my dad had (his was maroon) but the same year and model:

        Silver 1984 Toyota Celica

        • BlackVenom
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          7 days ago

          Celica had style… I’m not saying the Flex is ugly but I’m not not saying it’s refrigerator with wheels.

    • toynbeeOP
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      8 days ago

      The initial post that my client deleted observed how one of the few things I didn’t like about it was the frequency of hearing “weird Flex, bro.”

      edit: But speaking of flexing, apparently Gabriel Iglesias owned one and modified the “FLEX” text on the front to say “FLUFFY.”

    • toynbeeOP
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      8 days ago

      Well, those were a lot of it and what initially drew me to it. However, it also had almost every luxury 2014 could offer. I bought mine used in 2016 but it was the Titanium trim; according to the salesperson, there was only one trim above that and the primary thing the upgrade would have offered was a built in minifridge. Also, as another commenter observed, it was a mansion inside. I moved twice with that vehicle and it didn’t quite accommodate my whole house, but it reduced the number of trips by quite a bit.

      Plus, have you seen this sexy lines?

  • blattrules
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    9 days ago

    “And I love my Ford Flex. It treats me to a smooth ride, and you know what? It didn’t break the bank. Room enough for the whole family.”

    • toynbeeOP
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      8 days ago

      Based on the quotes, I assume that’s a reference, but I don’t know it.

        • toynbeeOP
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          8 days ago

          Oh yeah! I recall that now. Thank you for explaining.

          • blattrules
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            8 days ago

            No problem. I figured it might get misunderstood without the quotes.