'04 100 series vs. 2013 Ford Flex Ecoboost

[cwininger]

so my wife drives a really nice limited Flex with the Ecoboost engine. it's AWD, loads of power and every single option- i'm talking vista skylight roof, adaptive cruise, park assist, a/c cooled seats, proximity sensors, 365 horse twin turbo (pretty rad to open that thing up from time to time.) yada yada. i think the sticker on it was like $45k. so pretty nice car, right? it's the second Flex we've owned and we really like the platform.

i bought my 04 lx about 6 weeks ago (after dreaming about it for five years, ever since i sold my '97 lx). i left it home for the weekend and took her flex up north to our cabin because it already had the kayak racks on it and we didn't feel like swapping them to the cruiser.

so the wife drives the cruiser all weekend, and i drive the flex up north. i kid you not, i couldn't WAIT to get back home and trade back. and i detected a distinct hesitation from her when it was time to trade keys.

i've come to the clear conclusion that my 13 year old truck with 175k on it is still A BETTER CAR than Ford's late model luxury flagship family hauler Flex (which for all intents and purposes, is a great car in it's own right). The ride, the fit and finish, the feel of the drivetrain and steering of the cruiser- all superior. the only thing it's lacking in comparison is some of the modern technology, but to be honest, i don't miss any of that when i'm driving the cruiser.
EDIT: i know they are two fundamentally different vehicles built for different purposes, so i'm more comparing the driving experience than anything else.
It's crazy to me that the 100, at more than three times the age and more that four times the mileage can still FEEL like the superior vehicle. It's a testament to the design and quality of the LC platform, but that's old news right?

so that's my observation, and i'm curious if anyone else here experiences the same feeling when comparing their 100 series to modern vehicles.

 

[weakspleen]

Got my wife a 2016 Sierra Denali with all the bells, whistles, and horsepower to replace a 2006 Sierra Denali. I much prefer my LC and she's mentioned a few times that she likes the LC more even though the Denali has more gadgets/luxuries.

 

[Spanktron9]

Can't beat quality with bells and whistles.

 

[TXLX100]

It's like having one really good knife or 20 ok ones. Both get it done, but it's an easy choice for what you really want to use.

 

[Kofoed]

Got my wife a 2016 Sierra Denali with all the bells, whistles, and horsepower to replace a 2006 Sierra Denali. I much prefer my LC and she's mentioned a few times that she likes the LC more even though the Denali has more gadgets/luxuries.

200 series next time

 

[drjman]

There are many vehicles I would take over a '04 100 series. A Ford Flex of any version that I would have to ride in, is not one of them.

It is a stretched Scion xB on a Ford Taurus chassis.

EDIT: reread the OP

One random SUV I've strangely liked is a decently equipped new Dodge Durango AWD. Aside from new LC's and LX's and a maxed out Range Rover, most everything else has something really annoying about it.

 

[bctlex]

That is a bit of unfair comparison. LC is designed to be a world wide vehicle, go and survive anywhere from desert to north pole with 20 year lifespan, etc etc. I highly doubt Ford Flex has the same design in mind when they build it. I am sure Flex is a nice car and can do some things better than LC, but not in the same category. On top of it, LX has AHC, which is probably one of the more advanced/better stock suspension for a big truck. For the bang for the buck, 100 series is a tough platform to beat, even as the platform itself is getting older - that is why a bunch of us are here, right?

RE comparing my LC vs modern vehicle:
Earlier this year we got good amount of snow, which is rare in KY. I went out with bald tires Michelin street tire, pick up some groceries, run errands, and even just drives around on fresh snow. Roads are not plowed in my area. Went back home, go up the hill with no problem. My next door neighbor drives a late model BMW X5, and for whatever reason he said his BMW can not make it up the hill, so he has to park at the end of the street and walk. I feel sorry for the guy....

 

[planomateo]

A BETTER CAR than Ford's late model luxury flagship family hauler Flex

The Flex is a luxury vehicle now? Who knew...lol

 

[cwininger]

It's like having one really good knife or 20 ok ones. Both get it done, but it's an easy choice for what you really want to use.

that's a good analogy. a knife can have a beautiful hand carved handle and an engraved blade, but in the end the steel is all that really matters.

 

[cwininger]

The Flex is a luxury vehicle now? Who knew...lol

yeah, the ecoboost limited series is. it really is a great car. there are several forums like this one that are filled with raving flex owners. i just happen to own both the flex and the lc at the same time so comparing driving each one regularly led me to the obvious conclusion that the 100 series is the better experience.

 

[LEX]

My boss has a '12 F150 that he bought brand new. I sometimes drive it to pick up supplies and that thing has all kinds of rattles compared to my 17 year old cruiser. The only thing I like about it is that the leather seats are in better condition than mine.

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

i rather drive my 00 lc than my wifes 15 es300h. just got a 05 gx470 for daily duties man every morning i grab the lc keys. maybe just creature of habit. hahaha

 

[tacoduck]

I solved this problem by buying a second LC... Just did a 400 mile trip in my 01. It might be my favorite car I've ever owned, and I've owned a few.

 

[Catskills]

We bought a sc 2011 Tundra LTD this summer. I really like it and it's a blast to drive, but a Land Cruiser it is not.

First, I'm like, where the fxxx is my arm rest? I'm not a big person; I need that arm rest now that I've gotten used to it!

Second, you go to roll down the windows and you have to sit there and push the buttons, which hurts your fingers after awhile.
No auto down, no auto up. I'm a windows-down gal, so this is a pretty serious flaw.

Then there is just how it sounds when you shut the door. This was the first thing I noticed when we bought the 2002. I went from driving my 2010 4R to that 02 LC and the quality was just so markedly different. And it's not just that the 4R sounded hollow and cheap in comparison. I can't help but thinking that solidity translates to safety. Every day I feel like I am driving a tank. I love it.

This is why no one has one LC. My neighbor up the street has 2, the guy the next town over has 2, and the house I pass all the time in my travels further north has 2. How can you resist them?

 

[cwininger]

I solved this problem by buying a second LC... Just did a 400 mile trip in my 01. It might be my favorite car I've ever owned, and I've owned a few.

Man I'm totally thinking in this direction. Selling that flex and putting the in a creampuff 100 or maybe even a 200 series.

 

[cwininger]

There are many vehicles I would take over a '04 100 series. A Ford Flex of any version that I would have to ride in, is not one of them.

It is a stretched Scion xB on a Ford Taurus chassis.

EDIT: reread the OP

One random SUV I've strangely liked is a decently equipped new Dodge Durango AWD. Aside from new LC's and LX's and a maxed out Range Rover, most everything else has something really annoying about it.

I would rather punch myself in the face 100 times than drive a Chrysler product. I live in metro Detroit and daily see dozens of late model dodge turds on the road. those things are ready made rust buckets. Ask Ram owners about the rear fenders on their four year old trucks...

And the flex does not share a chassis with the Taurus. Maybe you are thinking of the explorer.