Sync rules. Have it in my F-150. "Play Delta Spirit" is said often. We're passively looking for my wife. She wants 3rd row seating for some reason, so that's limiting our options to larger vehicles. I'd love for her to nix that and go for an Edge, Forrester, or another of the smaller SUVs. I do like the Flex, though. We've looked at the Mazda 5. It's got everything she wants...except looks. Might wait for the Ford C-Max later this year.
get a 2006 or 2008 Lancer Evolution. If you're wife doesn't drive stick then go with a 2009 WRX (non-STI).
Also has lousy power when fully loaded, and the 3rd row is not comfortable for anyone over age 10. Ford Flex is another option. I looked at the Flex and a CX-9 for the 3rd row vehicle and chose the 9. YMMV.
Yeah, that's what turned me off on the flex. Used CX-9's are not too far off the mark from a 5, IIRC. That being said, I definitely spent more than I intended when I started looking.
Well if you are into the new Fords, you can get a Fusion Sport AWD a 2010 model for around 21K if you know how to negotiate. The Fusion Sport is nice, it gets the 3.5 liter engine, instead of the 3.0 and some other nice bells and whistles. Only downside is finding one used is going to be a bit of a beyoootch. I regularly could get 29 mpg highway easily, even though its rated at 25 or so.
Have you looked at the Acura MDX, pretty nice vehicle for what your needs are. You can easily get a 2005 or above model for that price at reasonable mileage.
Ford is catching all kinds of grief from several users of the Sync system and the problems its been having lately : http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/...trl/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews http://ceoutlook.com/ford-ceo-admits-sync-glitches/
Haven't read the thread but do you know something about Fords? We're looking at buying a new vehicle in the next 6-12 months and the Edge has really caught my eye.
I test drove a 2012 Focus this morning. Definitely going to be my next car. I just need to see if I can get a good deal or if I should wait for the used ones to start hitting the market. Had no idea what I was missing out on with Ford all these years!
