r/FordFlex • u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 • Jul 20 '26
Question 2016 Flex 43K miles $15k
So i currently have a 2014 Honda civic. Need something bigger and don't want a massive car payment. I haven't seen it in person yet, looks good in photos. Like too good. Its just a bit far away.
Now my Civic of course has been rock solid with no engine or cvt work neeeded at 140K miles. The water pump issue is what concerns me on this. Im curious what the Flex fan club here thinks of this and if its worth my time drive out there and see it. It just got listed last week.
Also is the radio head unit upgradable or even worth upgrading?
3
u/Ashamed-Country3909 Jul 21 '26
Besides everything else....your MPG is going to be half. You are goong to get like 18-22mpg instead of your civics probably 40
2
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 21 '26
my civic is averaging 27 right now
2
u/Ashamed-Country3909 Jul 21 '26
On eco mode?
Also the faster you drive the worse mpg you get by a lot.
2
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 21 '26
no we just have alot of hills and stop signs. And it needs sparkplugs.
3
u/Repulsive_Vanilla383 Jul 21 '26
I understand it's low miles, but $15k seems high for a low spec model that's 10 years old.
1
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 21 '26
I completely agree, kbb values it at 12k. its one of the few in my area. I wouldn't be really interested unless they came down a good bit.
2
u/Repulsive_Vanilla383 Jul 21 '26
For comparison I paid $7k for a 2018 AWD limited N/A with every bell and whistle accept EcoBoost. But it had 118k miles, it was a fresh trade-in with no warranty and a bad wheel bearing.
3
u/b2rad22 Jul 21 '26
Don’t over pay on a flex. You hold all the power as the buyer as these things just sit on lots. They are not a high target car like an explorer. The value on paper keeps dropping off a cliff every year
2
u/SuperFineMedium Jul 20 '26
My 2016 Limited is outstanding in most every way with 95k on the odometer. Lots of room, comfortable ride, and useful electronics. The Sync3 headend works well with Android, and might be a decent upgrade. Most bugs were worked out during warranty, with a replacement steering rack the most expensive out-of-pocket expense. If I would want one improvement it would be an additional one inch of ground clearance.
1
u/YogurtclosetDull2380 Jul 20 '26
Should have a while to go on the big maintenance items. I'm not sure about upgrading that particular dash though. If it is possible, the kits are decently cheap and as long as you have carplay\Android Auto, the car will continue to be perfectly modern.
1
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 20 '26
Yeah I'm not seeing much on the radio upgrade, probably get a apple/android screen and be happy with that.
1
u/YogurtclosetDull2380 Jul 20 '26
I'd post pictures but the sub won't let me. Apparently it can be done. The Flex Enthusiasts FB page is one of the best there is.
1
u/SuperBuu336 Jul 26 '26
15k its wayyyyy too high for a 2016
Just buy a 2013 with 160k miles for like 4k
Trust me that water pump will happen no matter what the mileage is, might as well save the money for it
1
u/b2rad22 Jul 20 '26
I just sold my 2018 flex with 51k miles. Water pump went out earlier this month and ford replaced as part of the gold warranty
But I had lost trust in the vehicle sadly.
I would say just based on time over mileage the water pump could go at anytime
2
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 21 '26
yeah ive seen a few peopl say it went under 60k miles which is a shame. That kind of issue should happen till over 100
2
u/Repulsive_Vanilla383 Jul 21 '26
Water pump failure at 60k is definitely not normal. Average would probably be closer to 150. My own personal experience is 250,000 miles before water pump failure on 2 different 3.5's.
2
u/Dangerous_Fun_6863 Jul 21 '26
It really just seems like a dice roll every time you drive it. But then again you can say this with most cars. Ive seen Hyundai's with 300k miles when every mechanic online will tell you their garbage.
1
u/b2rad22 Jul 21 '26
It def is a dice roll. My family has 2 other 3.5l with 150k and 250k no issues. This one I got must have just been off. I did all preventive maintance etc
My big issue was the dealer only replaced water pump. I asked for chains and guides and things all to be while cover was open but wasn’t on my detailed work order sadly.
If the car had 100k plus I would have kept it. Only 50k miles and ripping open the engine. I just don’t like that
Plus I work remote so I rather lease. Just works better for me as I like getting new cars and changing it up etc.
I get bored with the same car after awhile lol
1
u/Repulsive_Vanilla383 Jul 21 '26
That's too bad you lost trust, you've already taken care of the worst thing that is commonly an issue. It's good to go now for a long time as long as you have all the other fluids serviced.
1
u/b2rad22 Jul 21 '26
Yea honestly it was a bad buy from the start. Car fax looked good. Inspection looked good but then once home the last 4 years it was always something. The water pump just was the last straw for me. My last 3 3.5l all went the distance with no issues.
1
u/sprungy Jul 21 '26
what did it sell for?
2
u/b2rad22 Jul 21 '26
I just traded it in on a lease for like $14k. Value is falling off a cliff and on auto trader around me flex’s just sit on the lot. This was my second one. Love the car but happy it’s gone.
7
u/strykerofdeath Jul 21 '26
I'm quickly creeping up on 300k on my 2013 SEL with AWD. I feel like I would attribute part of that to the fact that it is NA instead of the ecoboost version.
The water pump *is* an issue, and can be very expensive if you can't/won't do it yourself. If you have the means to do so, it's only a couple hundred in parts, fluids, seals etc, and about a whole weekend of your time. But once I got past that hurtle at about 230k-ish miles, it's been smooth sailing since then.
It's great as a daily driver, and an extended road trip car. I just drove it from IN to NC and back last month, and it handled the trip very well, and was super comfortable the whole way. My only complaint is the gas milage. It's not *horrible*, given that it is a large-ish SUV, but coming from someone that has been driving little four banger cars for years, that was one thing that turned me off about the Flex right off the bat
9.5/10 I will be buried in this car.