The Volkswagen Golf-cum-Rabbit is the kind of home-on-wheels designed for a hip bachelor or bachelorette down on their luck. Though not enough room for a family, the smartly-designed hatchbacks have always offered style and storage at a reasonable price. The four-door models are ideal for urban campers who want to curl up in the backseat but still have street cred with people who don't know they're living on the street. Price New: $17,575 (base four-door) Price Used: $5,000 and up (Mk III - Mk IV)

9.) Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 may seem like an unconventional choice for a live-in automobile, but it offers a lot for a little. Based on the sporty Mazda3 platform, the Mazda5 has the benefits of a small economy car: good mileage, low cost-of-ownership and affordability. It also offers some of the benefits of a minivan: sliding doors, three-row seating, fold-out table, under-floor storage and fold-flat seats. The possibility of getting one with a manual, no longer a possibility with most vans, makes it the perfect choice for a down-on-their-luck dad who still likes to drive but may have to outrun creditors. Price New: $18,665 (base) Price Used: $12,500 and up

8.) Ford Econoline

We imagine people have been jamming Econoline as long as people have been living in vans. They're cheap. They're big. They're available in a privacy-enhancing panel version. When Chris Farley's motivation speaker said he was "living in a van down by the river" he was almost certainly talking about a Ford Econoline. The panel version is the cheapest model and, though it lacks carpeting, has ample room for an air mattress or stolen love seat. A top-of-the-line conversion Econoline from the 1980s can be had with a TV/VCR combo, reclining bed, wood inserts and velour drapes. If it's good enough for Mike Watt, it's good enough for us. Price New: $23,940 (E-150) Price Used: $3,000 and up

7.) Honda Element

The Honda Element may be one of the most configurable cars available. The SUV with the soul of a Civic, the Element's seats can be stowed, laid-out or removed as necessary. All of the Honda's seats can be folded backwards to create two long, thin beds. This is the ideal living space for a close couple not willing to face the harsh elements outside of an Element. Additionally, the water resistant interior means that you can hose off the interior after it collects the various liquids of life. Those with a little extra dough can get an ECAMPER conversion for a true camper experience. Price New: $20,990 Price Used: $8,500 and up

6.) Chevy Suburban

There have been a few large SUV models in America's history, but none of them have lived as long as the Suburban, which holds the record for longest continuous nameplate in production. That's good if you're looking for parts for your new home. An increase in gas prices has caused an increase in availability and a decrease in price (the base model came with a 5.7-liter V8). Now that gas prices have dropped along with the economy, it's now even affordable to drive. At over 18-feet long, the Suburban's interior rivals some small studios. The GMT400 models from the 1990s could have come with the 6.5-liter diesel, which is perfect for long nights of idling to keep the heat running. Older models are tough and cheap while newer models get more expensive but offer more in the way of creature comforts. Price New: $40,820 Price Used: $2,500 and up (GMT400)

5.) Volvo 740 Wagon

A Volvo station wagon is a great choice for a family looking for a safe place to live and the Volvo 740 is perhaps the best balance of value and space. Nearly 16-feet long, the early 1990s models run cheap and aklthough not fast, they're quite roomy. Most importantly, the build quality and reliability of the last model years of the 740 are among the highest of any vehicle Volvo's ever built. When you get kicked out of your gated community you can also use it to sneak back in as a soccer mom and not as someone who uses a soccer ball for a pillow. Price New: N/A Price Used: $2,000 and up

4.) Dodge Caravan

What better way to celebrate your new life in a failing economy than buying a car from afailing automaker? Kids love the Caravan because of the cool features, like the fold-out table, DVD player with A/V hookup for the video games, fold-flat seats, tall roofs and many storage spaces. When the kids ask why they spend all the time at the beach and never go home just tell them it's like that vacation you took to Florida.. except it never ends. A small family could do much worse than life in a Caravan or its ritzy Town & Country brother, though we recommend a third generation if you want all of those features. Price New: $28,500 Price Used: $14,500 and up (third gen), $2,500 and up (second gen)

3.) Ford Flex

The automotive gypsy lifestyle once meant big vans or SUVs but the era of the crossover is here. Balancing van-like space and amenities with car-like handling, the crossover could be the sleeping place of choice for the next Great Depression. The Ford Flex might be the best choice for those who may soon be evicted but are currently of some means. The long, seven-seater Flex offers space, comfort and luxury in a package that looks like a house. Throw in a fridge in the second row console that can fit a six-pack of beer and you've got quite a home. Price New: $28,295 (base) Price Used: $25,000 (or even as low as $7,500 off of a repossession. How meta is that anyway?)

2.) Volkswagen Vanagon/EuroVan Westfalia

The Westfalia VWs were designed for living for, though not necessarily for extended periods of time. Offered through VW, the Westfalias were essentially a Volkswagen Vanagon or EuroVan with a camper top that folds out to create a living space. Many also came equipped with small refrigerators, stovetops, sink and other appliances. The Vanagon pictured above was created by this guy to be an all-season living space. They no longer sell the Westy here in the US new, so you'll have to find one on the used market. Price New: N/A Price Used: $6,000 and up (Vanagon) $12,000 and up (EuroVan Weekender)

1.) Dodge Sprinter

There's really nothing like a Dodge Sprinter commercial van if you have to live your life on wheels. Daddy Coppola turned one into a portable studio and we'd be proud to live in one. Based on the Mercedes Sprinter van, this is the Mercedes of commercial vans. At nearly 23-feet long, nine-feet tall and six-feet wide the cargo area of a Sprinter is a cave. Throw in a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, 12-volt power outlet and a hydraulic jack and you're traveling the US in comfort. For real style you can convert your Sprinter into a Mercedes with a few cheap trim pieces. In extended form there's enough room in the back for a bed, small couch, table and desk. High-mileage, used cargo versions can be found at quite a reasonable price. And, we hear it may actually be bigger than Wert's entire place in Manhattan — and for 1/10th the price new! Price New: $42,170 Price Used: $14,000 More »
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Seems one of the 31 metro Detroit Ford dealers has gotten cute and worked up a Ford Flex woody to entice customers in to buy the station wagon/van/crossover. According to Motor Trend's Todd Lassa, the Flex in question is your basic stripper model, so the woody option makes it all the more innuendo-tastic, but that's no big deal as the option apparently carries no extra charge on the window sticker. Considering the pending malaise II era breathing down our necks, we wouldn't be surprised if this kind of thing starts coming from the factory. [MotorTrend] More »
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We understand the point they're trying to make, but why does Edmunds Inside Line gotta be like that? Just because three cars all have white roofs, that doesn't mean they all look alike. Sheesh. Open your minds, guys. [Edmunds Inside Line] More »
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The new 2009 Ford Flex has scored five-star safety ratings from NHTSA in all four front and side-impact tests. The Flex numbers beat those of the rival Toyota Highlander, which received a four-star rating for the passenger in frontal tests. Ford also scored a four-star rating in the rollover test using both 2WD and 4WD Flex models, all of which should assuage some of the concerns of soccer moms afraid to tote the brood around in anything smaller than an H1 Alpha. Full release from Ford after the jump. More »
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According to the Blue Oval folks, Ford Flex was the seventh most popular search term on Yahoo last Sunday, and the only vehicle in the top 10 most-searched topics. We're not really sure why that's news, but Ford seems pretty excited about it. Our thoughts? Well, we're happy they're happy — we don't know what more there is to say. PR-heavy press release after the jump. More »
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Ford PR Flack:"We wanted to give the Flex what we call a 'wow' factor."

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With the start to the summer season now officially under our belt it's time to look for gadgets to keep you cool on those blazing summer days. One way is to always ensure a cold beverage with this car mini-fridge complete with an already included 12V DC adapter. Do you notice anything peculiar about the product photo for this gadget? Yeah, us too... More »
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Wes and I spent yesterday at a very Flex-ible Ford event in the Big Apple, and before we hit the road, we had a chance to sit down with some other journalists and break bread with our new mishpacha, Ford's chief creative officer J "Boss Of Big Balls" Mays. While other journalists were busy munching on mozzarella and delicious turkey-n-cranberry baguettes, we were asking the hard-hitting questions designed to break through Mays' built Ford tough PR shell and get to the juicy nuggets of upcoming product knowledge he had inside. We used sly questions like "So J, will Mercury and Lincoln get a Flex to call their own?" More »
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Ford is taking a page out of Subaru's book and will be partnering with Sony for a factory-installed in-car entertainment system. The first model will be a Ford Flex, much like the one we received the chauffeur treatment in, and it will be on display at the Sony Style store on Madison Avenue in New York City. More »
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Despite the news of the eminent demise of the Ford Taurus X, we're now not as concerned because we just got our first ride in the 2009 Ford Flex. A very hip Ford rep dropped by our extremely touristgasmic digs near Times Square to give us a ride over to dinner and get a little free press for Ford's new hauler. Despite a couple of syntax errors with the next-gen GPS system, which worked fine after we used the correct name of the city, the slab sided super wagon was off to the races a slow crawl through the streets of Gotham. More »
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If you're in the mood for a 2009 Ford Flex, you're going to be paying at least $28,295 for the privilege when it goes on sale this summer. This makes it only about $1,000 more expensive than the dying Ford Taurus X, which makes us think those last Taurus X's are going to go down in price soon. As nice as that FWD SE model is, if you want the goodies you could be paying as much as $37,255 for the Flex Limited. More »
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Of all the musical celebrities that have shown up this week, Funkmaster Flex has to be our favorite. The black and red Ford Flexpedition outside let us know to be on alert for Flex and then, near VW, we found him. We know Flex knows his stuff, but we were shocked that he wanted to talk about the Tata Nano, the $2,500 car from India. We didn't get a photo of ourselves with Flex, but we were lucky enough to grab one of him with some other journalist. We think she works for the Washington Times... More »
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According to the very fine people at Car & Driver, Ford CEO Alan Mulally confirmed that it would be the Lincoln brand that would get the next derivative of the Ford Flex seven-passenger crossover minivan replacement. This goes against rumors that it would be Mercury that would be getting a version of the Flex. More »
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Ford invited us down to the notorious Les Deux in Hollywood to sample booze and check out what they, BPM magazine and a graffiti artist named Slick had done to a Ford Flex. For those of you not in the know, if you ever see Britney/Lindsey/Paris getting out of $250,000 car without panties, there is a 99% chance they are headed into Les Deux. In this reporters opinion, it's everything rotten about Los Angeles shoved under one cocaine and vodka stained roof. However, I knew that once we got in, Ford had a VIP section ready for us. So, screw principles — I'm special! But, getting in wasn't so easy... More »
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Reason number 432 why we love our readers. From chevshev, "Saw this baby on Laurel Canyon, just north of Ventura Blvd. Michigan plates. I've been refreshing your page thrice a day for the last two years — hoping I'd have something to contribute one day. This is no show stopper, but I was excited nonetheless. Enjoy." Ooh, trust us, we are enjoying. In fact, if we had a gun to our head were forced to get a minivan, we would without question choose this surprisingly good looking Ford Fairlane Flex. And Chevshev, baby, you gots to hit refresh at least ten times per day. Two more pics after you jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299253&view=rss&microfeed=true Spy Photos: Ford Flex-ing minivan-like muscles. [Autoblog] More »
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It looks like Ford was Flex-ing their new minivan replacement for 2009 down in San Antonio, Texas. Jalopnik reader Hernan caught this here prototype making its way through the downtown city streets the other day looking very Dave-like in the rear-view mirror of what we're assuming is the family truck. We don't know much else more than what we already learned at the New York auto show earlier this year — but as production's expected to begin about one year from now we're assuming we'll be seeing more of this great big box in the eyesight of many a spy photographer. More »
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Seeing Ford's upcoming Flex crossover on the road must be like spotting an antique PT Cruiser in the late 2020s. All those right angles make it appear out of time, and yet its got a time-neutral quality I'd call timeless if that word didn't imply a 25th wedding anniversary present. Still, the Flex's simple geometry will likely clash with the more complex Edge on Ford lots, which will either make Ford's line seem disjointed or eclectic, depending on the beholder. Either way, its about as rad as a giant automaker has managed in a while, and we can't wait to throw our kiteboards in and hit the South of Jersey. – Mike Spinelli More »
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And as long as the lens of the mechanics with the most friends might be, the Flex is longer. Like, weirdly long. Like, Ford's new minivan replacement looks as if it were built on the same frame as the Expedition EL. Don't worry, it's not. The Flex actually shares a lot of componentry with livin' on the Edge, including the well-sorted 3.5-liter V6 and the even weller-sorted 6-speed auto. Much of the spizarkle from the Fairlane concept (including the suicide doors!) seems to have been bled out of the vehicle. Even the little baby bunting found on the NY Auto Show piece is mostly absent. All that is length left is bigness. Sigh. Pop over to Pop Mech and have a look for yourselves. – Jonny Lieberman More »
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Alan, Mark, Horbury, Mays — the whole gang was on hand to preview two new cars for the auto-show media fleet here in New York. The first, the Shelby GT500/KR. But you know, we've seen that already. What haven't we seen? Well, we haven't seen them Flex yet. Until today. Here's the press release and the live shots from here on the Javits floor. We'll have more on Ford's minivan muscle flex soon. – Ray Wert More »
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This morning's breakfast will feature FoMoCo CEO Alan "Still the new guy" Mulally, but as the auto press filtered in I happened upon the following "secret" vehicle all under wraps. Pay no attention to the whatever behind the curtain said the FoMoCo staffer. We snapped away nonetheless. We'll have more on whatever this thing is shortly we're assuming — but anyone want to "flex" their mental muscle and help tell us what this is? – Ray Wert More »
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Yup. The big product news from Dearborn will be FoMoCo flexing their minivan-muscle with the Flex. We've heard it's built on a stretched D3 chassis — the same one that underpins the Taurus and the Taurus X. We've also heard it's got standard doors (Hat tip to Grimace on that one!) It's actually the one part of the article battle royale between Bryce Hoffman of the Detroit News and John Stoll of Dow Jones that we forgot to tell you about yesterday. We must have been briefly blinded by all the industry navel-gazing — or by Bryce's terrific investigative journalism. Remember to follow all of our breaking apple-tastic news via our New York Auto Show mini-page and tag. – Ray Wert More »
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There are two contradictory reports out of FoMoCo today on the minivan replacement in the blue oval's lineup. Everyone appears to be in agreement that it'll be called the Flex rather than the Fairlane, its conceptual name. And that's good because whenever we think "Fairlane" we think "Adventures of," and that's no good thing if Ford wants families to be buying this thing. But we digress. The contradiction appears to be on something wholly more important — what the doors will look like. We kid you not, there are two contradictory reports, one from John Stoll of Dow Jones who claims

"The Flex carries three rows of seats and unique side doors that open from the middle - in opposite directions, much like French doors do - and are intended to be a modern alternative to the sliding door popularized by the minivan."

Sounds pretty cool if you ask us, but although Stoll's known for scoop, there's a bigger dog in the game of breaking news out of FoMoCo — and that's Bryce Hoffman from the Detroit News. If there's one man who's got the investigative skills to pay the bills, it'd be Bryce. He's the only reporter... More »
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