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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Automotive News is speculating that Ford's highly anticipated EcoBoost twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 will cost about $700 over the standard powerplant when it's released as an option for the Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex next year. While Ford didn't release output numbers or mileage expectations for the initial applications, they are saying that pickup versions of the EcoBoost V6 will produce "significantly more" than 340 HP and 340 lb-ft of torque while returning 20% better mileage than an equivalent V8. Just don't call it a Twinforce. [AutoNews(Sub. Req.)] 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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There's no set definition of what is and what isn't a road trip. Do you have to cross state lines? Is there a minimum mileage? Should it be measured in years? We don't have answers to these questions and neither do the people at Kelly Blue Book who put together an interesting mix of vehicles to meet the task, ranging from the obvious choices like the Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Prius to surprises like the Audi S5 and Bugatti Veyron. And then there's the VW Eos, which we'd rather not be packed into for a long journey. The full list and press release below. 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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Our esteemed editor, Herr Wert, penned a piece for Popular Mechanics about the demise of the futuristic concept car and the rise of practically-production concepts like the Honda Pilot and Dodge Challenger, which will end up being nearly indistinguishable from their production versions. The good days of the turbine-powered Firebird II are gone, though we hope they will come again. [Popular Mechanics] 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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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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Just for SEMA, Ford's let two designers have their way with their new people mover, the Ford Flex. First up is none other than the star of "Foosical: The Musical," Chip Foose. He's put his personal touch on the Flex by dropping Foose Design 22-inch wheels on the feet, and Eibach springs customized for "a lower appearance," and a custom-mixed, tow-tone blue and cream pearl paint job. It's the Foose Flexy, kiddies — all the same "great" looks of the Flex, with absolutely no performance upgrades. Yup, enjoy — or something.
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