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DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Scott And Jaime At Lake Natoma

"I looked at this thinking, oh my gosh it's the ugliest car ever!"

The Ride
The Driver: Scott and Jaime
Car in Question: 2011 Ford Flex SEL with EcoBoost
Spotted at: Lake Natoma, 7806 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630
Odometer: 14,852
Car's Nickname: Flexy

THE DEFENSE

Q: What is your car's main use besides towing your business around?

A: Haha, yeah we tow our standup paddleboards all over for RiseSUP! Other than that, its main use is driving to and from yoga. No, uh, basically just driving around town or day trips. A lot of day trips.

Q: So how much time do you spend in it?

A: Per day I probably spend a good half hour to an hour.

Q: What's your favorite day trip from home?

A: Definitely Lake Tahoe. We snowboard and paddleboard so it's perfect in Tahoe.

Q: Tell me about a time you took a trip there.

A: Last New Year's Day, when Scott and I got engaged, driving home from there it had dumped about six feet in two days. Getting home was a nightmare because it's all-wheel drive, not four-wheel drive, so we slid around, we had to buy chains on the road - it took us eight hours versus two to get home.

Q: What's the farthest place you've driven?

A: Park City, Utah for the H2O Overdrive Stand Up Paddleboard race. It was 16 hours there and 16 hours back. But I'll tell you one thing, that car is so comfortable – the heated seats and the way that they're shaped – you're not sore when you walk out of it. You know most six or eight hour drives and you get out and you're like, oh my gosh, my back hurts. It is the most comfortable car ever.

Q: Where did you buy it?

A: My brother works for Ford, so I bought it in Southern California at Capistrano Ford and got a really good deal on it. That's the only reason we got the turbo. That's all they had and I was like, ok, and he took – I don't know – 10% off or something.

Q: But you almost need turbo for all of the stand up paddleboards you tow?

A: For sure. Well we went to Ford and I was going to get a truck. The lease was up on my other car and I looked at this thinking, oh my gosh it's the ugliest car ever! My neighbor had one and I always made fun of her. But then you get inside and you're like, this thing is bad! It's long, it has three rows, you can fit eight people in there comfortably.

Q: Or yoga gear.

A: Or yoga gear! I look in the back and I'm like, holy cow this thing is a mile long! We can fit all of our paddles in there, it has a great towing capacity, it's classy, it's kind of a good city car and it's also good for the mountains and water.

Q: Is it easy to parallel park in Sacramento when you go to yoga?

A: Honestly, for as big as it is, yes! Yeah, it's really easy to maneuver for as big as it is. And, it's fast!

Q: Are there any rules for the car?

A: No texting while driving! Starting today, the first of the year, when I get in the car, I have to take my phone, make sure it's hooked up to blue tooth so if anyone important calls, and put it way in the back of the car so I don't text.

Q: So does Flexy have a theme song?

A: Our theme song is definitely Low Rider!

Photos and interview by Kimberly Brenneman

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with "Defend Your Ride Sacramento" in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSSacramento.com/Autos

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