Anyone have a Ford Transit Connect?

[emily_in_nc]

If so, how do you like it? Pros and cons?

How many bikes does it hold in back? :D

And, do you think it is comfortable enough for traveling in?

It's on our short list but we can only look online at the moment.

Thanks!

[indysteel]

If memory serves, Wahine has one, but she's not been around a lot since she and her SO purchased a house. You might have to PM her.

[jobob]

Hey, that looks interesting!

Our beloved Honda Element is getting on in years, and at the moment we have no idea what to replace it with when that sad day arrives (since it's been discontinued, boo!).

As luck would have it, a bunch of TE'ers are going to the Motor Trend Silicon Valley Auto Show today* and I asked them to keep an eye open for the Transit Connect, and if it's there to try to get an idea if couple of bikes can be stored upright in the back cab, as we now do w the Element. So they're on a Mission! :cool:

*I was supposed to go with them but Lee's dad was sent to the hospital (yet again!) very late last night and we have stuff to deal with today, gahhh.

[OakLeaf]

Here's your specs: http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/specifications/interior/ Plenty tall, and four feet between the wheelhouses sounds like at least six bikes with staggered handlebars.

I know Wahine and her partner converted a Dodge Sprinter (or the Mercedes equivalent) for their race van, which is like a full-sized cousin to the Ford Transit. Dunno whether that's what Indy was thinking of, or what she might have for her "regular" vehicle.



ETA: jo, hope your FIL is home and comfortable ASAP. :(

[indysteel]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of, Oak. My mistake. Thanks for clarifying.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks folks. I do remember that Wahine had a Sprinter van. They are very cool but larger than we want to go for our only vehicle and pricier than what we're looking to spend. They were on our long list but did not make it to the short list for those reasons.

I owned a Honda Element from 2004-2011 (when we moved down here), and it was a great bike hauler w/back seats out (we had four in there at once), but I wouldn't buy a used one because of the gas mileage. We want to do some serious traveling and need better mileage.

Jobob, definitely two bikes can be stored in the back, I'm quite sure. Four would be adequate for our needs, and sounds like it will do that.

There is a full-size model Ford Transit van coming out in the fall that has been available in Europe for awhile, and we also saw a bunch of them in Mexico, but we'd like to get away with the smaller version if we can -- and we'll need a vehicle before Fall anyway.

[Wahine]

I heard my name popped up on this thread. So I thought I would pop in and say "Hi".

Emily, the Transit Connect in size and shape is very much like the 2000 Renault Kangoo which I have driven in Europe and we could get 3 bikes and 4 people in it. I'm sure 4 bikes wouldn't be a problem with 2 people. I doubt that you could do 4 bikes and 4 people.

Yes, our Sprinter is a biggie but works great for what we need it to do. They do make Sprinters in a shorter length and also not as tall.

Happy car hunting.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks, Wahine! You have good hearing. :D

The Transit Connect comes with only two seats, so getting four people in would not be needed. We kept the two back seats of our Element in our garage almost all the time, so it would be a similar deal. We don't have kids, so it's not a problem. We just drive separately if socializing with another couple, or sometimes they are kind enough to give us a lift.

I know the Sprinter comes in several sizes, but it is out of our price range. And we'd read some information online stating that it can be hard to get service for the diesel engine as it is very specialized, and that service is expensive as well. It's a beaut, but there were just too many strikes against it for us as we're on a fairly frugal "early retirement" budget. No complaints, just have to pick our splurges carefully!

We read some really awful reviews of the Transit Connect today, so we may have to move on from it -- or wait until fall if we can swing it somehow, when the new model is introduced. Supposedly it addresses some of the issues in the current model (underpowered engine and others).

Here are the reviews if anyone else is interested. Really depressing -- but I am glad we found them.

http://www.cars.com/ford/transit-connect/2012/consumer-reviews/

[indysteel]

Nice to "see" you, Wahine! I hope you're getting happily settled in your new house! Still training for your epic mtb race?

[Wahine]

Nice to "see" you, Wahine! I hope you're getting happily settled in your new house! Still training for your epic mtb race?

Thank you. We're settling in slowly but surely. There was waaaaaaay more work to do on the house than I had anticipated so it's taking up a lot of time. And yes, now I'm supposed to be training for the Portugal epic and well, there just don't seem to be enough hours in a day. But whatever will be will be. Life is good. Thanks for asking.

[jobob]

Here are the reviews if anyone else is interested. Really depressing -- but I am glad we found them.

http://www.cars.com/ford/transit-connect/2012/consumer-reviews/

Oh well, good to know. We're in no hurry to replace the Element (KNOCK WOOD! LIGHT CANDLES! RECITE CHANTS!) so maybe the re-designed model might work out for us.

Emily, seems like you're looking for precisely the kind of car we'd like, so I would really like to know how your search progresses, if you don't mind. :)

{Hi Wahine! <waves>}

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, seems like you're looking for precisely the kind of car we'd like, so I would really like to know how your search progresses, if you don't mind. :)


Be glad to! My DH is doing most of the legwork on this one as he needs to be happy with whatever we choose. If we still had our Element, obviously it would work for what we want to do, even with the not-great gas mileage. I surely wish Honda would have continued with it and figured out a way to boost its mileage because it was such a convenient bike-mobile! Have yet to find anything that really compares. :(

[mzone]

I have an original year Element (2003) and dread the day I'll have to replace it. I should have many more years to come with just under 80k on it now. A short commute and riding my bike to work in warmer weather helps.

The Transit had some potential until I realized there were no seats for the dogs in back. The Nissan NV line looks interesting.

[emily_in_nc]

I have an original year Element (2003) and dread the day I'll have to replace it. I should have many more years to come with just under 80k on it now. A short commute and riding my bike to work in warmer weather helps.

The Transit had some potential until I realized there were no seats for the dogs in back. The Nissan NV line looks interesting.

We had over 125K miles on our '04 Element when we sold it. Would have driven it for many more if we hadn't moved out of the country. You should have many more years with yours!

We have looked at the Nissan NV as well. It's still on our list of possibilities, but apparently sales have been abysmal, and thus resale values are in the toilet. Also, since they are classified as commercial trucks, they are not required to disclose their MPG, but we read in one forum that the high-roof model might get as low as 11 mpg. Might as well get an RV for that kind of mileage. Not good for lots of traveling....

The hunt goes on!

[jobob]

I surely wish Honda would have continued with it and figured out a way to boost its mileage because it was such a convenient bike-mobile! Have yet to find anything that really compares. :( I know what you mean! Early on we were hoping that Honda would come out with a hybrid Element. Oh well.

[Fredwina]

Another couple of options that will be coming to the US market are the Fiat Doblo and Ducato. A lot more options for bike haulers

[emily_in_nc]

Another couple of options that will be coming to the US market are the Fiat Doblo and Ducato. A lot more options for bike haulers

When, Fredwina? Any idea?

Thanks!

[snapdragen]

You can get a Transit with seats - it's the "wagon (http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/trim/xltwagon/)" version. They didn't have any vans, except for one Mercedes at the auto show. I fell in love with a Mercedes station wagon. Comfy!

[OakLeaf]

I just saw a Nissan panel van going down the road and thought of this thread. They're going to be coming out with a compact version later this year, too. http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/nv

[emily_in_nc]

I just saw a Nissan panel van going down the road and thought of this thread. They're going to be coming out with a compact version later this year, too. http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/nv

I commented on those above. We were actually all gung-ho about the NV2500 until we read about the horrible gas mileage and very poor resale. The latter doesn't bother us as much as the former. Perhaps the compact ones coming out later this year will be an improvement.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, missed that, sorry. Still, the high roof, heavy duty version reviewed by C&D is almost two feet taller and 600# heavier than the 1500. That height especially has to kill the fuel mileage. MotorWeek (http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2012_nissan_nv) rates the 4-liter standard roof 2500 at 16.8 mpg - no Prius, but not *so* bad for a truck.

Would a pickup with a tall cap meet your needs?

[Fredwina]

When, Fredwina? Any idea?

Thanks!
2014 Model year.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh, missed that, sorry. Still, the high roof, heavy duty version reviewed by C&D is almost two feet taller and 600# heavier than the 1500. That height especially has to kill the fuel mileage. MotorWeek (http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2012_nissan_nv) rates the 4-liter standard roof 2500 at 16.8 mpg - no Prius, but not *so* bad for a truck.

Would a pickup with a tall cap meet your needs?

Not sure about that...when we lived in rural NC, we owned a full-size pickup with a regular-height cap, and it was okay, but the bed was so high up it was difficult to manuever stuff into and out of, hard to get in and out of in general (I'm only 5'2"), and the gas mileage was bad. A high-roof cap would make it worse, I think. I just really like the idea of a van with a lower cargo bed height and easier to get in and out of. Guess I shouldn't rule a pickup out, even though I don't think of myself as a pickup person at all.

If only they made mini-vans without all the extra seats we don't need...I like the cavernous cargo space of them, and the comfort for traveling. For example, the Honda Odyssey, which gets many thumbs up from owners.

Looked up the Chrysler versions of the Fiat vans, and they look promising from a design standpoint, but I have a negative connotation of Fiats ("Fix it again Tony") and Chrysler. I would be scared to buy one the first model year, I think. They're nice looking, though.

[SheFly]

Emily - don't discount the mini van. We have a Toyota Sienna. The middle captain's seats haven't been in it since we bought it in 2007 - they sit on a shelf in our garage ;). We do leave the rear stow-and-go seats up for the most part, but can flip them down with ease when necessary. We race A LOT, and use this car to get to and from, and essentially, as our locker room. With no middle seats, there is a ton of room for our gear, and to stretch out in the back.

We're heading down to Worlds (CX) later this month, and will put two bikes INSIDE the van, and still have one seat available so that one of us can nap in the back. We'll also have all of our gear - trainer, bike wash equipment, bike gear and hanging out gear.

I SWORE I wasn't going to drive a van - ever. Mine has just over 100K miles on it, and now I'm looking at another. Oh - and the fuel mileage is almost 23 mpg over the life span of the van.

SheFly

ETA - it will fit TWO full tandems, with wheels ON, plus gear and cats for the weekend ;)

[emily_in_nc]

Emily - don't discount the mini van. We have a Toyota Sienna. The middle captain's seats haven't been in it since we bought it in 2007 - they sit on a shelf in our garage ;). We do leave the rear stow-and-go seats up for the most part, but can flip them down with ease when necessary. We race A LOT, and use this car to get to and from, and essentially, as our locker room. With no middle seats, there is a ton of room for our gear, and to stretch out in the back.

Thanks for the feedback, SheFly, and we haven't ruled out a mini-van. Our primary concern with them is logistics. We're going to be house-sitting and will take our bikes and a certain amount of gear with us to the house we'll be staying at (when we're not traveling). We could remove some/all of the rear seats during that time. But if we stay a year or more and accumulate much more stuff (we're thinking we might get some camping gear, a kayak, and we'll have our original clothes, dog, and dog items plus bikes), it could be really tough to get all our stuff AND the van seats back inside to take everything back to North Carolina (or wherever we go next!) after the house-sitting gig is up. That's why we really like the idea of a van without any seats to begin with. We just have kind of a unique situation.

Can mini-vans haul small U-Haul trailers? That's probably what we'd have to do in this situation. I am just sure we'll be coming back with more stuff than we go with, and we can't really leave the van seats behind in Kansas! :D

[SheFly]

Yes! They can tow trailers! In fact, we had a towing package added to our Sienna, and usually haul the bikes on a hitch-mounted rack. We have friends who just drove their Sienna from ME to WI for CX Nationals with a trailer full of bikes and gear behind it. Ours will even pull our snowmobile trailer :).

SheFly

[tulip]

Most minivans' seats fold into the floor (flat) and you don't need to take them out. They are very handy, but it might take some effort to get past the societal baggage that comes with minivans (suburban soccer moms who have given up their own identities to the Suburban Mom ideal). But once that's not an issue, they are great vehicles and would be ideal for what you describe.

[emily_in_nc]

Yes! They can tow trailers! In fact, we had a towing package added to our Sienna, and usually haul the bikes on a hitch-mounted rack. We have friends who just drove their Sienna from ME to WI for CX Nationals with a trailer full of bikes and gear behind it. Ours will even pull our snowmobile trailer :).

SheFly

Good to know, SheFly, thanks! :D

[emily_in_nc]

Most minivans' seats fold into the floor (flat) and you don't need to take them out. They are very handy, but it might take some effort to get past the societal baggage that comes with minivans (suburban soccer moms who have given up their own identities to the Suburban Mom ideal). But once that's not an issue, they are great vehicles and would be ideal for what you describe.

Societal baggage doesn't bother me -- but it might my DH. He always said NO MINIVANS, but practicality may win out. When we actually go car shopping, I will insist we at least take a look at the Honda Odyssey, because he really likes Hondas. He might fold if we don't find a better option. :rolleyes:

[SheFly]

Most minivans' seats fold into the floor (flat) and you don't need to take them out. They are very handy, but it might take some effort to get past the societal baggage that comes with minivans (suburban soccer moms who have given up their own identities to the Suburban Mom ideal). But once that's not an issue, they are great vehicles and would be ideal for what you describe.

That's actually only true for a small number of vans, and they're usually US manufacturers (Chrysler and Ford do this, I believe). In Toyotas and Hondas, the middle seats have to be taken out. It's not a big deal to do it though.

And yes, the stigma is brutal. I call my van the "not mom" car, since we don't have any children. I've been driving it so long now though that I don't care any more :). In fact, I know several fellow racers who have gone out and purchased vans after seeing how we have ours set up!

SheFly

[nuliajuk]

We're looking at what we could replace our Caravan with in a couple years time, and the Transit Connect is on our list of models to consider as well.
From what I've read so far, they're made in Turkey as passenger vehicles to avoid something called the "chicken tax" when imported, then some are converted to commercial use after arriving. So, in theory at least, the full-on passenger version should be cheaper as it has required no conversion. Something to use as a bargaining chip when buying, maybe?
They look a lot like the Citroen Berlingo - I wonder if Ford and Citroen have any connection?

[tulip]

I've heard that the Ford Transit Connect are a pretty rough ride. If you are used to a passenger vehicle, the switch to a cargo vehicle can seem pretty harsh--ride and noise.

What about one of those boxy things--I don't know what they are called but the hamsters (or are they rats?) drive them in the ads.

[emily_in_nc]

We're looking at what we could replace our Caravan with in a couple years time, and the Transit Connect is on our list of models to consider as well.
From what I've read so far, they're made in Turkey as passenger vehicles to avoid something called the "chicken tax" when imported, then some are converted to commercial use after arriving. So, in theory at least, the full-on passenger version should be cheaper as it has required no conversion. Something to use as a bargaining chip when buying, maybe?

Unfortunately, not so. In my research I read that ALL of them are converted to cargo vans (seats removed, windows replaced with metal, etc) when they come to the USA. Then a small number are converted BACK to passenger vans to be used by taxi and other companies, at the buyer's expense. Absolutely screwy!

Make sure to read the reviews link I posted somewhere above. Reading some of those reviews was enough to scare my DH and me off from the current model, and we were quite gung-ho before that.

[emily_in_nc]

I've heard that the Ford Transit Connect are a pretty rough ride. If you are used to a passenger vehicle, the switch to a cargo vehicle can seem pretty harsh--ride and noise.

What about one of those boxy things--I don't know what they are called but the hamsters (or are they rats?) drive them in the ads.

And since I am used to a beach bike on unpaved gravel and cobblestone roads, I expect the Transit Connect would not feel too rough a ride. :D

Not sure about the "boxy things" -- have not seen that ad.

[ny biker]

And since I am used to a beach bike on unpaved gravel and cobblestone roads, I expect the Transit Connect would not feel too rough a ride. :D

Not sure about the "boxy things" -- have not seen that ad.

I think the boxy things in the commercials are made by Kia.

I binged "Kia box" and found this from a few years ago

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/0904_box_car_comparison/viewall.html