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?

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!

*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/transitco...ions/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.

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-con...sumer-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-con...sumer-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.