Ford Transit Connect opinions?

April 30, 2018, 08:54 AM

Sock Eating Golden

Goldenette wants a three row vehicle with the kids getting larger and a dog.

She's wanting a minivan (read: Honda Odyssey) But the pricing puts up into a minimum 2 year old 40-50k mileage used car.

There is a newer Transit Connect available locally for a reasonable price with half the miles. I'm trying to sway her. Any members have experience with them?

Thanks.

Nick

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April 30, 2018, 09:15 AM

a1abdj

Can't speak from a passenger standpoint, but I have a few friends that use them in their businesses as delivery/service vehicles. They are pleased with their cargo versions.

April 30, 2018, 09:49 AM

Sock Eating Golden

Thanks. I think that's my wife's biggest hangup. It "looks" like a cargo van. Though I quite like the recent facelift.

Nick

"I cannot imagine any condition which would cause a ship to founder. I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel. Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that."
-Capt. Edward Smith

April 30, 2018, 10:43 AM

Orguss

Nothing to add to this conversation other than I've done some work to fix your avatar and have uploaded it in another thread with your name in the title. Please check it out.

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April 30, 2018, 03:16 PM

arcwelder

I would recommend you look at the Nissan NV200.

I was looking for a small utility van, and the NV200 destroys the Transit Connect on features and cost.

I have had mine since 2015 and love it.

They get great mileage for a cargo van, and mine has been FULL. Probably more weight than you'll see as a passenger van.

The overall cost of the NV200, and considering its warranty, with the CVT and chain drive, man it just beat the pants off the Transit Connect for me.

The Transit Connect costs more because it says Ford, and the reality is that more of the NV200 is built HERE.

Arc.
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April 30, 2018, 03:32 PM

BigSwede

quote:
Originally posted by arcwelder76:
I would recommend you look at the Nissan NV200.

I was looking for a small utility van, and the NV200 destroys the Transit Connect on features and cost.

I have had mine since 2015 and love it.

They get great mileage for a cargo van, and mine has been FULL. Probably more weight than you'll see as a passenger van.

The overall cost of the NV200, and considering its warranty, with the CVT and chain drive, man it just beat the pants off the Transit Connect for me.

The Transit Connect costs more because it says Ford, and the reality is that more of the NV200 is built HERE.

No seats in rear. What is the price range?

April 30, 2018, 03:39 PM

HRK

As long as you don't get a white one, it might look a bit less commercial but it really is a light commercial van, they do have a multi passenger version with glass side windows thats
a bit less commercial looking

https://www.ford.com/trucks/tr...passenger-van-wagon/

You can BYO Transit at that link...

April 30, 2018, 03:39 PM

arcwelder

They have an NV200 passenger model.

I have the "fleet vehicle," which was significantly cheaper than the Ford of the same vintage. I wager that price difference continues into passenger cars.

April 30, 2018, 04:26 PM

trapper189

I can't find an NV200 passenger model. Apparently, there is a taxi version coming out, but it doesn't have a third row.

Nissan makes a full size passenger van, the NV Passenger, that seems popular with larger families at my kids' school. MSRP starts at $35k.

April 30, 2018, 04:38 PM

truckola

The first Transits were under powered and the heater never seemed to really work, the new ones are nice, good power and will melt you even in the coldest weather, quiet too.

April 30, 2018, 06:30 PM

doublesharp

I'm no help but I've got the full sized Transit 150XLT window van in white and I love it.

April 30, 2018, 07:30 PM

detroit192

On any of these newer commercial small vehicles the tires are EXTREMELY expensive.

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May 05, 2018, 11:22 PM

Keith5.0

I drive a transit connect lwb or xl... can’t remember the chrome bits on the back right now... everyday and it’s decently comfortable, lots of space and even a shelf above the visors. It get decent mpg at 25 solid. You don’t even notice the “bigness” of it until it’s really really windy. Engine is meh... but will pull it’s own weight. 2016 with 80+k on it, no issues so far. There was a recall for one of the sliding door handles but that’s all I can recall.
Hope this helps.

May 06, 2018, 01:37 AM

gasche

Love them at the Airporter. Great mileage plenty of power. Only complaint is the windshields are expensive.

May 06, 2018, 02:25 AM

KevH

I'm looking at buying a 2019 right now as soon as they're available. The "Platinum" version with every bell and whistle is cheaper than the most basic Toyota Sienna and it has a kind of a cool quirky factor to it.

The latest version has "barn door" style doors in the back and the 3rd row seats are supposed to fold flat which should work great for me putting two dogs in the back. There are extra engine options available this coming year.

May 06, 2018, 07:47 AM

reflex/deflex 64

Son in law has had one a couple years now. He's quite happy with it and prefers it over a 4yr old Civic.

Not the passenger version however.

May 06, 2018, 08:51 AM

Cousin Vinnie

Nothing Ford for me! Every Ford that I had over the decades had issues that the dealer refused to correct or acknowledge. I'll stick with Japanese vehicles made in Japan or the USA.

May 06, 2018, 09:20 AM

P250UA5

Just to toss out a few other options in the same category.

Transit Connect
Nissan NV200
Chevrolet City Express (rebadged Nissan NV200) (not sure if there's a passenger version)
Mercedes Metris (probably a bit more $$ to maintain with the star on the hood)
Ram ProMaster City

May 06, 2018, 01:38 PM

Blackmore

My brother had an XLT with windows all the way around. I drove it a few times. Great over the road. More van-like ride on back roads and rough pavement. Excellent visibility with all the windows and IMHO they eliminate the cargo van look.

May 07, 2018, 03:55 PM

SigSAC

Just talked to someone I know at work who drives a Transit Connect 350 for a van pool. He says it has been very reliable, and has enough power going up the hill. He has been happy with it.