Ford Transit Wagon?

"7:07" (fanbrain001)
12/31/2018 at 19:07 • Filed to: None

Anyone have any experience with the Ford Transit wagon? Our Pacifica lease is up in August and we have another child on the way.

Looking to buy the low roof, short wheelbase model with the 3. 5L Ecoboost. There is supposed to be a facelift for the 2020 model year that includes the 10-speed auto and hopefully the more powerful Ecoboost.

I’ll probably go test drive the Transit, Nissan NV (barf), 2019 Sprinter (lots of tech options now), and maybe the Metris.

Any of you have one of these or drive one for work?

DISCUSSION (26)

Ssfancyfresh > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 19:25

I rented a 12 passenger long wheelbase low roof Transit with the NA V6.

Power was adequate for 5 adults and 4 kids. It was fun to drive because it was so much like a bus. The view out the front is amazing. The view out the back was non-existent. I got used to using the ginormous mirrors pretty quickly.

It’s a lot of Van

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 19:28

I ride in one a couple times a day (a secret I’ve kept from Oppo) for work. Not bad, utilitarian/cheap but does the job. Lots of parts bin from other models.

Personally, if you could make it work, I'd go the Mercedes sprinter route. My neighbor has a 4x4 Sprinter passenger van for their family. Goddamn it's sooooo nice.

dogisbadob > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 19:41

Damn, a full-size Transit?

Not even the Transit Connect minivan, which is now available wi th a 1.5L diesel

VincentMalamute-Kim > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 19:46

I’ve got the high roof, long wheelbase cargo model. If you need to carry 18 passengers or a 3500 lb payload , then yes, the Transit is great. The passenger model is the cargo with lipstick. If you need to carry 7 or 8 people, a minivan is a far nicer choice.

The 3.5 Ecoboost makes it faster than any rational person would want. It handles like a sports car (for a really tall two ton van - I tried to take an on ramp at the same speed as my lowered sports suspended Forester - I’m not doing that again ).

OPPOsaurus WRX > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 20:09

Shit dude how many kids do u have? Maybe in time for a little snip snip.

7:07 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/31/2018 at 20:21

I’m going to test drive the redesigned 2019 Sprinter sometime this week . It has quite a few options I would love, but it’s easily 15-20k more than a Transit, and it’s only available with a high roof, which I’m trying to avoid.

7:07 > OPPOsaurus WRX
12/31/2018 at 20:22

Haha, four with a fifth on the way. I just want more space for cargo for trips. PS-snip snip soon

7:07 > dogisbadob
12/31/2018 at 20:23

I think the Transit connect is even smaller than the Pacifica? The Pacifica is the biggest minivan and it's little tight with all seven seats occupied plus luggage

7:07 > VincentMalamute-Kim
12/31/2018 at 20:26

I’ve driven a rental passenger version with the Ecoboost but can’t remember what it was like. I’m not looking forward to the s partan interior but look forward to the extra spaaaace

7:07 > Ssfancyfresh
12/31/2018 at 20:27

The Transit drives so much better than the old Econoline and GM vans it's not even funny. I love all the glass in the Transit. I'll post a follow-up after doing some test drives

Ssfancyfresh > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 20:42

It’s a great van if you’re into big vans. There is a solid value proposition there if you need something with seating for 6+ and a bunch of cargo. I loved it. I thought it was a ton of fun to drive on vacation. I probably wouldn’t mind having it as a daily if my family grew to 4+ kids.

I have heard that finding a well equipped passenger wagon on a dealer lot can be pretty difficult. I would imagine the short wheelbase low top ecoboost combo would be pretty rare. Good luck!

dogisbadob > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 21:07

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 21:26

Ah, gotcha. How many kids? Maybe a transit connect?

VincentMalamute-Kim > 7:07
12/31/2018 at 23:00

Sprinter maintenance is also much higher since the dealers charge you Mercedes rates. Avoid the diesels in either the Sprinter or Transit.

7:07 > Ssfancyfresh
01/01/2019 at 00:33

Yeah, I'm thinking it's going to be next to impossible to find the right one on a lot and will probably have to order it.

ATBScott > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 02:08

I own a 2015 Medium roof long wheelbase 12-passenger wagon. Don’t have the Ecoboost motor, and the stock 3.7L is fine. I drive it pretty mellow so didn’t need the extra cost, complexity and wear from the more powerful turbo motor. I have 2 friends with Ecoboost Ford’s, and they end up using the power all the time. Mileage sucks when you have your boot in it, tires wear, brakes, etc...

The mid-height roof is much nicer than than the low roof, for getting in /out, loading cargo, etc... I have the 4 seats in the back removed and stored, it’s basically 8-passenger with a ton of cargo space. I get 17-18 mpg cruising 70+ on the not-flat Bay Area freeway s and 14-15 mpg driving around town with short freeway hops. I’m 5'9" and can stand in the back with my head just touching the roofliner. It won’t Park in th e garage tho...

It handles better than the ‘18 and earlier Sprinters, and costs a fraction to maintain (biggest problem with the Mercedes) and insure. The 2019 Sprinter is sounding like a nice vehicle, but they charge too much to service and to insure for my blood. I’d rather spend the money on a nice vacation in the van!

SWITAWI > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 02:51

Skip the NV. Drive the Transit, Sprinter, and Metris to compare.

Forrest > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 03:44

I don’t have any experience with these, but I think they are pretty cool.

I remember seeing a Hooniverse video on YouTube where they drove the Transit pretty fast on a twisty road and declared it to be fun.

Monkey B > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 11:02

it is much smaller , and they have awful transmissions (at least my 2014 does) The gearing is terrible. OK for city driving but freeway driving is awful if you get cut off and need to build speed quickly for a pass...think the Dale Earnhart slingshot, that’s how you have to pass. Floor it, wait for the hamsters to wind it up and when you get acceleration....slingshot!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 13:52

I think I’d go with the diesel Sprinter, but it is nearly 10k more than a comparable Ecoboost Transit.

My only experience is based of driving my FIL’s high roof , lo ng wheel base diesel Sprinter, and it had more than enough power out of that little turbo diesel. He’s had his for I think 2 years now with no problems.

7:07 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
01/01/2019 at 14:30

Four kids with a fifth due later this month or early Feb. I’m not sure big a Transit connect is, but will look at one tomorrow when we test drive stuff.

7:07 > ATBScott
01/01/2019 at 14:33

I haven’t driven or been in a medium roof, so I’ll look at one tomorrow when we go test drive stuff. I don’t have a garage right now, but don’t want to paint myself into a corner down the road.

For the Ecoboost, I think it’s the only engine choice I’d consider. I drive through mountainous terrain and have speed limits up to 80 mph, so MORE POWAH the better.

lordjim2001 > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 14:42

We have a 2016 Transit Connect LWB wagon with 2x2x2 seating and like it. Just be warned that both the Sprinter and any model Transit may be difficult to insure as most insurance companies class them as commercial vehicles.

lordjim2001 > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 15:02

For 7, a Connect won’t have enough room. Ours has enough for 6 and a small amount of luggage. As in enough for the 2 people w're picking up or dropping off at the airport.

7:07 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
01/01/2019 at 15:08

I’m really tempted to go the Sprinter route. If they had a non-high roof model, that is. I built a high roof with all the options and it was in the $60k range. I think the Transit 150 tops out in the mid 40s

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > 7:07
01/01/2019 at 15:19

i was able to spec a low roof 12 passenger Sprinter.