WTF!?!?!

"Long-Voyager" (long-voyager)
06/25/2018 at 07:16 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping with Long-Voyager

So we’ve been toying with the idea of getting a Transit Connect when we sell the truck:

Out of all the Ford dealers around us, none have a Transit Connect passenger. Only 2 have a cargo version.

Dealers say Ford won’t give them more stock because they don’t sell, yet they say they can’t keep them on the lot, selling most before they even hit the floor.

If they sell that well, isn’t that a sign the demand is there and you should start supplying more?

We really want to get in one and take it for a drive, but we’re not driving 100 miles one way for a test drive. I refuse to buy a vehicle without driving it first.

DISCUSSION (48)

jkm7680 > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 07:27

Especially a Transit Connect. Those drive like work vans.

itschrome > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 07:34

I test drove one, it was shit.

Long-Voyager > jkm7680
06/25/2018 at 07:36

Modern minivans are too numb/useless for us.

These are more the utility minivan we are looking for.

Long-Voyager > itschrome
06/25/2018 at 07:36

Why exactly?

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 07:59

That’s the dealer bullshitting you. When I went with Jayhawk Jake to the Ford Dealership in town I asked if they had any Fusion Sports. “No, we can’t keep them in stock!” Which was a pretty bold statement considering that every dealer in a 200 mile radius has them marked down $8k below sticker languishing on the lots.

This was just their way of saying that you’ll have to order one for them to get one, because they don’t want to have to sell it.

itschrome > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:01

the interior just felt like shit. very poor build quality in rear seating area. really feels like putting people back there was an after thought. It felt super under powered and drove like hot garbage. Worst van for moving people in my option. it would make a fine delivery van for around town. At highway speed it’s just awful. very droney engine, forget about passing. the 40 to 80 is just awful. Also cabin noise is very high.

the long and short is that I think the transit would be a fine work van but hot garbage for any other purpose.

Captain of the Enterprise > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:11

My stepmom had one for 6 months, they are terrible. If you’re tall it’s hard to read the gauges. All of the seating is uncomfortable (too low to the floor in the back)(uncomfortable in front). The passenger version seems like an afterthought that didn’t really work out. I’d look at a Sienna instead.

shop-teacher > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:11

I notice way more Ford cars whenever I'm in Wisconsin, than anywhere else. I think y'all are an anomaly and Ford hasn't figured out how to deal with The Cheddar Curtain.

shop-teacher > itschrome
06/25/2018 at 08:12

I have a feeling a dude who loves K-car based minivans, has a different set of standards.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:13

Their reluctance to stock something might tell you something. It might look/sound/seem good on paper/internet but in truth...not be all that great. Or at least have sufficient qualities to warrant post purchase whining...

itschrome > shop-teacher
06/25/2018 at 08:20

I’d take an old Caravan over a transit.

Ash78, voting early and often > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:29

Ditto that they’re crap...not for, say, $17k brand new, but for $25k+ they just don’t make much sense IMHO. They suffer from a lot of the same issues I have with any converted work truck (Transit, Metris, Sprinter): they just weren’t built to consumer expectations, they’re an afterthought. Probably fine for a livery service or shuttle van, but I was shocked how much more car you could get for the price elsewhere.

Cé hé sin > itschrome
06/25/2018 at 08:33

It’s a van so putting p eople in is indeed an afterthought. Van derived cars tend to be like that.

punkgoose17 > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:45

Based on the feedback below, and I know you do not like other modern mini-vans, have you tried a base Ford Flex SE?

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 08:56

It was the same with the Mazda5 just before it got discontinued . N one of the dealerships wanted to be associated with a minivan so they just didn’t order them. Out of 150 vehicles, there were 2 at the dealership I bought mine from. Both of them were hidden in back. And this was a vehicle that was recommended by consumer reports.

Monkey B > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 09:42

local demand is likely higher where you are...nationally there are probably some sitting. Only get the ecoboost if you get one (I assume available in the passenger version). It’s roughly the same power figures but the non turbo really struggles in my 14. It’s fine for city driving, but it’s the 80's all over again on the highway. Passing at highway speed requires significantly more planning...and space.

Monkey B > jkm7680
06/25/2018 at 09:46

I disagree, my 14 Transit Connect is nothing like the E150's and Astro’s I used to drive. It is very similar to driving a Focus...had one. I’d argue it handles better when empty as well as the s uspension is pretty rigid .

Monkey B > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 09:49

They drive like compact cars, not full size vans...hell mini vans feel large in comparison and certainly more vague . With better power delivery (or even better gearing) they’d fair much better. I assume the ecoboost variants are a bit better in that respect.

random001 > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 09:58

Just get a minivan already!!

Oh...uh...oops....

LOREM IPSUM > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 10:00

Holla when they release an ST version...

Then holla again when it depreciates to the 1k mark.

Long-Voyager > Monkey B
06/25/2018 at 10:05

Sadly no Ecoboost available here.

After driving all the modern minivans, I refuse to buy one. The only one even in the running is the Grand Caravan GT, but even that is too rolly/numb for my taste and lacks the utility of my 94.

I feel like the Transit Connect is the utility based minivan for me.

Long-Voyager > Monkey B
06/25/2018 at 10:10

No ecoboost available new. Not that I’d want one anyway as it’d likely get far worse mileage than the NA model in my commute.

169hp/171ft-lbs is plenty sufficient for daily use IMO, especially mated to a 6-speed auto. Hell I had no issue with 102hp/118ft-lbs from my car’s old engine mated t o a 3-speed auto, it had plenty of get up for getting on the highway at speed.

Long-Voyager > punkgoose17
06/25/2018 at 10:12

1. Price too high, even used.

2. 3rd row is useless and hard to get into.

If the Flex was cheaper and had sliding doors/more useful rear seating, it would be considered.

Long-Voyager > Ash78, voting early and often
06/25/2018 at 10:13

I’m likely an outlier. I don’t want all the “features” and plush ride most minivans offer. I want a basic, utility based minivan!

Long-Voyager > Captain of the Enterprise
06/25/2018 at 10:16

We sat in a used one (didn’t have time to drive it though) , I found the seats quite comfortable for my 5'7" frame.

Sienna is a rolly over-priced hot mess IMO. Same for all the other modern minivans, they all drive like rolly/ numb garbage and lack any real utility.

Long-Voyager > itschrome
06/25/2018 at 10:18

I thought the Titanium we sat in felt very well built and comfortable for a utility based van.

I value all-around utility, which seems to be lacking in modern minivans.

Long-Voyager > shop-teacher
06/25/2018 at 10:18

There is likely a lot of truth in that statement.

Ash78, voting early and often > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 10:19

I know that much about you, for sure. The question is are you willing to overpay by at least $5k for less content?

I terms of value for money, I think the Mercedes Metris is actually a little better , but I haven’t driven one. Closer to $40k on those, though...but same idea as Ford.

punkgoose17 > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 10:21

On Autotrader I saw base models listed 4k off MSRP, but that does not fix a useless 3rd row. I cannot think of anything else that would possibly be to your taste.

What is your travel limit for a mint condition 90's Voyager? This one is not for sale, but looks brand new:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/dots-for-longvoyager-1826877889

Long-Voyager > Ash78, voting early and often
06/25/2018 at 10:21

I would hope for $12-15k more the Metris would be substantially better???

I would pay more for a basic utility based van, no question. I’d rather pay more for utility I will use daily, than pay more for features I’ll never use....

Monkey B > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 10:23

drive one before that thought...the power numbers are fine. It’s the gearing that’s an issue so it drives more like it has around 40 less hp . With weight added it’s worse. And while it’s not the Focus transmission with it’s issues, it’s not a great deal bet ter. Hard shifts, long pause before engaging reverse. Driving in “S” helps as well.

I don’t hate it. It’s the best van I’ve had yet as it drives like more like a car. But it has some frustrating quirkiness due to it’s drive train. City driving is fine.

Long-Voyager > punkgoose17
06/25/2018 at 10:27

I really need to take one for a drive.

Ash78, voting early and often > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 10:50

Fair enough! People have paid for delete options for a long time. I just think Ford is gleaning a fantastic profit on those vans at our expense. Hopefully they’ll wiggle for you. I had no luck in 2014 with that. They touted the rarity of the van and that it would sell in a matter of days. I still see it every time I drive by the dealer — it’s their courtesy shuttle.

The Merc is the proverbial “cheap house in the nice neighborhood” while the Ford is quite the opposite, IMO.

itschrome > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 11:33

I’m not sure the trim I drove, but probably wasn’t a Titanium.

And no kidding, they took all the good utility out of van. Dodges are still some what holding on to it. But like who wants to buy a dodge?? Honda, I mean they sell a 50k luxury version. So yeah they aren’t about that utility life. sure they make it easy to get cargo in and out but I’m not going to throw ply wood in a 50k van! Toyotas aren’t as bad but still, too nice to beat up...

Long-Voyager > itschrome
06/25/2018 at 12:04

If Dodge would sell me a Grand Caravan GT with the base model interior, or a base model with GT suspension/exterior, I would buy a new van today.

The GT drives very nice for it’s size, far better than any of the other minivan offerings IMO, but the lack of a center bench seat is a deal breaker for me. Captains chairs in the 2nd row are a hassle, especially when dealing with car seats and people getting into the 3rd row.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 14:47

Is there a comparable RAM Promaster City?

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 14:47

Is there a comparable RAM Promaster City?

WiscoProud > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 15:07

Try the pacifica. We test drove a bunch of used minivans and i largely hated them, except for the Odyssey, but then we had a pacifica rental for a week and loved it.

Long-Voyager > WiscoProud
06/25/2018 at 16:05

The Pacifica isn’t bad, but again, it’s numb and lacks a 2nd row bench. The Grand Caravan GT was by far the best driving of the vans we tested thus far. If I could get the GT with the base model interior, I’d already have one in the driveway, but again, no 2nd row bench, which is really a deal killer for us.

Long-Voyager > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
06/25/2018 at 16:06

They only make them in a 5 seat version, at which I might as well buy a sedan IMO. If they made it in a 7 passenger version, I would definitely check them out.

jkm7680 > Monkey B
06/25/2018 at 16:23

I meant like a Transit Connect workvan.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 17:54

Damn! Ah well, just thought of it as an option! :)

Longtime Lurker > Long-Voyager
06/25/2018 at 22:13

The base model caravans still have a middle bench.

Long-Voyager > Longtime Lurker
06/26/2018 at 06:50

Yep.

The middle bench makes dealing with getting people in and out SOOOO much easier than captains chairs.

Monkey B > Long-Voyager
06/26/2018 at 15:45

the Ford dealer I service had 4 on the lot today...

Long-Voyager > Monkey B
06/26/2018 at 16:02

Where is this?!?!

Monkey B > Long-Voyager
06/26/2018 at 18:11

edit: in Delaware

https://www.willisford.com/ I saw 4 where I was working. All 4 were white/gray bumpers, the 2 I walked up to had vinyl seats and no carpet. I dunno if they were all the same or had others elsewhere.

https://www.sheridanford.com/ this is another dealer I service so I was curious and checked their inventory, found 1.

I assume all the passenger models are long wheelbase...have never seen a short one.

Long-Voyager > Monkey B
06/27/2018 at 06:51

I’ve found the SWB passenger versions more often than the LWBs. They are 5 seaters instead of 7.

I don’t think a 16hr drive sounds do able though.......