Car search- used Ford Transit Connect Wagon

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
10/13/2016 at 13:39 • Filed to: None

OK, I think enough of you scarred me of even looking at the Journey. If I can keep the dog/winter car price low enough, I can keep the Abarth.

So, I just realized that a used but still 2016 Ford Transit Connect, long wheel base models with the 2.4l i4 and FWD, and 15-20k miles on the clock can be had for $18000 or less. I could trade in the Forester XT, have plenty of room for 4 adults and 3 dogs, and still keep my Abarth!!

Oppo, any experience with Transit Connects? I can even have a Titanium level trim for $20-21k and 20k miles or so.

Hell, I found a 2013 with 33k miles for $13900 asking, but I like the 2016 look better.

DISCUSSION (27)

My bird IS the word > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 13:49

Have you gone to look at them yet? I was super impressed with those european style vans when I was at the auto show. They seemed like a perfect road trip car. That sounds like a good deal to me.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 13:49

That look should be available for 2015 too if you’re looking for a cheaper used.

I don’t know that they ride the greatest, but they do share parts with the Mazda 5 that a lot of people like. It’s a 2.5L btw, don’t sell yourself short!

MUSASHI66 > My bird IS the word
10/13/2016 at 13:53

I am going tonight. Same guy I tested the Flex with has 2 titanium Connects and one XLT connect, all long wheelbase which is awesome for dog space.

MUSASHI66 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2016 at 13:55

Oops, they are 2.5. I would like the 1.6 eco-boost, but those are for short wheel base models only.

Surprisingly, only 2016 or 2013 are available used around me. I would go to a 2015 if I can get low mileage example. These, at under 20k miles might as well be new.

jimz > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:02

I hate to say it, but the Journey is a rather nicer vehicle than the Transit Connect. The TC wins on space-effectiveness, but you’ve got to keep in mind that it was primarily designed as a commercial vehicle. even the top line passenger wagon is pretty spartan, all of the interior trim is hard plastic, and it’s fairly road-noisy.

My bird IS the word > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:02

Me and my friend sat in a new Mercedes electrician’s van, spec’d as a work vehicle. we just looked at each other and decided- we would totally DD it. interior was just as nice as my mini. The fords were nice as well, but damn, these are leaps and bounds better than old minivans.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:14

Seems a good option to me. These little vans are quite refined and well made these days. I havent experienced the connect but ive driven a 2015 transit and it was very nice.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:16

The TC screams to me “my life is so begrudging I even needed a work van.”

I don’t know if there nice or not.

What about a CPO Mazda CX 9? http://www.courtesy-mazda.com/certified/Mazda/2015-Mazda-CX-9-97dcb80b0a0e0a1701d2b54aea35099d.htm

Bourbon&JellyBeans > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:16

Eh, I think that there are better deals to be had. Like another commenter has said, the TC was never built to be a family hauler, and I virtually never see them on the road unless they have advertisements down their sides. You can find 2013 Explorer XLTs with 30,000 or 40,000 for $20000-24000 I feel that the weird Euro-charm of a TC may wear off quickly once you realize that you’re stuck with it.

MUSASHI66 > jimz
10/13/2016 at 14:22

TC would end up as my winter car/dog mobile. I would keep the Abarth for fun, so I can deal with a shitty car that meets my needs otherwise.

If I go with the Journey, even at $24k, I’d have to sell the Abarth.

MUSASHI66 > My bird IS the word
10/13/2016 at 14:24

I would drive the Metris Passenger van, but it is $32k to start.

Monkey B > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:25

If I may make a suggestion, get the EcoBoost. I have a 14 Transit Connect with the NA option and it’s a pig trying to pass at highway speeds. City/Local driving is fine. But it’s anemic otherwise.

MUSASHI66 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/13/2016 at 14:26

I don’t care much about other people’s perception - TC would meet my needs for utility, and I’d keep the Abarth for fun.

CX9 is not bad, but I think it is the worst of Mazda CUV offerings, and the cost of it would make me sell the Abarth as well. It is not fun enough to be the only car.

MUSASHI66 > Bourbon&JellyBeans
10/13/2016 at 14:28

I could, but I would be driving an out of warranty car, unless I spend even more money to buy extended warranty and suddenly, I have to sell the Abarth.

My goal is either one fun car that would fit the dogs, or I keep the Abarth and get another car that can fit the dogs, which is cheap enough but still reliable and new-ish.

Monkey B > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/13/2016 at 14:30

I don’t think that’s the case...Transit’s are built on the same platform as the Focus/Fiesta. AFIK, this is an in house Ford design and they no longer have any ties with Mazda

MUSASHI66 > Monkey B
10/13/2016 at 14:33

They don’t seem to have any used ones with the eco-boost. They don’t even offer the eco-boost option on the long wheelbase models, which is weird.

jimz > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:37

that, as they say, changes things.

Monkey B > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 14:44

Didn’t know that (I have the LWB) but I know power numbers are similar. Seems to me having a turbo in the loop would make for better passing at highway speed...though I could be wrong.

Even though the powerplant is essentially Focus running gear, it does use a different transmission. This is a plus, but it’s not perfect either. It’s rather clunky IMO, and I’ve heard of catastrophic failure...though I was assured it’s not widespread and I haven’ seen any at the dealers I service. There are a handful of recalls on them, most important is the fuel pump.

Amazingly they handle really well. Stiff suspension.

MUSASHI66 > Monkey B
10/13/2016 at 14:49

I would really prefer the turbo - in Colorado, it feels great to have it. I have it in my XT and in the Abarth.

We’ll see what happens - I might hate the TC enough not to buy it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 15:09

True, make sure you like how it rides, I find it a little “truck-ish” for a small wagon. All depends if you’re cool with that though.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Monkey B
10/13/2016 at 15:15

Excuse me it was the last generation that was a joint platform, the C1 which is now ford developed for the “global ford” C platform.

Gripevo1 > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 15:26

Ive driven a few of them. Pretty much likw driving a long and tall fiesta. Pretty decent, quiet, not balls slow and handles well for something tall and skinny. I can’t remember if it share the powershift automatic with the fiesta, but that transmission blows ass. It is constantly falling on its face and searching for a gear. Oddly, the only car i can think of that has a worse transmission is the Journey(and the 200, and the fiat 500l...all the same architecture i think).

Transit > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 15:55

Kinja'd!!!

To small. Go with big brother for 4 adults and 11 doggos. ;)

MUSASHI66 > Transit
10/13/2016 at 16:01

Don’t tempt me....if only the house supported more :)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 16:09

My mom LWB Titanium as a loaner when her Fusion was getting a hellacious gas smell checked out one time.

It was the worst new car I’ve ever driven so help me. The dash is 3,000 miles long, everything is hard ass plastic because it’s a gussied up work van, it’s slower than shit, it’s louder than shit inside too, the seats feel like shit and it always felt like it was gonna topple over. Plus you look like a delivery driver because that’s what it is, a gussied up work van.

A Journey would be better, honestly. Way better. My brothers Grand Am is better.

MUSASHI66 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/13/2016 at 16:09

Your last sentence ruined your credibility :)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MUSASHI66
10/13/2016 at 16:11

Except it’s the truth. Those vans are that fucking awful.