I am surprised at the error on Motorweeks part and the fact that noone in the comments have mentioned it- these vehicles were subject to chicken tax. That means they were all imported as passenger vehicles. If you didn't "check the option box" as John put it, the van was stripped after being imported. Seats, seat belts, carpet, windows all removed here in the US and replaced with fill panels and vinyl flooring. It's strange how many comments he made contradictory to how these vehicles were actually built and imported. We had one in our fleet and it ran great powertrain wise but there were some gremlins and durability issues with the chassis that ultimately killed it.
You are absolutely wrong. The engine on this Ford is a 2.0L Duratec engine. The problems with this engine WAS with SWIRLPLATES. And it was fixed later. we would like to trust you but "WHAT VAN?" the biggest resource for second hand van magazine, says; "Pretty it certainly is not, but there is no denying that Ford’s Transit Connect is a sturdy workhorse" Thursday, 16 February 2012 So, you either have a hidden agenda or you worked at a Ford repair ship so that you saw only the broken engines.
That engine is not available in the United States on the Transit Connect. Only a petrol engine is available in the US. In addition, a manual transmission is unavailable on the transit connect in the US.
As someone who used a Nissan Versa to do some deliveries at one point, merging onto a busy interstate can be stressful if your acceleration is horrible.
Here in my country, Turkiye, these are everywhere, nearly all delivery compaies and small bussineses use these, even a considerable amount of suburban police cars are Connects. I like them. 👍
why would you want your employees to have 300hp at their disposal? For this type of vehicle, slow speed and slow accelerations is best. You don't want your employees driving fast.
The worst part is the car would probably get the same gas mileage with the Focus RS engine the newer Volvo wagons get around 25-27mpg these things only get like 20-22 mpg stock and I'm sure it would be about the same with the Volvo/Focus RS engine swapped in.
When compared to the E for Express, I don't think it looks dated at all (pretending I don't know that its been around in Europe for years). Its awkward proportions really make it stand out.
5k less. and the base model E-150 for 27k. ."And lets face it the full size vans can go 200,000 miles +" yes if you take care of it. If you take care of a vehicle it can go further than that. 200k is not a lot of miles for a modern vehicle. I wouldn't expect this to take the rental market by storm. It isn't meant to. Its meant for small businesses that do not haul a lot of weight around, but need a decent amount of storage with good fuel economy. Its also far more comfortable for longer trips
Its a great little van and im seeing alot on the road today ... but theres No option for a Turbo deisel or even a 2.5l 4cylinder ? Im not going to mention a V6 since it probably wont fit into the small engine bay..
Lol They're supposed to have the cake in a container then put it in a cooling compartment, in the van. Just my learned experience from a professional cater business.
I like the van, but its only 2K less than an econoline??? Lets be real here this is a spartan FWD van based on a Focus drivetrain, built in Turkey. If this van started at 16,500 it would be a runaway success. But ford / chev actually sell full size vans to fleets and rental companies for far less than the transit connect. And lets face it the full size vans can go 200,000 miles + ... can a Focus?Hopefully Nissan does not make the same mistake.
Well, it's 8 years later now and I see these little vans with well over 200k miles, some with over 300k for sale on Craigslist all the time. The number one reason this van was worth getting over the E-Series was because it got twice the fuel economy and was easy to drive and maneuver. The E-Series was like driving a battleship.
Check "What Van?" online issue dated, Thursday, 16 February 2012 about Ford Transit Connect. They have suggested steps for buying a second hand Ford Transit Connect. You can google and find it I guess.
The engine on this van is badly designed and will fail prematurely. ask anyone in the uk, or search transit connect di engine. injector pump breaks up internally and parts end up in the cylinder after breaking the injector jet. alternators fail early, clutch problems, throttle pedal breaks internally leaving driver stranded. Worst fault of all is lack of oil to big and little ends causing engine failure. Trust me Ive seen 5 young engines do this. Wikipedia: 'transit connect di engine'
I think it is a gimmick. The crash tests are good because the vehicle has little weight behind the front floorpan. Ford never crash tests their pickups with a full load of gravel in the bed. I'm afraid of the future now, and will trade in my submarine for a minivan.
According to WHAT VAN? rust is not an issue for buying a Ford Transit second hand. I think you are making that up that this car has a rust issue with its sheet metal.
I am surprised at the error on Motorweeks part and the fact that noone in the comments have mentioned it- these vehicles were subject to chicken tax. That means they were all imported as passenger vehicles. If you didn't "check the option box" as John put it, the van was stripped after being imported. Seats, seat belts, carpet, windows all removed here in the US and replaced with fill panels and vinyl flooring. It's strange how many comments he made contradictory to how these vehicles were actually built and imported. We had one in our fleet and it ran great powertrain wise but there were some gremlins and durability issues with the chassis that ultimately killed it.
He is great! He's actually been on the show since 1982!
I've always been fascinated by these cars. The computer in the dashboard with the keyboard is a big reason why.
You are absolutely wrong. The engine on this Ford is a 2.0L Duratec engine. The problems with this engine WAS with SWIRLPLATES. And it was fixed later.
we would like to trust you but "WHAT VAN?" the biggest resource for second hand van magazine, says;
"Pretty it certainly is not, but there is no denying that Ford’s Transit Connect is a sturdy workhorse" Thursday, 16 February 2012
So, you either have a hidden agenda or you worked at a Ford repair ship so that you saw only the broken engines.
That engine is not available in the United States on the Transit Connect. Only a petrol engine is available in the US. In addition, a manual transmission is unavailable on the transit connect in the US.
who the hell needs a fast cargo van..
To get them deliveries done fast
As someone who used a Nissan Versa to do some deliveries at one point, merging onto a busy interstate can be stressful if your acceleration is horrible.
Here in my country, Turkiye, these are everywhere, nearly all delivery compaies and small bussineses use these, even a considerable amount of suburban police cars are Connects. I like them. 👍
Wow. That's interesting. Police use them.
why would you want your employees to have 300hp at their disposal? For this type of vehicle, slow speed and slow accelerations is best. You don't want your employees driving fast.
It the return of the AEROSTAR.. only smaller and not as heavy duty. Still if ti gets the jobs done, who are we to complain.
In Europe there are guys that swap the Focus RS engine into these (the engine is a 300hp Volvo inline 5)
The worst part is the car would probably get the same gas mileage with the Focus RS engine the newer Volvo wagons get around 25-27mpg these things only get like 20-22 mpg stock and I'm sure it would be about the same with the Volvo/Focus RS engine swapped in.
When compared to the E for Express, I don't think it looks dated at all (pretending I don't know that its been around in Europe for years). Its awkward proportions really make it stand out.
the tranist van here in uk is known as tough as nails and can take years of abuse on the building site lots of pulling power
Excellent utility vehicle
i tow horse box two hunting horses all the tack no problem for the van handles very well on the corners grand van for heavey work
I just wished they would sell the diesel TC here!!
And a manual transmission too!
Perfect for my kennel program.
5k less. and the base model E-150 for 27k. ."And lets face it the full size vans can go 200,000 miles +" yes if you take care of it. If you take care of a vehicle it can go further than that. 200k is not a lot of miles for a modern vehicle.
I wouldn't expect this to take the rental market by storm. It isn't meant to. Its meant for small businesses that do not haul a lot of weight around, but need a decent amount of storage with good fuel economy. Its also far more comfortable for longer trips
Oh yeah the Aerostar is badass!
I like this.
Good vehicle for people that own stores like myself.
Very nice this Ford Transit Connect. Fantastic cargo van
i like it, its better then the hhr panel. the hhr is still decent though.
Its a great little van and im seeing alot on the road today ... but theres No option for a Turbo deisel or even a 2.5l 4cylinder ? Im not going to mention a V6 since it probably wont fit into the small engine bay..
Hoping to get one someday!!!
I like these, but 12.1 secs to 60 is dangerous.
the 2002-present Ford Transit Connect is assembled in
Kocaeli, Turkey
Craiova, Romania
It looks like a Ford Fusion that reversed into a shed. But, anyway, it badly needs a diesel engine.
Agreed. It'll be much better if it did.
I'd like to see that cake after a test drive like that!
They don't strap it down or put it into a box.
They just toss in 4 Victoria secret models and assume you'll be okay with cake covered cuties.
Lol They're supposed to have the cake in a container then put it in a cooling compartment, in the van. Just my learned experience from a professional cater business.
I like the van, but its only 2K less than an econoline??? Lets be real here this is a spartan FWD van based on a Focus drivetrain, built in Turkey. If this van started at 16,500 it would be a runaway success. But ford / chev actually sell full size vans to fleets and rental companies for far less than the transit connect. And lets face it the full size vans can go 200,000 miles + ... can a Focus?Hopefully Nissan does not make the same mistake.
Well, it's 8 years later now and I see these little vans with well over 200k miles, some with over 300k for sale on Craigslist all the time. The number one reason this van was worth getting over the E-Series was because it got twice the fuel economy and was easy to drive and maneuver. The E-Series was like driving a battleship.
I already see these everywhere.
Check "What Van?" online issue dated, Thursday, 16 February 2012 about Ford Transit Connect. They have suggested steps for buying a second hand Ford Transit Connect. You can google and find it I guess.
The engine on this van is badly designed and will fail prematurely. ask anyone in the uk, or search transit connect di engine. injector pump breaks up internally and parts end up in the cylinder after breaking the injector jet. alternators fail early, clutch problems, throttle pedal breaks internally leaving driver stranded. Worst fault of all is lack of oil to big and little ends causing engine failure. Trust me Ive seen 5 young engines do this. Wikipedia: 'transit connect di engine'
I see more and more of these things on the road so they are def getting popular with small buisnesses.
Amen to that!!!
they should make this available with the turbo 4 cylinder from the new explorer
I think it is a gimmick. The crash tests are good because the vehicle has little weight behind the front floorpan. Ford never crash tests their pickups with a full load of gravel in the bed.
I'm afraid of the future now, and will trade in my submarine for a minivan.
@seroyer2 atleast more then a 4 speed
Medical supply companies for one...plenty of businesses benefit from cargo vans...and if they get better gas mileage out of the deal, all the better.
2:06
Redheads are cute
The styling is very dated. Looks like it's about ten years old.
it was. It start in Europe 10 years prior
If you're buying a commercial vehicle based on style, then you're doing it wrong...
@johnnyo032003 And 300hp instead of the pathetic 150 in the car as is.
kidnappers, burglars...
Can't carry cakes in a car?
that car is actually european
compact van version ford transit.
According to WHAT VAN? rust is not an issue for buying a Ford Transit second hand. I think you are making that up that this car has a rust issue with its sheet metal.
@DevPack Pizza deliveries1
Buy the electric. Twice the acceleration.
Mr. T