Ford Transit Connect

[lumbajac]

Seen the new Ford Transit Connect on dealership lots, but didn't think anything of the vehicle until seeing their website here http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/  Check out the "watch owner stories" link in upper left corner of site... pretty neat rigs.  Need an onboard compute/office and a smaller vehicle with decent space and gas mileage?  (Made me think of you Dan Rush!)

Probably too small for most contractors, but it sure is interesting... could pack in the Festools neatly into one of these.

Corey
Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

[rnt80]

Corey, I've had mine for nearly two months and love it.  It's not the most stylish thing in the world but I can carry everything I need and its all secured. I added a roof rack on it about a month ago.  I have the version that has two seats in the back, most of the time they are folded up.  I have a Walko 4 and there's plenty of room to stand it up on the side.

 

[PeterK]

Supposedly there are many more models - versions of this vehicle available in Europe. Longer, different door setups, windows, etc. I believe it is manufactured in Czechoslovakia. Looked at one at the local Ford dealer and really liked it. Found the assembly quality to be very good. Maybe they will import the longer wheelbase version soon. Sure are a lot of these on the road here in Louisiana. Many flower shops and other delivery companies using them and covering them with all kinds of decorations - murals or whatever.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Supposedly there are many more models - versions of this vehicle available in Europe. Longer, different door setups, windows, etc. I believe it is manufactured in Czechoslovakia. Looked at one at the local Ford dealer and really liked it. Found the assembly quality to be very good. Maybe they will import the longer wheelbase version soon. Sure are a lot of these on the road here in Louisiana. Many flower shops and other delivery companies using them and covering them with all kinds of decorations - murals or whatever.

That's what I'm waiting for.

 

[Guy Ashley]

I would suggest you guys hang out for the larger Transits, they tend to be the overwhelming van of choice for carpenters in the UK.

Follow this link and you will see all the different options

http://www.ford.co.uk/Commercialvehicles/Transit/Overview

 

[mastercabman]

I would suggest you guys hang out for the larger Transits, they tend to be the overwhelming van of choice for carpenters in the UK.

Follow this link and you will see all the different options

http://www.ford.co.uk/Commercialvehicles/Transit/Overview

I also looked at the transit.But i am waiting to see if something a little bigger would be availlable here.But i don't think it will happen for a long time.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I also looked at the transit.But i am waiting to see if something a little bigger would be availlable here.But i don't think it will happen for a long time.

I don't know, I read a few places that the chances are pretty good we'll see the larger version in the next year or two.

 

[peter halle]

I went to the European site and priced out my ultimate Transit.  56,000 K USD.  Puts in the same price class as the Sprinter.  I really hope that a larger size does come here.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

I also looked at the transit.But i am waiting to see if something a little bigger would be availlable here.But i don't think it will happen for a long time.

I don't know, I read a few places that the chances are pretty good we'll see the larger version in the next year or two.

I hope so too!!!

 

[joiner1970]

they tend to be the overwhelming van of choice for carpenters in the UK.

http://www.ford.co.uk/Commercialvehicles/Transit/Overview

Where did you hear that ???

I dont think so nearly every chippy I know has a VW T5 a propper quality van  [wink]. Transhits are more a jobbing builders van I would have said, I have a plumber friend who bought 3 new transits and I must admit they are better than the old models but still nowhere near the quality of VW's.

Chris

 

[Guy Ashley]

Chris

It must be a regional thing then unless I am driving with my eyes closed! [scared]

Or I suppose it could be you affluent boys down south with your London prices can afford such prestigous forms of transport!

I am pleased with my Transit, it is better than the donkey and cart we country bumpkins tended to use.

Must admit have seen a VW LWB and it did look good. Imagine how many Festool systainers you could fit in that!!! [eek] [eek]

Guy

 

[Rob-GB]

I had a Transit SW80 semi high roof for 8 years, bought while working as a jobbing carpenter and workshop based joiner in Milton Keynes, took it to Crete (3yrs) then Germany before coming back to blighty. Only issues I ever had were:- new battery every two years (they just die) new starter motor in year 8, and numerous tyres while in Crete 'cos the roads are real bad and I mean 'Duelling Banjo' type bad. [laughing]
They are my favourite van, for many reasons, among which; owner/user fixability, low cost spares, driveability, tight turn circle, load space and you can get a lot of people in the back for a trip up a Crete mountain to my favourite restaurant. [laughing] [laughing]
Changed the cambelt at 20k miles above recommended (I forgot!) and was told it probably had another 20k in it ;D
Yeah, I am a big fan of Transit vans, but my motorhome is Fiat Ducato based and I would have a standard Fiat Ducato as my next work van with no worries, they are easy to drive too!
I see a lot of Painter/decorators using the Transit Connect vans and an old colleague of mine got one for his carpentry business, he would prefer a larger transit for his next one.

Rob.

 

[joiner1970]

Chris

I suppose it could be you affluent boys down south with your London prices can afford such prestigous forms of transport!

Guy

Funny you should say that I am working on a few schools at the moment while they are closed , the other day a couple of Geordie guys fitting out the canteen came and asked for a lift with some gear I joked  "how much you paying then" to which he said "we cant pay your Cockney money were just poor northerners"  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]. Havent heard that for a while.

You might be right though

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

For the right customer the transit connect is a perfect solution that didn't exist stateside previously.  For those with a smaller are to cover, a pure electric version will be available in 2011.