Ford Transit Connect Wagon ?????

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The company I work for has purchased some 2010+2011 Transits.

Biggest issue has been front wheel bearings. It is built on a small car chassis 4cyl, 4spd O.D. it is what it is a car not a big work truck.

We don't do heavy work or carry ladders, some of the guys complain that ours are under powered, I like mine.

Not affected by cross winds as much as I thought it would be.
 
Ive driven for the last year for my job. I give the Transit a thumbs up. Its a great vehicle to haul things around in and its more then capable of hauling loads. I am a sales rep for a tire company and have had as many as 32 tires stacked in it. The 3 rear entry doors in the rear compartment make it easy to get to any part of your load easily. It has plenty of power and is geared very nicely. It averaged around 24- 25 MPG although the first month or so it was only 21 until it had about 1500 miles on it.
Here are the drawbacks I found in driving it, the headlights do not come on with engine running so when it rains you have to remember to turn them on with the new laws. The seat belt on the drivers side when approaching a yield sign locked up to quick so it made it hard tolean forward to look out the left side for oncoming traffic. The Transit I had did not have a disengagement button for traction control so the braking system will over power the engine once you start spinning in a snow covered road. Also mine did not have a side window in the passenger side door which makes it very hard to see to the right when pulling out of a parking spot or in traffic if you are not squared up to the intersection. Those are the only issues that I had with the Transit, I just switched to a Nissan NV200 and it doesnt compare to the transit with the exception of some options that the company got for the interior. If it were my money I would go back to the Transit. Much better handling and power.
Hope this helps. Any other questions feel free to ask.
Rodney
 
TOTALLY redesigned.

Doesn't even look close to the same vehicle.

Used to be rare to see "civilian" transit connects on the road.

Now there are two in my neighborhood trimmed out as minivans.
 
If you are looking for a new ford and want an X Plan PIN number let me know it should save you some money

Also if your wife is handicapped then they will pay so much to add handicap type equipment to the vehicle, this would be on all brands not just fords. When we bought the wife's van in 04 it was $1,200 I think for handicap accessories.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Personally I'm thinking a Flex for my wife to replace her 10 year old van. Easy to get in and out of, roomy and with hitch can put lift on back(already have one) and take her scooter with us and not have to put it inside the vehicle. Not a problem if I'm with her but if she is by herself then she needs to be able to load and unload it.
 
I've logged over 100K miles on them. One 2010 and the current 2011 85K miles.

Our company has 5 of them. Two have over 150K miles. We overload them past their load rating constantly. I got 20.4 mpg in LA city traffic loaded last month. 19.6 mpg the month before. My old E-150 got 13.5 mpg.

The other guys do more hwy driving and get 24 mpg. I've driven to vegas with ~150 lbs and got 26 mpg @ 80 mph.

They go through brakes when loaded. About 20K with good posi quiet pads. My old E-150 would go 30K.

One of ours broke a leaf spring at 125K miles. Our fault. Two others around 135K mile blew some cooling hoses. One at 190K blew a trans (remember we overlaod them). Another at 175K needed a wheel bearing.

Yes, when I'm going up a very steep grade loaded to bear, it will double downshift to 6,000 rpm to keep up with the 70 mph fast lane. Yes, they are not real powerful, but I'm not using it for racing.

The steering is heavy on them, IMHO. They have a lot of torque steer, but I don't drive other FWD vehcicles much..

The new one has a lot more powerful motor.
 
dodge71demon said:
Due to my wife having some handicap issues I've been on the search for a vehicle that will meet her needs now and in the future. The Ford Transit Connect Wagon has really got my attention.Does anybody own one or know someone that does if so what the opinion.
Click to expand...

I do not own one,

Interestingly, a Dear Friend (UPS Journeyman Mechanic), and I were
discussing the new UPS FLEET---, of which the purchase included roughly
4,180 'Transit' vehicles nation wide.

I pass on our conversation/ His personal experience in the below.

Me..."Dude that thing looks like the 'Popemobile'.

Him..." nope We call them the clown car'.

Me... " (laughter) are they holding up to UPS dispatching loads?

Him... "sometimes , or most times functional beauty trumps hollywood".

Me... "they are holding up then".

Him... "Indeed ! Norm ,buddy, remember, 10 UPS MILES = 1,000 REGULAR (consumer)
miles. I would only buy one in a heartbeat... --- an 2012---.

Me... "? 2012 ? (2013 build) "?

Him..." yep the same. purchase an 'cast off' for about 12k$ , replace the front
hub bearings, make sure the FWD axle shafts are seated after repair... UPDATED SEALS..
GOOD TO GO for 200k miles"...

Me... "limited duty for 300k" ?

Him..." I am not Professor Xavier, I do not delve into the fantasy realm, I am an observer
and an reporter...

dodge71demon,
Apologies,
An small excerpt from the conversation.
 
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