Anyone here own/driven a Ford Transit Connect?

[QueBert]

My car (2002 Camry) doesn't have enough room for some of the jobs I go on. It's good for about 80% but the other 20% I end up having to make 2 trips. I don't need a huge truck or a big van like the Dodge Sprinter. I saw one of these Transit Connects today while I was out and the size really caught my eye. I looked up some videos on Youtube and it looks fairly decent, slow with very little power, but for a work van it seems like it could be almost perfect. I poked around online and didn't see any other vans similar in size. Is this the only option for a vehicle of this size in the same price range? I can't afford 2 cars, but this could possibly make a decent daily drive.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Yeah it is, and for what its worth I see at least 5 of these things a day with some business logo on them. They're getting ridiculously popular.

 

[punjabiplaya]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93fQf_5ROjw

 

[alfa147x]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93fQf_5ROjw

bwhahahhahaa

 

[kornphlake]

The Mazda 5 is pretty similar but with 6 passenger seating in all models. I couldn't find a Transit Connect with 5 passenger seating within 200 miles when I was looking a few months ago. If you don't need room for passengers I'd probably give the nod to the Ford, simply because Mazda dealerships are absolute garbage.

 

[mmntech]

It's a miniature cargo van. If you're doing light cargo, I think a minivan might suit your needs better. The Chrysler Town & Country has Stow & Go seats, which make conversion to a cargo van easy.

The Transit Connect is probably classified as a commercial vehicle, which likely means higher insurance. Something to keep in mind.

I've driven it's bigger brothers, the E-150 and E-450. I don't have anything negative to say about Ford's trucks.

 

[Lotheron]

It's a miniature cargo van. If you're doing light cargo, I think a minivan might suit your needs better. The Chrysler Town & Country has Stow & Go seats, which make conversion to a cargo van easy.

The Transit Connect is probably classified as a commercial vehicle, which likely means higher insurance. Something to keep in mind.

I've driven it's bigger brothers, the E-150 and E-450. I don't have anything negative to say about Ford's trucks.

Transit connect has 135 cu ft cargo and caravan has 140 cu ft cargo. Not much more and the TCs are quite a bit smaller foot print. TCs are also a bit cheaper and I believe get better gas mileage 22/25.

To the OP, if you are wanting more of a cargo van, get a TC, if you want a people mover, get a minivan.

 

[Demo24]

It's a miniature cargo van. If you're doing light cargo, I think a minivan might suit your needs better. The Chrysler Town & Country has Stow & Go seats, which make conversion to a cargo van easy.

The Transit Connect is probably classified as a commercial vehicle, which likely means higher insurance. Something to keep in mind.

I've driven it's bigger brothers, the E-150 and E-450. I don't have anything negative to say about Ford's trucks.

T&C is significantly larger, and while more comfortable, the problem being it's also much more expensive. It also gets poorer fuel economy, unless you option it with the only engine worth getting, the 4.0l, but even then in the city it hurts. While a good van, if all I needed to do was transport cargo stuff around I would stick with the TC. Far more nimble, more efficient, cheaper, and theres more vertical space in one.

Also, there are 'passenger' TC models which you could then remove the seats if you desire and therefore have a large cargo area.

 

[lupi]

Sat next to one in the showroom while buying my layest car and the dealer around the corner from home that does mostly trucks has row after row of these things. Not sure I'd want to drive one as a personal vehicle but looks popular as a work vehicle where you don't need a full bed truck. The hinged door at the back is pretty kick ass for loading, I assume it's a standard across the product line.

 

[mmntech]

T&C is significantly larger, and while more comfortable, the problem being it's also much more expensive. It also gets poorer fuel economy, unless you option it with the only engine worth getting, the 4.0l, but even then in the city it hurts. While a good van, if all I needed to do was transport cargo stuff around I would stick with the TC. Far more nimble, more efficient, cheaper, and theres more vertical space in one.

Also, there are 'passenger' TC models which you could then remove the seats if you desire and therefore have a large cargo area.

Yes, you're correct. There's about 3mpg difference on average, though the minivans are somewhat worse in the city.

I'm still curious about insurance though. Might be worth checking it out because it is a commercial vehicle.

 

[Bignate603]

You can always get a used minivan. I bought one a few years ago with just a bit over 100k on it for $2000. Besides a few models that are in demand most minivans sell for dirt when they're used.