[Bowzer]

Great take on the experience you've so far had, Locksmith. Interesting you mention you sometimes regret these vehicles...Sounds like they are holding their own so far, yes?

 

[MikeQBF]

For the moment I'm mitigating Locksmith's first-year experience as just that - first-year experience. I've bought a few vehicles in their first year and had exactly the same kind of "can't get basic parts" troubles. I wrecked a 300ZX three months after buying it in the first year of that model, and it sat in the shop for four months waiting for minor things like body-specific brackets and fasteners.

The repair parts pipe usually doesn't fill for almost three years. I am, however, slightly surprised that Ford didn't quite grasp the idea that commercial fleet operators run-up the miles quickly and service items like pads and rotors were going to be a first-year concern.

 

[Locksmith]

They're doing pretty good, cept for that one with the defects. The Fords look real professional and draw lots of attention so they were a good choice for the business it's just that dealing with stuff that shouldn't happen is frustrating sometimes.

When I bought them I was under the impression that they had been around for years in the UK so I figured Ford would have their $hit together. Basically I've learned that they're poorly made and overpriced but they're so functional for business they're selling like hotcakes.

I am maintaining them the same as I have my Honda but I do not expect them to hold up as well.

 

[Bowzer]

They're doing pretty good, cept for that one with the defects. The Fords look real professional and draw lots of attention so they were a good choice for the business it's just that dealing with stuff that shouldn't happen is frustrating sometimes.

When I bought them I was under the impression that they had been around for years in the UK so I figured Ford would have their $hit together. Basically I've learned that they're poorly made and overpriced but they're so functional for business they're selling like hotcakes.

I am maintaining them the same as I have my Honda but I do not expect them to hold up as well.

Where do the biggest shortcomings come in on the "poorly made" list? I'm guessing some chosen materials right off the bat...fit/assembly any good?

 

[MikeQBF]

My 2¢? Materials quality. When we checked the TC out, a lot looked and felt cheap, and there was a certain unfinished roughness. Good example is the use of bare Masonite as interior fill panels in the back. Not crucial for commercial haulage, just not the best impression. People space wasn't too awful, tho' - plastic utilitarian, which is OK with me.

All of this would be fine on the $16K vehicle it is in Europe, but not on the $22K US-market interpretation.

 

[paulj]

Bare masonite? Reminds me of the panels on my 1984 Trooper II. They weren't bare, but it was easy to pull them off. I've even store a few tools in 'crawl space' behind them.

 

[Locksmith]

Where do the biggest shortcomings come in on the "poorly made" list? I'm guessing some chosen materials right off the bat...fit/assembly any good?

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing Ford, I'm not. Of the American manufactures, I am a Ford man. I am ecstatic that AAA isn't partnered up with GM or Chrysler. Buying these was the difference between getting a half-million a year contract or not, it was a no brainer.

What I learned is that they are way overpriced for what you get but it's not because of the build quality, it's because of supply and demand. I shopped around and you can't buy them for what they're really worth, give it a few years and you will. I paid, out the door, 20k for my E and 25k for the TCs. It should have been the other way around. I seriously doubt that I had a one in six chance of getting a Honda that they forgot to grease the wheel bearing or a radiator fan motor that the bearing was pressed in crooked, by a machine. Or a one in three chance of getting a bad tensioner pulley. The TCs are also completely stripped down, no frills at all, A/C is not even standard. The E came standard with power windows, locks, mirrors, A/C, A/T... well, you know. When I found out that Ford didn't even upgrade the brakes I was disappointed but not surprised. Time will tell what else we find.

What I expect is to have to go elsewhere for better replacement parts to make the TC up to work standards. I expect to make them better than the factory in Turkey gave me. I also expect them to be just like any old Ford van that most companies give to their employees. They're gonna get tore up (I know that) but I will keep an open mind and differentiate between what's crap and what's my guys not giving a crap.

I can only hope that once they're paid off there are a few still road worthy and I can use the found money to buy more to replace the ones that are not.

If you want to have a good idea of what these things will be like in a while, take a good look at any used Ford Focus. Like most, it'll have a lot to do with the driver.

 

[Dom.five]

I will also be looking to replace the Elements with something other than a Honda. However after driving the Ford Transit, I am positive it won't be that.

It's way too uncomfortable for long trips. Sitting next to the salesmen, our shoulders were touching. That's just too cramped for my style.

I'll be looking for something with the utility, that the E affords, with improved MPG. If that equates to a Mahindra Diesel, then so be it.

I like the 30 Mpg X the 19 gal fuel tank. That will yield somewhere in the neighborhood of over 500 mile driving range on a single fill. Instead of the 250 to 300 miles I get from the Element.

The Engine and 6 speed transmission, are a proven package. That has been run overseas for several years.

I have not had the chance to drive one yet, but I'm on the list for a test drive.

Dom

 

[protaganis]

Tell me when you get that test drive, or if they hit the upper midwest, I'll give you the heads-up. I'd be very curious to get other impressions to build a fuller picture regarding the Mahindra.

 

[Flobox]

Ford Transit Connect

Have any of you guys looked at these?

It seems to have some of the utility that is so appreciated in the Element, albeit with WAAAAAAY more cargo space.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/2011-ford-transit-connect-xlt-premium-wagon-review-road-test/

Yes, it's top heavy... but this is an Element board. Yes, the inside trim is sorta spartan... but this is an Element board. Sure, the proportions are odd and it looks kinda ugly and goofy as a side effect of that utility... but this is an Element board.

It's more a cargo vehicle that happens to have some passenger accomodations added in - even with the rear seats in place, it has more cargo space than an Element with the rear seats gone. Remove the rear seats, and it you get 118.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 1600 lbs payload capacity and a 60 inch ceiling.

 

[paulj]

That space just begs to be fitted with a cargo/camping platform!

 

[Hondamade4dogs]

Its already out there.
http://kevinhornbydesigns.com/specialty_vehicles/transit-connect-conversion/

 

[lizzurd]

2014 Transit Connect

If this picture is acurate i may have found a future replacement for my E.

 

[MikeQBF]

Oooooooooo... definite maybe... IF the interior improvements match the exterior AND we get more than one drivetrain choice (I-4 with M/T?) AND the interior no longer smells like a horse stall.

Fortunately the pressure is off to replace our E for at least another 5 years, but I will be following this redesign closely.

 

[lizzurd]

Passenger version.

 

[MikeQBF]

I just found that pic, and you beat me to it! :lol:

Also the Ford Transit is coming here, which is their Mercedes Sprinter competitor.

As usual, the Europeans get all sorts of drivetrain choices, but according to the article we get a grand total of two in each model, neither with M/T. There was mention of "EcoBoost" in the US versions, which makes me want to run right out and buy one (NOT!!!). If there are two huge reliability Achilles' heels in modern cars, it's turbochargers and automatic transmissions. Add Ford's notorious planned obsolescence to that, and these are vehicles I couldn't in good conscience own past 80-90K.

 

[NEROWONDER]

My co-worker has one and he is converting the back into a camper, with working sink,stove, and storage and sleeping quarters. Will post pix if I can get them

 

[racerc2000]

is it just me or does the yellow one look like a kia soul....

and a liftgate instead of barn doors WTF are they thinking

I can however see the ford focus hues being theres a 2013 focus in the driveway and I have to see it every day I notice these things.

wonder if it will use the grill shutters and if it will get a better motor then the 2.0 maybe an ecoboost version ?????? lol

 

[Nasty2004]

The liftgate design is so it can be powered, I'm sure, since 'Mericans can't be troubled to open car doors using their arms apparently.

 

[racerc2000]

the nose and windshield is prob the only way to make a box get 40+mpg.

do they still have the same interior space as the original