New Ford work van

[tomcat]

Has anyone seen the new Ford Transit Connect? It looks like a European styled small work van. I can't fine exact size specs anywhere, so it's hard to
tell how it stacks up to my Astro van, but it does like quite a bit smaller. It looks like it would be hard to get a commercial pasting in the back.
I starting to think about a new van and this one is just coming out. Any thoughts?

[master hanger]

Its cool saw a couple at a local dealer I passed
http://autos.aol.com/cars-Ford-Transit+Connect-2010/photos

[tomcat]

Thanks Dennis, that link had alot of good info. One of the main considerations for me is the vehicle height. I keep my van in my garage during the winter so things don't freeze. The full size Ford and Chevy vans won't fit my garage door opening. The Astro van is perfect, and chances are I'll pick up a newer one, my current one being a 2001 with 148K miles. But this new Ford might be worth a look and see!

[Bill Archibald]

Tomcat,

I assume you've explored the range of "grocery getters" (mini-vans) as a replacement for the Astro. With 2005 being the last year of production, you may be hard pressed finding one with the amount of remaining life in it for your needs. Many of us have found that mini's suffice real nice.

The Transit looks cool, but I can not tell from the specs how tall it is from pavememnt to roof. It says "body height" is 79.3" , but is that the total clearance from pavement or JUST the height of the body?

Keep us posted.

[Boston Hangman]

Has anyone seen the new Ford Transit Connect? It looks like a European styled small work van. I can't fine exact size specs anywhere, so it's hard to
tell how it stacks up to my Astro van, but it does like quite a bit smaller. It looks like it would be hard to get a commercial pasting in the back.
I starting to think about a new van and this one is just coming out. Any thoughts?

I was checking the Transit out about a month ago when I thought my '96 T-100 was finally going to need a replacement( it doesn't :) ). I like the look of it and the concept , but it seems a wee bit too small for my liking. I have always liked the Astro/Safari Vans due to their height and the fact they are built on a truck chassis as opposed to most mini vans being built on a car chassis. The Transit would be great for the city , but when I looked at the specs the height ,as is ,is good enough to get into most city garages. However I think it is higher than the Astro and if you need to put a rack on it the height would then be too high for most garages. :( I would need a rack as I like to carry my Lil Giants and stretch/finger planks on the roof of my truck and they would not fit in the back of the Transit.

I found this link helpful when I ws doing research on the Transit.:thumbup:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

[Dick Wilson]

I had a chance to look at one at a local Ford dealer who got 5 in last week and had only one left on the lot. I took some measurements:
rear door opening 51" high and 48+" w
the interior ceiling varies in height but is hogher than the rear doors
the floor is a tight 48" between wheel wells
from back of driver seat to rear doors is 72"
overall ht of van is 84" from ground to top of the brake light, the antenna may be a few inches higher.
sliding side doors on both sides
there are 4 mounting holes in roof for racks but there is only 3 ft between front and rear holes. The front pair are just to the rear of the driver/passenger seat and the rear pair are above the rear of the opening of the side doors.
average milage was 22 to 25 mpg city/highway
it has a 2.0 liter 4 cyl gas engine rated @ ~145hp
it is NOT capable of towing

Nice van, comfortable seats, built in wireless internet and hands free cell phone. Too small for my needs.

priced at @ $25,000