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polrbehr
polrbehr Posts: 2,830
edited June 2010 in The Clubhouse
White van for hire!

Eh, I'm just kidding.
















(It's actually silver... sue me :))
So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


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Comments

  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2010
    It's a FORD!! :eek:

    We all know that Chevy > Ford. Why'd you have to get a Ford?

    j/k
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,166
    edited June 2010
    That looks like one of those really nifty Euro style vans. I've never seen one over here before, but they're everywhere in Europe. Is this yours?
    Alea jacta est!
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited June 2010
    Kex wrote: »
    That looks like one of those really nifty Euro style vans. I've never seen one over here before, but they're everywhere in Europe. Is this yours?

    Ford brought the Transit over this year as a pilot. I've seen one on the road around here, and one or two on the lots. Not too many, though.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited June 2010
    Kex wrote: »
    That looks like one of those really nifty Euro style vans. I've never seen one over here before, but they're everywhere in Europe. Is this yours?

    That was my first impression too. Think Sprinter, only smaller.
    My local Ford dealer said they were originally made in Turkey? Now made by/ for Ford overseas (not sure where?).

    Yeah, I just got it a few weeks ago, I think I've seen 3 or 4 around since I got mine. It's pretty much spot-on for what I wanted, and since this was a demo for the dealership, they installed a remote starter along with a nice alarm system. Plus I got it for $3500 under MSRP - basically $18.5K .

    Best thing so far? Gas mileage, hands down. I get about 22 around town, and close to 26 highway.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited June 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »
    It's a FORD!! :eek:

    We all know that Chevy > Ford. Why'd you have to get a Ford?

    j/k

    I looked at a used AstroVan at first, could not get it insured through Esurance :eek::confused:

    Glad I was patient :)
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited June 2010
    Wow! I'm surprised to hear you guys haven't seen these around. They're all over the place here in the San Francisco Bay Area....it's a great alternative to the Honda Element. In fact, I am considering one as a replacement for my Toyota Highlander; I need a easy-to-access vehicle for my elderly mother and my 100+ lbs. dog. I don't think the Ford has side-curtain airbags for the second row seats though.
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited June 2010
    Nice wheels!

    Congrats, Harry.
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited June 2010
    I havent seen anything like that from GM. The sprinter is the next camper rig my wife wants. The transit is too small. But a friend will probably get one as she wants a small van type camper. 22/26 mpg sounds great. The 4x4 ford deisel we use gets 12mpg with the camper on it. Have fun with the transit.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 10,999
    edited June 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »
    It's a FORD!! :eek:

    We all know that Chevy > Ford. Why'd you have to get a Ford?

    j/k

    It's Chevrolet.... ;)

    http://www.driving.ca/ottawa/memo+staff+Stop+saying+Chevy+Chevrolet/3136405/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited June 2010
    polrbehr wrote: »
    That was my first impression too. Think Sprinter, only smaller.
    My local Ford dealer said they were originally made in Turkey? Now made by/ for Ford overseas (not sure where?).

    Yeah, I just got it a few weeks ago, I think I've seen 3 or 4 around since I got mine. It's pretty much spot-on for what I wanted, and since this was a demo for the dealership, they installed a remote starter along with a nice alarm system. Plus I got it for $3500 under MSRP - basically $18.5K .

    Best thing so far? Gas mileage, hands down. I get about 22 around town, and close to 26 highway.

    Yeah, those things are sweet! You can get them with seats too as like a taxi. They can haul some weight as well. They ride and drive nice too. I was sitting there trying to think of a reason to buy one.

    They are selling pretty good around here. I see them everywhere. Especially in the city. They work quite well for the tight Philly streets.

    I also heard that Ford is looking to bring a diesel over here for it. They come with diesels in Europe and can get like 40 MPG. A work truck, getting 40 MPG. Why hasn't anyone done this here earlier?
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited June 2010
    bikerboy wrote: »
    I havent seen anything like that from GM. The sprinter is the next camper rig my wife wants. The transit is too small. But a friend will probably get one as she wants a small van type camper. 22/26 mpg sounds great. The 4x4 ford deisel we use gets 12mpg with the camper on it. Have fun with the transit.

    You're gonna hafta go to Mercedes for one now because Dodge doesn't sell the Sprinter anymore. Hell, Dodge doesn't even sell a full-sized van anymore.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited June 2010
    Jstas wrote: »
    Yeah, those things are sweet! You can get them with seats too as like a taxi. They can haul some weight as well. They ride and drive nice too. I was sitting there trying to think of a reason to buy one.

    They are selling pretty good around here. I see them everywhere. Especially in the city. They work quite well for the tight Philly streets.

    I also heard that Ford is looking to bring a diesel over here for it. They come with diesels in Europe and can get like 40 MPG. A work truck, getting 40 MPG. Why hasn't anyone done this here earlier?

    From what I was told, they were originally meant to be taxis, as there is a 3-wide bench seat made for them. However, due to some hefty tariffs, they opted to remove the seats rather than pass that extra cost on to buyers. Again, I cannot swear to this, but it is what I was told. It didn't really matter to me anyway, as I was just really glad that my equipment fit easily in the cargo area.
    One caution for personal use would be to get some sound treatments in the back, they are not the quietest things around. Otherwise they do ride/handle very well, and supposedly can haul up to 1600lbs.?

    A 40mpg diesel would fly out of showrooms; since I've purchased mine the same dealer has 3 fewer than it did 2 weeks ago. I just need to get it lettered up and get some shelving installed. I'll post some pix when it's done.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited June 2010
    Apparently you can get that WORX system with the Transit Connect too. You can also option out a version with seats and interior trim online. Dunno if they will sell one directly at the dealer though.

    I saw one at the car show all decked out with shelving, bins and such and another one that had a small diesel engine in the back with a power washer and 100 gallon water tank. To hold one of those, it's gotta be able to haul some weight around. I think it has a 2.5 ton towing capacity too.

    A local lawn service has one towing a 15 foot trailer with lawnmowers and stuff. A couple florists have them as well and a local auto parts store has 5 of them for delivery vehicles in their lot. I see them with plumbers, electricians and remodeler/general contractors too. A buddy of mine said that the fire department he volunteers at got one and it's currently at some place in Indiana getting outfitted as a command truck.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Polk addict
    Polk addict Posts: 558
    edited June 2010
    There's also a Dodge product along the same lines...
    Chiranth
    hoosier21 wrote:
    Cobra + SDA's = dead amps laying all around.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited June 2010
    Polk addict wrote: »
    There's also a Dodge product along the same lines...

    What would that be? I didn't seen anything on their site.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Polk addict
    Polk addict Posts: 558
    edited June 2010
    It's called sprinter... I think Office Depot or OfficeMax was using them... They look exactly like the Mercedes type of ambulances in Australia or the UK...
    Chiranth
    hoosier21 wrote:
    Cobra + SDA's = dead amps laying all around.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited June 2010
    Check out this story on how Ford avoids the tariffs on its Transit imports that were set in place in the 60's (ironically to help US manufacturers)...

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125357990638429655.html
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,166
    edited June 2010
    Polk addict wrote: »
    It's called sprinter... I think Office Depot or OfficeMax was using them... They look exactly like the Mercedes type of ambulances in Australia or the UK...
    FedEx used a lot of Sprinters too, when Dodge was selling them, but that's not nearly the same: the Sprinter is much larger than these types of vans.
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,166
    edited June 2010
    nadams wrote: »
    Check out this story on how Ford avoids the tariffs on its Transit imports that were set in place in the 60's (ironically to help US manufacturers)...

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125357990638429655.html
    That's nuts!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited June 2010
    Good looking vehicle Harry. Good luck with it.
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited June 2010
    nadams wrote: »
    Check out this story on how Ford avoids the tariffs on its Transit imports that were set in place in the 60's (ironically to help US manufacturers)...

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125357990638429655.html

    Thanks for that link, nadams; I did not find anything on that, I just relied on what the salesman was telling me ... *GASP* The Truth?? :eek:

    No wonder he advised me to go aftermarket if I wanted seats for the back, apparently they destroy the ones that come with it? Go figure.

    I looked at a used Sprinter too, versatile but a lot larger than what I need for my biz ;).


    Thank you, sir (Mr. G)! Here's to hoping I can finish paying for it :)
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited June 2010
    The reason he suggested aftermarket seats is that if you get the ones from Ford, they are required to pay the tariff, and therefore pass it on to you.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,166
    edited June 2010
    polrbehr wrote: »
    From what I was told, they were originally meant to be taxis, as there is a 3-wide bench seat made for them. However, due to some hefty tariffs, they opted to remove the seats rather than pass that extra cost on to buyers. ...
    polrbehr wrote: »
    Thanks for that link, nadams; I did not find anything on that, I just relied on what the salesman was telling me ... *GASP* The Truth?? :eek: ...
    It seems to me that he was truthful enough. I don't know anything about being used for taxis, but they certainly are sold in Europe with the second row of seats as an equivalent to something like the Honda Element (and they've been around much longer, AFIK), so it's not just a gimmick to avoid the tax either. You'd still think it was about time to repeal that archaic law though.

    You get similar utility to a smallish pickup with a crew cab, but the gas consumption of a smallish car, and your tools or equipment are locked up safely inside. They've been used like this (without the second row seats), in Europe for decades. In fact, the original Mini Clubman did not have second row seating AFIK, and could be used in the same way. There was a very popular 2CV version as well, that could easily be driven across ploughed fields!

    Best of luck with your new vehicle, in any case! I still haven't seen a single one around here, despite gas being stuck at about $3 for regular, or above, for months.
    Alea jacta est!
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited June 2010
    Kex wrote: »
    You get similar utility to a smallish pickup with a crew cab, but the gas consumption of a smallish car, and your tools or equipment are locked up safely inside. They've been used like this (without the second row seats), in Europe for decades. In fact, the original Mini Clubman did not have second row seating AFIK, and could be used in the same way. There was a very popular 2CV version as well, that could easily be driven across ploughed fields!

    Best of luck with your new vehicle, in any case! I still haven't seen a single one around here, despite gas being stuck at about $3 for regular, or above, for months.

    Check out the left pic, I have had a crewcab pickup since '04 ;)

    I will still use it depending on the job and the weather, but I seriously like the idea of locking my equipment up inside, as someone helped themselves to some of my things while we were taking a lunch break a few months ago :mad:.
    Nothing major, but why tempt fate; it could've just as easily been a $1000+ machine.

    Thanks.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited June 2010
    Polk addict wrote: »
    It's called sprinter... I think Office Depot or OfficeMax was using them... They look exactly like the Mercedes type of ambulances in Australia or the UK...

    Check out post #12

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1360559&postcount=12

    The "Sprinter" is no more.

    It's also nothing like the Transit Connect. It is a massive vehicle bigger than the fll-sized Ram Van it replaced. But, no worries now. Mercedes took it's ball and went home. Now you can still get a "Sprinter" like vehicle from Mercedes or Freightliner but you're gonna pay out your nose for it.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited June 2010
    You should have good luck with the vehicle. I seriously considered getting one when I bought a new vehicle last October. There was only a couple draw backs that I could see to it at the time.

    - It has a truck suspension so it needs to have some weight in it so it smooths out the ride a bit and isn't as bouncy. Not really a drawback, but something to consider.

    - The windshield is a bit large. I wasn't sure if I could handle sitting in the sun on long drives. Might not be a factor other places but down here in Texas it might be. I couldn't really judge this as it wasn't 90+ degrees when I was shopping.

    - They weren't offering it in diesel yet.

    All that being said, I liked a lot about the Transit.
    - Plenty Roomie
    - > 180 degree rear door opening
    - Customer configure the second row of seats or not have any at all
    - Sliding doors on both sides for the second row
    - Custom configurable cargo area. (shelves, bins, whatever at the time 3 companies were making systems for the cargo area.
    - The ride was plenty peppy for a 4 cylinder
    - Designed so it was very easy to clean the interior.

    I usually replace vehicles every 4 to 5 years and the transit will be on the list when I go to purchase another one.

    Congratulations and have fun with your new transit!
    Scott
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
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