Ford Transit Connect vans

ken brydson

Anyone have any real world experience with these rigs? My daughter and her boyfriend are starting a new business and need a cargo van. I see them all over so they seem to be pretty popular. I'm buying so hoping to get something dependable/ reliable (I know, Ford right?) and not break the bank.

Seeing quite a few 2013's. Mileage runs in the 150-180K range for $7500- 10K.

Any input appreciated. @Jstas , anyone?

aprazer402

About 3-4 four years ago a locksmith friend started his own company. He wanted the full-size Transit cargo van, but had to settle on the smaller Transit Connect van. It was a tight fit for his equipment and supplies, but he made it work. He said he checked all over for the full-size Transit but was told that Amazon had purchased virtually all that were available. The Fords seem like a good choice. Hope others chime in to help.

Jstas

Based on the for Global C platform...basically a Ford Focus panel van. Lightweight so they can carry the kitchen AND the kitchen sink. Great on fuel and easy to park, especially in the city.

I gotta run right now but I'll write more later.

@polrbehr has/had one for his business, he'd be a good resource too.

For a cheap work van, though, I see them everywhere here.

Jstas

OK, so, more info.

The Transit Connect here in the U.S. is based on the C platform which is the Focus/Escape platform. The Escape is still the number one selling car in it's segment. They aren't junk. They are just solid transportation that can be fun to drive. Ford does not sell the Focus here anymore, just the Escape.

The first gen Transit Connect is a bit limp in the power department but honestly, I don't see many on the road anymore because they were usually ridden hard and put away wet. They did come out in 2002, though, and sold them unchanged until 2012 except for some facelifts in 2009 and updated engines around the same time. They were stone cold reliable and just ran until the wheels fell off. Most that I see now are junk derelicts driven by people who buy $500 cars every year and just drive the POS until it dies, abandon it and get a new $500 POS.

The second gen came out in 2012 along with the Focus refresh. Had new engines, a new transmission and was slightly bigger with higher payload capacity. They are more comfortable and better appointed than the 2002-2012 models and there were multiple trim levels.

They are just as reliable as the first gen if maintained properly. That's not just oil changes. They are commercial vehicles and see far more use than your standard passenger car so maintenance schedules need to be followed.

That said, they can have transmission problems and rebuilds can be expensive. But, unlike a Focus, a Transit is a commercial vehicle and has value beyond it's cash market value because as long as it works, it can earn you money. So if it can earn you more than it costs to fix it and it can cost you less to fix it and roll with it for a few more years instead of getting something new(er) then fix it. I worked at a shop in mid-2000's and we maintained a fleet of vans for a guy who ran a medical services company. In 2008, his newest van was a 2002 Ford Econoline. His oldest was a 1986 Ford Econoline. All were diesels. We asked him why he kept throwing money at them and he said "When something breaks on one, I look at the revenue that van generates. Then I look at the cost to fix it and see if the revenue stream will take a big hit. If it does and I can't recover that cost in 2-3 years then I get rid of it. So far, everything in my fleet earns way more money than it loses. That includes the maintenance costs you charge me to keep them running right." Dude has one of the most successful business in South Jersey because he manages and takes care of his tools.

So aside from the transmission problems, the other thing to look for is 2012-2015 models had a recall for overheating issues that could cause fires on the turbocharged engines. So if you are looking at one with an EcoBoost 4 cylinder be sure that the safety recall was done. There should be a sticker under the hood and if not, you can call Ford corporate with the VIN and they will tell you if it was done or not.

Otherwise, they're solid little vans. Ford did not continue with them here. There is a 3rd generation based on the joint venture with Volkswagen in Europe with the VW Caddy/Ford Tourneo Connect sharing a very common everything and built in Poland. Ford was going to build them in Mexico to get around the Chicken Tax too but with declining sales, they axed it and did not bring the 3rd gen to market here.

That's solely because in 2015, to replace the E-series/Econoline Ford brought the Transit here and the smallest Transit has enough payload capacity to carry the smallest Transit Connect and it's only like 3 inches longer than the Transit Connect L which is the biggest Transit Connect. Also, unlike the Transit Connect, the bigger Transit came with a 2.3L I5 Powerstroke diesel option. So the fleets that had mostly diesel everything else switched because it's just easier to manage one fuel source because everything is standardized.

So the only place you see Transit Connects soldiering on now are the small business owners that don't have huge commercial fleets to maintain. So I see them as florist trucks, electrician trucks, food delivery trucks, inspection service trucks, exterminators, etc. There's hundreds around here and even some well maintained 1st gens from 2002-2012.

There's really nothing wrong with them. They are durable, economical and reliable.

But like I tell all the kids I have to work with "An old guy once told me "Kid, take care of your tools and they will take care of you." Your Transit Connect is a tool too. It's an investment in your livelihood. So get in good with a good local mechanic, talk to them about a service place that doesn't jam you up on maintenance costs and take care of your tools.

ken brydson

Great info John, just what I was looking for.

Jstas

Two more things.

One, the safety recall for the fires, that's a free of charge thing and all you have to do is take it to a Ford dealership with a service department and book an appointment for fixing it. It's a non-issue after 2015.

Two, if the recall hasn't been done in the last 8 years, at least, then I would be wary of that particular Transit Connect because if that was neglected and it's free what else has been neglected? Would make me think twice about that purchase no matter how good of a deal it is.

Also, a correction, it's a 3.2L I5 diesel in the Transit.