polarbear
just growing older not up
Hard to believe the service van is already in for it's first oil change. If you recall, it was delivered during the Christmas Holidays but sat for months waiting for parts on a recall. Since then, it's logging about 2500 miles/mo. Those aren't normal miles- it normally runs with 10-12 passengers, rarely gets more than 10 miles way from home base, and gets exactly zero consideration from the hired help as far as "taking care of the equipment." A few observations:
1. Compared to the Chevy Express it replaced, the Transit makes the Chebbie look and feel like a covered wagon by comparison. Bluntly put- there is no comparison- build quality, ride, handling, comfort- the Transit is at an entirely different level. A more legit comparison, I think, would be with a Mercedes Sprinter (we have none in the field).
2. The Transit's 3.7 V6 is no ball of fire, but it has logged 14.3 mpg average- about 40% better than the Express on it's best day. If I were ordering the truck, an eco-boost would be a must-have item.
3. Tons of thoughtful little touches- like little rubber bumpers where doors could hit bodywork. No fuel tank lock necessary- open the driver's door, you have access to the fuel filler door. A backup camera that's actually useful. Seats that don't require passengers to be gymnasts to get into the rear seat rows.
Complaints? Only a couple. I wish Ford would rethink the Navigation system- it's hard to see, and even harder to use. Nothing intuitive about it. And the sound system is barely on par with a Fiesta. I know- it's a commercial vehicle... but still, it ain't a cheap one.
I'm curious to see how the interior pieces hold up over the miles. After 100,000 miles, the Express interior was literally falling apart. Plastic pieces held with plastic clips have no place in a commercial vehicle. Chevy looks like they contracted Lego to do the interior.
1. Compared to the Chevy Express it replaced, the Transit makes the Chebbie look and feel like a covered wagon by comparison. Bluntly put- there is no comparison- build quality, ride, handling, comfort- the Transit is at an entirely different level. A more legit comparison, I think, would be with a Mercedes Sprinter (we have none in the field).
2. The Transit's 3.7 V6 is no ball of fire, but it has logged 14.3 mpg average- about 40% better than the Express on it's best day. If I were ordering the truck, an eco-boost would be a must-have item.
3. Tons of thoughtful little touches- like little rubber bumpers where doors could hit bodywork. No fuel tank lock necessary- open the driver's door, you have access to the fuel filler door. A backup camera that's actually useful. Seats that don't require passengers to be gymnasts to get into the rear seat rows.
Complaints? Only a couple. I wish Ford would rethink the Navigation system- it's hard to see, and even harder to use. Nothing intuitive about it. And the sound system is barely on par with a Fiesta. I know- it's a commercial vehicle... but still, it ain't a cheap one.
I'm curious to see how the interior pieces hold up over the miles. After 100,000 miles, the Express interior was literally falling apart. Plastic pieces held with plastic clips have no place in a commercial vehicle. Chevy looks like they contracted Lego to do the interior.