MINICooperS

I understand and creature comforts was never my intent. I intended to convert it but I repeat, I'm disappointed that Ford brought the basic, underpowered vehicle to the states, and targeted the city delivery market. Maybe in a few years when it gets more power for out-of-town driving and 7% freeway grade climbing, I'll give it another look. In it's present form it's just $20K+ for a nice sheet metal body. I really tried to purchase one but hit so many dead ends I gave up. The vehicle was not worth over $20K to me. Ordered a Jeep Patriot 4x4 at $19K OTD with 172HP (136HP for Transit) 5-spd manual (automatic only for Transit) aluminum wheels (only steel wheels for Transit) 2000# towing capacity (towing not recommended for Transit) 4 wheel disc brakes (disk front, drum rear for Transit). I probably could have driven the Transit on the beach but the 4WD might be a little safer. Nothing against you dealers making a buck but I think Ford is handcuffing you with their price.

Let me preface this by saying I would really like to upgrade to the TC because my current vehicle is getting, well, long in the tooth. It's a daily driver and has been modified for camping by rear and passenger seat removal and bed and refrigerator install. What I have now runs and tows fine so I thought I'd compare the two vehicles' properties that are important to me. I submit for your amusement: 1995 Saturn SL2 Curb Wt. 2423 lbs. 1.9L DOHC I-4 124hp @5600rpm 122ft lb @4800 9.5:1CompRatio WB 102" Length 176" Height 53" CurbWt/HP Ratio 19.5:1 CurbWT/Torque Ratio 20:1 5-spd Manual w/OD 4.06FinalDriveRatio Load length (trunk bulkhead to dash) 72" Vehicle Lifespan: 241,000 miles (so far) Towing Capacity:1100 lbs. (2ea Honda 400EX Quads) or 14' Lowe Aluminum boat Fuel Economy: 30 City 36 Highway (Verified) Wow Factor: "When are you going to get rid of it?" 2010 TransitConnect Curb Wt. 3405 lbs. 2.0L I-4 136hp @6300rpm 4spd auto w/OD 128ft lb @4750 10:1CompRatio WB 115" Length 181" Height 79" CurbWt/HP Ratio 25:1 CurbWT/Torque Ratio 27:1 4.20FinalDriveRatio Load length(rear door to front seatbacks) 72.6" Vehicle Lifespan: Unknown Towing Capacity: Unknown Fuel Economy: 22 City 25 Highway Wow Factor: Cool! So, the question is: "Is the car a truck?" or "Is the truck a car?"

VAN XL 300A $21730.00 sticker total (no options) $22038.17 out-the-door for cash (including $500 rebate), no trade no financing Different dealer: VAN XLT 310A $23135.00 sticker total (66B only option, 255 degree rear door arms) $25000.00 out-the-door for cash (including $500 rebate), no trade no financing No thanks, looks like I'll be waiting a while longer, cooler heads have prevailed. Give me aluminum wheels a 5 or 6-spd manual transmission and just 20 more horses and then we'll talk.

Ad today on Craigslist . . . . gives us an idea of what used TC's are going for? I am selling my 2010 Ford Transit Connect van. It has just less than 3900 miles. It is White with the XLT package which means it has electric windows, electric mirrors, Ford’s factory anti-theft system, CD player, Cruise control, Rear defroster, Remote keyless entry, Map lights, Heated side view mirrors, Front and rear body colored bumpers. It is in perfect condition. It has never even had any cargo in the back. It has the following options: Premium carpeted floor mats, Nokia Bluetooth system with voice control and steering wheel mounted controls, 255 degree opening rear doors, Cargo Van rear privacy glass on rear doors, Cargo van side and rear privacy glass, Daytime running lamps, Reverse sensing system, the dealer added driver and passenger side glass window tinting. I’ve always kept the vehicle in the garage and have changed the oil at 1000 and 2000 miles as a break in service. I used the original equipment Ford oil filter and the Ford recommended semi synthetic Ford oil. I have waxed the van with only Turtle Wax “Ice” synthetic wax. I have all the documentation including the window sticker, owner’s manuals, sales brochure, and both keys. The original Ford 3 year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, the 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty and the 5 year 50K mile road side assistance still applies. This is a private sale with no sales tax or dealer BS. I paid over $26,000 for this van a few months ago and I am only asking $19,900. The price is firm and NO TRADES. Selling because he changed jobs, apparently.

I have the "invoice" in hand as follows: S6BG XLT CARGO $22655.00 MSRP $21091.00 INVOICE ORDER CODE 310A TY SILVER METALLIC 8K DARK GRAY CLOTH 99N 2.0L GAS ENGINE 442 4-SPD AUTO W/OD 66B RR CARGO DOOR ARMS 255 $190.00 MSRP $158.00 INVOICE DELIVERY & DESTINATION $695.00 MSRP $695.00 INVOICE FUEL CHARGE $40.95 INVOICE (this amount seems wrong) FDAF/LMDA ASSESSMENT $330.00 INVOICE SHIPPING WEIGHT 3284 LBS. KEY CODES FE/FA TOTAL: $23540.00 MSRP $22314.95 INVOICE TOTAL HOLDBACK: $686.00 A&Z PLAN: $21573.95 D PLAN: $21673.95 X PLAN: $22500.69 INVOICE PREPARED: 012510 PRICE LEVEL: 055 TRANSIT DAYS: 01 So here we have it: This XLT 310A with the 255 Cargo Doors as the only optiion for $25000 out-the-door with 0% 36 mo financing Or: An XL 300A with no options for $22000 out-the-door with 0% 36 mo financing

Thanks for the in depth analysis. Seriously, I'll take it under consideration. The unit I am most interested in is an XLT Van 310A with the 255 Rear Doors as the only option. Let's just say I wanted the "best deal ever" like the one that would blow your hair back, could you work your numbers on the $23540 sticker which includes shipping? The kind of deal where Ford is taking part of the depreciation hit once it leaves the lot. Ed??? Not to confuse the issue but the only "invoice" I have is for a completely different unit in an unacceptable color. It's numbers are as follows: XL Cargo $18840.00 Invoice Destination $695.00 Invoice (MSRP as well) 2 Gals Gas $4.58 Invoice (Invoice Only) FDAF/LMDA Assess $440.00 (Invoice Only) Advertising Fee? Total Invoice $19979.00 Holdback: $640 A&Z Plan: $19617 D Plan: $19717 X Plan: $20558 Total MSRP $20780.00 $21475.00 Incl Shipping

The unit I was looking at first: 2010 XL Cargo, Silver Exterior 300A $21035.00 50 State Emissions (no charge) Shipping $695.00 Total Sticker: $21730.00 Build Date: 09-22-09 Best the dealer would do, $22038.17 out-the-door I turned it down.

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards holding off and seeing what's offered in year 2. Maybe the dealers rejecting my offers is a good thing after all.

Good idea! Buyers remorse is always better BEFORE the purchase. Stepping back from all the hype and taking a look from the outside in should allow you to make a wise decision. As for me, I'm a little disappointed that Ford got us all lathered up with the pics of the European version and then only offer, well, what they offer here stateside. I expected a Sport Truck with windows all around, aluminum wheels and a 6-spd and not what we've got so far. I've only found 1 aluminum wheel that will fit it and Ford offers nothing thru parts.

. . . . . . Including tax 24109.75 Thanks for the input. Was that with all taxes AND fees? Could you post your model and option codes, i.e. the ones on the sticker?

I'm still kicking the tires myself, on a new one. I guess the TC is only worth what people are willing to pay at the moment. Since I won't be using it in a business and no tax write-off, I would have to get the best deal possible. After talking to several dealers it appears Ford is handcuffing them on the price point. The big question is, will the TC go the way of the PT Cruiser, $20K when it first came out and then down to $12K a few years later? After all it was just a rebodied Neon. I'm still on the fench but is this a $24K vehicle out-the-door? One side note I thought was humorous or pathetic, I went into a dealership and the first salesman that approached me hadn't even heard of them. The fleet manager schooled him real quickly, as they had 4 sitting there. Anyone willing to offer up what they paid out-the-door and the sticker price, chime in.

They sure patrol around El Paso or maybe it was because I had out of state plates. I got stopped 30 miles outside of town on I-10 for having a small piece of paper on my side window to block the sun and 15 minutes later for not signaling when I changed lanes to avoid the "Trooper" who pulled out in front of me from the shoulder. My reply: "Please just let me get out of Texas"! Her reply: "You're almost there"!

A Ford authorized alignment or body shop should have it in their database. I'd like to get a copy as well, before I set out digitizing one.

Excellent info! I've been looking high and low for these drawings. Thanks! Speaking of seats, has anyone come across a swivel base or seats for the TC so you can turn the front seats 180 degrees at night while camping, ala the full size vans?