windguy

@Johnyguy - just a suggestion, if you have a specific question about something like oil, as an example, it might be better to post that in the Maintenance SubForum, link below http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/forum/32-maintenance/

thanks for info. I haven't test driven the TC either. my wife thinks I'm crazy for not doing so. Everyone seems to like it when they do a review so I'll adapt. I'm getting it for the utility benefits. same issue for me with the extra seats. I've done that with my current wagon, storing the seat bottoms. I did not want to buy a new vehicle and do the same since I have no use for more than two seats. I want to maximize the cargo space. I'm thankful that Ford offers the TC this way.

how do you like your TC compared to the Caravan? you would think the TC has a bigger windshield. interesting. thanks for the install notes on the insulation. I like the sheet stock material because it handles moisture very well. More of an issue for colder environments when you get condensation at night. I assume you used something like liquid nails to attach it. Curious about your impression on the flooring material that comes stock in the cargo area. the material that I saw in the 2014 van at a dealer was sort of spongy and compresses and left impressions and dents very easily, which was surprising. it doesn't see very robust compared to a more rigid hard plastic material. The only benefit I see is it's easier on the knees if crawling around.

thanks for the info and link the sun shields they offer look very nice. they have two types, one that folds, the other rolls up. The TC has such a large windshield you really need a custom shade. for the insulation, did you use the rigid type foam board that comes in sheets from Home Depot or Lowes? http://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Insulation-Rigid-Insulation/N-5yc1vZbaxx that stuff has a pretty decent R-value for its thickness. I've used it for home remodeling a few times but only on flat surfaces. Sorry to ask so many questions but I'm trying to figure out what to do ahead of getting the van. Glad you like Key West. Hope I didn't jinx you on the hurricane part thanks!

@KeyWestLes, glad you like your new van, plus it's very sharp looking. you will be very recognizable in your small town with that van. good for business. I noticed that front window shield in your pics. very nice. did you buy that online or have it made custom? what type of insulation did you add to the walls and ceiling? what type of covering did you put over it? I plan to do something like that so I'm interested in what you did. I'm hoping the privacy glass that comes with the side and rear windows offers enough sun reflection. I can see how things can get pretty toasty down in your parts. you really are in Key West. nice. Been there twice on vacation. always fun. haven't been there during a hurricane though!

@2013TC - nice job. the van looks very cozy. enjoy!

great pics. thanks for posting. sweet looking van. enjoy your new ride

sweet. can you share some pics? thanks

@mustang - thanks for the input. hope KeyWestLes can resolve this. please keep us posted

@mustang Thanks for posting the link. I read something similar. The alarming part is reading the user comments at the bottom. You start shaking your head. I'm going to ask the dealer when my van is delivered and being prepped if they can disable this feature. I don't want any headaches for something I'm not using.

from what I read, MyKey is mostly a feature for assisting young drivers. does it have any benefit for an adult driver? if not, then can you turn the system off altogether?

@mustang - great pic. sweet looking ride.

thanks. sounds like fun, except for the work too much part. how about posting a full size pic of your new van?

I'd like to know that too. Doesn't sound like a very user-friendly feature.

Thanks for the inquiry. I ordered a van about a month ago, as posted in this thread http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2778-2015-van-ordering-experience/ Per what was posted by Robert in this thread http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2487-2015-ford-transit-connect-production-schedule/ the order bank opened for the 2015 model on May 13th. Production begins around September 2. At some point the Ford site will change from 2014 to 2015. I'm guessing very soon.

great news. thanks for the update. I like your new avatar but your vehicle is no longer an "Awaiting" TC curious, what watersports do you like to do?

interesting. Must not have been a very strong market for Ford or they didn't get their market research right. I did a quick web search on "handicapped vans" and see lot of options on just about every van out there and more. http://www.mobilityworks.com/Wheelchair-van-with-lowered-floor.php For the 2014 TC - http://www.mobilityworks.com/Commercial/commercial-transit-connect.php

congrats. great looking van! when you have your slider open people might mistake your location for an Italian eatery

I would agree with Johnyguy. I highly doubt you'll see a taller roof TC or any other major body style changes. I think the current one is going to run a long time. I get why some that want to put motorcycles inside want the taller roof but I don't think Ford is going for that market. Regarding the other shortcomings mentioned by others: AWD or 4WD - doubt that since the TC has front wheel drive now. does Europe have an AWD version available? If they do then maybe. Diesel - that might happen down the road since Europe has it. Does Ford offer diesel for any passenger cars? Ford pushes their ecoboost so not sure. More Seat Options for the Wagon - like a 5 seat version instead of the 7. That might happen. Seems like a low impact change. My gut feeling says no.

Given the choice, I would take the cash hands-down. Make sure the cash offer applies to what you're getting. Sometimes it's only for vehicles off the lot, not special orders. But that assumes you have the money to buy the van outright. If you have to finance the purchase then Ford's financing might be good. Don't know. Even if you had the funds and choose to invest the money instead you'd have to clear (after taxes) about 1.9% for 3 years to break even.

I haven't considered financing. Also hard to predict what offers will be available when my van arrives and it's time to pay for it. Many months away at this point. Hopefully Ford will be offering some sweet incentives that I can cash in on. That'd be cool.

thanks Johnyguy. Everyone's input on the forum helped me get to that point. I'm thankful for that. The XLT includes several of those options and enables you to order some others. You can see that in the 2015 Ordering Guide. Significant options included with the XLT are below. The others aren't very important to me but nice to have. 6-Way Manual Driver Seat with Manual Lumbar Cloth Seating Surfaces Cruise Control Fog Lamps 12V Powerpoint in Rear Cargo Area Premium Front Center Closed Console I tried the vinyl 4-way seat that comes with the XL and it wasn't comfortable for me. I needed the upgraded seat. I like the covered center console armrest too. Cruise control is mandatory for me and fog lamps are a big plus. I drive a twisty windy canyon road several times a week on average and having adaptive cornering fog lamps should be helpful, I'm hoping. Last winter I had to take my high beams off for an oncoming car and couldn't see a large rock (boulder) in the road, that took out my wheel and tire. $257 with an alignment plus my time. Having fog lamps might have prevented that mishap. Daytime running lights isn't mandatory in CA as far as I know, but I always leave the headlight switch in the ON position for safety reasons, so the lights are always running. That's why I had asked the question in another thread if they go off automatically when the key is removed. Not sure I need the daytime running lights option, which can be programmed in by the dealer for a fee, but for $38 ($45 MSRP) I didn't want to second guess myself. I didn't bother with any extra electronics like sync and mytouch. Partly because of some bad reviews and I'm not a gadget type of person. It's not necessary for me to have my electronics integrated with my car. Some people eat that stuff up but I like to keep it simple and functional. There were two options I wanted but couldn't get with the Van. The roof rails and cross bar, as discussed in another thread. That's a sore point for me. The other is the keypad option for keyless entry. I really need this option since I surf and windsurf at the beach often and it's ideal not to carry a key or use a lockbox. This was an $85 option for 2014 but 2015 doesn't show it or mention it anywhere. I'm hoping it shows up as a new standard option for the XLT (I can dream can't I?). Other Ford vehicles have it integrated into the door handle. It can be ordered from Ford Spare parts for the same cost.

Good news! I finally ordered my new TC Van. I want to share my buying experience so perhaps others find this info useful for their TC purchase. What did I order? 2015 LWB XLT Van with rear symmetrical doors and the standard 2.5L engine in silver metallic. Options below: All weather floor mats - front Electric rear window defroster Trailer Tow Package with Trailer Sway Control Fixed rear glass for rear cargo doors (includes privacy glass) AM/FM Stereo with Single CD & Rearview Camera 2nd Row Fixed Glass - both sides (includes privacy glass) Rear LED cargo area light Forward and Reverse Sensing Systems Key fobs (qty 2) Adaptive Cornering Fog Lamps Daytime running lights Front and Rear Mud Splash Guards The Buying Experience Like Oregon Don, I also ordered my van using the Costco Car Buying Program. http://www.costcoauto.com/enterzipcode.aspx?gotourl=%2fdefault.aspx The online Costco program lets you configure the van like the Ford website and provides MSRP and Dealer Invoice pricing. You can use edmunds.com to verify the pricing and the 2015 Ford Ordering Guide to add in the ordering codes for each option. Costco's program puts you in touch with a dealer that has enrolled in the program and is assigned to your closest warehouse. You can switch dealers by calling Costco if there's a dealer that is closer to where you live or one you prefer to work with. I would highly recommend using Costco's service for several reasons. The first is fixed pricing, which happens to be the lowest around. No haggling or games, which I dread. I had checked into using the truecar.com buying program and didn't see a benefit over the Costco program. The second reason is you're dealing with either an Internet Sales Manager or Fleet Manager, so these guys are experienced in doing special orders. The third reason is that after the dealer configures the van online with Ford he provides you with a statement that shows Retail and Dealer Invoice pricing and Ordering Codes. You can verify exactly what you want versus what is going to be ordered. This way there is no question that the dealer is ordering the right configuration. Ford includes two additional charges that's included in the Dealer Invoice pricing, a gas fee for $55 and a regional advertising fee for $402. Edmund's will warn you about the advertising fee, which I assume is higher in larger cities like LA. There's no way around this and Ford passes the cost on through the dealer to the buyer. My only rub is that I haven't seen one print ad in a local paper or TV commercial for a Transit Connect. Plenty for other Ford cars, but not the one I'm buying. It's a bend-over fee that you have to pay and forget about. I guess another way to look at it is that the color brochure I got from the dealer cost me $400. So now comes the hard part. Patiently waiting for the van to be built and delivered. As we've read, 2015 production starts in early September. We know it can take several months so I'm optimistically guessing early January for delivery, assuming the van won't sit in limbo at the import lot in Maryland. Let me know if you have any questions on what I've posted.

thanks 2013TC

nice upgrades. where did you order the sun shade from? where did you order the door pockets from? thanks