Jump to content
Ford Transit Connect Forum
   

Fifty150

T.C. Member
  • Posts

    3,582
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    183

Everything posted by Fifty150

  1. Load resistors will work. But when using them, remember that they do get hot, and that you should install them in a well ventilated area. On my F-150, all sorts of crazy things happened. I solved that problem with replacing the OEM flasher relay with a LED relay. However, if this vehicle does not have a flasher relay, then that will not be the solution.
  2. Alright. Who has tips and tricks on how to negotiate pricing and availability? I know, that at least one person on this forum, is probably a salesperson. Did you look up the KBB or Edmunds? Share with the rest of us, on the best way to buy a car. How did you haggle your deal? We don't have to measure manhood by comparing out the door price. A buddy of mine asked for a real test drive. Not one of those go around the block deals where the salesperson tells you where to turn. He wanted to go up and down a few hills. See if the car would fit in his garage. Parallel park. Go up on the freeway, test merging from the ramp, and see if there was enough pickup to pass trucks and buses. Maneuver through financial district traffic, dodge bike messengers, and zip around double parked delivery trucks. He drove to another dealership in the next town 8 miles away, pulled right up to the other showroom, and got out. Then he told a salesperson there, in front of the salesperson who came along for the test drive, that he was buying a car that day, and wanted to see what they had on their lot. Then he took both salespeople to lunch, and let them fight over the bill and fight each other over who could give him the best deal.
  3. I found myself piloting a Transit Connect recently due to the fact that seniors with limited mobility have a hard time climbing up into full size vans & SUV's because they are too high off the ground, and have a hard time climbing out of conventional sedans and compacts because they are too low to the ground, With the seat height of the Transit Connect, there is a lot less of a drop into the seat when stepping in from curbside, and easier to simply step out of the passenger cabin. Seniors and the disabled can, and do, have a hard time with folding and flipping the seats; which is why I am the pilot. Without offspring of my own, I find myself surrounded by a very large extended family. And, oh yeah, I have lots of friends. So as a people mover, this vehicle provides the utility of a minibus. Think about those vans that you rode in summer camp, airport shuttle, church vans, Scooby Doo, and bands on tour. In my case, seating arrangements are adequate, and nobody has really complained of headroom or legroom, since they are typically accustomed to riding in less roomier SUV and crossover configurations. If you're one of three 200 pound plus adults who have shared the 3rd row of an Acura MDX, then you will appreciate 3 bucket seats over sitting over an armrest with a seat belt. What good are leather seats, when it's in the third row of a Honda Pilot? In my opinion, the Transit Connect has enough power ports and cupholders. Everyone can carry one backpack or carry-on size bag in their lap, and we will try to carry extra stuff behind the third row seat. I bought a stripped down XL. No frills. AM/FM radio. Cloth seats. Plastic floors. No navigation system, backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, or any of the fancy things found on the upgraded sound system screen. Okay, so if it's a simple trip out to dinner, or to the movies, this gets the job done. Seating for seven. Nobody complains about the music, since they all have their own Ipods and/or phones with ear buds. If a kid spills anything, it's easy to wipe up, wet mop, or even hose off. Nobody in my van is looking for Cadillac comfort with \Corinthian leather. They are just lucky enough to be able to get there without being squeezed in like a sardine can. Road trips to The State Fair, Little League away games, medical appointments, grocery shopping, overnight glamping, or simple errands. This van bridges my chasm between my F-150, 5.0, and Harley. A cell phone signal booster keeps everyone happy.
  4. I guess you could order whatever configuration from the dealer. But when I went to dealerships in NorCal, they all had 2.5 engines. The standard answer was that I could place a deposit, order whatever I wanted, then wait, or simply buy what the dealership had in stock. At the end of the day, you're buying a van, not a sports car. If you feel underpowered, move up to the next grade of vehicle. For anything more than what this vehicle can handle, I have a truck. I doubt if this little van is going to replace my truck. If I want to go fast, that is another conversation. 7 people won't fit into a performance car, and tend to get wet in a truck bed. Large bulky items won't fit into a performance car, and tend to get wet in a truck bed.
  5. Interesting discussion in re: getting a wagon vs cargo van. Typically, the cargo van will cost a little less. But for the cost difference, you get a whole lot more with a passenger wagon. Seats. Rear air conditioning vents. Rear air conditioning controls. Extra speakers. An interior. And windows. Unless you are planning on commercial activity, you don't need a cargo van. As a person who has driven cargo vans, and love them, my major complaint is the lack of glass. I turn my head to check my blind spot, and all that I see is the inside of my van. Sure, you want to trust your mirrors. After all, when you're behind the wheel of a truck, the mirrors are all you have so you learn to trust them. The lack of insulation makes for a lot of road noise, and works against your heating and cooling system. The beauty of the van is that you get to use the entire van, with nothing getting in the way. I would hate to think about folding down my seats, then forklift loading a pallet in there. And with a van, you can comfortable drill all the holes that you want to install any and every combination of roof rack, cargo hook, spot lamp, back up camera, work light, tool box, fire extinguisher, et cetera. Ever consider having to tear out and reinstall your interior in order to run a wire? And all that steel paneling provides privacy when you discreetly abduct people. Nobody will see your victim struggling against the cable ties and duct tape. Nothing ruining your upholstery with tools, grease, and construction debris. It all makes you think of simply buying a pickup truck, installing a ladder rack, and fabricating your own tent with tarp and bungee cords.
  6. Ripped out the OEM power point. Connected to OEM disconnects with spade terminals. NEW PART sourced from Amazon dot com.
×
×
  • Create New...