Fifty150

The MSRP is a built in markup, all on it's own. Huge difference between what the dealer pays for the car, and the MSRP. There's even a difference in what the dealer pays for the car, and the invoice. Not even the invoice is the real price the dealer pays for the car. That's why they used have those sales where they sold cars for thousands under invoice. That's what gives you room for negotiation. I think the finance department is the real algae slime sucker. They take advantage of people who can't afford to buy the car. Rig finance "deals" to where someone can "afford" a certain amount monthly. Then charge them some usurious interest rate for 120 months. Then on top of that, sell them the extended warranty, and finance that as well. Unless they allow someone to drive the car off from the factory, like Tesla, the dealership will be involved. Those cars will be delivered to a dealership for dealer prep. There will be a fee for that. Receiving fee, dock fee, handling fee, top off the electric charge fee........ Someone has to pay for all the coffee and donuts that they give away. As you may be able to guess - I do not like car dealers.

I hear that Costco is a very good way to buy a new car.

You didn't pay the sticker price, right?

I'm surprised that they didn't have a van on the lot. Surely, a Ford dealer would have a few white vans, with nothing in them, in inventory. They should have been able to find a stripped down van on the lot, and offer to add accessories to your liking. What did you order for the van? Did you get rear window defrosters? Side mirror defrosters? A heated windshield? The most modern Ford Sync system? My van is a 2016. So I've driven it for 6 years. Those are the things that come to mind for me, as being useful. But only for me. I've found myself in snow, where the defrosters and heated windshield could have been useful. I still made it without all of that. Sure, there was frost , but the wipers worked okay. The front windshield defroster was good enough to warm the windshield and maintain a safe degree of visibility. The rear windshield, for me, was less than important. After years of driving trucks, I learned to use the side mirrors more. But if you are used to having a rearview mirror, and looking into it, then the rear window defroster could make all the difference. I just installed an aftermarket radio with Android Auto. The latest Ford Sync has Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Ford offers updates to the Sync system. Even back in 2016, I knew that better technology was coming and that the top of the line 2016 radio would be antiquated in a few years. For me, cost was a factor. I knew that I could install an aftermarket radio for a fraction of what they charge for a factory stereo. But the modern Sync systems are pretty comparable, dollar for dollar, to a high end radio. The one thing that I noticed over the years, is that Ford trucks seem to have really good heaters. Just a personal opinion of course. Compared to other small cars I've driven, the trucks and vans from Ford feel (to me) like they get real hot and do it real fast. When you walk out in the morning to a cold car that's been sitting all night in the winter, and you start the car to warm it up....... you notice things like that as you sit there in the cold. Even in the middle of winter, the inside of the truck is comfortable with just a t-shirt. I do that. Take off my jacket when I get in the truck.

In my mind, EGR should only exhaust gas flowing through it. Not coolant. I guess I learned something new.

EGR is Exhaust Gas Recirculation. I am having a hard time with coolant leaking from the EGR hose. If there is coolant circulating from the exhaust back to the intake....... you have problems. expand your search, use the internet

Maybe you can take some photos of the part and it's location on the van. Show everyone what you're typing about. Sometimes it's very difficult to understand what someone is talking about without actually seeing what they are describing. With good photos, it would be easier to pull up the parts diagram, and the auto parts counter guy may be able to help you locate the part number.

It sounds like you have it functional. Congratulations.

Without offending anybody's political views, or choice of diet. Is there any way to celebrate anything, without offending someone else? Officially, I have zero ties to anyone who landed on Plymouth Rock. I am descended from political subversives, who failed at overthrowing an incumbent government, in another country. My ancestors fled their homeland because they were war criminals. If they had succeeded, they would have been heroes who overthrew an oppressive regime, and brought democracy to the land. But they lost that war. So it was either flee like a felon, or beheaded. 5 generations removed; and I am eating a turkey. Deboned. Marinated with Coca Cola and soy sauce. I am eating turkey because I like turkey. A caucasian guy dressed like an Asian monk, standing in front of a lottery machine, will not stop me from playing Power Ball, or eating my turkey. I can't believe these people stormed a grocery to liberate the frozen turkeys. You don't see me slapping the avocado toast out of their faces, because they are committing violence against avocado. Stabbing and slicing their bodies in 2, then forcibly removing their reproductive seed.

It sounds like while ordering is difficult because of supply chain problems, there are plenty of unsold vans sitting on dealership lots. I've never ordered a car. My needs are minimal. I have never wanted all the add-ons. So even the most basic car will work for me. I am more concerned with negotiating a better price. After I buy the car, I could always add a better radio or wheels. But it's not as simple for other people who want heated massage seats, an engine block heater, side mirror defrosters, a luxury carpet kit, backup sensors, parking assist, and the list goes on. Nothing wrong with any of those things. I just drive the car and live without it. Same way I don't have a leather couch in my house.

Open the door panel. Maybe all that they did was disconnect the wire harness for the actuator motor.

I ride my bike as a "city bike". Running errands. Going to The Bar. Commuting. Especially if my destination is a part of town where parking is difficult. Downtown. City Hall. But I don't identify as a "biker". I don't live the lifestyle of someone who identifies with the subculture. It just makes sense for me to own a bike. I also own a bicycle and a bus pass. It just makes sense to ride a bicycle to the gym or take the bus sometimes. Obviously, I can't go to Costco on my motorcycle. And I don't ride in the rain. If I am going to Los Angeles or Las Vegas, or any destination where I will want to ride the bike around, then it's a motorcycle road trip. The luggage is minimal. Only extra t-shirts, underwear, socks, and toiletry kit. I'll be wearing my jeans, a Pendleton, leather jacket, and boots. Not every trip is a bike trip. Sometimes it's nice to have the luxury of an air conditioned environment, refreshing beverages, an entertainment system, and luggage. Sometimes I actually want to bring along different changes of clothes. Not to mention that motorcycle trips are kind of weird, if your traveling companions are following along in a minivan. Or flying in and they'll just meet you there. My last trip to Las Vegas was like that. We were attending an event. I rode my motorcycle. My girl flew in. She checked in 2 bags full of all kinds of girly things like heels, makeup, cabana wear, her evening gown, and my dinner jacket. Her helmet was carry on luggage. I told her to wear the helmet whenever the seat belt light came on. I sort of felt out of place wearing a tuxedo with my boots. But nobody noticed. If they did, they probably just assumed that I was being trendy. Her Dad kept asking, "so she flew in, and you rode the motorcycle?"

How is the project coming along?

The guys here who haul motorcycles, do it inside of the van. I don't recall if anyone tows their motorcycle with a trailer. The Transit Connect could easily tow a motorcycle trailer. If I want to go anywhere with my bike; I ride my bike. But that's a personal preference. I have a road bike. It's meant to be ridden. But I can see the benefit of having a small motorcycle or scooter in the back of the van. Then you can comfortably drive in an air conditioned van, and have your bike when you get there. If you get a motorcycle trailer, that leaves the inside of the van for other things.

It would be less expensive to install a good radio, as opposed to trying to replace it with the same unit. You won't find another one of those sold as a new radio. Your dealer could contact dealerships across the country looking for that part. Someone may have it collecting dust in their warehouse. They will charge you a lot more than it's worth. The easy solution these days, is go to Crutchfield.

You didn't buy a wire harness?

It should be fine. Looks like you worked clean and did a good job. Thumbs up. High 5.

On older Honda models, it was pretty easy to disconnect the transmission cooling line, drain the fluid into a bucket, then fill from the fill port. It's been a few years since I had to crawl under a Honda. I don't remember a drain plug. But I do remember that plug on top. As I recall, it also needed a washer.

Welcome aboard. I'm here in The City. San Francisco. I want to be able to guess, that the aftermarket alarm is the source of your problems. If you can get it "uninstalled", and not just pull out 1 wire under the dash, and return the van to stock..... Or troubleshoot the security device, plug that wire back in, and get it to work as intended...... Some security systems disable the ignition. Maybe it's the security device that's not allowing the van to start when it's raining.

It looks bigger than the 2nd generation from Ford. Probably more reliable, better built, with a higher price tag.

The good news is that anyone who ordered a 2022, will now get a 2023.

Human exhaust. The stuff you breathe out.

I don't have a nice or expensive bike. I'm not as picky. I just fold the seats down, take the wheel off the bike, and put it in the back. But that's not practical if you do have a nice bike that you want transport without it moving around.

If you can't order the new van that you want, this 2008 Econoline is available.

Android Auto was supposed to be replaced by Google Assistant Drive Mode. Drive Mode has also been discontinued. Now it's unclear as to what will happen. There are countless cars built with Android Auto integrated into the OEM radio. And an unknown number of aftermarket radios with Android Auto installed. What happens next?