Transit Connect Comparison

[MINICooperS]

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?"

Edited March 16, 2010 by MINICooperS

[john01]

LOL I think the answer is: the van ia a car. My TC has a little over 5K miles on it at this time and we use it for service work. It carries tools and supplies like a small van but drives like a small car. The thing I like most is how well it just drives.

[FTCPNW]

I agree with john01. It's a van/truck but it drives like a car. Though I usually run into one person everyday that ask me what it is and wants to see it.

I have had mine for about a year and one thing it's not is...low profile. Which is amazing to me since it's just a mini cargo van.

[4DThinker]

My TC is nothing like a 4 door Saturn. It's an XLT Wagon with the rear seats and windows, and for personal use. No sports car, but more fun to drive than the Pontiac Vibe I trade in for it. If you like adapting your vehicles to your needs, I can't imagine an easier one to have fun with. I've mainly just upgraded the sound system with a nice nav/media uniit, new speakers including 6x9s in the rear doors, a monitor for the rear passengers mounted on the overhead shelf, and a rear-view camera. It would be easy to make it into a camper. There are two 12v sockets in the center console, and one by the rear door.

[LJRacing91]

I traded a Matrix (same as a Vibe just like the above poster) in on my TC, along with an old Astro van I had (C4C program). I honestly have to say the TC has been an amazing addition. I drive for a living (normally full-size extended body cargo vans), and deal with quite a bit of palletized freight. You can't find an "economical" vehicle that will hold a 48" pallet in between the wheel wells, the last one I could find were my Astro vans, which aren't really "economical" by most standards. I've hauled 1300lbs before, and although the rear end sags a little, it still runs well. You notice the weight is there, but I don't get blown around as much by crosswinds and other vehicles as I expected for such a "brick" like design. The Matrix only had 37" between the wheel wells, and with a hatch door, it was much more difficult to have anything placed in it.

I've maxed out at 32mpg, but that was cruising home from Louisiana at 55-60mph with only the vents on (no A/C) on mainly flat roadways. On a normal trip I crack 25mpg without a problem, if the city driving is heavier, I'll get 23.

I will definitely admit I'm not a fan of the automatic transmission. It's not BAD, but it's certainly not what would preferable in this vehicle. A 5 or 6 speed manual (or auto) would make for better powerband control when on the highway and at certain speeds. I would have bought a diesel option also had their been one.

I've logged 14.5k miles so far, and considering the money it's saved me in gas, I definitely think it's a great vehicle. I've had many, many comments on how it would be a great recreation vehicle. I just had more work-related purposes for it.

I have a fairly basic XL wagon model, no power options, 4-seater, not even a CD player in it. I was unable to find a 5-seater at the time I bought (in fact, I could only find cargo models outside of this one when I was buying), but C4C was ending the next day, and no one would have any 5-seater XLTs in for several weeks.

As long as you aren't a REALLY tall person, you should be able to fit a decent bed setup behind the front seats. You can actually put a mattress in the back (I do it when we go to the drive-in).

The only reason to test drive IMO, is to decide whether you can deal with the automatic's finicky nature. I personally can deal with being "slow" as in most instances I'm not slow, I'm just not willing to floor it for no particular reason. Other than that, given the vehicle's capabilities, I would assume it would be a good vehicle. The rear seats are even relatively simple to remove, I believe it's 4 - 40 torx head bolts, and an extra person to help carry it if you don't want to strain your back. (I don't have the single seat in the rear, so I can't attest to the simplicity of removing that one.)

[longyard]

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?"

I've had four Saturns and they have all been WONDERFUL. American car companies can make great cars at a great price that get HIGH MILEAGE and are DURABLE.... The problem is that Americans MOSTLY don't want to drive them. Most Americans want to drive TANKS. FAST TANKS. I would call the Transit Connect the "Anti-Van", just like the Saturns were "Anti-cars." Let's hope the Transit Connect is more popular than Saturns ever were. And yes... let's hope for a transmission upgrade.

Bill L.