Your preference- Pre 2014 or new body style? And a question...

[Campcrazy]

Just an impromptu pole as to which version of body you prefer and why? When I was shopping around I looked at the newer 2014+ version and its outside looks didn't appeal to me and the less roof height especially.

The only thing I did like was the slightly better mpg rating of the base 2.5L 6 speed vs the 2.0L 4 speed, but I'm very impressed with the mpg of the 2.0 compared to my prior Ford Ranger. I was also worried about acceleration getting on highways and such before driving it but its perfectly fine to me. Way more peppy than I expected.

My other question concerns how many of these 2010 to 2013 models were sold here in the USA. I don't want to find out parts are hard to find or everybody stops making accessories for this version of TC. But wan't this same body style and motor/tranny combo sold in Europe since 2003? If so I'd have more confidence that aftermarket accessories continue to be made for it, as well that this motor/tranny/body had most of the bugs worked out before it came to America in 2010?

[mrtn]

I personally prefer the 1st generation model (I'll list the reasons below) but if I were to live in the US I would go for the new one for its much newer technology. They dropped the ancient Focus engine/tranny combo in the US 1st gen TC because it was readily available and didn't cost anything extra to manufacture, both are based on the same platform and apart from 10 mm drive shaft length there are no differences under the hood. We didn't get that combo because no-one's interested in a gasoline van here (diesel all the way), we only got the 1.8 Zetec gasoline unit for a few years and it was dropped with the facelift IIRC. The same way as no-one's buying diesel in the US (apart from some "freaks"). This has changed with the new gasoline engines now, the small EcoBoosts are available, not sure how popular tho.

So you can see the reliability rating of the Focus for that.

The old TC is extremely popular in Europe (Brits and Turks are completely nuts when it comes to modding) so you'll never run out of accessories or parts. There are people I see transplanting Focus RS engines + 4WD in the TC (Focus ST170 seems to be pretty common conversion).

I haven't driven the new one but went to see it for several times, the seating is too cramped for me. I'm 6'3" on a bad day and everything (including the pedals/controls and dials, no actual armrest) is a bit off while the Gen1 is 100% perfect. Good visibility, max cargo space in a minimal package. I also like the looks of it and the large flat advertising space for a sign job. Rides stable like on tracks, smooth clutch action and the precise shifter click is enjoyable (only applies to the manual model).

Again, in the US I would go for the new one especially if you don't have very specific reasons against it like I do, it's supposedly much better, more aggressive looking and attracts many accessory makers. The new LWB model has much more cargo space in length.

Just an impromptu pole as to which version of body you prefer and why? When I was shopping around I looked at the newer 2014+ version and its outside looks didn't appeal to me and the less roof height especially.

The only thing I did like was the slightly better mpg rating of the base 2.5L 6 speed vs the 2.0L 4 speed, but I'm very impressed with the mpg of the 2.0 compared to my prior Ford Ranger. I was also worried about acceleration getting on highways and such before driving it but its perfectly fine to me. Way more peppy than I expected.

My other question concerns how many of these 2010 to 2013 models were sold here in the USA. I don't want to find out parts are hard to find or everybody stops making accessories for this version of TC. But wan't this same body style and motor/tranny combo sold in Europe since 2003? If so I'd have more confidence that aftermarket accessories continue to be made for it, as well that this motor/tranny/body had most of the bugs worked out before it came to America in 2010?

[G B L]

Mrtn if they use as much salt or road deicer on the Estonian roads as here you will be getting a new one at some point.

[mrtn]

But they do

Already repaired the sills (welded one side, will be doing the other this summer). I acknowledge I have to replace the panel van (the older one in my signature) soon, been looking for low mileage Gen1 in Germany for a while (no salt there), have a search alert in mobile.de.

Edited February 29, 2016 by mrtn

[G B L]

Wire Feed?,

Here's something to look forward to, When you get old you shrink so you will fit in the new one better

[mrtn]

Yes, a MIG welder. Just some cheap one I bought for working on my cars.

[G B L]

1. Cool Gas or Gas-less Get a good Respirator the Sealant and the Galvanized metal is not good for you , Not just dust a carbon filter

Edited February 29, 2016 by G B L

[mrtn]

Gas, MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. I have 80/20 mix of carbon/argon.

Edited February 29, 2016 by mrtn

[G B L]

True , My Mix is 75-25. If you can switch the polarity of your machine they make a great gas less wire that works for a lot things and makes the welder go anywhere!

Edited February 29, 2016 by G B L

[mrtn]

It has a polarity switch but it's too weak for doing any serious welding, I think.

140A, IIRC.

[G B L]

True no Battleships, But E71TGS .035 wire will do a nice job up to 3/16 Thick on 110 to 120 amps , Very smooth and gives you a great second welding tool . You already have the hard part the welder.

[mrtn]

Good info, thanks.

I think we need to split this thread. The OP must be confused as hell 8)

[G B L]

Ok but confusing people is fun

You pick the title and we can carry on about disintegrating TC's

Edited February 29, 2016 by G B L

[mrtn]

The title is always the hardest part. Is Hobby welding good enough?

[G B L]

How about keeping the Car from the Scrap yard welding

[mrtn]

Well why the hell not!

[Campcrazy]

Good to know about the over seas popularity and long production span (2002 to 2013?) of the pre 2014 design, as well as that the focus shared the same motor/tranny and I guess (?) suspension parts. This not only bodes well for parts and accessories, but also that many bugs were worked out. What span of years of Focus was that? And so over seas the TC didn't feature this motor? Did they use this tranny?

My main accessories I'm looking to get now would be a chrome grill, chrome side mirrors covers, and a chrome non-locking gas cap door. The fact that I have to use a key to not only open the filler door, but also that I can't lock it first and later push it closed is a real hassle.

I'm tall too (over 6') and the extra roof height of the older TC is a plus for that for sure. I also like that I can raise the seat height for a more comfortable ride with long legs and not feel like I'm sitting on the ground, yet no risk of hitting my head on the ceiling.

Beyond all that I just like the looks of the older design, especially the squared off high aggressive look of the back, split rear doors and all. Not a fan of the single hatch door on some models. The newer TC design, while still unique, to me feels like it lost much of that distinct look, and starts to remind me more of a mini van and not a unique crossover.

So isn't it that the old design only came in one wheel length and roof height here in the USA, but 2014+ models come in two different roof heights and wheel lengths? If so how does the higher roof/longer wheel base version compare in head height & cargo length compared to the old design?

BTW I see a lot of the old version being used by utility and service trades. I suspect as these are sold off many will be bought by the general public and customized or turned into mini RVs, etc, so in a way you might see them more frequently on the road instead of sitting in a parking lot of fleet vehicles at some company.

Edited March 1, 2016 by Campcrazy

[mrtn]

Good to know about the over seas popularity and long production span (2002 to 2013?) of the pre 2014 design, as well as that the focus shared the same motor/tranny and I guess (?) suspension parts. This not only bodes well for parts and accessories, but also that many bugs were worked out. What span of years of Focus was that? And so over seas the TC didn't feature this motor? Did they use this tranny?

Europeans only got the auto with the new generation. I guess the Focus tranny can't take the diesel torque and/or the gearing is off for the rpm band, and again, gasoline van market is pretty much non-existent. The TC gasoline motor was also 1.8 liters, not 2.0. I can't recall the Focus years but it's the first generation platform, the one that replaced the Escort.

My main accessories I'm looking to get now would be a chrome grill, chrome side mirrors covers, and a chrome non-locking gas cap door. The fact that I have to use a key to not only open the filler door, but also that I can't lock it first and later push it closed is a real hassle.

Go have fun in ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-FORD-TRANSIT-CONNECT-FRONT-GRILL-STAINLESS-STEEL-CHROME-2009-TO-2013-/281625115925?fits=Model%3ATransit+Connect&hash=item41922a3d15:g:op8AAOSwxN5WWGVP

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-SIDE-DOOR-WING-MIRROR-TRIM-SET-COVERS-FOR-09-13-LHD-FORD-TRANSIT-CONNECT-/200975060464?fits=Model%3ATransit+Connect&hash=item2ecb0c0df0:g:WLgAAMXQRkdR5q6T

So isn't it that the old design only came in one wheel length and roof height here in the USA, but 2014+ models come in two different roof heights and wheel lengths? If so how does the higher roof/longer wheel base version compare in head height & cargo length compared to the old design?

AFAIK the new model only comes in two lenghts and single height. The older model was either LWB/High or SWB/low in Europe, the former in the US. I guess they didn't see a market for a subcompact van right away because the compact van market virtually didn't exist in North America. Now it seems completely different, every single US movie or TV show has at least one TC in the view at all times for outdoor shots :D

[G B L]

Well The Small van market in Europe is much better developed. I see a Fiesta van from Ford EU and a lot of the small vans available for you would be the shopping

cart parking stalls in the mall here!

Edited March 1, 2016 by G B L

[mrtn]

The Fiesta van (and Opel Corsa van) are essentially just a stripped and blanked out passenger cars, good for couriers delivering envelopes. Disposable tools.

The next size is much more fun - including Škoda Praktik/Roomster and Ford Transit Courier.

[G B L]

I will check them out, The next size up from the Transit Connect is also very interesting and would be a good size here

[mmitchell@nc.rr.com]

My company issued me a 1st gen TC and every time I drove it something died. It was a piece of crap. I finally got a 2nd gen TC and fell in love with it. I then bought my own. Wouldnt have a gen 1.

[Beta Don]

We didn't even look at a Gen 1 when we were shopping.  A) I wanted the 6 speed auto with it's near 30 mpg and B) The USA Gen1's are famous for needing new front wheel bearings every 40 or 50K and they're not cheap to replace

I don't understand the 'concern' with the roof height in the Gen 2's  -  I'm 6' and even with the power seat elevated as far as it can go, I could still wear a cowboy hat with no danger of it ever hitting the ceiling in my 2014

Don

[mrtn]

1 hour ago, Beta Don said:

I don't understand the 'concern' with the roof height in the Gen 2's  -  I'm 6' and even with the power seat elevated as far as it can go, I could still wear a cowboy hat with no danger of it ever hitting the ceiling in my 2014

You would also need cowboy boots for the issue to come in effect.

Actually the roof height is an issue for cargo models, The old one was exactly the right height for loading stuff in it, walking inside the boot etc. I need to squat in my new one.

[Beta Don]

Camp crazy said " I'm tall too (over 6') and the extra roof height of the older TC is a plus for that for sure. I also like that I can raise the seat height for a more comfortable ride with long legs and not feel like I'm sitting on the ground, yet no risk of hitting my head on the ceiling."

I was just pointing out that with a Gen 2 there's no danger of hitting your head on the ceiling no matter where you have the seat adjusted, nor how tall you are

Granted, the cargo area in the Gen 1's  is taller and if you're using your van for work, that's a big plus, but for those of us driving passenger vans, it's probably not that important  -  The Gen 2 roof is low enough to fit in my garage (just barely) and that's much more important to me.  Who wants to let a nice vehicle sit out in the weather 24/7??

Don

Edited May 10, 2017 by Beta Don