2011 options

[MOBILEOILCHANGE]

Hello all Im new to this site and Im interested in buying a 2011 connect. Does anyone know if the 2011 xlt cargo vans will have the front fog lights as an option? I also am wondering if the cargo vans that have the side door glass delete option have any issues. Ive read that because of the chicken tax law that ford ships the transits to the USA with the rear seats and side door glass intact and once they arive here they have them removed and install steel panels inplace of the glass. I also read that ford will start building the connects here in the states in 2012 and i wonder if i should wait until then. also i wish the connect had rear disc brakes. I dont want to buy a 2011 and find out that in 2012 they are offered with rear disc brakes and have a complete side door skin instead of the steel panel inplace of the glass. the europe transits have a smooth side door panel that looks alot better then ours. same goes for the 3rd high mount brake light. why the heck the USA transits didnt keep the 3rd brake light in the left rear door is dumb if you ask me. it has nothing to do with the chicken tax nor does it have anything to do with a wagon or cargo van. they should of left the 3rd light in the door location.

Scott

[azdamay]

With regard to the 3rd brake light, I would speculate the North American standards are more strict in requiring it to be centrally-located. Here's what wikipedia says about CHMSL:

"Trucks, vans and commercial vehicles sometimes have the CHMSL mounted to the trailing edge of the vehicle's roof. The CHMSL is required by regulations worldwide to be centred laterally on the vehicle, though ECE R48 permits lateral offset of up to 15 cm if the vehicle's lateral centre is not coincident with a fixed body panel, but instead separates movable components such as doors."

As far as I have read, the front fog lights are going to be available on the 2011 Transit Connect. What "issues" are you concerned about regarding the glass delete? I drive a TC that has no rear glass, I will say that the quality of the work done left a little to be desired... when I picked the van up from the dealer there were several marks/scratches on the panels and near the panels. Otherwise they seem to be structurally sound. I doubt you'll see rear disc brakes. Honestly the Transit Connect stops better than the previous vehicle I drove for work, a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan C/V, which had 4 wheel disc brakes.

[MOBILEOILCHANGE]

With regard to the 3rd brake light, I would speculate the North American standards are more strict in requiring it to be centrally-located. Here's what wikipedia says about CHMSL:

"Trucks, vans and commercial vehicles sometimes have the CHMSL mounted to the trailing edge of the vehicle's roof. The CHMSL is required by regulations worldwide to be centred laterally on the vehicle, though ECE R48 permits lateral offset of up to 15 cm if the vehicle's lateral centre is not coincident with a fixed body panel, but instead separates movable components such as doors."

As far as I have read, the front fog lights are going to be available on the 2011 Transit Connect. What "issues" are you concerned about regarding the glass delete? I drive a TC that has no rear glass, I will say that the quality of the work done left a little to be desired... when I picked the van up from the dealer there were several marks/scratches on the panels and near the panels. Otherwise they seem to be structurally sound. I doubt you'll see rear disc brakes. Honestly the Transit Connect stops better than the previous vehicle I drove for work, a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan C/V, which had 4 wheel disc brakes.

thats my point...a new vehicle with marks and scratches! from what i read this window and seat removal is done here in the state in less then 5 minutes. my dad owns a body shop and i dont see how they can remove the windows and seats in 5 minutes without and damage. this is what worries me. i dont want to purchase a transit with the rear side and rear door glass for privacy issues to avoid seeing my tools and equipment inside.

[azdamay]

For me, it didn't matter (because the vehicle doesn't belong to me). The cosmetic flaws are very minor, they wouldn't even show up in a photograph unless I took a close-up photo specifically of the flaws. I can understand wanting a new vehicle to be brand-spanking-new, but bottom line is this a cheap work vehicle, not a Lexus, and it makes a hell of a journey over several forms of transportation before even making it to the dealer. On the passenger side fender there is actually a flaw in the paint that looks like a several-inch long discoloration (almost looks like a rub mark or something under the paint). That's an area that is not touched by the outfitters, it came from the factory that way! If I had paid for this thing myself I'd probably be more pissed, but... I fully expect to accumulate much nastier scars over the years of driving it.

Edited January 1, 2011 by azdamay