Lost Membership Card.

[BSUPC]

It is official. I have lost my membership card as of today. After tearing into my TC the body shop found more damage and the insurance totaled my poor baby. Now the hunt begins to try and replace the Money Maker.  :(     Looking at maybe a 2017 Transit 150 SWB Medium Roof. 

 

 

[Fifty150]

Be a maverick.  Buy the Mercedes van.  Show the world that you are willing to spend more on a work van; and that your invoices will be higher to pay for that van.  That is what my dad says when he sees a Mercedes van.  That contractor must be charging higher prices to pay for the van.  

 

So what else did they find?  

 

Any thoughts on paying the difference out of pocket, and restoring the van?  Some guys will take whatever the insurance is willing to pay, then make up the difference themselves, because that is how much they like the car.  I would accept the payout, then apply it towards purchase of a new car.  

[BSUPC]

I took the pay out and am looking for a new van. The difference was $4k. Basically once the bumper cover was removed and the hood opened, the entire front end from the radiator forward need to be replaced. Nothing was leaking, but my radiator was in a semi horseshoe shape along with the coolers. Everything else from there forwards was bent, cracked, busted, and snapped. I was doubting my choice to sell it to them, till they let me walk back and look at it. 

 

As for the Mercedes, they are just a tad bit above my social level. This redneck country boy could not pull off a Mercedes. lol  Although I think I may be able to pull off an Audi Sedan.      

[mrtn]

Audi sedans are rare over here. Most new ones are wagons.

[DonShockley]

9 hours ago, BSUPC said:

......As for the Mercedes, they are just a tad bit above my social level. This redneck country boy could not pull off a Mercedes. lol  Although I think I may be able to pull off an Audi Sedan.      

I may end up voluntarily giving up my TC membership card and going with a Mercedes Metris next year based on my recent repeat failure on the door latch recall. I may be giving up my Redneck card too, never having EVER thought about any kind of luxury brand car since I've never seen a car as a status symbol. But the Mercedes was the closest back in 2015 when I decided on the Transit Connect, with the NV200 a distant third. I may also have to see what new models may be in the running.

[BSUPC]

Now that Metris is a van. The big Mercedes van is nice to. But I like the Transit a little better. I am holding onto the insurance money and have it in my savings account collecting interest while I look. I am on the forums looking at different models and the problems people are having. And I have made a note one how Ford is handling cases like yours DonShockley. I am also following your post on the recall work. I love the graphics you made for the van. 

[Fifty150]

11 hours ago, DonShockley said:

 I may be giving up my Redneck card too,

 

 

Let's not take this too far. 

 

You will end up moving to New York City, joining the Bernie Sanders Socialist Movement, and electing a hot 28 year old bartender into Congress.........never mind that her whole platform is free education and MediCare for all.  I don't care if that is fiscally impossible.  Dang!  She is HOT!  From here going forward, I refuse to vote for wrinkled old people.  That is how we got into the trouble that we are in now.  I will only cast my vote for attractive young people.  

 

I am on The Left Coast.  Only card I'm holding is my Sun, Surf, & Sand card.  But I'm not giving up California Girls.  

 

 

7 hours ago, BSUPC said:

 

I am on the forums looking at different models and the problems people are having. And I have made a note one how Ford is handling cases like yours DonShockley.

 

 

Smart.  You have know what problems to expect.  You have to have an idea of how the manufacturer provides after sales support of their product.  A buddy of mine bought a Chevy that was so bad, she got every penny back from the dealership, 7 years later.  But who wants a car that keeps failing for 7 years?  It took a lawyer to advocate for her.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/business/cobalts-were-seen-as-lemons-from-start-state-data-shows.html

https://money.cnn.com/2014/04/17/news/companies/cobalt-failure/index.html

I find that carpetbaggers and attorneys cannot be trusted.  Especially NYC lawyers.....named Clinton!

 

I'm still waiting for my refund check for my Mustang II.  

 

Honda 6 cylinder engines, from the Accord, Odyssey, Pilot.......were all known to surge under light acceleration and activate the maintenance indicator light because of a clogged EGR valve.  Honda knew about the issue, and continued to manufacture cars with a known problem.  Honda issued service bulletins for certain models which extended the warranty for the EGR valve, allowed the dealer 1.5 hours of labor to work on the issue, and sells a "kit" to the dealer so that the dealer can sell it to the customer.  I went to the dealership with a half dozen Hondas with V6 engines, and they all had the same problem. 

 

It took hours of meetings with the service manager, threatening lawsuits, the service manager calling American Honda for after warranty support, etc.  Honda's basic warranty was 3 years/30,000 miles.....the extended warranty for the EGR valve as per the TSB was 8 years/80,000 miles.  What if you have a Honda with 100,000 miles?  When I went in with the second car, the service manager remembered me from the first car.  When I walked in the 3rd time, he asked "how many more are you going to bring me?"  My answer was "as long as the check engine lights come on, you'll keep seeing me".  It got to a point where everyone in the service bay knew me.  I was in there every few months, for a period of 2 years. 

 

Sure, we could have paid for 1.5 hours labor and parts out of pocket.  But why?  Why should I spend money for an issue that the manufacturer knows about, and continues to make & sell cars with the existing issue.  That's like selling soup with a fly in it, knowing about the fly, and continuing to make more soup with more flies.  Having that problem with Honda has left me with a bad impression of how they provide service.

 

Ford is not any better.  Have I mentioned that they will not reply to my registered mail correspondence or return any phone calls, in regards to refunding my purchase of a Mustang II?

[mrtn]

3 hours ago, Fifty150 said:

a hot 28 year old bartender into Congress.........never mind that her whole platform is free education

 

"his"

 

Be up to date with the trends.

[Fifty150]

You are correct.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is only pushing Bernie Sanders' platform.  His ideas.  Not hers.

 

Before my time, when President Reagan was Governor Reagan, California had free college.  Every public university in the state did not charge for admission.  I don't know how he did that.  But people went to institutions like UC Berkeley's Law School & UCLA's Medical School for free.  Institutions which today, would be cost prohibitive to almost everybody, with the exception of a few who are privileged with wealth.  Everyone I know has student debt.  Nobody was able to pay for their education out of pocket.  Even guys who went to a trade school program to learn welding, owe $$$XXX.  People have to finance their "truck driving school" to get a commercial license, so that they can get a truck driving job.

 

City College of San Francisco, is tuition free.  That came from a property tax.  Which translates to the property owner passing the cost along to the renter.  A majority of the citizens of this community agreed to increase their cost of living, for the greater good of the community at large.  

 

The idea of Medicare for all is not unique or new.  I recall that President Clinton, President Nixon, and President Johnson all had their own versions of "socialized medicine".  Politics behind it are always about cost and profit.  The people with the most to lose would be the insurance companies who are already making $$$XXXX in profits.  Then there is the question of how will it all be paid for?  Do we increase taxes?  Do we shift the budget by cutting funding from other programs (like National Endowment for the Arts)? 

 

We all have our own idea of what priorities are.  I would rather see a socialized form of some medicine, like everyone being able to access simple vaccines, chemotherapy, dialysis, and end of life care.  With our population trends, there are now more seniors in need, and a finite amount of resources to care for the elderly.  It just isn't right to not take care of the old people, who now cannot care for themselves.  And every American, at any age, should be able to get a flu shot, in my biased viewpoint; as opposed to some guy who wants the government to pay for him to dance in tights.  

 

It is all a part of making America great again.  While some may advocate for The Child Care and Development Fund; others might say that you shouldn't have all those kids that you can't take care of.  Even in Liberal, Left Wing, San Francisco, California - we don't hand out free money to people who don't work.  There is an increase in social services, but a drastic cut in welfare payments. Even the most conservative would agree, that you don't give free money so that people can spend it on drugs and alcohol.

 

                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Proposition_N_(2002)

 

Care Not Cash was a San Francisco ballot measure (Proposition N) approved by the voters in November 2002. Primarily sponsored by Gavin Newsom, then a San Francisco supervisor, it was designed to cut the money given in the General Assistance programs to homeless people in exchange for shelters and other forms of services. The major intent of this measure was to prevent the cash grants given to be used for purchasing drugs and alcohol, and to strongly encourage homeless people to enter shelters or housing and obtain counseling and other services.

 

 

[mrtn]

We have free healthcare and it's awesome. There's a lot of criticism that the waiting line is long and doctors are having paid side practices which takes their focus off their "real job". Yes, I have used paid medicare more than once when I had needed it urgently. For most cases the free version is good enough. For specific cancer treatments that is not covered free you need to remortgage your house or worse, but there's a well functioning support foundation that organizes fundraisers (in newspapers and TV) for expensive cancer treatments and if you seem like a nice person people will pile up the money in a few days. It's a feelgood thing, to see an article published that someone is now 100% cancer free and will have a long and beautiful life ahead thanks to the donations. Especially in case of treated children.

[Mike Chell]

I'm ready to step in ... if we're going to make this a political thread.  As a staunch independent with conservative leanings, I've got strong, non-political party opinions on every issue facing this Country.

Are we going there?  Are we?  ?  Please!

[PhotoAl]

Returning to the original topic, I vote for another TC.  I’m still happy with mine.  Changed the oil ta month ago and it was easy, yes had to get the ramps out, undo the undertray but it was straightforward with room to work.  It’s not a perfect vehicle but I’m still very happy with it.  Wish I could figure out how to put about 300 hp in it.  Took my first long trip in it last month, 1,200 miles round trip.  Seats weren’t perfect but were not bad either, it kept up with traffic on I75 in Florida and Georgia.  With the new hands free law in Georgia it was nice having the Sync.  Navigation was nice, Waze is sometimes better but don’t have to worry about cell reception with Navigation.  There are somewhat similar vehicles out there but the TC does what I want better than anything else out there.  And I’m somewhat unique, don’t see myself driving around.  My daughter has a brown Odessey, see her everywhere I go.  

 

About to to take a trip out west to Colorado or Wyoming but will take the BMW - motorcycle.

Edited August 4, 2018 by PhotoAl
Fix engineering errors - spelling

[Fifty150]

3 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

 

There are somewhat similar vehicles out there but the TC does what I want better than anything else out there.

 

 

 

Transit Connect created it's own market niche, and filled it nicely.  When Ford stopped selling Ranger, the idea was that every customer could just buy a F-150.  Then the Econoline was phased out by the Transit.  For a lot of people, the Transit Connect was like buying the van version of a 1/4 ton pickup.  And in some cases, Transit Connect works even better than a 1/4 ton truck with a camper shell.  For a lot of us, this has filled the void of the station wagons of yesteryear that aren't available anymore.  

 

3 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

My daughter has a brown Odessey,

 

 

 

Can you imagine filling up a $40,000 van with building materials, or garbage for a dump run?  Those leather seats and premium floor mats would get ruined with the first can of paint to spill.

17 hours ago, Mike Chell said:

 

Are we going there?  Are we?  ?  Please!

 

 

Mike, you can do whatever you want.  I don't think anybody is interested in censoring your right to free speech.  No matter what anyone likes or doesn't like, you have a constitutionally protected right to express yourself.  And if you want to post more fishing videos, you've got my support.  I'm on your side until I get banned.

Edited August 4, 2018 by Fifty150

[Fifty150]

3 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

 

My daughter has a brown Odessey,

 

 

 

 

Interesting that Honda & Toyota do not offer their vans in cargo configuration, stripped down, with no seats.  

[mrtn]

2 hours ago, Fifty150 said:

Interesting that Honda & Toyota do not offer their vans in cargo configuration, stripped down, with no seats.  

 

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/toyota/proace/11466/

 

 

 

[Fifty150]

The HiAce never came to US either. 

[BSUPC]

Lets not make it political. Lets stay on the topic of vans on this one. Cause if we go political I think I will be the first one to get banned when my thoughts come out on all the sides. I am kicking around all the options. Right now the money is in the bank drawing interest till I can make up my mind. Which is not easy when I am easily hey look there went a squirrel. 

[OLDSCHOOLFOOL]

On ‎8‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 5:25 AM, mrtn said:

We have free healthcare and it's awesome.

 

You are one lucky, LUCKY person. I am truly envious, and I will leave it at that.

[mrtn]

2 hours ago, Fifty150 said:

The HiAce never came to US either. 

 

And Sienna, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser never came here ?

 

BTW: HiAce rear axle is very popular among drag racers over here as it's extremely durable.

Edited August 4, 2018 by mrtn

[Fifty150]

 

16 hours ago, mrtn said:

 

And Sienna, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser never came here ?

 

BTW: HiAce rear axle is very popular among drag racers over here as it's extremely durable.

 

 

FJ Cruiser could have been a great car.  But for whatever reason, not enough of them were sold.  A guy I knew bought one, and his engine seized right after the warranty expired.  Dealer said that the car had sludge in the motor.  Dealership was also the only place the vehicle was serviced.  

 

I guess not every Toyota is a great car.  

 

The Tacoma is a very good pickup.  Tacoma is engineered with a greater priority on ride quality, handling, comfort, and safety over ruggedness and payload capacity.  Everyone I know who bought a Tacoma did not have payload requirements, and wanted a truck to use as a car.  I would own one if they offered a long bed version, since my personal truck never sees commercial use.

 

 

 

 

[zalienz]

I considered the Metris before buying the TC. The Metris was larger, more capable in a cargo sense, but it was $10,000 more than my TC. And, I liked the styling of the TC better.  For what I needed it for (hauling drums) the TC had enough space. Factor in the price of Mercedes replacement parts vs Ford down the road, fuel economy, the TC made more sense. I love this van.

 

Off topic, but thanks to Fifty150 for the window deflector recommendation, the Weathertech deflectors work and look great.

[Fifty150]

11 minutes ago, zalienz said:

 

 

Off topic, but thanks to Fifty150 for the window deflector recommendation, the Weathertech deflectors work and look great.

 

I really like the in-channel units, in comparison to the stick-on type.

 

11 minutes ago, zalienz said:

I considered the Metris before buying the TC.

 

but it was $10,000 more than my TC.

 

 

 

Same here.  No way was I paying that much more.  My primary consideration for Transit Connect was pricing.  This was the least expensive option for 7 passengers......and it actually had 7 real seats.  Not a seatbelt over the folded up center console.  They call the Mustang a 5 passenger car, but who is riding 3 in the backseat?  Same way my little Honda really only seats 2.  

 

 

[windguy]

On 7/31/2018 at 3:18 PM, BSUPC said:

It is official. I have lost my membership card as of today. After tearing into my TC the body shop found more damage and the insurance totaled my poor baby. Now the hunt begins to try and replace the Money Maker.  ?    Looking at maybe a 2017 Transit 150 SWB Medium Roof. 

 

 

 

Sorry to hear about your accident and loss of your TC. That's a bummer. Glad you weren't hurt - most important. I hope you still stick around the forum as an honorary TC owner.  Would hate to lose you.

[BSUPC]

I still have another 2012 TC. Well actually it is my Mommies.  lol    But I do all the maint. work and so forth on it with Dad. Mom got hers in June of 2012 and I got mine in August.  I will be sticking around and I am fine. 

[Fifty150]

Interesting. You both have the same car.