John Son Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 (edited) Good morning, Im looking forward to buying a used TC. Semi retired handyman, outrigger canoe builder. planning buying used and adding sliding tool bins and accommodations for weekend excursions... Any particular years to avoid or look for? Thank you.... Edited November 3, 2018 by John Son Fumble finger typos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Welcome to the forum! While the taller roof of the Gen 1's (2010 -2013) can be nice, the Gen 2's are a much improved vehicle. Early Gen 1's had front wheel bearing problems, often requiring replacement every 50 to 75K. The Gen2's have 4 wheel disc brakes and a 6 speed automatic and get better gas mileage with fewer maintenance issues, IMO. We didn't even look at a Gen 1 no matter how good the deal was and we found a pretty great deal on a dealer demo 2014 with only 12,000 miles on it and plenty of factory warranty left Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidparker Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 So it sounds like your looking for a utility van version versus the wagon. But you may want to consider the wagon as well. If the price is right, you get a lot of extras in the form of wiring, windows, etc. And you can always strip the interior and convert it to a more utility type of vehicle.. Either way, I think you will find that locating a good used one (either version) can be difficult. But with a little patience, I think you will find just what you are looking for. I agree with Don. Unless you need the additional height of the roof the later versions are the way to go. However, the 2014's don't have as good a reputation (based on recall history, rating etc) as the 2015 and later. Let us know when you get one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMartin Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 I just bought a gen 1. The high roof is a plus, and I'll take my chances with the maintenance issues. I'm hoping it doesn't go through wheel bearings and transmissions, and the fuel mileage isn't much better. The motorcycle won't quite get into a gen 2, but would get into a Promaster City. So, it was a gen 1 or a Promaster City anyway. This is all for what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 15 hours ago, John Son said: Any particular years to avoid or look for? By law, every car sold in The U.S.A., beginning with the 2018 model year, is supposed to be sold with a backup camera. 2018 used can be found because rental car companies tend to turn their fleets every year. Not a big deal. However, the blind spot and backing up is enough of an issue that more than one forum member has turned to the aftermarket and installed their own cameras. I have a wagon, with all the autoglass, and still felt that a camera was necessary. But a lot of people are living without backup cameras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLDSCHOOLFOOL Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Don't really know about specific years, but based on your post you would almost certainly benefit from the long wheel base vs SWB. Rear glass windows and passenger sliding door window are also very beneficial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidparker Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 11 hours ago, WillMartin said: I just bought a gen 1. The high roof is a plus, and I'll take my chances with the maintenance issues. I'm hoping it doesn't go through wheel bearings and transmissions, and the fuel mileage isn't much better. The motorcycle won't quite get into a gen 2, but would get into a Promaster City. So, it was a gen 1 or a Promaster City anyway. This is all for what it's worth. Congrats! I wouldn't worry about the maintenance. These vans are pretty tough overall, and I would much rather have a Gen 1 than the Promaster City. What year is it? and how about a pic? My guess is its white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMartin Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, davidparker said: Congrats! I wouldn't worry about the maintenance. These vans are pretty tough overall, and I would much rather have a Gen 1 than the Promaster City. What year is it? and how about a pic? My guess is its white It is indeed white. It looks like every other white gen 1 out there. I haven't done much of anything to make it more interesting yet, but that's coming. First step is the ordinary stuff, like replacing the opaque panels in the sliding doors with windows so I can navigate in Seattle without sideswiping anybody. There are too many odd angle intersections and back in parking on streets to have vision over your shoulder blocked. Then, stripes, wheels, and I'm not sure what else. Then pictures. Edited November 5, 2018 by WillMartin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoAl Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Congrats on your new to you gen 1. Although I have a gen 2 and love it the gen 1s have a charm that isn't quite matched by the newer ones. We need to know what kind of motorcycle you are hauling around. That's one of the reasons I bought a TC. However I have yet to haul it anywhere, I just ride instead :-) I regularly haul a scooter in the van but rebuilt an old Holzclaw motorcycle trailer to haul my motorcycle. John Son Don't know what your budget is but I bought my 2016 TC at the end of November last year. It was brand new and I got a great deal on it. Im not crazy about the color (white) but wound up with a Titanium with the Ford MySynd radio with navigation. It wound up being just a little more than a good used one from someone like CarMax. I had to drive a few hundred miles to get it but I'm very happy with it. I spent several months looking for one (partially because my wife forced me to fix up the old car and get ride of it and one motorcycle first). When I was looking there didn't seem to be a lot of difference in price between different years say 14, 15 or 16. In 17 they went to the Sync 3 radio over the Ford My Touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMartin Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Slow to reply, and I'm not the OP. Motorcycle is a DRZ 400. The Daytona 675 would fit in a Gen 2. The DRZ has bar risers and even with the mirrors off, it won't fit in a Gen 2. The Gen 1 isn't long enough, unless I poke the front wheel between the seats, but that works well as a wheel chock. I do things like take the bike with me when dropping off the van for this or that, and then ride away instead of getting a ride some other way. And, because I'm now an officially lazy old man, I take the bike in for service and drive home in the van instead of walking or doing the wrenching myself. If I was still racing, I would want a bigger van to pull the trailer, but I'm not and the trailer is gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herb Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I think you should have good luck finding a 2016 or 2017 and they look identical to my 18 . I think the LWB models are more desirable every bit of extra room helps. Just drive it like a normal person not flooring it constantly and beating on it because it will tend to last longer imo. I don't agree with this notion that it lacks power , i find the power more than adequate and it zips around town as good as any other 4 banger i have had , what really surprised me was how awesome it is on the freeway , the thing is super composed , quiet and steady as a rock and super comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 For some people, 4 cylinder cars in general lack power. Big difference when you're used to a large V8 under the hood. I notice the difference. The 2nd generation with the 2.5L is an improvement compared to the 1st generation. Especially if you are using the van for commercial purposes. You will notice it when the van is loaded with tools, cargo, people, fat people. I'm fat. I notice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMartin Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 I have found my first gen TC to feel quicker than the Chevy Express it replaced. The Chevy had a pushrod 305 motor that was smooth but completely anemic. The Chevy didn't seem to notice weight. It couldn't get much slower than it already was. The TC feels a whole lot more responsive, and it doesn't feel like it is gasping for air like the Chevy did. That's just how bottled up V8s are in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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