Topic: Ford Transit

[tenpenny]

I suspect that NA van people would laugh at the idea of a full size van with a mere 4 cylinders and 140bhp AND a manual transmission... that alone would mean they'd probably have to pay more than minimum wage for the drivers.

One of our courier companies had a couple VW vans about 5 or 6 years ago.  They were hated, the acceleration was terrible, and they couldn't haul any significant load.

I can't see how any of those euro vans could carry enough payload to be useful in the NA market.  most of the courier drivers, milk men, etc need the heavy duty versions anyway.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I suspect that NA van people would laugh at the idea of a full size van with a mere 4 cylinders and 140bhp AND a manual transmission... that alone would mean they'd probably have to pay more than minimum wage for the drivers.

One of our courier companies had a couple VW vans about 5 or 6 years ago.  They were hated, the acceleration was terrible, and they couldn't haul any significant load.

I can't see how any of those euro vans could carry enough payload to be useful in the NA market.  most of the courier drivers, milk men, etc need the heavy duty versions anyway.

....and wasn't that what people said when the Dodge Ram van got dumped and wee little turbodiesel Sprinter showed up?  They seem pretty popular in the commercial world.  Don't see many Econolines and Savanas running around in private passenger livery use outside of hotel shuttles for that matter - still commercial.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The E-series is the dominant player in the full size van market. Depending on how you slice it (cut-away versions for cube vans and ambulances, or regular vans), they make up 50 to 79% of the market.

Local courier folks that switched to the Sprinter, weren’t long switching back to the Econoline and Savannah. Reliability wasn’t great, and the drivers weren’t taking to the underwhelming “performance” of the little diesel engines.

[Cortina]

The E-series is the dominant player in the full size van market. Depending on how you slice it (cut-away versions for cube vans and ambulances, or regular vans), they make up 50 to 79% of the market.

Local courier folks that switched to the Sprinter, weren’t long switching back to the Econoline and Savannah. Reliability wasn’t great, and the drivers weren’t taking to the underwhelming “performance” of the little diesel engines.

Do you have a link. I've never read anything about Merc Diesel being unreliable. They always used to make a great diesel..For that matter it is hard to find out any info on any NA commercial vans here. 

[Cord]

For that matter it is hard to find out any info on any NA commercial vans here.

What information are you looking for that you can't find at ford.ca?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The E-series is the dominant player in the full size van market. Depending on how you slice it (cut-away versions for cube vans and ambulances, or regular vans), they make up 50 to 79% of the market.

Local courier folks that switched to the Sprinter, weren’t long switching back to the Econoline and Savannah. Reliability wasn’t great, and the drivers weren’t taking to the underwhelming “performance” of the little diesel engines.

Do you have a link. I've never read anything about Merc Diesel being unreliable. They always used to make a great diesel..For that matter it is hard to find out any info on any NA commercial vans here. 

You can start here.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/04/26/used-vehicle-review-dodge-sprinter-2004-2006.htm

You don't have to search too hard to find a lot of upset owners.

[rrocket]

Do you have a link. I've never read anything about Merc Diesel being unreliable. They always used to make a great diesel..For that matter it is hard to find out any info on any NA commercial vans here. 

My neighbour just unloaded his highly unreliable Jeep Liberty Diesel.  The diesel was fine...it was the tranny and electronics that caused him endless heart break. All under warranty...but it was enough for him to unload the vehicle for a new Malibu, loaded, leather, 4 banger (which he loves).  He told me he wanted to keep the diesel forever (he's a Brit recent to Canada...LOVES diesels and complains about the lack of them here) but he just could not tolerate the many issues...especially after the warranty would be up.

[Cortina]

You can start here.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/04/26/used-vehicle-review-dodge-sprinter-2004-2006.htm

You don't have to search too hard to find a lot of upset owners.

Thanks, Doh. I just don't know why I missed that. 

I hate the cube vans. I can't even fit one on the driveway, They are just to clusmy to live with on a day to day bases. I thought the sprinter would be answer. I'm going to be forced to make a decision soon. I'm thinking diesel bubblevan now. 

but he just could not tolerate the many issues...especially after the warranty would be up.

I don't blame him.