[doylin]

Hello all. I've been hovering on the forum for some time, enjoying the discussions. Couldn't wait any longer to post my 2 cents (1.5 cents in US $).

Over the last several months, I've been doing my darnedest to get behind the wheel of a Transit. I've stopped in at numerous dealerships across BC and Alberta, and left my contact information with salespeople at three of them. My request is simple: please let me know when you get one on the lot.

Not too much for a guy to ask? Apparently. In two cases, I've gotten calls back from the dealerships saying we had, one but it's gone. They were purchased through the dealer network and spoken for before they landed on the lot. Sometimes they say, "perhaps you would rather have a Transit Connect?". Did I stutter? No.

The latest "gem" from a local dealership is that they will happily get a Transit to the lot for me to drive... but only if I buy it first!!! While I'm sure that the transit will maintain a good resale value, I'm not too keen to drop $50,000 out of my pockets to find out that I would have rather had the low roof over the medium, or the diesel over the EcoBoost. The sales manager stated that there will be little to no chance of seeing a Transit for the next 18-24 months unless I buy one up front.

Who is to blame? The dealerships? Ford Canada? Pardon me for my impatience. Perhaps they should have marketed this as a 2016 model so that I wouldn't get my hopes up. The Nissan NV, MB Sprinter, and Ram Promaster are starting to look more attractive despite their numerous disadvantages.

On a happier note, this is my likely configuration and usage:

Long wheelbase van
Medium roof
XLT
Ecoboost
Windows on sliding door and rear doors
No SYNC (complete garbage IMO). Will get the hard buttons and use my cell phone for navigation
A self-made uber-simple conversion in this spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeBm4c6FcuQ
Multi purpose: camping, mobile office, mobile workshop, cross-country touring, occasional towing of a cargo trailer

Frustrated, (and hoping for sympathy or solutions!)

Will

 

[VanMan]

Fly to Kanas City,you will find one there to drive
Ecoboost are way too much fun!

 

[PeterR]

Thanks Will, I share your ambivalence about the low vs. medium roof, among other items a test drive would help resolve.

Your following observation is of Great concern:

"The sales manager stated that there will be little to no chance of seeing a Transit for the next 18-24 months unless I buy one up front."

Do you know this person, perhaps from previous buying experience? Was he (she?) serious, or trying to bait you into ordering a Transit?

You have probably seen the following thread, but ARI the fleet management company estimates current Transit lead time at (only!) 12-14 weeks:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/purchasing-ordering/3594-tracking-build-dates.html

Hmmmmm . . .

 

[doylin]

VanMan, thanks for the tip. Based on the extensive discussions I've read here, I have little doubt that I would be thrilled with the EcoBoost. Just not too keen to lose $1000 and a weekend to a prospective purchase, just to find out that the van doesn't tickle my pickle

PeterR, the sales manager was dead serious. They claimed that there was a van that would meet my requirements somewhere in BC. I asked for them to tell me where it is; if it was within a few hours drive, I would go for it. They refused, presumably because they feared I would buy the van from that dealership. I assured them that I would not, but they wouldn't budge- buy the van, or don't see one for a long time. The 12-14 weeks may well be realistic for people who have ordered their van.

Ford Canada should be making an effort to tour some vans around as they have in the USA, or station a few vans at major centres in each province.

 

[hammerdown]

Doylin, I know this is moot for the west coast crowd, but here in Ontario (Hamilton) there are a bunch of vans on dealer lots. I've seen all three drivetrain options on lots. I'm sure there are vans on your end of the country too. You just have to find them. My guess is you dealt with an arrogant sales person or dealership that's bullying you into ordering a van. And fwiw, my local dealer that I ordered with didn't even take a deposit. He told me he doesn't need to do that to place an order. Find a more honest dealership.

 

[Red Van Man]

I drove a diesel Transit (reg. w/base, med roof,) that Metro Motors in Coquitlam had. The got it in so B.C. Hydro and Telus could look at the to see if the were suitable for their use.

As of 3 days ago it was still sitting on the lot.

 

[tthrsn]

I drove one in Moncton a month ago but the dealer emailed me today indicating that the options that I want can't be ordered before December. So yes it's looking like 2016 for me.

 

[CrewVanMan]

You can look at the local dealers inventory if you go to DealerConnection then you go down to the Canada dealers listing. You can use the 'find' dealer and go by the postal code and distance or the 'browse' feature and look by province

 

[CrewVanMan]

How far is Dams Ford/Lincoln from you? They show to have one 3.2L diesel, two 3.5L Ecoboost , and one 3.7L V-6.

Last 6 of VIN..A02271, 3.2L diesel
A07023, 3.5L Ecoboost
A07025, 3.5L Ecoboost
A07021, 3.7L V-6

 

[PeterR]

You can look at the local dealers inventory if you go to DealerConnection then you go down to the Canada dealers listing. You can use the 'find' dealer and go by the postal code and distance or the 'browse' feature and look by province

Great link, thanks!

 

[doylin]

How far is Dams Ford/Lincoln from you? ...

Thank you for the link and the searching. Dams Ford/Lincoln is in Coquitlam, so I am looking at a four hour trip including an expensive ferry trip to check one out. If I can't find any on Vancouver Island, I will make the trip.

 

[PeterR]

Need a vacation in Hawaii? I noticed that the dealers on the Big Island have Transits listed as coming in (Hilo and Kailua-Kona).

 

[USMC Vet]

Need a vacation in Hawaii? I noticed that the dealers on the Big Island have Transits listed as coming in (Hilo and Kailua-Kona).

But the drive back would be problematic

Semper Fi

 

[PeterR]

But the drive back would be problematic

Semper Fi

Or a long row, a wet transit indeed . . .