Hi, I'm new here and am so glad to have found the forum!
I was just wondering why they modeled the features pretty much after the Econolines and didn't take that missing niche market of what falls in between the minivan and the medium sized van that is not as bloated or associated with work as the Econoline.. I want the Transit so I can get a van I can stand up in, but do not want a huge van as it must fit in a standard parking spot. One good thing I noted from the specs was that you can get a full 5' 7.6" interior height if you get the WAGON with the LOW roof option - you do not need to get the medium roof (assuming their specs are correct). But if you get the VAN, you must order the MEDIUM roof option get get enough room to stand up (6'). This is the reason I'm considering the Transit - I need something I can stand up fully in and the 5' 7.6" height is enough for me. I compared other dimensions to my Toyota Sienna Minivan and was happy to see that other than height, the external width and length are not too much more than my Sienna. The standard 130" wheelbase model is 19.9" longer than my Sienna and only 3.9" wider - just to give you an idea if you currently have a minivan.
From what I learned, none of the models have a sliding passenger side door. We who come from minivan-land, need them for many things, not the least of which is AIR CIRCULATION. Having that cross-ventilation is really important for cooling it down quickly in warm weather till the air can do it's job, especially when traveling with dogs. Plus when I am shopping, I just open that door and put my bags in there without having to go to the rear or opposite side. Never really understood why full-size vans insist on NOT having that passenger side door. And it would be nice if they were power sliding doors like the minivans - C'mon! This is 2014!
They offer "tilt-out" windows as an option - that probably would not add much air circulation - how about power windows in the second row that open half-way like the minivans? I use these constantly.
It would be nice if they had the wagon model with the option for fewer seats. I personally only need one seat in back and it looks like they have big bench seats and while they probably come out, storage of these is a problem. In my minivan, the back seat is always folded down and I have one captain's chair removed, so I can have 1 passenger in the second row. I will really miss the plush seats of my 2nd gen Sienna if I get a Transit :-(
In any case, I look forward to seeing these arrive so I can really get a feel for how they are!
I was just wondering why they modeled the features pretty much after the Econolines and didn't take that missing niche market of what falls in between the minivan and the medium sized van that is not as bloated or associated with work as the Econoline.. I want the Transit so I can get a van I can stand up in, but do not want a huge van as it must fit in a standard parking spot. One good thing I noted from the specs was that you can get a full 5' 7.6" interior height if you get the WAGON with the LOW roof option - you do not need to get the medium roof (assuming their specs are correct). But if you get the VAN, you must order the MEDIUM roof option get get enough room to stand up (6'). This is the reason I'm considering the Transit - I need something I can stand up fully in and the 5' 7.6" height is enough for me. I compared other dimensions to my Toyota Sienna Minivan and was happy to see that other than height, the external width and length are not too much more than my Sienna. The standard 130" wheelbase model is 19.9" longer than my Sienna and only 3.9" wider - just to give you an idea if you currently have a minivan.
From what I learned, none of the models have a sliding passenger side door. We who come from minivan-land, need them for many things, not the least of which is AIR CIRCULATION. Having that cross-ventilation is really important for cooling it down quickly in warm weather till the air can do it's job, especially when traveling with dogs. Plus when I am shopping, I just open that door and put my bags in there without having to go to the rear or opposite side. Never really understood why full-size vans insist on NOT having that passenger side door. And it would be nice if they were power sliding doors like the minivans - C'mon! This is 2014!
They offer "tilt-out" windows as an option - that probably would not add much air circulation - how about power windows in the second row that open half-way like the minivans? I use these constantly.
It would be nice if they had the wagon model with the option for fewer seats. I personally only need one seat in back and it looks like they have big bench seats and while they probably come out, storage of these is a problem. In my minivan, the back seat is always folded down and I have one captain's chair removed, so I can have 1 passenger in the second row. I will really miss the plush seats of my 2nd gen Sienna if I get a Transit :-(
In any case, I look forward to seeing these arrive so I can really get a feel for how they are!
