Ford Transit Vans Spyed in MI

[GregT]

I lifted this from another forum, interesting but might not be true:

Ford is trying to get ready to bring in the transit and they don't/can't spend a lot of money on the Econoline series.

The other day, I went by the glass house and out in the parking lot there were a few transits, all different shapes and sizes. I was going there to ask if and when they were releasing them for a possible long term consumer testing but I didn't get a straight answer.

I should have brought my camera with me but as I was passing by the place later, I got the picture below. Looks like a sprinter maybe?
Attached Thumbnails

7123

I will have one in my yard when they arrive, I sold my sprinter 2007 and returned to a E-350 financially a better option, unless you got lots of money the difference in fuel vs. diesel financially made no sense I get 16 mpg vs. 20 loaded and the price difference is minimal my bottom line returned, but the new Ford is a few years off I suspose the Transits are considered the Best Van in Europe and Ford is tops in the US.
I want one just because they will offer great looks and by the time they arrive I hear 2 years I will have more of a downpayment ready, I didnt with the Sprinter 5000.00 down did nothing to the payment, but when the Ford arrives I will have my van plus 10k ready so the Transit will be in my future!
Ford E-Series hopefully won't die , the Sprinter is not setting the world on fire for Dodge and with Toyota and a Isuzu Cargo Van coming the Sprinter may become what it is too expensive!
Isuzu Vans (look-a-like) Sprinters will sell for 30k with a diesel
and the Toyota will be in 2010 around 30k so the 40K or 50 K Fords and Sprinters will come down.

[sikwan]

Thanks.


Ford E-Series hopefully won't die , the Sprinter is not setting the world on fire for Dodge and with Toyota and a Isuzu Cargo Van coming the Sprinter may become what it is too expensive!
Isuzu Vans (look-a-like) Sprinters will sell for 30k with a diesel
and the Toyota will be in 2010 around 30k so the 40K or 50 K Fords and Sprinters will come down.

If this is true...finally some competition. :clapping:

I just hope the dollar will be back up again. The biggest reason why Sprinters are so expensive nowadays.

[maxextz]

hi all. this post may be to late but heres my two pence"cents" worth, the ford transits in europe have a good name but never live up to it ,ive had two of the 90!s versions the first was a 92 with a 2.5 ltr engine and drove like a tank and sounded like one also, the other was a 95 2.5 also with a face lift but the same rubbish, then i got my sprinter and it was like driving a limo and still is, drive any distance and you still feel good not a sore back or behind. the new one pictured above is basically the same just a complete change in body shape,:thumbdown: the name is better than the van, people buy them here because they are cheaper but you get what you pay for, so before you think of getting one of these get a test drive and im sure youll change your mind because anything other than a sprinter van is a come down. ps they also have problems with turbos.. front suspension ....and lack of pulling power:rolleyes:.
max....

[Altered Sprinter]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily:smilewink:
7374
Richard

[maxextz]

well done i never kopped on what "ford" meant now i know and you right:thumbup::D:
max.....

[Altered Sprinter]

:bounce: Fond of Rainy days
Found on rubbish dumps
Full of rusty dents

On a dark and misty night you can hear a Ford:smilewink: slowly rusting away.:D:
It's 'true'....I would not lie:shhh:
The new ford Transvestites have had national recalls on the front suspension failing, along with other minor issues
ford Australia lost the Postal contract with the corporate Bent Benz ..Ford will struggle, and squiggle to maintain sales of the Ford transit. overall they are cheap by 10 grand AU that is the main selling point of the transit C.H.E.A.P.: Quote You get what you pay for. This is so true .
Richard.
May the force of The star..................... be with you.:bow:

7380

[contractor]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily:smilewink:
7374
Richard

Richard:

I believe FORD stands for Found On Road Dead:D:

[Nhuskys]

I've just joined the site and I expect to take delivery on an '08 3500 144". I've been a loyal Ford guy for 30+ years. I've had three Ford E350 cube vans, all 138" 10' box, first one single rear wheel and second and third, dual rear wheels(better stability). My application is a walk in, mobile farrier shop and I drive about 35,000 miles a year. I also carry a dirt bike in the back as I ride enduros and hare scrambles.
I've always been intrigued by the Sprinter and Transit van as a more compact solution to my needs. I remember shoeing at a stable and seeing the first FedEx Sprinter van and thinking, that's what I need. I almost bought an '03 Sprinter, but stayed with the E350, because of the price. I always thought Ford would bring the Transit over and I would end up with one. I was shocked when Ford did the "nose" job on the E series and didn't bring in the Transit as the next generation E series. I posted this on Thumper Talk(a motorcylcle BB) and a Ford engineer who worked on Transit suspension replied that the Transit had some serious roll/stability problems, as well as other issues that made it a bad choice for North American market.
Bottom line is this last E350 has been one of the worst trucks I've owned and not as good as the previous two. They all had broken exhaust manifold bolts, I'm sick of twin I-Beam front ends and no rear sway bar option. The other benefit of the Sprinter is a walk in truck without a aftermarket body made of poorly matched materials. I'll adapt to the narrower width, but the '07-'08 is better than the previous model. When you add the diesel option to an E350($7500 now and the 6.0 is crap) the price starts to line right up. I'm rolling the dice that gasoline will be right up over $4 by the Summer, so it will be worth it to buy a diesel. With '08 Emissions and diesel fuel prices, dealers are starting to discount Sprinters in my area, which they didn't do a few months ago. I feel bad not buying a Ford, but went through the same thing with my wife and car last year, when Ford stopped selling Focus wagon and 5 door hatch. She bought a Toyota Prius and loves it, a much nicer car, hybrid or not than the Ford.
Norman

[Altered Sprinter]

Ford Transit are UK designed not suitable for US or Australian roads period, as a light weight variant FOR FLEET DELIVERY OK THE BOSS DOES NOT GIVE A RATS ABOUT SAFETY AS TO THE DRIVER HE'S AN ACCIDENT STATIC WAITING TO HAPPEN.
BRING THESE TO THE STATES AND WATCH THE FORD THREADS UNFOLD :censored:
OF COURSE I'M BEING BIASED TO THE Transit IN FAIRNESS COMPARED TO OTHER EURO VARIANTS...FORDS THE CHEAPEST IT HAS A STRONG LOYALTY BASED BRAND AS WELL .
THEN AGAIN HALF OF THE TURKISH FACTORY IS IDLE WHICH IS WHY FORD WANTS TO DUMP THEM IN THE STATES ..THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY DAY.
Why do I think they will fail in the states.
One the engine is a basic 4 pot you hot-roders!...... would cook them
Two they will not meet the US feds safety standards for front or rear end or side collision impact.
Three Weight carrying capacity under 1400 kg thats equal to the small BABY 2500 TIN
Four LOAD THEM UP WITH CARGO... AND WATCH THE FRONT END COLLAPSE .
Five.......FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ..OK ON A FLAT ROAD... TRY AND HAUL FROM A STANDING START AND WATCH THE CLUTCH GO TO HELL IN UNDER 10 THOUSAND MILES.
Six...One by one they Follow the sun..Two the Fords! they flew, Three by three they migrate to another longtitiude...Four by four! they head for the USA shore... Five by five Fords! playing with tricks...Six by six !they head for heavens gate.
Ford says thank you.. please wont you try again.

Mind you they were forged on a rainy day, and they do have one advantage over the sprinter:thinking:
.................................................. .................................................. .......................:smilewink: Ford was first in inventing rear video reverse systems:eek: you sit in the opposite position to the engine the passenger tells you which way to turn, turn turn.. for forward motion
hence an Italian designed trans-vestite-on -a-self-destruct-mission! with 13 reverses and one only option forward gear:lol: I said I would not lie :shifty: here's the original promo type Transit.:smilewink::popcorn:Richard
Hey it's a Sprinter forum , I can get away with this ...We have the numbers:drool:
7383 Then again just to keep the forum amused Ford Transvestites do have optional rear wheel drive..if anything apart from a human could be dressed in drag. This Queen of Dyke's! takes the cake.
Buyers go forward and take a walk on the wild side.
7384

[mobileoilchange]

B M W

Barely Moving Wreck

Bavarian Manure Wagon

Big Money Waste

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Bought My Wife

Bowel Movement Wagon

Break My Window

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V W

Virtually Worthless

[mobileoilchange]

I've just joined the site and I expect to take delivery on an '08 3500 144". I've been a loyal Ford guy for 30+ years. I've had three Ford E350 cube vans, all 138" 10' box, first one single rear wheel and second and third, dual rear wheels(better stability). My application is a walk in, mobile farrier shop and I drive about 35,000 miles a year. I also carry a dirt bike in the back as I ride enduros and hare scrambles.
I've always been intrigued by the Sprinter and Transit van as a more compact solution to my needs. I remember shoeing at a stable and seeing the first FedEx Sprinter van and thinking, that's what I need. I almost bought an '03 Sprinter, but stayed with the E350, because of the price. I always thought Ford would bring the Transit over and I would end up with one. I was shocked when Ford did the "nose" job on the E series and didn't bring in the Transit as the next generation E series. I posted this on Thumper Talk(a motorcylcle BB) and a Ford engineer who worked on Transit suspension replied that the Transit had some serious roll/stability problems, as well as other issues that made it a bad choice for North American market.
Bottom line is this last E350 has been one of the worst trucks I've owned and not as good as the previous two. They all had broken exhaust manifold bolts, I'm sick of twin I-Beam front ends and no rear sway bar option. The other benefit of the Sprinter is a walk in truck without a aftermarket body made of poorly matched materials. I'll adapt to the narrower width, but the '07-'08 is better than the previous model. When you add the diesel option to an E350($7500 now and the 6.0 is crap) the price starts to line right up. I'm rolling the dice that gasoline will be right up over $4 by the Summer, so it will be worth it to buy a diesel. With '08 Emissions and diesel fuel prices, dealers are starting to discount Sprinters in my area, which they didn't do a few months ago. I feel bad not buying a Ford, but went through the same thing with my wife and car last year, when Ford stopped selling Focus wagon and 5 door hatch. She bought a Toyota Prius and loves it, a much nicer car, hybrid or not than the Ford.
Norman

i know for a fact that the ford does come with a rear sway bar. everyone i ever had, had a rear sway bar. what year and what motor did you have?

[05highroof]

I wonder If all ford dealers will sell the transit or will it be like the sprinter that only a select few will sell them.
This could be a selling point for the transit if all ford dealers sell and service them.This is a definite short coming for the sprinter IMO. Also the transit being a true ford my give ford employees a better attitude towards the truck as compared to DC employees and the sprinter.:2cents:

[Nhuskys]

I've just joined the site and I expect to take delivery on an '08 3500 144". I've been a loyal Ford guy for 30+ years. I've had three Ford E350 cube vans, all 138" 10' box, first one single rear wheel and second and third, dual rear wheels(better stability). My application is a walk in, mobile farrier shop and I drive about 35,000 miles a year. I also carry a dirt bike in the back as I ride enduros and hare scrambles.
I've always been intrigued by the Sprinter and Transit van as a more compact solution to my needs. I remember shoeing at a stable and seeing the first FedEx Sprinter van and thinking, that's what I need. I almost bought an '03 Sprinter, but stayed with the E350, because of the price. I always thought Ford would bring the Transit over and I would end up with one. I was shocked when Ford did the "nose" job on the E series and didn't bring in the Transit as the next generation E series. I posted this on Thumper Talk(a motorcylcle BB) and a Ford engineer who worked on Transit suspension replied that the Transit had some serious roll/stability problems, as well as other issues that made it a bad choice for North American market.
Bottom line is this last E350 has been one of the worst trucks I've owned and not as good as the previous two. They all had broken exhaust manifold bolts, I'm sick of twin I-Beam front ends and no rear sway bar option. The other benefit of the Sprinter is a walk in truck without a aftermarket body made of poorly matched materials. I'll adapt to the narrower width, but the '07-'08 is better than the previous model. When you add the diesel option to an E350($7500 now and the 6.0 is crap) the price starts to line right up. I'm rolling the dice that gasoline will be right up over $4 by the Summer, so it will be worth it to buy a diesel. With '08 Emissions and diesel fuel prices, dealers are starting to discount Sprinters in my area, which they didn't do a few months ago. I feel bad not buying a Ford, but went through the same thing with my wife and car last year, when Ford stopped selling Focus wagon and 5 door hatch. She bought a Toyota Prius and loves it, a much nicer car, hybrid or not than the Ford.
Norman

i know for a fact that the ford does come with a rear sway bar. everyone i ever had, had a rear sway bar. what year and what motor did you have?

I've had a '97(totalled in wreck), '98, '04, 138" wheelbase, 5.4 Triton and three different GVW's. These are cutaway chassis, not cargo vans. I just specd out an '08 E350 and there has never been an option for rear sway bar on a commercial cutaway each year I ordered. The motorhome cutaway gets one though.
Norman

[mobileoilchange]

i have a 2005 E350 5.4 triton 5 speed torque shift automatic dually cutaway with a 12' service body on it and it has a rear sway bar from the factory.
138" wheel base with a 11700 gvw

[Nhuskys]

i have a 2005 E350 5.4 triton 5 speed torque shift automatic dually cutaway with a 12' service body on it and it has a rear sway bar from the factory.
138" wheel base with a 11700 gvw

Can you find the option number? I've asked for it every new one and they say not availible. My '04 is an 10,700 GVWR. I was going to order the 11,500 GVWR package #Y this time if I went with a Ford.
Thanks,
Norman

[maxextz]

hi Altered Sprinter, well done so true and yet disturbinly funny "disturbinly"<-----is that even a word? it is now..
max....

[mobileoilchange]

Can you find the option number? I've asked for it every new one and they say not availible. My '04 is an 10,700 GVWR. I was going to order the 11,500 GVWR package #Y this time if I went with a Ford.
Thanks,
Norman



Ill see if i can find the window sticker, I just looked under it today to see if it had a tag on the sway bar, but it dont. The bar is about 1 1/8" diameter. I highly doubt that the bar was added by unicell (unicell the maker of the cube body). I ordered the van brand new in 2005 then it was sent to unicell, but ill see if i can find the window sticker.