Lured into a dealership again...

Wally wrote:

bgkast wrote: Please re-badge it as a fiat.

So he should take his re-badged Fiat and re-badge it as a Fiat?

re-badging a re-badged car? Is that similar to a double-negative? What would the car be then?

This actually looks a lot better than that eyesore Nissan nv200.

Hmm... The cargo length is still an issue for me. 87.2 inches (or 82.7 depending on which one of the confusing website numbers you read) is still not very much. Less towing capacity and cargo capacity than my '08 Caravan - which already has less capacity than newer models. Gas mileage is better, but not by a huge amount.

Why did you buy this over a Grand Caravan?

Ian F wrote: Why did you buy this over a Grand Caravan?

Ergonomics and observed mileage. I'm getting 8mpg better than the last Caravan I drove. That's observed. And the driving experience is night and day. I love minivans, but this thing drives like a whole other world.

In reply to JG Pasterjak:

Ok. I've gotten to the point where the MPG doesn't matter as much with gas priced like it is. Otherwise I'd have fixed the TDI by now... When gas passes $3/gal again, my tune will probably change.

The cargo length is a problem for me. If I can't fit my DH bike inside without taking the front wheel off while still allowing me to change clothes inside, a van is of no use to me and I may as well drive a wagon.

I do not really share your enthusiasm but if it could hold 2 dirt bikes or a kart and spares in the back they will sell a gazillion of them.

In reply to G. P. Snorklewacker:

I doubt a dirt bike would fit in either length or height. I just rented a new Ford Transit (E-series replacement) from U-Haul. The DRZ400 I just bought barely fit under the rear door opening. The Transit doesn't drive badly, but is definitely more of a "truck" compared to my Caravan.

Annoyingly, while Ford lists all of the interior dimensions of every configuration on their website for the Transit and Transit Connect, Ram does not for the ProMaster City.

Could have been worse...

You got eurovan-itis on your hootus, didn't you.

I must confess an interest in these micro vans. I wonder how the passenger versions compare to the mazda 5.

I think these euro vans are great. If I still needed to tow my ITA Neon I would love one of the bigger brother eurovans (transit or promaster)

The city seems perfect for tow dolly of a light car or kart, or mobile workshop for those more monetarily blessed.

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life,

Never make a pretty woman your wife.

So from my personal point of view,

Get an ugly girl to marry you...

Say, man?

Hey baby!

I saw your wife the other day.

Yeah?

Yeah, and she's sure is ugly. Ha!

Yeah, she's ugly, but she sure can cook, baby!

Yeah, alright.

Unfortunately, she has acne.

That's a shame, baby.

Yeah, baby.

- HARRY BELAFONTE

JG. I am glad you found something you are excited about. You probably get to sample far more new vehicles than most of us and it says a lot that you put your own money forward for one of these. This is a vehicle that would have been completely off my radar as something intersting.

As a former Mazda5 owner, I'd say the comparison is favorable. It's a little more industrial that the 5, and actually drives more like a car than the 5 did, along with getting better mileage. The third row in the 5 was not a big deal for us because we have no kids, but could be a deal breaker for others.

Is this cargo-only, or is it available with rear seats?

i used to attempt to find a transit connect for sale with a popped engine, my plan was to scoop it up and troll copart for a rear ended focus ST.

petegossett wrote: Is this cargo-only, or is it available with rear seats?

Both. The "wagon" version has rear seats and more windows:

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ram_promaster_city/

mndsm wrote: Seems as though the US is being invaded with euro vans. Why can't we be invaded with saloons and hot hatches instead?

I think they know that people will buy some euro vans for work, or for personal utility needs. People will pass over hot hatches and saloons for mid-sized suv's.

Does the parrot habitat dock to the new van yet?

Wally wrote: Does the parrot habitat dock to the new van yet?

Not yet, but I did order the official Mopar perch kit from eBay (the dealer wanted way too much).

petegossett wrote: Is this cargo-only, or is it available with rear seats?

It took me a while, but i finally managed to figure out the different models other crapy website.

Tradesman: Base work van. 2 seats. unfinished cargo area.

Tradesman SLT: Tradesman with painted front fascia, cruise control and good stereo standard.

Wagon: Base passenger van. 5 seats, carpeted cargo area.

Wagon SLT: Wagon with painted front fascia, cruise control and good stereo standard.

There's also an option of upgraded seats on the Wagon SLT, but they're not as nice as the base seats to my butt.

I like both the Transit Connect and this machine. How does this drive around town? The Transit Connect was really nice to drive.

pinchvalve wrote: Could have been worse...

I actually really like this. Better than the Dodge version. This segment really interests me. I have looked at the NV200 and Transit already and like both of them. Need to check this out now. I don't want or need big so this could be good.

The local Dodge fleet manager is pricing two of them for me now. It's time to replace my aging Econolines with something a little more efficient. These beat the Transit Connect in cargo length by 10", and they beat the Nissan in towing and weight capacity.

Feeding and fixing the Econolines cost me almost $24K last year. It looks like two of these would cost me about $18K/year.