I'd do the Caravan. Unlike the Connect, it has power, torques, and can tow stuff if desired.
I've worked on a few Connects. I wasn't impressed with the build quality, even a little bit....and I've owned classic British cars
I'd do the Caravan. Unlike the Connect, it has power, torques, and can tow stuff if desired.
I've worked on a few Connects. I wasn't impressed with the build quality, even a little bit....and I've owned classic British cars
If you can live with a trunk Taurus SHO, if not Explorer Sport. We've had ours 18 months and 37K miles and love it. Bit thirsty though.
I too would vote Caravan, or even better T&C - that gives you the ability to haul not only product, but also clients, family, etc. We bought our '14 T&C in 2015, it's an ex-Enterprise rental and had 58k on it when purchased for $14k. It's almost at 100k now and has been great. We get around 20-22 MPG on the highway running 80mph, or around 12-13 MPG pulling my 5'x8' enclosed trailer at about the same speed.
Tom Suddard wrote: I don't think a Transit Connect meets the "$26,000 minimum sticker when new" requirement. How about an Escape?
New Transits sticker for $31k and up.
Ford Flex? They start in the high 20s and they don't sell well, so you get more glitz for your dollar. Fold-down seats makes a full 4x8 bed space
Datsun310Guy wrote: Equinox? 2017 LS's are going for $21,000 new?
NOT this.
I also vote Transit Connect. My sister's BF has one and seems to like it. They also apparently crash pretty well, though I didn't exactly appreciate the impromptu demonstration.
curtis73 wrote:Tom Suddard wrote: I don't think a Transit Connect meets the "$26,000 minimum sticker when new" requirement. How about an Escape?New Transits sticker for $31k and up. Ford Flex? They start in the high 20s and they don't sell well, so you get more glitz for your dollar. Fold-down seats makes a full 4x8 bed space
Sure? I thought that was just Transits. Transit Connects are the little baby ones, and IIRC they are cheap.
Ram Promaster City SLT Wagon.
MSRP: $26,260
Current discounts: $4000
Add the lights and wheels group ($495, alloys and fog lights), popular equipment group ($525, heated seats and power 2nd row windows), Rear wiper group ($250), Reverse camera group ($565, helps with resale), DRLs ($50), and have a pretty kitted out little van for $25,225 and still fall under the criteria.
I don't really understand why the world isn't full of Flexes. The don't look any worse to me than any other SUV, and better than most. YUGE inside, too. Plus turbo...
Last week I saw leftover new 2016 Flex SEL for $25k. Or get a used AWD Ecoboost model.
I shopped the Transit Connect against the Promaster City before I bought my Promaster. The Promaster is a 1000% better driving vehicle than the Ford, but I'll fully admit it's not much to look at. You'd also be hard pressed to find a $26,000 version as dealers hardly ever stock the civilian versions anymore.
The Transits tend to come in two flavors on dealer lots: Full soccer mom or full industrial. The Promaster was available in a middle of the road trim that was comfortable to drive, but didn't make me feel guilty about throwing stuff in the back.
Still, the Ford is a really good choice in the segment. Both the Ford and the Promaster are leagues better than the Nissan equivalent.
I think the answer may be Impreza wagon
curtis73 wrote:Tom Suddard wrote: I don't think a Transit Connect meets the "$26,000 minimum sticker when new" requirement. How about an Escape?New Transits sticker for $31k and up. Ford Flex? They start in the high 20s and they don't sell well, so you get more glitz for your dollar. Fold-down seats makes a full 4x8 bed space
The 4x8 thing (from what I could tell) was only true on the models without the power lifting gate. The linear actuator sucks up two inches on the left side required to put a 4x8 sheet in flat. Also, IIRC, that sheet is going to have to sit up on top of the strut towers.
other thing going against the Flex, for 'work use', is the rear hatch surround plastic is incredibly soft and will scratch if looked at it wrong... or if sliding 3/4" plywood over
Streetwiseguy wrote: I don't really understand why the world isn't full of Flexes. The don't look any worse to me than any other SUV, and better than most. YUGE inside, too. Plus turbo...
well, pretty sure the one I drove wasn't turbo. but, the seat's flat, the throttle is vague, and the steering has no feel and is over-boosted. The expanse behind, and the long hood in front (along with the inputs) give it the feel of navigating a boat.
then again, my background is in driving smaller 4cyl hatches. And, to note, the impressions above were garnered driving the Mother-In-Law's new '17.
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