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1983 F250 6.9L Diesel, bought new & have 160,000 miles on it. Still getting 22-25 mpg driving it around town. Supposed to need a new flywheel ring gear and clutch hydraulics.
2001 F150 4.2L gas, bought at 11,000 miles & have 108,000 on it. Getting 14 mpg around town & 17-21 mpg on interstates depending on wind & slopes. Radiator support has completely rusted away & I am attempting to replace it on my own. Otherwise not much rust
Ford Strips Its Transit Connects to Avoid the 'Chicken Tax'
BALTIMORE -- Several times a month, Transit Connect vans from a Ford Motor Co. factory in Turkey roll off a ship here shiny and new, rear side windows gleaming, back seats firmly bolted to the floor.
Their first stop in America is a low-slung, brick warehouse where those same windows, never squeegeed at a gas station, and seats, never touched by human backsides, are promptly ripped out.
The fabric is shredded, the steel parts are broken down, and everything is sent off along with the glass to be recycled. Why all the fuss and feathers? Blame the "chicken tax." (click for rest of article)
Comment on why Ford didn't bring the TC over with its diesel
From a post here: What is keeping the diesel version out of this country are state governments along both coasts that have tightened emission standards far beyond those in europe. To date only VW has figured out how to meet these standards without urea injection. This is also what caused Honda to reverse its decision to bring diesel vehicles into the US for 2010. Given time and future increases in oil prices, the manufacturers will find a way to get diesels clean.
Last spring I talked to a retired Ford engineer about this same issue & he made the exact same point.
Ford to shift Transit Connect production to the U.S. by 2012 As part of its new global strategy, Ford will begin building its Transit Connect in the United States by 2012. The U.S.-spec Transit Connect which has been in dealer showrooms for less than a month is currently built in Turkey, but will switch to U.S. production for the 2013 model year.
According to Automotive News, Ford will add Transit Connect production to either its Wayne, Michigan plant or its Louisville, Kentucky factory in 2012. That 2012 production shift coincides with Fords plan to retool the Wayne and Louisville plants to produce a new global, compact platform the same that will underpin the 2013 Transit Connect. Maybe I can wait a couple more years...
Background on this issue. Dealerships must pony up $6,000 or more to make copies of the Ford of Europe/Tibbe keys, which are similar to those used on some Jaguars.
I'm putting together my own review, but I want to see how the TC does in the winter too. So far it's the only car I've ever owned that I WANT to take out for a ride. Everything before it was just something I needed to get from A to B in. I'm 6'1" tall and love the headroom and seat height adjustment. I love the view from the driver's seat as well. My TC is also only the 2nd car I've owned that inspired me to update the audio system. The first was a 1971 Honda 600 Sedan and it's upgrade was an 8-track player and a CB radio. The TC nicely has been around long enough (in Europe) for wire harnesses and a few accessories to be available.
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Reviews of the Transit Connect
Otherwise not much rust
