Which engine?
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From: Maine, Virginia
Which engine?
In a year or so we're looking to replace the 2004 Expy and I think I've got the bride sold on a TC wagon. Two engine choices that I can see, which is the better choice? The 1.6L EB or the 2.5L?
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From: Detroit
Hey Tim...I had been looking at TC's and for some reason you can't get the 1.6 EB in the long wagon (I am curious why).
The long wagon would be the version I would want and probably the one most people seem to buy. So your choice may be made for you unless Ford evolves the engine availability to include an EB in the long wagon (which is still a foot shorter than a Mopar minivan).
I keep coming back to the TC as the high gas-mileage champ for its storage space but the cabin is just a bit crowded feeling to me.
George
The long wagon would be the version I would want and probably the one most people seem to buy. So your choice may be made for you unless Ford evolves the engine availability to include an EB in the long wagon (which is still a foot shorter than a Mopar minivan).
I keep coming back to the TC as the high gas-mileage champ for its storage space but the cabin is just a bit crowded feeling to me.
George
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From: Maine, Virginia
Hey Tim...I had been looking at TC's and for some reason you can't get the 1.6 EB in the long wagon (I am curious why).
The long wagon would be the version I would want and probably the one most people seem to buy. So your choice may be made for you unless Ford evolves the engine availability to include an EB in the long wagon (which is still a foot shorter than a Mopar minivan).
I keep coming back to the TC as the high gas-mileage champ for its storage space but the cabin is just a bit crowded feeling to me.
George
The long wagon would be the version I would want and probably the one most people seem to buy. So your choice may be made for you unless Ford evolves the engine availability to include an EB in the long wagon (which is still a foot shorter than a Mopar minivan).
I keep coming back to the TC as the high gas-mileage champ for its storage space but the cabin is just a bit crowded feeling to me.
George
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From: Detroit
The Titanium TC is not as loaded as a Platinum Expy (no cooled seats and other glitzy stuff) and is not gonna be as quiet and luxurious feeling. I don't think the TC has dual front climate control available. But it can actually hold more cubic feet of stuff.
From a basic cost perspective, the TC is based on the Focus (low end compact car) as opposed to the Expy based on the F150 pickup (high priced profit generator) and the Explorer based on the Taurus and marked up bigtime from there.
Operating costs are gonna be wonderfully low with the TC as well.
I'd like to see something like the 2.0 EB engine in the higher end TC but they are probably limiting the engine offerings as they have to ship drivetrains to Spain where they build TC's and stick with fewer configurations. I don't think you can actually order a TC from the factory.
Good luck,
George
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Ts;
In researching my decision about which engine I wanted for the TC the general impression seems to be that there is not a lot of difference in either power or gas mileage. There is however, a significant difference in cost and it seems to me that the EB engine would be more technically advanced and perhaps more expensive to fix in the event of problems.
I have found my TC a little tight compared to my Explorer, but it is comfortable and has about the same noise level as my wife's Subaru.
As an aside, I believe that the TC has the same HP per pound as my wife's Subaru, which I've found to be more than adequate. I have the van and I suspect that the wagon would be heavier and may not give you the same quick response I'm getting with the van.
Good luck with your decision making.
In researching my decision about which engine I wanted for the TC the general impression seems to be that there is not a lot of difference in either power or gas mileage. There is however, a significant difference in cost and it seems to me that the EB engine would be more technically advanced and perhaps more expensive to fix in the event of problems.
I have found my TC a little tight compared to my Explorer, but it is comfortable and has about the same noise level as my wife's Subaru.
As an aside, I believe that the TC has the same HP per pound as my wife's Subaru, which I've found to be more than adequate. I have the van and I suspect that the wagon would be heavier and may not give you the same quick response I'm getting with the van.
Good luck with your decision making.
Logistics Pro
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From: Detroit
There is a pretty big variance in weight. The short cargo van comes in under 3500 lbs and the long passenger van comes in at almost 4000 lbs (guessing the Titanium is over 4k lbs)....so some extra power would be good to have in the long passenger van especially if you are loaded....and that is the one body that does not offer the EB engine(!?)
Evan is very close on the power to weight...my Subaru Forester is 3250 lbs (stripper with a stick) and has 170 hp; the short TC van weighs 3467 lbs and has 169 hp. Little more drivetrain drag with the Subarus given they are AWD and a loaded Subaru Forester with an auto trans is gonna weigh close to the TC van.
The 1.6 EB has 178 hp, not much more than the 2.5, but the EB also has more torque with its torque peak at 2500 rpm's so that would help move the TC around. I would really like the 2.0 EB engine in the long TC passenger van.
The Mopar minivans weigh about 4500 lbs and have 283 hp from the Pentastar V6...they are way gutsier than the TC to drive.
George
Evan is very close on the power to weight...my Subaru Forester is 3250 lbs (stripper with a stick) and has 170 hp; the short TC van weighs 3467 lbs and has 169 hp. Little more drivetrain drag with the Subarus given they are AWD and a loaded Subaru Forester with an auto trans is gonna weigh close to the TC van.
The 1.6 EB has 178 hp, not much more than the 2.5, but the EB also has more torque with its torque peak at 2500 rpm's so that would help move the TC around. I would really like the 2.0 EB engine in the long TC passenger van.
The Mopar minivans weigh about 4500 lbs and have 283 hp from the Pentastar V6...they are way gutsier than the TC to drive.
George
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From: Maine, Virginia
The main reason for the TC decision is that my bride has had both knees replaced and it's kind of hard for her to climb into her Expy and into my F-150. The TC seems to have the perfect ingress/egress height so she can slide in / out easier. Having great cargo and passenger room is a great addition and the better MPG's over the Expy is a bonus.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Detroit
I have 8 screws and 3 rods in my back, have had hip surgery, and neither my wife nor I are getting younger. There are a number of smaller crossovers like my Subaru Forester and the Ford Escape, as well as a number of minivans, that are "just right" where you can sit down without having to climb up when getting in (like a tall truck) or climb up when getting out (as in a low car).
The long TC has more cubic feet of cargo room than the short Expy and makes more sense in so many ways if you are not towing... Again, you may find that other minivans like the Dodge and Chrysler are somewhat more luxurious than the TC which is really narrow (more cramped than my Subaru in the front seat) due to its Focus origins. But if you are not doing really long trips, the TC would be great. If either of you are larger people, you may find the TC to be cramped in the front seat (that is my unfortunate conclusion).
Good luck,
George
The long TC has more cubic feet of cargo room than the short Expy and makes more sense in so many ways if you are not towing... Again, you may find that other minivans like the Dodge and Chrysler are somewhat more luxurious than the TC which is really narrow (more cramped than my Subaru in the front seat) due to its Focus origins. But if you are not doing really long trips, the TC would be great. If either of you are larger people, you may find the TC to be cramped in the front seat (that is my unfortunate conclusion).
Good luck,
George
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Joe Kucinski
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I have, for the past week, been driving my wife's Subaru. I find the TC easier to get into and more comfortable once in. The driver's seat on my van goes up and down as well as in and out and recline. I don't know of the up-&-down feature is available on the wagon passenger seat, but it's worth looking into.
I also suggest that you look into the Consumer Reports build and buy program. You don't have to start at the top to get an idea of what you want. I did the CR thing and created my ideal vehicle from the base model, and then that went to dealers who came pretty close with what they had in stock.
Personally, I would not go for the long wheel base wagon. I like the short wheel version as more maneuverable and better looking. My advice is to enjoy the shopping and make sure you get something close to what want. I compromised a bit, rather than wait for a special order, and then went on to accessorize my vehicle. If you are patient sort, you can order just about anything you want.
Enjoy the process, get what you want, and live it out.
I also suggest that you look into the Consumer Reports build and buy program. You don't have to start at the top to get an idea of what you want. I did the CR thing and created my ideal vehicle from the base model, and then that went to dealers who came pretty close with what they had in stock.
Personally, I would not go for the long wheel base wagon. I like the short wheel version as more maneuverable and better looking. My advice is to enjoy the shopping and make sure you get something close to what want. I compromised a bit, rather than wait for a special order, and then went on to accessorize my vehicle. If you are patient sort, you can order just about anything you want.
Enjoy the process, get what you want, and live it out.
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From: Lewisberry, Penn
The 2.5 is a nice motor combo in these. I drive them quite often and always enjoy them. Honestly haven't driven the 1.6 yet as no one seems to want to pay more for just about the same thing (and I can't blame them). The 2.5 was a huge upgrade from the older 2.0 in the last generation.
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From: Maine, Virginia
The 2.5 in my daughter's Fusion is surprisingly quick and very good on gas. But in the summer with the a/c running, that cooling fan sounds like an aircraft screaming to reach altitude.
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From: York, SC
Engine Swap
My 2010 TC is approaching the 130K point and I am thinking its just about time to think about making an engine swap. I am thinking of getting an Escort or Focus 2.5 engine and transmission and doing a fefurb and putting it into my TC. What are the thought on this? The 2.5 Lt in my sons Focus seems to have good power. Also, at what point should I be thinking of belt changes?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
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From: Detroit
My 2010 TC is approaching the 130K point and I am thinking its just about time to think about making an engine swap. I am thinking of getting an Escort or Focus 2.5 engine and transmission and doing a fefurb and putting it into my TC. What are the thought on this? The 2.5 Lt in my sons Focus seems to have good power. Also, at what point should I be thinking of belt changes?
No idea what the ramifications are regarding electronics.
Good luck,
George
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