New van

[ferg]

I'm doing my usual nonsense by obsessing about something months in advance.
I'm due to change my van in January.
I have a VW Transporter that I am more than happy with but it's a lease and has to go.
Given the choice I'd just get another VW but it looks like the next Transporter is a Transit custom under another name.
Does anyone have the new Ford Transit Custom?
If so what are your thoughts?

 

[Moley]

I'm getting my new Transit on Monday. I can give you my first thoughts on it next week. 4 of the other guys with me have already had theirs. They seem impressed. I'm not sure if I like the digital dash though.

 

[Moley]

Well, first impression isn't good. The square steering wheel feels really awkward. The seating position may be okay if you are tall but bad for me (5' 5"). The seat is way too low and no height adjustment. The seat belt also has no height adjustment so rests on my neck. Both of these were in the basic model of the previous Transit. The doors have to be slammed quite hard to shut. The 'Lane departure' control seems way too aggressive. If you don't turn off the speed warning thing it'll nag you whenever you go over the limit. The fuel gauge is confusing (digital dash). The electric handbrake doesnt auto release. Okay, I'll probably get used to things but they seem to be using tech when it isn't needed. Even the back nearside door now uses a button and motor to open where the old one just had a handle. Once I've done a few more miles I'll see how I feel but at the moment would rather have my old van back

 

[Dustydazzler]

Back in the 90s one of my old dads bosses actually had a red sign written one of these and these actually used it to bring gear back and forth to job sites ( they even made me drive it round south London a few times when I was a teenager )

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaw4DAarGU8

 

[littlespark]

You could do with one of these, @Moley

 

[mainline]

These elevator trainers will make you look 3 inches taller and also allow you to reach the pedals.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I'm very sorry to hear the the you are not impressed with van, have you thought about a small one considering you are 5ft 5in, I would recommend a noddy car for you, slap a roof rack to the side or a tuk tuk.

 

[Teddy Lop]

There go OP

Seriously though this is why I buy not rent. I decide when to swap and take as long as I like.

 

[baldelectrician]

My next van will NOT be a Nissan

Poor customer service, lies and incompotence.

If I were in your position I would not be buying a Nissan

 

[richy3333]

Sold my last craft 6.1 for more than I paid after 18 months of work. Get a crafter

 

[Moley]

After a bit more driving I can say that I really dislike the 'square' steering wheel. On the plus side the gearbox is really smooth.

 

[brianmoooore]

The square steering wheel feels really awkward.

Return of the Allegro.

 

[brianmoooore]

You could do with one of these, @Moley

View attachment 117152

You jest, but my wife isn't much above the minimum height to be allowed in a car without a booster seat, and she does actually sit on a proper booster cushion (one without the wings) when in the passenger or driver's seat. The seat adjustment is enough to let her reach the pedals OK, but the seat belt, although adjusting in height automatically, still rides too high up her neck without it.

 

[Moley]

Return of the Allegro.

I passed my test in one of those.

 

[Moley]

I'm getting to dislike the new Transit more each time I drive it. If you forget to disable the speed limit warning each time you drive it'll start 'chiming' at you as soon as you go a couple of mph over what it thinks is the speed limit. On the shortish runs I've been on so far it's got the speed limit wrong about 30% of the time.

 

[ferg]

I'm getting to dislike the new Transit more each time I drive it. If you forget to disable the speed limit warning each time you drive it'll start 'chiming' at you as soon as you go a couple of mph over what it thinks is the speed limit. On the shortish runs I've been on so far it's got the speed limit wrong about 30% of the time.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[richy3333]

@ferg what have you decided on? I wish I'd had machine guns fitted to remove all these 'ecking tourists out of my way. Its like we're under invasion at the moment!

 

[Moley]

I feel sorry for you. All those bloody tourists coming to Scotland. Oh, um, where am I at the moment ?

 

[ferg]

@ferg what have you decided on? I wish I'd had machine guns fitted to remove all these 'ecking tourists out of my way. Its like we're under invasion at the moment!

Probably a Transit custom. They seem like the best out of a bad lot.
The Crafter is just too big for me.
I'm looking to see if they do a bulldozer attachment to get the tourists out of the way.
20mph on single track roads just now.. it's driving me potty.
The Irony of being annoyed at tourists while driving between jobs being paid for by said tourists is not lost on me.

 

[timhoward]

I passed my test in one of those.

I’m impressed the suspension stayed up long enough to get through a driving test.
More aero dynamic in reverse too…
Them were the days, when cars were fixable by the common man….

 

[ferg]

After all the nonsense I got another Transporter.
Just finishing the ply racking off ready for work on Monday.

One of the advantages of getting the same van is being able to transfer the old racking into the new van.

Considering the Ply racking had done 4 years already it's actually in pretty good shape.

 

[Markyd]

Bring back the Astra van

 

[mainline]

Bring back the Astra van

Viva van.

 

[Moley]

If we are talking old vans then Bedford CF with 2.3l slant 4 engine and drum brakes. I've got most of one standing on my drive. Every now and then I sweep the other bits away.