Promaster city or Transit Connect

thebarefootbadger said:

I traveled new zealand in 2015 in a rented Hiace that had a tiny kitchen, toilet and even shower. it was glorious, Exactly the right size, not overbuilt, and even got acceptable gas mileage. Been missing it ever since. ... i've come to the conclusion that I must just be weird, because if there were such a demand for all these "right sized" vehicles as I feel / imagine, wouldn't there be some greedy corporation taking advantage of supplying it?

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I'm always surprised at the taste of the majority of the American public. I think there is actually a demand for gigantic gas-guzzling vehicles. In the US bigger is always better isn't it? The suits and bean counters who run the average corporation are typically so insulated from what consumers actually want that they miss opportunities to launch something that is different, but which would appeal to a large number of people were it available. They aren't into risk, they are into producing more of the same thing that generated money for them yesterday.

Catalyst1 said:

In the US bigger is always better isn't it?

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Small cars that have all the amenities and meet the same safety regs, cost very close to the same amount to produce as larger ones. So unless there is another incentive like high gas prices, or weight taxes, the new car buyer (who is increasingly affluent) "wants" big. Which has led to the insanity of most of our traffic being 6,000 lb behemoths hauling one little person to work or the store. Also, even though small cars do nearly as well as big ones when it comes to colliding with solid objects or vehicles of similar size, large ones do fair much better when they hit smaller vehicles... so everyone wants the biggest vehicle for safety reasons... which just makes smaller ones less safe.

It isn't so bad for nomads though because those vehicles that other people commute in, are big enough to turn into homes...

Catalyst1 said:

I'm always surprised at the taste of the majority of the American public. I think there is actually a demand for gigantic gas-guzzling vehicles. In the US bigger is always better isn't it?

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I'll use my cousin as example: Family of 4, two boys 12 & 10, both in hockey. A hockey gear bag are big (about 5ft x 1.5ft x 1.5 ft). He usually transports other teammates. He needs a Sububan to carry the kids and all the hockey gear. On weekends he tows a boat or snowmobile trailer. It is also his commuter; they cannot afford 3 vehicles.

That is common among a lot of the people I know: they have at least one big vehicle because they need a big vehicle for towing or carrying something at least a few times a year.

As to the Hiace, you need to ask Toyota why they don't offer them in North America. Probably a marketing decision.

Wassup said:

The Transit Connect is here at the dealers now. The Promaster City is still weeks away from arriving. I believe the Transit's roof is 2 inches lower maybe. Is that too low ? Would a 5'9" 135 lb guy be able to sit upright in this Transit van? My main concern is having enough head room. Does anybody here have live in a transit connect? I would like to hear your thoughts on this!
PS I could just wait, but I've been waiting. the Promaster City is my first choice.
Thanks

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I am 6`1" and the bunk is about 20" high with mattress I cannot really sit up . Seat max for me is 17" to sit up. I sit on the floor leaning against bunk.
I decided to have the bed go over the wheel well to gain width space and it is worth it for aisle space. Can sit up ok with the mattress flipped up.
The bunk is 17 1/2" over the 3/8 thick floor.