Transit Connect or NV200?

[Reducto]

My beloved 26 year old Toyota finally started showing its age and its lack of AC has become a problem now that I'm spending a lot of time in Florida. I'm considering going to the opposite extreme and buying a new van. The Ford Transit Connect (long wheelbase) and Nissan NV200 are both looking good but I can't find anything definitive to choose between them. Ford gets better highway mileage, Nissan is cheaper with a better warranty but comes with a CVT which might or might not be a problem down the road. Everything else seems to be a wash between the two.

Has anyone looked into these vans and found anything to differentiate?

I'm really not interested in full size vans at this time.

 

[Canine]

I won't get thanked for this post but my first thought is ugly vs. butt ugly... Isn't the Nissan considered a full sized van or is it my ignorance showing. If it's the van I think it is, with the front end sticking way out, I've seen about 2 newer ones in Phoenix in, oh, a year. It's based on the Titan platform which has its shortcomings. Not a real big seller... CVT's are "funky". Smooth but expensive to repair. Haven't seen to catch on much though the 2015 Honda CRV has gone to one... That pissed off a lot of rv'ers who have used the CRV platform for years to flat tow...can't do that any more...

The Transit Connect (small one) is getting much more common, nice fuel efficient fleet vehicle. Kinda small and low though.

Our forum owner Bob posted pics of someone he knew who had camperized his Connect quite nicely, it's on some post in this section...somewhere.

Oh, I just looked the Nissan up. It's a totally different (read small) van. Little 2.0 liter 4 banger... Retails for like 20$. I'll stick with my original first feeling... Ugly!

Too small for fatso here. A 2.0 liter engine, properly geared, can move up to a 200# driver adequately. Thus, I need a 5 liter... Like I have...

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Oh man, i usually dont care about looks, but i had a nissan pacing me the other day down the highway and it was almost physically nauseating to look at. I dont know how they could engineer something so ugly.

Maybe it will work as a form of stealth, no one will want to look too closely at one...

 

[Reducto]

I actually prefer the looks of the Nissan (I'm talking about the small NV200, not the full size Frankenstein things)

Then again I still think this is beautiful, I just need something more reliable:

 

[Belinda2]

Reducto,
I seriously considered both vehicles when I purchased my Toyota Sienna last year.
Price: The Price was right with the Ford. I saw ads as far away from me as Ohio, with a total car price for $15,000.
Horsepower: This is what decided it for me, especially the Ford. I like to keep my vehicles for the long haul. I am not an a/c girl, but where you live, well, it's not an option. I felt with the small horse power, me having it loaded, maybe the lights on, and maybe an a/c running, I thought, with time, it would be too much for this vehicle.
Engine/ Reputation: Nisan, Nissan, Nissan will last the long haul.
Interior size: I found the Ford to "feel smaller". I could only lay down length wise in it. I did not like uneven floor in the Ford and thought of this as "wasted space". That floor would have to be evened and covered immediately to accomidate your rolling chair.
Looks: I liked the look of the Nissan. It looked like a small van. I thought the look was sharp.
These are the web sites I used to research my vehicle:
NHTSA.gov complaints
www.arfc.org
www.safercar.gov
consumer reports
If you do choose to get it used, I would get a car fax report on it. In my area I looked for Hurricane Sandy water damage cars, etc.
I got my used car at a STEAL. He is what I did:
I found a large car auction place near my home. I did all the research of the car and in what lane, etc. I paid a wholesale dealer a fee of a few hundred dollars. I went ahead and scoped out the cars telling security I was his assistant. On auction day, I met him outside the gate and he escorted me in. He bought the vehicle I asked him to, I wrote a check for the whole amount of the vehicle which saved at least $6000 off of retail, I got it inspected, etc.

 

[minimotos95]

I really wish there was a modern alternative to our 80's jap vans available in the states, I think you will be disappointed with the driving experience of either of these FWD mini cargo vans. They are big on the outside for the space they offer inside.
I assume you've already dismissed the idea of swapping in a more modern drivetrain like the 4.0l V8 from the LS400 or?
Or with my mitsubishi I can run south of the border and bring back a complete 2010ish parts van. I don't know if that's an option with the toyota or not.

That said I would pick the TC over the NV200.

 

[myke]

I was really into the NV200 for a while, thought I would get one. But after seeing them in person a few times and being inside i have decided against one. It just looks and feels really cheap and flimsy to me. Plus do some research on the tires; no replacements exist (except oem's from the dealer) and the originals wear out really fast.

I seriously considered both vehicles when I purchased my Toyota Sienna last year.

Now I'm sort reaching this conclusion, maybe i should just get an odyssey or a sienna. I am wondering how big the space in back would be if the rear seats were completely removed, not just 'stowed'. Anyway, how is the sienna, are you living in it?

 

[LeeRevell]

Wonder how soon before Toyota fields their commercial type van? I think they are the only major maker without one? Well, Honda too.

 

[Reducto]

Thanks for the input everyone! I test drove both and wound up getting the Nissan. I wasn't going to buy this quick but the combination of running good playing poker and being frustrated by failing to fix my Toyota drove me a little crazy.

The Ford had loud rattles right out of the box and I didn't like the massive dash and hood. I could not see the front of the car and had no idea how close I was to other cars when parking it. It's definitely faster but that wasn't a priority for me. I'm sure it would work great for others but my affection for Japanese makes won out.

I would LOVE a new Toyota cargo van with the forward seating position like they sell overseas but I haven't seen any indication that it will happen. I don't know if it's about not passing safety regulations or just that they don't think US buyers want vehicles without a hood sticking out the front.

Not sure about the tire thing. I ran into this when I bought a Scion back in the day and quickly damaged one tire. A few years later when the rest wore out there were plenty of options available.

 

[Canine]

Tires will be made as there is a need. Lots of cars have had this problem at first. When 17 inch rims came out that was really strange. Then it was 18 inch being new. Then 19 inch rims were new... But you can always find what you need or you look for a rim that will fit it...

Glad you found what you feel will work for you.

 

[akrvbob]

We are for sure going to need pictures, lots of pictures!

I'm curious, are you sad to see the old Toyota go?

I'm embarrassed to admit it but I become emotionally attached to some vehicles and can be strongly affected by their loss.
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

Tires will be made as there is a need.  Lots of cars have had this problem at first.  When 17 inch rims came out that was really strange.  Then it was 18 inch being new.  Then 19 inch rims were new...  But you can always find what you need or you look for a rim that will fit it...

Glad you found what you feel will work for you.

Having once had a car with non-standard tires, and having one blow out in a little Podunk town while traveling, that has become my test of new tires.....
On a long road trip, can I get the tire replaced easily in West Podunk, USA?

Seems overseas they have many very interesting vehicles that simply are not available here in the good ol' US of A.
Toyota could own the market for a good small pickup truck with a strong diesel, but they don't want to touch it here.  Plenty of them overseas......

 

[Belinda2]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Reducto!
You won't regret it. It is a quality van!
You will miss your other Toyota van. My Toyota car just wouldn't die and I finally just had to get rid of it, if I was going to go full time from part time because of increased "stuff" needed.
Like Bob says, I was attached. So many hours inside... So much life lived there... Maryland standards are too high and it would not pass inspection. I ended up selling mine to someone in Delaware for $245. This is exactly what it was worth. It ran great. I gave them the logs, wheel locks, etc. for the car. I spent 4.5 hours cleaning every part even though it was already sold. It had a beautiful paint job and when I took the car seat covers off, the seats looked new. I gave the new owner my detailed log and reviewed with them what spark plugs run the hottest in it, etc. I gave them my phone number and address if they had future questions. Then I kissed my baby good bye...and cried.
Overseas on a U.S. military base I was issued a Toyota Haiti diesel. It was great. My dog and I drove the whole length of the Persian Gulf and swam and swam. No complaints. I wish I could get that Toyota here also but it is not available.
OHHHHHHH, I am so happy for you! Good gas mileage, here you come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Myke,
How is the Sienna? G-R-E-A-T
Are you living in it? Yes. Full time.
The seats stowed, Myke, I felt took too much precious room. I took them out. I recycled the metal at 205 pounds. I sold the foam and the leather from the seats to an furniture repair shop near my farm.
January 2014 I discovered Bob's web site. I spent a few months reading everything I could a deciding if I could realistically do this full time. I live on a farm and I built a "prototype" in one of my barns to see if I could fit all my "stuff" inside. I went by cubic feet of every vehicle. Reducto sent me a picture of his van and we chatted several times about his layout. I started with his layout and then changed it about 20 times to meet my needs. The Sienna has, if I recall, 173 cubic feet. Behind the front seats it's about 150 cubic feet. I tried in my prototype to see if I could live in 150 cubic feet. I then sold the car, got the minivan, took out the seats of the minivan, and moved in. Currently, I have sold 4000 square feet of "stuff" and the car. My small RV and farm are still for sale. I currently live in the driveway full time at my home. I am 100% off the grid, except I need to keep utilities on to heat my house in the winter until it sells. I have been a landlord for years on the tenant house on my property, so I am saving $27,000 and selling the property myself. I have a 14 year old dog who also lives with me in the Sienna. My job loans me a travel vehicle, gas card, and easy pass because I go to many states. The dog and I live in a Nissan Versa on those days. .......life is good (smile)!
Reducto, we all wish you well while you get your new layout down! I'm excited for you!

 

[myke]

Myke,
How is the Sienna? G-R-E-A-T
Are you living in it? Yes. Full time.
The seats stowed, Myke, I felt took too much precious room. I took them out. I recycled the metal at 205 pounds. I sold the foam and the leather from the seats to an furniture repair shop near my farm.

That's awesome. Yeah, I would think removing them completely would be invaluable for the cargo space. I was just at the Toy dealer today looking at Sienna's and Tacomas (would get a high-top cap if I went with one of those).

And to the OP, congrats on the Nissan, definitely post some pics at some point if you can; I was intrigued with those vans myself...