Any reasons to avoid 1st gen transit connect

[Flagster]

We are looking for a city size van to supplement our sprinter... basically a cargo build with storage/fridge and slide outs to haul our bikes around town...weekend adventures where we don't need a full size van.
The early transit connects can be had for cheap here in AZ...they don't stick out in the city...
Any real world advice would be helpful. I know the transmission was upgraded to 6 speed for the current generation but we won't be doing much highway travelling...basically just running around Tucson and back and forth to Flagstaff here and there...

 

[lqhikers]

ford transit tc

Flagster,
We had a 2013 ford transit loved it for what it was.
No problems as long as we had it, great mpg.

I have a build posted on this site some where.

Only thing that was a bother was the trans searching for gears
in hills etc.we lived with it and got kinda used to it.

As it was bought as a toy project to convert to week end camper
i have to admit we are more than happy that we now have a new camper toy,2017 full size transit
converted to camper.

Les,lqhikers

 

[zerskier]

I think a first gen connect would fit your needs just fine. I recently sold my 2010 connect to fund the next adventure. My take of the little transit was, I loved the ease of getting in and out. It drove like a car and the size was great for solo travel. The down side was like lqhikers said the transmission searching for gears takes getting use to. Loaded with camping gear and a roof rack with a 2500 awning my MPG went down a lot at freeway speeds or mountain passes. I actually had the tranny go into limp mode trying to get over Teton Pass. I miss the connect but for a couple less MPG my lifted 4wd astro van better fits my needs.

 

[phxzuk]

Great little van. 202530 miles and still going strong.

 

[Flagster]

Thanks for the replies everyone...I think it will be great for our purpose...