markopolo said:
People are more likely to report a breakdown or expensive repair etc. on forums and groups so it is good to hear reports that all is working as expected too. I know when I Google the GM 6.5l turbo or the transmission or fuel system etc., it is a wonder that my van can be trusted to even make it out of my driveway. The reality (for me) is that it works well.
A few more production years will have to elapse before we see meaningful cargo van sales numbers. Ford might just come out on top with their new Transit van.
As Marko says, the internet is full of complaints that can really mess up the equation, and from what I have been reading lately, a large part of them may be bogus reviews and complaints by paid ringers that work for the competition. A place like this probably gets much better information and accurate statements than the general search gives you, though. I do find the RV information very interesting, though, especially with the B's. Folks seem to love their new, or new to them, B in spite of problems, minimizing the issues in the big picture. Some do seem to hit "critical mass" with the problems and go into complete hate it mode, without much of a middle ground.
It is too bad that the 3rd party information gatherers for repairs and repair costs all seem to have some bias or such (Edmunds, JD Power, even Consumer Reports), as it would be nice to get some good reliable data without all the noise in it.
It is also pretty amazing how much different examples of the same vehicle can be lemons or outstanding, regardless of overall "rating". I drove a 1992 Escort wagon for 210,000 miles over 18.5 years of Minnesota commuting, and other than maintenance items, it had less than $1000 in total repairs the whole time. It went to the junkyard, driven, after it got so rusty it was starting to buckle and the brake lines rusted off the back, or it probably would have gone another 100K. But I also know folks with the highly rated things like Lexus, that have spent a small fortune to keep them going. As they say "your results may be different".
I am sure it won't be long after the Transit and Promaster hit the street that we will start hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly, all to be taken with a grain of salt. Any conclusions we jump to now are totally speculation. As was said, the longer term sales numbers will tell a better tale, as most of these vans will be going into commercial use. If they don't cut it for the commercial guys, they will fade to oblivion, regardless of how inexpensive they are.
