Lured into a dealership again...

For the third time in 25 years of employment here, I found myself lured into a dealership, being asked that ever so subtle question "What could we do TODAY to get you into this..."

Every week a couple of services drop off new press loaners for us to sample. You'd think that I'd want to take all the cute puppies home, but thankfully I've resisted on all but three occasions. First it was the mazdaspeed3 that pried my wallet open. Next the Chevy Volt found my driveway. And now I am completely head over heels for this:

Dodge Ram Promaster City Wagon. Actually a rebadged Fiat Doblo with Dodge's 2.4-liter "world motor".

Don't hate me, but this thing seriously may be one of the best vehicles I've ever driven. Insane cargo space. Nearly vertical rear walls. Drives like a car. Tows a F500 with ease and has averaged 27mpg since Thursday. No, it's not pretty, but you completely forget about that from behind the wheel. No utility vehicle has any business being so ergonomically proper or easy to operate.

So I emailed Dodge about buying this one out of the press fleet when its tenure ends. No deal. Because of "laws" and 'ethics" and so on, they have to auction all of their pressers that aren't getting crushed. Asked about their version of S Plan, which exists, but the local dealer actually made me an even better offer than that on one they have in stock. Sadly, this red one is a complete unicorn. It has exactly the options I'd order, but not anther one like it exists anywhere in the county. And when the dealer searched the VIN, they came up with nothing, meaning this one is probably slated to get crash tested then smooshed.

So, anyway, if you're in the market for something incredibly useful and affordable that doesn't penalize you for driving it, do yourself a favor. Dodge (or Fiat, whatever) nailed it with this thing. Enough to have me filling out loan applications and negotiating with the wolves.

Intriguing!

The Italians sure can make a homely looking vehicle.

Have you driven the new transits at all? Just looking for a comparison, I drive a last generation transit for work and it is gutless.

I was impressed with it when I first saw it.

Wally wrote: The Italians sure can make a homely looking vehicle.

Looks like its been beaten by the mafia for sure.

With an ugly stick.

Seats.....five. Gah! Why did we have that fourth kid?

I like it. It seems like it's a Honda Element, but does everything the Element does much better. Definitely on the list.

flatlander937 wrote:

Wally wrote: The Italians sure can make a homely looking vehicle.

Looks like its been beaten by the mafia for sure.

Maybe youse can disappear it...

You forget about the exterior of a car while you are driving it...

So true. And I was wondering how long it was going to take dodge to realize that and put something other than their awful steering wheels in the charger.

How tall is it? I have been looking for a Vehical like tho but I want somthing that I can get a ladder on the roof with less hassle than say an f150.

In reply to dean1484:

74" before any roof rack.

Seems as though the US is being invaded with euro vans. Why can't we be invaded with saloons and hot hatches instead?

If I ever start a flower delivery service, I'll hit up dodge/fiat

My main concern right now would be everything Fiat/Chrysler is in the top lists of most unreliable brands. If you are buying a work vehicle the last thing you want is for it to be in the shop.

mndsm wrote: Seems as though the US is being invaded with euro vans. Why can't we be invaded with saloons and hot hatches instead?

They should be sent off to the pile of things that don't belong in America. Like the metric system or old men in Speedos.

You may forget about the looks while driving but you may throw up in the driveway walking up to it.

Bet it depreciates faster than the Fiat... if that's even possible.

Euro vans have a lot of pros going for them. They offer much lower load heights. The interior volume is larger without a big change in footprint. The full size Promaster will actually take a pallet loaded by forklift in the rear doors and side doors. I imagine the Transit would too. The front end is designed to keep the headlights in a safer position for most low speed city accidents. That gives cheaper repairs to fleet. Some euro vans have front bumpers in multiple sections so you only have to replace the damaged piece. They have been designed from the beginning to make upfitting easier. The Euro vans were built with work in mind, not just throwing a box on a truck frame.

At my last Chump race I had my 97 GMC Savanna and another driver brought a Promaster from work. The Promaster was awesome. You could stand up in it even though it was the low roof, it was easier to climb in and out of the back, it had a nice flat foor with lots of tie downs. Once the transit and promaster are out a few years and there are some ex fleet vehicle to choose from I will pick one up. You can't beat them for utility.

I dont think my GMC is really the peak of beautiful design. Its a box on wheels, just like the Euro vans.

The Transit Connect makes an awesome taxi. I never have to worry about head room in the back like I do on alot of cars. Last week in California, I walked right past the Prius taxis to jump in a Transit Connect.

In reply to logdog:

I just happened on to it at the Ram Promaster Tradesman City Cargo Van (whoa. long name) upfit site. The City will accomodate a full size pallet too.

Well that escalated quickly.

Signed paper on it earlier tonight. Still at the dealership getting a backup camera installed, but I should have it by the end of the week. Now I've gone into debt for a rebadged Fiat.

Please re-badge it as a fiat.

URgh..

Wish I'd stopped in here before now.

I could have put you in touch with my wife and her joys of dealing with a fleet of those vans.

Buy the extended warranty, the Italians STILL don't understand electricity.

bgkast wrote: Please re-badge it as a fiat.

So he should take his re-badged Fiat and re-badge it as a Fiat?