15 minute read
Galaxy Mk2 buyer’s guide
NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW
The 1.8 TDCi engine was offered with five or six-speed manual gearboxes; the latter is the one to go for. The facelifted Galaxy (from 2010) came with an optional blind spot warning system, which is worth having.
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BUYER’S GUIDE: FordGalaxy Mk2 FROM £3,500 Get a lot for your money with second-hand seven-seater
Richard Dredge
EVER since Ford introduced its first Galaxy in 1995, the model has been one of the UK’s best-selling people carriers.
It’s not hard to see why. With a healthy dose of standard kit, a range of great engines and excellent dynamics, the Galaxy is far better than the van-with-windows MPV stereotype might have you believe.
The Galaxy offers the practicality and versatility you’d expect, there’s a dealer in every town and you also get a reasonable level of reliability, although the odd glitch has arisen as these cars age.
But in typical Ford fashion you get an immense amount for your money, so whatever your budget – even if it’s less than £5,000 – there’s a Galaxy within reach. History
THE second-generation Ford Galaxy went on sale in June 2006 with a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and either 123bhp 1.8 or 141bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesels. By September 2007 a 2.3-litre petrol had been added to the line-up (which came in automatic form only), then in March 2008 a 2.2 TDCi diesel was introduced, alongside a Flexifuel option for the 2.0-litre petrol engine. This allowed the car to be run on E85 bio-ethanol as well as petrol, although there were few takers.
A facelift in April 2010 brought a tweaked design, plus new engines: a 200bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol alongside 113bhp and 161bhp versions of the 2.0 TDCi Duratorq diesel. From this point on the trim levels ran Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. Which one?
THE Galaxy is a big car, so the only engines that make sense are the diesels. Aim for at least a 1.8 TDCi as the 1.6 (from 2011) struggles once the car is fully loaded.
All Galaxys come with a reasonable amount of standard kit, but aim for a highspec model as there are plenty available. The pre-facelift Galaxy was offered in LX (renamed Edge in 2008), Zetec and Ghia forms, with all cars featuring a heated windscreen as standard, plus air-con and electric front windows. The Zetec adds alloys, climate control and powered rear windows, while the Ghia comes with cruise control, plus automatic lights and wipers. Alternatives
ONE of the most capable seven-seater MPVs around is the Kia Sedona, which is reliable, extremely spacious and very affordable, too. It’s not as good to drive as the Ford, though, and it’s not as versatile, either.
The Chrysler Grand Voyager offers acres of space and practicality galore, but the interior feels cheap in places and the dynamics aren’t that impressive.
The current SEAT Alhambra and VW Sharan are more impressive than the Galaxy as they’re spacious and versatile, and come with some excellent engines and sliding rear doors. One of the biggest rivals comes from Ford’s own stable, however. The brand’s S-MAX is sportier, cheaper and more fun to drive, while offering nearly as much usable space. Verdict
FORD doesn’t make many bad cars, and the Galaxy is every bit as capable as its siblings. Spacious, well equipped, good to drive and comfortable, it promises much – and largely delivers.
Ever since it arrived, the Galaxy Mk2 has notched up one award after another, including gongs for its safety and security.
It was crowned Auto Express’s Best MPV when it went on sale in 2006, thanks to its blend of value and versatility. But as you can see from our Driver Power surveys, reliability can be an issue, so check any potential purchase before committing.
NEED TO KNOW
Leaks into the cabin are common, so check the footwells for water, along with possible damage to the electrics.
Thanks to TC Harrison in Derby (www.tch.co.uk) for the loan of the Galaxy in our pictures. Own a second-hand car in great condition and want it featured in an Auto Express buyer’s guide? Get in touch via mail@autoexpress.co.uk
Performance
0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/120mph
Power steering
ALLGalaxyscome with power-assisted steering, which can beunreliable.Dealers can fixthings,but ownersare normally leftto paythefullbill.
Electrics
ANOTHER problem can be the Galaxy’s electrics–especially thesidelights, windowsand alarm system; thelatter sometimesshowsan on-dash error message.
Air-con
THE air-conditioning systemisacommon failure point. On faceliftedGalaxys the drierunit needs tobereplaced everytwoyears, butitrarelyis.
Front wipers
THEspindles for the frontwindscreen wiper mechanism cancorrode, leading ittoseize. Ifcaught in time itcan be lubricated; otherwise it’s a £300 repair.
Running costs
43-50mpg (2.0 TDCi 140) £77 fill-up John Co ll ey
CO2/tax
143-172g/km £145-£205
How much?
64
2015 62
2013 60
2011 58
2009
Model
1.6T Titanium £15,995 £11,995 £9,250 N/A N/A 2.0 143Zetec N/A £10,350 £7,950 £6,395 £5,150 2.3Zetecauto N/A N/A £7,695 £6,675 N/A 1.6TDCiTitanium £18,195 £13,695 £10,395 N/A N/A 1.8TDCiZetec N/A N/A £8,475 £7,395 £5,960 2.0TDCi 138 Titanium £18,795 £13,550 £10,150 N/A N/A 2.2TDCi Ghia N/A N/A £10,350 £8,925 N/A
IF you don’t mind a Galaxy that’s done the thick end of 200,000 miles, you can pick one up from just £3,500. This will net you an early car that’ll probably have a 1.8 TDCi engine, or you can buy a 2.0 Zetec with 120,000 miles on the clock for the same money. Diesel engines are fitted to around 95 per cent of Galaxys.
Cap the mileage at 80,000 and you’ll generally need to spend at least £6,000, although there’s the odd car available for less. Galaxys with the 1.6 TDCi are unusual; track one down and you’ll pay at least £11,500 for it.
Running costs
Fuel CO2 Annual economy emissions roadtax
Model
1.6 EcoBoost
18 39mpg 167-169g/km £205 2.0 16-17 34mpg 197g/km £265 2.0 EcoBoost 24-25 34mpg 189g/km £265 2.3 auto 17 28mpg 235g/km £490 1.6TDCi 16-18 54mpg 139g/km £130
1.8TDCi 18-19 44mpg 166g/km £205
2.0TDCi 16-23 43-50mpg 143-172g/km £145-£205
2.2TDCi 22-27 41-42mpg 179g/km £225
WHICHEVER engine is fitted, your Galaxy will need to visit the garage every 12 months or 12,500 miles. The service schedule runs minor, minor, major. Minor check-ups are priced at £215 and major services at £295 until the car is four years old – then the costs drop to £125 and £195. On top of this, the brake fluid needs to be renewed every two years at £39 (£49 until the car is four years old) and fresh coolant is required every 10 years, also at £39. All Galaxy engines are fitted with a timing belt apart from the 2.0-litre Duratec and 2.3-litre petrols. This belt needs to be replaced every 10 years or 125,000 miles.
www.autoexpress.co.uk/driverpower
OUR VIEW
AS the Galaxy celebrates a decade on sale next year, a 159th placing in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey is no big shock. Equally unsurprising is its 15th place for practicality, but that was the only top 100 score. It ranked 197th for reliability, which is not good news, and neither is 185th for build quality.
JAMES Bickerstaff from Coventry reckons his 2009 Galaxy 2.0 TDCi is the ideal family car. He told us: “You get a lot for your money – a big car with plenty of equipment. It’s nice to drive and fuel economy isn’t bad. Reliability has been okay, but the bills are starting to mount with each service after 110,000 miles.”
Partwatch
Dealer price Independent price
Part
Front brake pads(axle set) £60 £37.70
Front brake discs(pair) £144.86 £69.48 Door mirror glass(electric) £61.79 £13.80 Frontwiper set £37.46 £27.54 Prices for a 2011 Galaxy 2.0 TDCi. Dealer figures supplied by Trust Ford, Edgware, North West London (www.trustford.co.uk). Independent prices from Euro Car Parts (www.eurocarparts.com).
Recalls
YOUR VIEW Interior
VERSATILITY is the name of the game here, with a total of 32 configurations for the seats. There’s room for seven adults, too, but the rearmost seats are a bit cramped and there’s not much luggage space with all three rows in use, at 308 litres. Fold all the rear seats, and this increases to 2,325 litres.
Contacts
Official www.ford.co.uk
Forums www.fgoc.co.uk www.fordgalaxy.org.uk www.fordownersclub.com www.ford-forum.net THE Galaxy Mk2 has been the subject of nine recalls so far; the first was issued in July 2006 (just a month after the car went on sale) and the most recent in September 2013.
That first recall was because some cars could suffer from the engine cutting out due to a fuel pipe coming adrift. Since then there have been two recalls because of the glass roof becoming detached and two due to problems with the brake servo. There have also been issues with the heated windscreen and fuel leaks.
Buy ingcars Best buys Car hunter
£25,000 for a big V8 saloon, but which one?
Dear Lawrence, I’m after a fun, characterful saloon with a V8. I don’t do many miles, so I’m not fussed about economy. What should I check out for £25k? Gregg Hawforth, Birmingham
Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk
THE DRIVER’S CHOICE
Vauxhall VXR8
FOR: Good fun to drive, affordable to buy AGAINST: Brash looks a bit much for some
DON’T be fooled by the Vauxhall badge – the VXR8 is a rebranded Holden, imported from Australia, and isn’t exactly subtle. It’s loud, proud and bigger than you’d expect, with loads of space and kit inside.
You also get a great 6.2-litre V8. There’s little in the way of fancy gadgets, but if you can live with the cheap-feeling cabin and steep running costs, it’s a lot of car for your money. We found a 2009 6.2 V8 manual with just 16,000 miles for £22,995. JAGUAR took on the German establishment when it launched the XFR in 2009, and it fared well. The car added to the good looks and hi-tech cabin of the standard XF with a rapid 500bhp supercharged V8. Yet the performance was only half the story, as the XFR has a superb ride and handling balance.
It’s not as thrilling or showy as the other cars here, plus you’ll pay a premium. Still, our classifieds search revealed a 67,000-mile 59-reg XFR for £24,500. THE exotic Maserati Quattroporte looked quirky rather than gorgeous at launch 10 years ago, but it’s matured over time. However, the premium badge isn’t matched by interior quality, as the XF is more upmarket inside.
The 395bhp 4.2-litre V8 might trail rivals here on power, yet it makes a great noise. And while you’ll have to live with the clunky box’s shift paddles and a fidgety town ride, few cars can beat it for flair. A 2007 Sport GT with 35,000 miles can be yours for £23,950.
THE SENSIBLE CHOICE
Jaguar XFR
FOR: Brilliant engine and ride, classy cabin AGAINST: Least sporty option here, pricey
THE STYLISH CHOICE
Mas.Quattroporte
FOR: Style and flair, addictive engine note AGAINST: Cabin feels dated, firm ride
VXR8 is reasonably well equipped, yet the interior isn’t particularly upmarket – which may put some buyers off. It’s fine in isolation, though, and you can’t argue with the amount of passenger space or the big boot. THE Jaguar’s interior is much more upmarket than the VXR8’s and even beats the Maserati Quattroporte’s for quality. Space is good enough, too, although headroom isn’t brilliant and the Italian model has more style. MASERATI’S cabin provides a real sense of occasion every time you get behind the wheel, but the layout is a little haphazard and quality is patchy compared to the Jag. Plus, you can only fit two in the back and the boot isn’t huge.
THE Vauxhall’s mechanicals are well proven, with a big, low-stress V8 borrowed from the Corvette. Front suspension arms are a known weak point, while some minor electrical glitches are common. XFR’S engine has been around for a long time now and should be solid, yet there have been numerous issues with the auto gearbox and various electrical gremlins. The later the model, the more reliable it’ll be. THE Quattroporte is more reliable than you might expect, although transmission failure isn’t unheard of. The biggest problems, however, are the pricey consumables and extortionate servicing. www.autoexpress.co.uk
Open champions
Now’s the time of year to get a good deal on a soft-top, but which of these is the better buy?
MINI scores with solid retrostyled interior
MINI Convertible
47.1mpg (official) £54 fill-up
MINI Cooper S Convertible
Years: 2009 to 2015 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 182bhp Insurance group: 30 Econ/CO2: 47mpg/139g/km Why? The fun and quirky MINI Convertible comes packed with character and is a hoot to drive. Prices from: £5,999
MINI has produced a Convertible since 2004, but the second-generation version – launched in 2009 – was a massive improvement with cleaner lines and an uprated interior.
Inside it’s packed with retro details, but space is an issue, with the rear seats cramped even for small children. And with the roof in place, the whole cabin feels oppressive. All is forgiven when you drop the top, though; the entire hood comes down, unlike in the DS3, making for proper wind-in-the-hair motoring.
The MINI is a thrilling car to drive, with direct handling and masses of grip. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine in the Cooper S is the same as in the DS3, but it’s tuned to deliver 27bhp more power, at 182bhp, giving great performance. Yet the addition of stop/start means economy and emissions are about on par with its rival’s.
The Mk2 MINI finished a lowly 154th in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey, although the first cars are now six years old. Still, these early models are good value. THE DS3 Cabrio was launched before Citroen spun DS off as a separate brand, so it still wears the double chevron badge. But the car isn’t a traditional convertible – to preserve stiffness and keep costs down, it has a fabric top running between the roof rails down to the bootlid.
The hood can work like a giant sunroof, or be pulled all the way back to sit just below where the rear window normally is. It looks good, and ties in well with the other design details on the car, like the ‘shark fins’ behind the front doors.
The cabin is solidly built and more logically laid out than the MINI’s. It’s roomier as well, and four adults can just about squeeze in.
The engine offers strong performance, but while the DS3 is lighter it can’t match the MINI for outright pace. It trails on handling agility, too.
As the DS3 Cabrio wasn’t introduced until 2013, it’s rarer second-hand than the MINI. The regular car impressed in Driver Power, finishing 67th. Running costs were its strength, showing the Citroen can offer fun and cheap motoring.
Even children will find MINI’s rear seats a bit tight, but with soft-top down, car is great fun DS3 looks more modern, yet as roof doesn’t fold fully, you don’t get a true open-air experience
1
MINI Convertible ★★★★★
IT’S a win for the MINI in this test. There’s no real substitute for its full convertible roof, and the punchy engine, fun handling and sheer personality offered by all MINIs confirm the car’s victory. Citroen has more room inside, if a bit less character
DS3 Cabrio
47.9mpg (official) £52 fill-up
2
Citroen DS3 Cabrio ★★★★★
FOR those wanting moderate drop-top thrills, the DS3 Cabrio is a sound choice, and it has the edge over the MINI for practicality. Despite this, it can’t compete on driving pleasure or character.
Citroen DS3 Cabrio 1.6 THP
Years: 2013 to 2015 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 155bhp Insurance group: 23 Econ/CO2: 48mpg/137g/km Why? The DS3 Cabrio is a leftfield choice for buyers wanting a convertible without the usual sacrifices. Prices from: £8,490
