New Driver needs MPV!

bigjl

fred246 wrote: »

Well it's a car made up almost entirely of VW parts. At the last moment someone stuck a Ford badge on it. Does that make it a Ford? I don't think so. You can't make a VW engine into a Ford one just by sticking a cover on it with a Ford badge. When I go to the VW dealer for parts it is indeed a VW Sharan. I have the engine code but unfortunately I have forgotten the registration. If I accidentally own up to it having had a Ford badge on it they tell me to get lost and go to a Ford Dealer. VW parts bought from the Ford dealer are a 'special order' item and are at least twice the price and take days to arrive apparently (I have never waited and get them from VW). Galaxys from 2006 onwards are actually Fords. I don't think VW are better than Ford - I just know my car is a VW.

Only the diesels and the 1.8T where VW engines, I am fairly certain the 2.3 petrol was a Ford lump. The manual gearbox was also Ford as far as I know but the unreliable Auto was apparently VW.

They were indeed all built in the same factory but you can't really say you Ford is a VW they were a collaborative effort by the three manufacturers.

And the reason Ford don't stock many engine parts is purely a cost issue, the old Galaxy has been out of production for around 10 years and most of them will rarely see a Ford dealer anymore.

Which parts have you been getting quoted twice the price for? If the are VAG parts it is always possible that VAG have fixed the price at which they will supply Ford at a level it makes the parts more expensive than when bought direct from VAG.

I know the same thing could happen with Volvo parts, such as the heater blower motor on the Focus/V50/S40, it was cheaper to buy the Focus one if you knew the part number, I bought it from a Volvo dealer, the part was indeed marked up as FoMoCo. And was cheaper to buy from Ford.

Bewar3them00n

bigjl wrote: »

I suggested the Cactus 1.2 to the wife, she wants a Fiat 500L next!

I would only have a diesel now if it was under manufacturers warranty and in a Lease or Contract Hire deal through our Company.

The 500L hasn't had that many decent reviews, I suggest doing your research first.
I can attest that the Cactus is fun to drive, and looks a damn sight better than the 500L!
As a new driver, I've really enjoyed driving it, and find any excuse to get in and drive.

RichardD1970

Bewar3them00n wrote: »

The 500L hasn't had that many decent reviews, I suggest doing your research first.
I can attest that the Cactus is fun to drive, and looks a damn sight better than the 500L!
As a new driver, I've really enjoyed driving it, and find any excuse to get in and drive.

Personally I didn't like it (the Cactus) had one as a courtesy car and couldn't wait to give it back.

Didn't like the way it drove or the interior.

Personal taste I know but I was embarrised to be seen in it

Robisere

Have not read any post past Page 1, life being short, etc. But I do run a C-Max 2.0 ltr TDci and I am very happy with it. I previously owned a Focus 1.6 petrol (awful) and before that one of the first C-Max 2.0 petrol models, which I loved but as has been said, was a little thirsty at around 30+ MPG. The current TDci does 45 to 50 and has 145 bhp, although it only does 50 on a long run: consider your weekly mileage before choosing a diesel. the latest TDci Ford C-Max has a little more bhp at 150.

I am 71 and find that the C-Max is friendly to my spinal damage, very comfortable. I can only drive an auto, due to the same spinal problem making my left leg and clutch foot useless. I can drive long journeys and get in and out without pain or discomfort. I am also 'granddad's Taxi' and take them, often with friends, to places near and far. We live in rural Lincolnshire: buses are infrequent in the week, absent on Sundays and bank holidays: just when teenagers want to meet mates and go to towns.

In short, I recommend the C-Max.

bigjl

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Personally I didn't like it (the Cactus) had one as a courtesy car and couldn't wait to give it back.

Didn't like the way it drove or the interior.

Personal taste I know but I was embarrised to be seen in it

I like French cars in general, always have.

They are usually comfortable, handle well and have character.

The ride comfort in the Picanto is more akin to a hot hatch than anything else, the Berlingo rides not far off an Executive class car.

Obviously Peugeot have only recently started to produce cars that you could consider good to look at with the 208, and clearly they have brought out some howlers in recent years like the 5008 or 3008 etc.

But the DS range, C3 Picasso, new C4 Picasso etc are more like it. I will admit to liking the C4 Cactus. And you can get a brand new 1.2 for the mid £12k mark apparently.

Though of late I have been watching some YouTube videos by Mighty Car Mods and have a feeling I might get myself back into a Subaru Legacy estate (BP5) at some point in the near future, most likely I will import it myself from Japan.

bigjl

Bewar3them00n wrote: »

The 500L hasn't had that many decent reviews, I suggest doing your research first.
I can attest that the Cactus is fun to drive, and looks a damn sight better than the 500L!
As a new driver, I've really enjoyed driving it, and find any excuse to get in and drive.

She like the looks and has no interest in how reliable it is sadly, she doesn't like the Picanto as its 3door even though she does 80miles a day ATM and the fuel saved alone would almost pay the HP payment!

bigjl

AdrianC wrote: »

Or Volvo owners are more likely to spend the money on getting their "premium-brand" car serviced properly.

AIUI, the 1.6TDCi DLD/1.6HDi DV6 was only ever built in France or the UK, though, not in Volvo's Skövde engine plant. Even if it was locally assembled for Volvo, the specification would be the same.

Done some Googling and Wiki says the Volvo 1.6d are made at Skovde.

As with all things on Wiki not sure how accurate that is.

gilbert_and_sullivan

bigjl wrote: »

have a feeling I might get myself back into a Subaru Legacy estate (BP5) at some point in the near future, most likely I will import it myself from Japan.

Please let us know how this goes would you, its something i wish to do in the next couple of years to get a totally rust free underbody (and properly maintained) 3.0 Outback 2005 ish, with cloth/velour upholstery, the combo of which i have never seen here, as you probably know its the rear subframes that suffer most.
I believe if the vehicle is over 10 years old, it makes testing and duties a lot less painful, plus avoiding the after March 2006 £500 VED stinger as a bonus.

It's finding the right contact in Japan, any help/info you could give should you do this would be much appreciated.

RichardD1970

bigjl wrote: »

I like French cars in general, always have.

They are usually comfortable, handle well and have character.

The ride comfort in the Picanto is more akin to a hot hatch than anything else, the Berlingo rides not far off an Executive class car.

Obviously Peugeot have only recently started to produce cars that you could consider good to look at with the 208, and clearly they have brought out some howlers in recent years like the 5008 or 3008 etc.

But the DS range, C3 Picasso, new C4 Picasso etc are more like it. I will admit to liking the C4 Cactus. And you can get a brand new 1.2 for the mid £12k mark apparently.

Though of late I have been watching some YouTube videos by Mighty Car Mods and have a feeling I might get myself back into a Subaru Legacy estate (BP5) at some point in the near future, most likely I will import it myself from Japan.

I generally like Citroens, I have a C4 Grand Picasso and will replace with a newer one when needed/finances allow.

The Cactus I had was brand new, 800 miles on the clock, don't know what spec but the steering was very light and offered no feedback, the engine felt well, just crap and the gear box imprecise and woolly!

As for the interior, didn't like that one bit seemed cheep and tacky, especially the big info screen that looked like it had just been stuck on willy-nilly with no attempt to integrate it into the fascia.

We also had a new C4 Picasso as well the following week and loved it. Again don't know the spec but it felt so much nicer, with a "proper" auto box and was a pleasure to drive.

Bewar3them00n

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Personally I didn't like it (the Cactus) had one as a courtesy car and couldn't wait to give it back.

Didn't like the way it drove or the interior.

Personal taste I know but I was embarrised to be seen in it

Thank god we don't all have the same tastes! How boring life would be!
It's bad enough on the roads, with all cars seemingly looking like clones of one another.
I was dreading having to choose, that's why I was drawn to the C4 Picasso, and then the C4 Cactus got its claws ( spines) into me....
I love the Cactus, love driving it, and actually, getting noticed on the roads is a plus in my book!
As soon as I saw the Cactus, I was woah!! That's different!, I like different, I was initially very wary, I mean, something this funky, can't be all good?! but after driving it, I was happy, the price was very good too, the wife liked it, so, all boxes ticked, looks good, under budget, drives well, economical, wife approves, son loves it, sold.
After now having it for a week or so, I realise I made the right choice, commutes to work, picking up and dropping off, navigating spaces I might struggle with in a bigger car.
Are there compromises? Of course, 2 car seats means a tight squeeze for an adult, but as 90% of the time it will be either just myself or wife and 2 little ones, that's not a problem.
Does it have some of the cabin luxury of some other family cars? No, but it's still well equipped, and as someone who has spent all his life cycling, or having to use public transport, it's luxury enough for me ( air con, sat nav, park assist, 2 USB ports, dab radio)....