Phaedrus

We got that 98 Alhambra. The only thing we don't like is that it doesn't have aircon. Other than that, we really like it. Reverse parallel parking is still a bit of an ordeal, but we'll get the hang of it :) Thanks to all of you for replying and helping. Mark

Thanks again, folks. We dropped that Sharan fast. You guys are all correct - what else would be lurking under the skin. Isn't it easy to get sucked into just the convenience of going for one of the first cars you look at? We've found a 55,000 mile (genuine), one owner, 1.9TDi 1998 Alhambra. No air-con, no CD player, no sunroof, no seat-back trays, but REALLY clean, FSH, and it's from the same dealer that sold it to it's original owner and serviced it. Expensive at

This was a 2.0 8-valve VW model, timing belt changed at 63,000 miles, according to docs. It was a bit tatty inside, with missing cubby & ashtray lids, driver's electric window didn't work, reasonably-well repaired light damage to the rear, cracked windscreen, rear air ventilation wasn't working, 3 speaker grilles were broken, missing trim bits here & there, rear light lens broken, a bit of blowing from the exhaust, and most importantly there was a gearbox/clutch noise when changing from 2nd to 3rd and from 4th back into 3rd - like I hadn't pressed the clutch pedal in far enough. I deliberately pressed really hard but the noise was still there. It happened on my wife's spin too. I put all this on a list which the sales guy photocopied, agreeing to fix everything on it before sale, in addition to a full service. I insisted that he give me details of how the crash damage (invisible unless you're looking for it) was received - there have been only two owners, and the 2nd was their customer (traded the Sharan against a newer Galaxy, aparrently), so it should be easy to find out. I'm thinking that it's not the car for us. We did like it, but there seem to be too many questions over it. That said, if everything on the list is fixed/addressed before sale, I might be happy enough. FWIW, they came down to

Thanks a lot for the replies, folks. Truly apreciated, specially as it now looks like we will be going for a Galaxy or a Sharan rather than a Picnic. We don't like the Previa style-wise and most of the engines seem to be either 2.2 or 2.4 deisels - we don't want an engine over 2-litre: road tax is really high in Ireland. We had a look at a few Picnics over the weekend and spoke with our regular local dealer/service garage. We weren't overly impressed with the Picnic, having been in a few Galaxies to refer impressions against. He actually recommended a Galaxy over a Picnic! Or at least, he didn't diss the Galaxy when we asked about it as an alternative. A couple of comments he did make were these: The petrols are harder to hide clocking than the deisels, but petrols won't be as likely to have been taxied. Deisels are more likely to have been taxied and clocking is harder to spot. 60,000 - 80,000 miles on a petrol (the type of mileage bracket my budget puts me in) is getting on a bit and problems could be just round the corner. Ford engines are not as strong as VW engines, and despite the Ford being a newer 16-valve unit, the older 8-valve VW is stronger/more reliable. Apparently the Ford engine can be prone to head gasket failure? Anyone aware of this or heared of it? I'm taking a half day today to go and look at one Sharan (1998, 2.0 petrol, 79,900 miles, GL-model (I suspect this is a mis-print - VW's base model is CL), asking price

Hi, This is my first post. I've tried searches for "problems", "faults", "checklist", etc, but can't seem to find anything. I apologise in advance for what is probably another of endless "I might want a Galaxy - please help me" questions. I guess a forum dedicated TO a particular model of car may not be the best place to ask what the bad points about that car are, but after a lot of web research and having been in numerous Galaxy/Alhambra taxis, I already know why I DO want a Galaxy. I'm trying to see if someone other than honestjohn.co.uk can tell me why I DON'T, as if honestjohn's appraisal wasn't enough to put me off. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=...bycar/index.htm My budget puts me in the 97/98 market. Preference would be a low mileage, 1.9TD GLX, but I can find 2.0 petrols far more easily, so a GLX 2.0 would also suit. The bigger engines aren't an option. My priorities are... 1. Reliability. 2. Low running costs. 3. Versatility. 4. Comfort/driving. 5. Passenger safety. 6. Security. We're being steered towards Toyota Picnics by the garage we've always dealt with and trusted, and I do like them, but the Galaxy seems to have more room, comfort and versatility. Given that the Picnic is a Toyota, and that my #1 priority is reliability, my head is telling me that the Picnic is the car for me, but the Galaxy is a much more attractive option from a passionate perspective. Picnics & Galaxys go for around the same money here (Dublin) for a given year, so purchase cost isn't a relative deciding factor. My situation is 5-piece family (me, wife, 6 year-old boy on a booster seat, 3 year-old girl on a booster seat, and a 7 month-old baby currently in a removeable baby seat, but soon upgrading to a larger fixed seat), occasionally carrying a couple of the kid's friends here & there, occasionally need to carry some band equipment (large amps/speakers, etc), couple of camping trips a year in Ireland - the usual family sort of stuff. I want a Galaxy, but I think I should get a Picnic. Not really into any of the other MPVs, and please, no-one mention Scenics. Mine has just blown it's head gasket and will cost