Which Car Would You Choose

[Grumpy]

I totaly agree with the comments on the different driving styles of auto V manual. My Gal is auto and my Xantia is manual, I drive the Gal a lot more sedatley (whether or not the family are on board). Mind you the other difference between the Gal and Xantia is the fuel computer on the Gal, I always like to see this displaying as high a reading as poss and this does affect my driving style.

 

Autos are much more relaxing, especially in traffic and lets face it even on an open road you are unlikely to be attacking your fav B road with gusto in a Gal!

 

If auto boxes go wrong they can be very expensive to fix, mine did, the warranty paid most of it.

 

In the end get whatever you feel most comfortable with.

 

As regards to economy, my Gal has reported 46MPG on a long run (mix of M'way and A roads) but overall seems to average around 31 based on total qty of fuel bought over the last 1 1/2 years. The school run is normally in the 20's

[NikpV]

I would definitely advise going for the highest spec possible if buying second hand, the price difference is negligible.

 

Definitly advise not to buy the 2.0L.

 

For economy rather than a diesel you could always look for a "suicide bomber" ...sorry, that should be LPG conversion.

 

Umm I wonder if there is much difference in torque with the lpg conversion :lol:

[big_kev]

Umm I wonder if there is much difference in torque with the lpg conversion :lol:

 

I ain't gonna bite......yet !

[NikpV]

Umm I wonder if there is much difference in torque with the lpg conversion :D

 

I ain't gonna bite......yet !

 

ahhh go on you know you want to :lol: :lol: :lol: ;)

[AndeeeH]

quote name='NikpV' post='104201' date='Mar 30 2007, 18:29:57']Umm I wonder if there is much difference in torque with the lpg conversion :lol:

 

I ain't gonna bite......yet !

 

ahhh go on you know you want to :lol: :lol: :D :D

 

How many posts did that come to? ;) Andy

[teresa]

Blue dashboard???..mines black,..are there really blue ones out there??..I like my Gal, but i wish i had a diff colour interior!!..beige and kids just don't mix well!

yes maz they did a blue MINE was blue same as my seats and carpets lol :lol:

[Guest jonny_boy]

Hi 2 further cars have arisen but now i have a tough choice as money tight.

 

Choice 1:

 

Ford Galaxy 2.3 Zetec Automatic 99 T 89k, rcl, service history, alloys, privacy, elec front win, elec mirrors.

[mumof4]

Hmmm...toughy....automatic will cost more in petrol in comparison to the diesel.If you are going to be doing loadsa miles in it, then i would go dor the diesel.But as you say money is tight...then really the final choice is yours.I cant comment on an auto, only a diesel as i have never driven an auto., could always see if he is willing to haggle on the price?say accept 3500??..

[Guest jonny_boy]

Hi Mumof4 , yeh thats what im hoping. I called up earlier in the week as it was arriving today and asked if he was flexible on the price.

He did say he may be able to shift to 3750 maybe lower. Then again that was before it had arrived and he already had a number of people to call to let them know when it arrives, so i think interest will be high and he may hold out on price, if its not already sold.

 

Hey ho, i'll have to check tomorrow when i call him.

[mumof4]

If you get in there and he is willing to drop the price..then id go for the diesel.

[Guest jonny_boy]

Sorry can you clarify on the diesel? Does it matter if you do high mileage or not to have a diesel? Even if you do low mileage the mpg must still be alot better than petrol so makes sense, or is there something else?

[mumof4]

is the same low or high milaege..some of the peeps on here have their own views etcc...me...i do high miles anyway as im always getting lost.I covered 1023 miles on tues/weds this week...sometimes i dont do very many miles at all.i cant remember all the arguments, but id go for a diesel no matter how many miles you do.

[NikpV]

if you do high mileage the better economy of the diesel gives you a better return on the extra you have to pay - if you only do a few miles then you are not going to save enough money to justify he higher cost of buying a diesel (over a resonable period of time anyway)

 

eg say you do 10k per year and diesel costs

[bingo nightly]

As already mentioned, I guess it really depends on what you are going to use the car for, and how many miles you do. However, despite me not being a particular advocate of diesels, I would go for the Tdi, as its lower mileage, higher spec. and manual. The fuel costs saving compared to a petrol auto will be considerable in the long term, and will more than cover the initial price difference.

[big_kev]

And remember you will get more for the diesel when you sell it on

[Guest jonny_boy]

Thanks for the advice. Unfort for this instance all irrelevant as diesel went straight away with first appt and zetec was very neglected.

So the search continues ......

[Guest jonny_boy]

Hi can anyone tell me what the standard (not optional) eqpt a 98 R reg 1.9 Tdi Sharan SE would have.

I check parkers but that only states from 99 so not much help?

 

Also does anyone know at what sort of mileage the cambelt should be changed on this car?

 

Im looking to but one with 83k on it, last service was at 70k but no record of cambelt changed so want to know

if needs to be done straight away or get away with normal service?

 

Thanks

[Guest jonny_boy]

Hi i appreciate this may be biased but would like to know what people think about comparing a mk1 sharan/galaxy/alhambra vs a mk1 zafira??

 

Give me all the gen you have on both and why you think one is better than the other?

 

Cheers

[tiny]

I suppose the obvious difference is the size, the Galxy and variants are a custom built MPV whereas the Zafira is based on the astra chassis/running gear.

 

the Galaxy is a true 7 seater and the zafira is a 5+2 with 2 fold down seats in the boot, so therefore the zaf' may be more practical for someone who only occasionally needs the 7 seats and possibly with not much in the way of luggage when you have a full compliment of passengers (Not that the gal' has that much boot space with all 7 seats in). I regularly have 6 people in my galaxy plus suitcases and a pushchair and whilst It could be described as "full to the gunwales" it copes admirably.

 

I imagine the overall running costs are lower for the vauxhall.

 

There is an ex Gal owner on the forums that now has a Zaffy, if I new his name you could ask his opinion (Perhaps a Mod' can help?)

[tiny]

What Car for your Car!

 

Above is a link to the what car site covering your model, I've always found WhatCar to be a not bad source of info, the only problem is the options list isnt always that accurate- electric front windows "not available" for instance.

Edited April 12, 2007 by tiny

[mumof4]

I have merged all threads to do with this subject,.6 of them!!

[tiny]

And now its even harder to follow....lol

[mumof4]

I did read through it to make sure it all flowed......i thought it would be better to have all the questions and answers in one place.

[big_kev]

I suppose its ok if you can multi-task