New Galaxy Vrs Alhambra

[007fair]

Hello all .. Or just hello newbie trainees .. whever is here

 

I replace my touran at the end of the year .. Thought the S Max would be brilliant.. and i believe it is but the rear seats are very sqashed and my kids are getting too big for them. So looked at the galaxy and yes its bigger ... but the rear seats are still occasional An adult CAN get in them but not on comfort and also trying to get them up once folded is a back breaker (Compared to the touran seats anyway)

 

While looking at the Galaxy we sent over and had a look at the Alhambra (next door dealer) and the rear most seats were by far the better - bigger more comfy etc Also with both seats up the kids could still squeeze in though the gap between them ... can't happen in the Galaxy

 

Also its a good thing in some ways to keep the seats on board but it means the floor height is very high... I liked the fact you could take a seat right out and have a van ... in the new one the floor level when the seat is folded is right up a the height of the unfolder seat cushon so If you have a bike there or something similar its way higher and less stable than before

 

...Then on Closer look the basic Alhambra has Climate, Rear elec windows a 140 bhp Diesel .. much better spec and cheaper than the basic Galaxy (which is not recommended with the 100bhp engine)

 

So Although the alhambra looks older for sure.. to me it seems like a better buy ?

 

Any comments? Or do i wait for a post in the big boys forums?

[007fair]

sorry ..I have just read my own post. Punctuation, spelling and general typing are abysmal! I'll do better next time!

[mumof4]

tut tut...LOL..

 

 

I personally dont like the MKIII..If you did want a galaxy...you could go for the MKII..seats come out etc....Plus different models = different specs.The bamma would be the better buy than the MKIII...My personal opinion of course.

[007fair]

Cheers Mum.. Do you think the 'bamma' is better for the reasons I gave or are there others in your option ?

 

Also do you think I will get much in a way of a reply to this topic in this 'trainee' forum?

[mumof4]

I will move the topic for you if it sets your mind at ease..

 

only one other i can think off....i really dont like the MKIII Galaxy...but im biased as i love the MKII.

 

 

If when you first look at a car and your initial impression is that you dont like it..walk away from it..as the longer you look at it..the more you will convince yourself that you do.

[NikpV]

would definitely go for the alhambra or look at a Sharan over a new Mk3 or smax - we were undecided but having just taken the 3 monsters and the gremlin (MIL) on holiday in devon the flexibility afforded by having 2 seats in the 2nd and 3rd rows leaving a gap behind the passenger seat was brilliant. Still had room for buggy and rucksacks and picnic box etc.

 

The child/toddler/adult seats makes a huge difference to us (kids 7 5 and 2 ish), we have 3 of these seats which can all fit in the second row or 3rd row :P :P

[mikeohope]

Hi all,

 

I looked at an S- MAX before buying my MK2, I was really impressed by it but then my kids are 6yrs , 3yrs and 6 months so the smaller back row seats are not really an issue.

 

That said I understand that it is actually 50mm bigger inside than the MK2 Galaxy?

 

I did also test drive a MK3 Gal and was very impressed by it. The negative point was the almost deckchair like rear seats but I guess you could offset that by not having to take them out as they do lay flat when you fold them down.

 

Whilst I really like the drive of my MK2 Gal I have become serioulsy dismayed at the poor build quality.

 

Very surprising given I had always thought VW's were considered semi prestige.

 

I have had several issues to deal with on my car, mostly internal trim stuff.

 

It seems the way the trim is fitted to the car is a bit of a bodge I am sure that Ford would not design some of the details I find in my car? In fact going by previous Fords I have owned I know they wouldn't.

 

Today I got my Gal serviced. The dealer rang to say the spare wheel mechanism was seized.

 

Its only 18 months old for heavens sake. They are changing it over on Wednesday under Warranty but sometimes I reckon manufacturers try to be too clever. I know they want to avoid you having to take the seats out to get at a spare but surely it wouldn't have been that much of a bind?

 

I might just revisit the MK3 in early 2008 dependent on how my Mk2 is behaving by then!

[Tommie1]

I have driven a Galaxy TDI 90 HP from 99-2002, and then a Sharan TDI 130 HP from 2003 till 2006. Surely the Sharan is the same as the Alhambra.

 

I liked those cars at that moment, but to me they are not comparable to the new Galaxy.

The new Galaxy is a lot less noisy, and the road behaviour is so much better.

The seat concept is different. PErsonally I never liked the fact that when I needed some space, that I had to take out the seats, and store them in a garage or worse somewhere in house.

 

For me, the Sharan and Alhambra are really dated cars. I would never buy them unless you get a very good discount.

Of course you have some MKIII haters in this forum, ... who do not like the outside design.

 

Well... I do like the new design, and I will be very pleased when I get my Galaxy.

 

PS: never ever be tempted to buy a Citroen C8 instead. I have it now, and believe me, I never drove a car that is worse, and I was never served worse in any workshop.

[mumof4]

Of course you have some MKIII haters in this forum, ... who do not like the outside design.

 

I told you..purely cosmetic reasons.. :lol:

[insider]

Women and their cosmetics! ^_^

 

Perhaps if you gave the Mk III a makeover it would be more desirable? ^_^

[mumof4]

Fraid i very rarely use cosmetics...aint got a clue how to use em.lol...

[sixbouys]

The Mk III Galaxy has the 5 Star ENCAP safety award, not sure that the Seat or VW have this, I believe only the Espace, C8 and Peugot had this before.

[Bigjeeze]

OK Then we'll sell our Gals,Shals and Al's cos the Ford has a better NCAP rating!!

[mumof4]

they might have a better NCAP rating..but their sevice is crap!

[tim-spam]

The Mk. 1 achieved a 3 star rating (before it was fashionable!). The Mk. 2 has never been tested, but has been substantially improved - should be 4 star or better, I would have thought.

 

By the way, I agree that the latest Alhambra is definitely better than the Galaxy Mk. 3. Ironically, the build quality seems considerably better too - probably the result of several year's development, but the new one I tried felt very solid indeed.

[AndyBee]

Of course, the current Alhambra is effectively a Mk2 Galaxy, so if you prefer an Alhambra, why not also consider a used Galaxy - same car, but cheaper still.

 

We have had a Mk3 Galaxy now for 11 months and previously had several Mk2s (at least 6 of them !). I would say the biggest benefits of the MK3 are the way it drives and the overall space. To respond to oo7fair's original comments:

 

In particular the The MK3 handles FAR better than the MK2 - take the Alhambra and Galaxy 3 for a test drive on a twisty road and you'll know what I mean. The new Galaxy is also far more stable and refined at motorway speeds. I used to find the relative instability of the MK2 at higher speeds made for a more tiring experience - at 70mph (or maybe a little higher :lol: ) I was always having to correct the steering slightly, whereas the MK3 is completely stable at those speeds and beyond.

 

In terms of space, I find we can get as much luggage in the MK3 with all seats occupied as we did in the MK2 with one seat completely taken out. I agree with the comment about load space height with the fold flat seats (although I haven't measured it to confirm the actual difference), and this is really a personal decision - on balance I very rarely use the Galaxy as a van with all seats folded, but do regularly fold say one of the back seats down for a short time to make more luggage space and the fold flat versions are obviously much much better in this respect. The MK2 seats always bugged me by taking up a huge chunck of space in the car when folded, or, if they were removed it was a hassle, clogged up the garage or hall, and then when I needed the seat away from home, it was probably not in the car anyway :lol: I also found the rear seat space in the Mk2 to be quite limited, and headroom in particular made it only an option for adults over short journeys, but I actually think the MK 3 is better - don't forget that the seats slide backwards quite a way to increase legroom. I agree with your point about not being able to get in to the back seats on the Mk3 from the boot (although it doesn't stop my kids !), but having lived with this, I find it a huge benefit when loading up the boot with holiday gear - you can securely and safely pack bags, etc against the solid seat back without them falling forward between the seats or onto the heads/backs of the rear passengers ! I think the sliding 2nd row seats make access to the rear seats from the side door better anyway, so access overall is better in my view.

 

We have 5 children so need every inch of space, and regularly do longer motorway journeys, so, for us, the MK III is a much better car. However, if you don't need the extra space, can live with the seats and generally just drive around town, the MKII/Alhambra is still a good choice.

 

By the way, make sure you research prices - there are big discounts available on the new Galaxy, and presumably the Alhambra, so don't use the brochure price for price comparisons purposes.

 

Good luck !

[mumble_bee]

I wasnt a fan of the mk3 at all, until today, I sat in a new one at the ford dealers in dunstable.. it took my breath away.

I had considered going for the s-max, and tbh the ford sales ppl are pushing the s-max more. but when I sat in this gal on a ghia spec ++++ extras (

[big_kev]

The Mk III Galaxy has the 5 Star ENCAP safety award, not sure that the Seat or VW have this, I believe only the Espace, C8 and Peugot had this before.

 

I worry more about the driver than the vehicle.

[explorer999111]

Hi everyone. 1st post - oops sorry didn't introduce myself.

 

Just picked up my new MKIII Galaxy having part ex'd a Renault Espace and thought I'd let you know what I thought of it.

The Espace is similar to the Alhambra/Galaxy2/Sharan in terms of seating arrangement and space. This was the biggest shock (I say shock because I bought without seeing or a test drive) as the seating set up is different as mentioned by AndyBee. I agree with everything he has said.I loved the comfy chairs and feeling of space in my Renault and the fact one could arrange the seats in a 2+2+2 configuration. The kids could walk in between them etc etc. The Galaxy has a more car like feel to it and the seats are physically smaller although all can be shifted on rails and recline.

 

Once you get over that shock it all gets better. I believe there is actually more room in the Galaxy than the Espace - it just doesn't feel as though there is. The middle outer seats slide right forward allowing easy access to the rear (assuming you don't have huge child seats on them like we do...lol). The fold flat seats are pretty neat.

I can see what Ford are trying to do in terms of making a useable boot space and I actually think it's a good compromise in the set up. I use a huge top box when going on holiday so luggage space was never a big issue.The car looks great and drives/handles even better. I'm 6'03" and could happily sit in the 3rd row seats for an extended journey. Bags of room - just doesn't feel like it. 1.8 TDci engine appears great. All in all I'm very happy.

 

We're driving to France next week so look forward to seeing how the Galaxy will fare. I think my wife would have preferred a MkII/Al/Sharan but I'm hoping she'll have changed her mind upon our return. I'll keep you posted

[mumble_bee]

hey explorer, good luck for your france trip, let us know how the gal performed and welcome btw.

[tim-spam]

In particular the The MK3 handles FAR better than the MK2 - take the Alhambra and Galaxy 3 for a test drive on a twisty road and you'll know what I mean. The new Galaxy is also far more stable and refined at motorway speeds. I used to find the relative instability of the MK2 at higher speeds made for a more tiring experience - at 70mph (or maybe a little higher :( ) I was always having to correct the steering slightly, whereas the MK3 is completely stable at those speeds and beyond.

In terms of driveability, it is important to compare like with like. When I drove a new Galaxy with only around 2000 miles on the clock, of course it felt better than my Alhambra with 92000 miles on the clock. However, I have recently tried a 2007 Sharan (2.0TDI), and the comparison with this is therefore much more appropriate. In my opinion, there is little to choose between the two: the Galaxy has the edge on refinement (the 2007 Sharan is considerably better than earlier ones, by the way), but the Sharan has better perfomance. In terms of handling, both are very good (even when pushed), but the Sharan feels slightly more wieldy (it is, after all, a little smaller), and the Galaxy a little smoother. The biggest difference, however, was a bit of a surprise - the Galaxy seemed a little prone to creaks and rattles, whereas the Sharan felt rock solid.

As regards the comments on high-speed stability, I find these a little puzzling - I have always found the Alhambra to be rock solid, even at very high speeds, with very little need for steering correction.

 

However, were I in the market for a brand new large MPV at the moment, my shortlist would probably include both the Galaxy and the Sharan/Alhambra, and the choice would probably come down to price / specification. One other point, I find the size of the Alhambra to be ideal - it occupies very little more road / parking space than a Passat / Mondeo, and I think that making the new Galaxy larger and less flexible in its seating would count against it for me.

Edited August 20, 2007 by tim-spam

[hp4020]

New Alhambra due next year I believe.

[Tommie1]

I have had the Galaxy MkI 90 Hp TDI, the Sharan mkII 130 Hp TDI , and a C8 110 Hp HDI. And I will get the Galaxy MkIII 125 HP in about one month.

 

The Galaxy MkI was not bad, but noisy and a bit slow. For 6 people plenty of space.

 

The Sharan was so far the best one. Splendid engine, very economic, but also quite noisy which makes using a phone or just talking difficult above 60 mph.

 

The C8, I am not going to comment. It is the worst car I have ever had. Engine is a disaster and it even feels slower than the 90 hp Galaxy I had before... Never again, the service of Citroen is a complete disaster. Last year my car was in the workshop for more than 2 months in total. I knew the number of the workshop by hart. Only plus: low noise (but what do you want, the engine is not giving any power)

 

Why did I now choose the Galaxy and not a Sharan?

 

First of all, I was a bit bored and did not like to get the same model again (after all there was only a small facelift). s

The Sharan is simply too noisy and behaves not good on wet roads. Wheels are spinning too easily, and wet curves are an adventure even with the ESP when you are a bit in a hurry. Last: the NCAP rating is rather poor...

 

I also really like the FFS. Taking seats out is a hard job and the seats are heavy.

 

In 3-4 years I might reconsider a Sharan, but only when they bring out a new model which is less noisy.

[matt1e]

MkIII gal better handling than an alhambra ? You must have been in a base model !

 

I have a 2003 SE and as that has the sports suspension (eibach) as standard.

 

Thought that the new Gal was smoother but down to the fact the suspension is softer and it rolled a lot more in the windy bits.

Engine wasn't as spritely as my 130 either, but then it may just need to be loosened up.

 

Space in the bammer in those rear most seats is worse agreed !

 

get a dealer used bammer SE (or whatever they call the top spec) and you have a fully loaded car nice and cheap.

 

PS New Bammer is due end 2008 on a stretched Passat platform.

 

The Saran models are all more luxury oriented - seat is sport oriented. (vag covering all angles !).

[carlos fandango]

Bit of recent experience on this one. I was looking for a large MPV purely as a good compromise tow-car. I had it in my mind that the Alhambra was the vehicle for me and at first glance it looks great. I was (for some reason) put right off the Mk 3 Galaxy, but decided to test drive one, just to put my mind at rest. Well, it just blew me away - the quality and performance were fantastic. I went from the Ford dealer to the next door dealer for an Alhambra test drive. I had only just pulled out onto the main road before I uttered the imortal words to the Salesman " Sorry Mate, we're just wasting each others time with this one!". The Alhambra did not even come close to the Galaxy in terms of driving and practical experience. As I write this I have a 6 month old ford direct Galaxy on the drive which I've had for a week. It had been great so far, I'm looking frorward to getting the 'van hooked up and giving it a real test!