New Purchase Question - Which Model?

[Guest waherne]

Hi all,

 

I would be interested in your views on whether it is worth spending the extra money on the zetec - it's about a Eur4k difference on the 1.9TDI.

 

Also, does anyone have an update on when the new model will be released in the UK and Ireland? Should I hold off on buying now?

 

Thanks for this,

 

Will

[iainkirk]

All Galaxies delivered in UK since some time in December (from Ford dealers) are apparently to new spec.

[Guest The Doctor]

We had the same dilema, but we eventually went for the Zetec on the strength of the rotating front seats. We find them absolutely superb for picnicking with the kids. As far as my understanding goes they're not available on the LX.

[Taliska]

Hi,

 

We went for the Ghia 115bhp TDi import in Oct at 17600 - UK dealer wanted well over 20K (I forget how much exactly as it was not going to happen).

 

I knew the 130bhps were coming along, but couldn't easily get hold of one at a decent price. Umm'ed and ahh'ed a bit then decided that a fully loaded cheap 115 was the best option for me all round.

 

I still don't know whether the 130s are significantly 'better' than the 115s - someone will definitely have an opinion out there. The 115 seems to go fast enough and performs well enough for me and has acceptable consumption.

 

The rotating front seats seemed like a good idea to me too - have only used it once to have a play (it's not exactly picnicing season yet!) - only warning is... if you swivel the front seats round and have child-locks on in the back - getting out is entertaining for everyone, including onlookers! :angry:

 

Enjoy shopping for your car!

 

Taliska

[NikpV]

Can confirm the interesting situation with child loacks on the back, eventually found that with passenger seat forward the missus could get out without too much trouble. BTW we don't ususally picnic in the car in the 'Picnic season' its this sort of weather (winter) you need it for :angry:

 

 

Nik

[Guest waherne]

I am amazed to hear the new spec is already being sold in the UK. The dealers I spoke to hear are now aware of a new model coming in. Would Ford do you actually tell the dealers that one was coming in or would they prefer to have the old stock moved first?

 

Also, can you swivel the front seats while on the move, or must you get out of the vehicle to do it?

 

Thanks for this,

 

Will

[NikpV]

Ummm driver may have a problem :) , seatbelt does not work for passenger when facing backwards, so swivel seats only work whan stopped :angry:

[Dave-G]

"Also, can you swivel the front seats while on the move,"

 

:) Eh? :angry:

[seatkid]

Also, can you swivel the front seats while on the move, or must you get out of the vehicle to do it?

As I recall last time I tried mine, you need to have the door open while you swing them as well being stood outside and the position on the guide rails and seat backs in a suitable position.

 

It would be very dangerous, illegal and stupid to attempt to swing them while on the move.

 

Not a feature of any use in my opinion. Theres not enough leg room anyway. Marketing gimmick invented by Renault.

 

They also restrict access to the under seat floor cubby holes and you get your hand covered in grease if you put your hand underneath!

 

The flip up tables are slightly more useful but potentially a killer if in use when an accident occurs. :angry:

[Guest The Doctor]

All year is picnick time when you have a Galaxy. There's nothing better than swivelling around the seats and tucking in to your butties when it's pouring it down outside. Not a gimmick, but an "essential" family feature. Ours boys think so anyway!!!

[NikpV]

Our kids would agree with you - in fact our daughter (4) prefers the civilisation, out of the wind, Sun(sometimes) , no creepy crawlies and music - I think she misses the point somehow.

 

Nik :angry:

[Guest The Doctor]

And another thing, I can't believe someone quibbled about leg room. Using only the rear set of seats, the whole things like a stretch limo!!!

[HJT]

Same here. The rotating seats are excellent. we use them all year round. I have also left the child locks on after rotating the seats, it's something you only do once :angry: Also I would recommend the Zetec as the LX doesn't have the parking sensors and these are a really useful item parking a car of this size.

 

Howard

[Taliska]

Definitely agree Howard about the parking sensors - very, very useful!

 

Taliska

[HJT]

Just had a thought about the rotating seats/child lock thing. What I should have done, rather than clambering over the seats and contorting myself to get out the car, I should have just opened the window and stuck my hand out and opened the door. Ah well, hindsight is a wonderful thing!

 

Howard

[Guest The Doctor]

Definately agree with parking sensor thing. A really useful feature which makes our Galaxy much easier to drive than our old Focus estate. My wife swears by them, she can get within an inch of the garage in no time at all, not to mention reverse parking, although she tells me now she's just bumped into our garage door this morning!!! Turn the radio off, otherwise you wont hear the parking sensor!!!

[Dave-G]

"Also, can you swivel the front seats while on the move,"

 

:huh: er Do we make allowances for mondeo drivers? ;)

[italiastar]

Can I recommend the Alhambra - you get much more value for your money. The SE even has things that the Ghia doesn't have. It's fully loaded with all the extras as standard at a cheaper price and I found the dealers much easier to deal with and willing to negotiate. In the end they are ALL the same car from the same production line - I bet the SEAT (and possibly the Ford) badge has VW stamped on the rear. Give one a try and lets us know what you think.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

But it depends on the staff and attitude at your local dealer. Gave mine 4 months to find a used facelifted TDI SE under

[Taliska]

If there are really good deals to be had, then it's most likely to be on Galaxys as Ford ships more than Seat (probably VW too - anyone know?) and there's sometimes plenty of stock lying around (quite a few in a compound near Marchwood, Southampton).

 

When I was looking in Sept / Oct last year, cheap 115 bhp Galaxys were a plenty and boy were they moving what stock they had fast!

 

You have to be happy with your dealers - Seat dealers are often few and far between so choice can be more limited - if you get a dud one, you may be stuck with them for a long while if you want to use an 'approved' dealer.

 

True the Alhambra is better spec'ed for the money than the others.

 

At the end of the day, it's your money and you buy what you want from whom you most feel comfortable buying it from.

 

All the best...

 

Taliska

[italiastar]

Ivor,

 

I couldn't agree more. I started looking in May 2003. As soon as I mentioned TDI they tried to talk me out of it "do you do high mileage" "they are more expensive" they are more difficult to find" etc etc which losely translated to "we haven't got one, but we've got loads of petrol ones to sell you"

 

I agree that I don't do the mileage, but I'd sooner see 40mpg than 20 mpg everytime I drive the car and it should be much easier to sell - in any case it's the one I wanted. All dealers (Ford/VW/SEAT) were the same including the independants. Thats's why I eventually gave up and bought new - the Seat dealers were the only ones who took me seriously - in the end I had 4 cracking deals on the table and I chose the most helpful / closest dealer.

 

Anyone after after a petrol should shop around - theres loads of them - also why not try a good ex-fleet one from an auction - I've never done it, but would be tempted. Good diesels are very hard to find. In particular I think good TDI Seats are very hard to find as most of them are in private hands like mine, and were hardly going to part with them very soon.

[Taliska]

Pray tell, why would anyone want a petrol one? <_<

 

Taliska

[NikpV]

When we looked at buying (autumn 02) we looked at lots of variations - I test drove a GAL(pertol) first but at the time the missus couldn't come with me so we then test drove peugeot 806 very helpful sales but after 3 weeks couldn't find the trim level Hdi we wanted (too much like a minibus we decided), alhambra petrol (very off sales staff) 'TDI you'll be lucky' and without being able to remember the details the trim level/mileage could no compare for the price we eventually paid. After testing 4 or 5 different cars the missus went and tried the GAL - she came back and said the GAL was better than any others we had tried and why were we looking at others???? In the end we got a Y Reg GHIA auto 1.9Tdi with 19k miles with 18months warranty left for

[Taliska]

Funny, my wife preferred the look of the Alhambra - something to do with not having the 'orrible analogue clock in the dash.

 

Seat dealer was being rather unhelpful - didn't offer a test drive in it so thought 'pooh to you' and bought a darling Gal instead.

 

Taliska

[italiastar]

In my view the cars are basically all the same especially the diesels 'cos they've all got the same engine. originally I preferred the look of the Ford, but wanted the VW - SEAT wasn't even in the running.

 

The Ford salesmen and one woman in five different dealerships were all very sharp and not interested in my requirements. Not one offered a test drive and when they eventually gave me a price it was alway too high and followed by what do you think. When I tried to negotiate they always had to discuss it with the mysterious manager (do they actually exit) and came back with more room to negotiate.

 

The three VW dealerships were just not interested in negotiating, the price was in the book and they seemed to be doing me a fovour by charging me