Hello Brand New Here

[polishrose]

As the description says I just bought a galaxy today-drove to Brighton from Cheltenham to get it as it was loads cheaper than any cars here.It's an N reg,2 litre version,GLX.I used to have a VW Sharan which was lovely, then a mitsubishi spacewagon which is evil and has caused me no end of problems,so I got the galaxy instead.It's a little bit tatty and obviously not perfect but I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with it.I could do with a bit of advice though about thr following things please..

1)The driver's side door doesn't shut properly unless it's given a good push from the outside(obviously not practical when travelling alone)-is the door latch adjustable at all?

2)The car seems a bit sluggish at higher speeds-seems to take a while for the revs to go up and it's slow to go down too.Also the revs when travelling in 5th at 60-70mph are just over 3000...isn't that a bit high?

3)The steering wheel seems a bit "grindy" when I turn it in a full circle-in both directions.

and lastly 4)Braking at speed makes the steering wheel go a bit juddery-is that tracking?

Thank in advance for reading-my kids are excited that they don't have to walk to school any more(an hour's walk one way)

 

Kasia-mum of 5 and 1 on the way :)

[Saif Rehman]

As the description says I just bought a galaxy today-drove to Brighton from Cheltenham to get it as it was loads cheaper than any cars here.It's an N reg,2 litre version,GLX.I used to have a VW Sharan which was lovely, then a mitsubishi spacewagon which is evil and has caused me no end of problems,so I got the galaxy instead.It's a little bit tatty and obviously not perfect but I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with it.I could do with a bit of advice though about thr following things please..

1)The driver's side door doesn't shut properly unless it's given a good push from the outside(obviously not practical when travelling alone)-is the door latch adjustable at all?

2)The car seems a bit sluggish at higher speeds-seems to take a while for the revs to go up and it's slow to go down too.Also the revs when travelling in 5th at 60-70mph are just over 3000...isn't that a bit high?

3)The steering wheel seems a bit "grindy" when I turn it in a full circle-in both directions.

and lastly 4)Braking at speed makes the steering wheel go a bit juddery-is that tracking?

Thank in advance for reading-my kids are excited that they don't have to walk to school any more(an hour's walk one way)

 

Kasia-mum of 5 and 1 on the way :)

 

Hi Kasia, welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your stay here and find all your queries answered. Watch out for a few members - i won't name them but they do crop up now and again, but honestly, they are a good bunch.

 

Mum of 5, soon to be 6? Wow, congratulations :) you'll be needing a minibus soon!

 

Oh btw, we have mumof4 here too................mumof6 sounds nice.

 

Back to questions:

 

1. Has the door been damaged in anyway? Does the door line up properly at the top and sides? I don't know if the door latch is adjustable (too dark to go out and check) Someone here will probably confirm.

2. Sorry, don't know as i drive a diesel.

3. Check tyres for equal wear, pressures, power steering fluid, and belt.

4. Steering wheel juddering at speed suggest warped brake discs.

 

Kasia, has the car been serviced? If not or don't know, can i suggest that you get a competent mechanic to give it a service and thorough check over as you rely on your vehicle to travel with your little ones.

[polishrose]

Hi Kasia, welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your stay here and find all your queries answered. Watch out for a few members - i won't name them but they do crop up now and again, but honestly, they are a good bunch.

 

Mum of 5, soon to be 6? Wow, congratulations :) you'll be needing a minibus soon!

 

Oh btw, we have mumof4 here too................mumof6 sounds nice.

 

Back to questions:

 

1. Has the door been damaged in anyway? Does the door line up properly at the top and sides? I don't know if the door latch is adjustable (too dark to go out and check) Someone here will probably confirm.

2. Sorry, don't know as i drive a diesel.

3. Check tyres for equal wear, pressures, power steering fluid, and belt.

4. Steering wheel juddering at speed suggest warped brake discs.

 

Kasia, has the car been serviced? If not or don't know, can i suggest that you get a competent mechanic to give it a service and thorough check over as you rely on your vehicle to travel with your little ones.

 

Hi-thanks for the welcome :)

Don't think the door has been damaged -it just doesn't seem to shut properly.I can probably pick up a new door latch at the local scrapyard tomorrow if it's not adjustable.

Tyres seem OK and I don't think it's the power steering fluid -it seems more like something grinding around in there if that makes sense.

The brake discs probably do need doing as the yellow advisory with the mot says they need replacing soon,so I'll get that done tomorrow.

I will be taking the car to a mechanic tomorrow to get him to look at it,but I think it's OK,just a few niggly things to sort out.(The passenger side window doesn't open from the driver's button,the electric mirrors don't work etc etc)

[gregers]

as saif has said defo get your mechanic to give it a good going over,especially the steering problems you have?that way you will know what needs doing.

i think the latch is adjustable either on the door or the pillar,

the window problems are most likely to be fraid wires in the door boot/s,take a looksie in the faqs in the tech section of the forum for the instructions on how to mend them.

 

oh and welcome to the forum,were all here to help where we can.but not with your kids :D,

5 and another on the way congrats on the imminent new arrival,but can i say BUY A TELE its cheaper :) :)

[polishrose]

as saif has said defo get your mechanic to give it a good going over,especially the steering problems you have?that way you will know what needs doing.

i think the latch is adjustable either on the door or the pillar,

the window problems are most likely to be fraid wires in the door boot/s,take a looksie in the faqs in the tech section of the forum for the instructions on how to mend them.

 

oh and welcome to the forum,were all here to help where we can.but not with your kids :D,

5 and another on the way congrats on the imminent new arrival,but can i say BUY A TELE its cheaper :) :)

 

But there's never anything on TV :D

[Scorpiorefugee]

But there's never anything on TV :)

 

Get the other half to put his overalls on and get his spanners out. From what you've said it should kkep him busy for a bit. :)

[polishrose]

But there's never anything on TV :D

 

Get the other half to put his overalls on and get his spanners out. From what you've said it should kkep him busy for a bit. :)

 

No chance....he'd wreck it LOL.Little update-after driving it for a bit this morning the steering wheel suddenly stopped juddering and the brakes are nice and smooth now :) The door I have found shuts OK if I do it gently rather than normally-weird but as long as it shuts I'm happy.I'm taking it to the mechanic tomorrow anyway for an oil change as it's black and gungy and there's twice as much in there as there should be(I presume that's not a good thing?) and I'll get him to check the brakes at the same time :D

I need to sort out a lap belt for the middle seat in the second row as I didn't notice till I got home that it's been cut :D I also need a seat belt for the seat next to it as it's quite a bit shorter than the other seats.My reverse light is temperamental and only works if the gear is pushed right back in reverse position.That's about it I think.I got wipers today as the old ones were very tatty.

[Scorpiorefugee]

It allsounds as if it has been just standing around neglected for a while so an oil change should see it off and running. With a bit of luck you've got a good one. :) Edited November 9, 2009 by Scorpiorefugee

[polishrose]

It allsounds as if it has been just standing around neglected for a while so an oil change should see it off and running. With a bit of luck you've got a good one. :)

 

It's definitely been neglected.Oil change is being done tomorrow morning after the school run.Starts first time every time so far so I'm happy.

[dipsomaniac]

don't worry too much about the reversing lights as they are not an mot item. if in cheltenham take a trip to harry bucklands for the seat belts Edited November 10, 2009 by dipsomaniac

[mumof4]

Welcome to the forum Kasia and many congrats on the bun in the oven.... :) Sounds like your a hands on kinda gal which is nice to see. Not many of us about.. lol.

 

You will fit in well on here.. the lads will make you most welcome. friendly lot they are. :D

[big_kev]

battered, leaking water, squeals like a pig in muck, rattles and clangs, thirsty on the fuel, knackered ,nearly at the end of her days.

 

Is that your profile Hun ?

[mobile armchair]

:) Welcome! You've had plenty of help from all on here re door latch, steering, brake disks. The oil change and service may well solve the sluggishness. I had a 2-litre petrol in times gone by, and a set of good quality plug leads made an enormous difference to the performance once it reached a certain age and mileage. It seemed the spark was weak because the standard fit Ford ones were just not up to the job. Best of luck with the Gal and the imminent arrival.