Galaxy -Petrol Or Diesel?

[Galaxyfan]

Previously had a 2.0 petrol galaxy and looking to buy a new one,I see that most ones for sale are diesel,are diesel better than petrol?Also are engine noiser on diesel

 

Thanks

[acecard]

Diesel engines are inherently noisier but nowhere near like they used to sound in earlier cars.

For me, buying diesel is a no-brainer for the fuel consumption figures.

Doubt if I could afford to run a petrol gal!

[Galaxyfan]

Do you have to warm up a Diesel engine when you first start up?

[gregers]

no not really tdi's have a booster heater fitted as these engines are very efficient they do not produce enough waste heat to heat the cabin.

[Galaxyfan]

I've always driven a petrol engine,would I notice any difference when driving a diesel?

 

Thanks for the replies

[acecard]

well maybe but it depends on how you drive - petrol engines will warm up faster in general and will be more responsive than diesel, again in general - but unless you are a boy racer (in which case you probably wouldn't be looking at a galaxy), theres no real problem about buying a diesel.

Personally, I had some reservations when first buying a diesel but have never looked back and would never go back to petrol. Diesel engines used to get a bad press but nowadays you really have nothing to worry about.

 

And you may of heard  of the old days where you turned the key on a diesel car, then waited 15 seconds before you were able to start it to give time for the glowplugs to warm up. Thats why diesels were probably not the best bank robbery getaway car! Now it is almost instantaneous.

 

As a matter of interest, what mpg did you get from your 2 litre petrol?

Edited February 7, 2013 by acecard

[Galaxyfan]

Not really sure to be honest,never really tested it properly,how much mpg do you reckon I'd get out of 2.3 petrol?

[gregers]

Not really sure to be honest,never really tested it properly,how much mpg do you reckon I'd get out of 2.3 petrol?

not as much as you got out of your 2ltr,lol.

i used to get around 38-45 mpg around town,and almost hit 60 mpg on a run,VERY SLOWLY I MUST ADD.

iirc seat kid gets some good mpg out of his 1.

[Galaxyfan]

Seen a 06 plate with 80,000 on clock,full ford service history and all receipts for £4500,do you think that price is ok or too high?

[gregers]

depends on which model,take a looksie on ebay or check out parkers to give you an idea on costs etc.

 

perhaps a few more details on the spec.

but sounds a great price on limited info.

[Galaxyfan]

It's a petrol 2.3 zetec and has only had 1 owner from new,is 80,000 mileage ok for a galaxy?

[acecard]

Its not excessive on modern cars - make sure timing belt has been changed

[Galaxyfan]

Is it true that short journeys are bad for Diesel engines?

 

I do roughly about 6,000 miles a year

[sparky Paul]

Very little difference in MPG between 2.0 and 2.3, in fact IIRC the 2.3 just edges it. The 2.0 struggles a bit with the Galaxy's big body.

 

2.3 has a timing chain, so no cambelt to worry about. The 2.3 engine is pretty bomb proof and will do big mileages, ditto the diesels.

 

Purely on running costs, I would go for a diesel. When I bought my Galaxy 9+ years ago, diesels for the same money were 2-3 times the mileage and a year or two older, and petrol was around 80p/litre. Now, I look back and realise how much the car has cost me in fuel and wish I had bought a diesel... but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

A diesel will use approximately 2/3rds the fuel of a petrol. Even if you are only planning to do 6000 miles a year, that's a saving of around £400 a year, and that soon adds up.

 

The only other option is a petrol with a LPG conversion. The petrol car will be cheaper, but if you are paying someone to fit the LPG kit, it will probably take it over the cost of an equivalent diesel.

Edited February 11, 2013 by sparky Paul

[mumble_bee]

I think if you're doing shorter in-town journey's you're probably better off with the petrol.

 

The tractors do give you a great torquey feel though and better residual value.

 

Personally switched from petrol to diesel, as I get older, drive further and lose more hair

[viperclive]

Hi, I've petrol 2.3 ghia X, best car I ever bought, had her converted to Lpg over 5 years ago at a cost of £1,500, never looked back got my outlay back in the first year as I travel a lot!! With Lpg at 75p per ltr I save stacks, got the economy of a diesel, a fast and responsive petrol engine, she has now done 220.750 miles and still gets me into trouble, got blipped by speed camera last night!! After reading about all the problems the diesels have on here I will be sticking without 2.3 as this engine just keeps going on and on, anyway good luck in your search.

[mumble_bee]

n1 viper - the 2.3 rox !

[Galaxyfan]

Had a look at the 2.3 petrol which was a 06 plate but didn't buy it because it had rust on one of the rear wheel arches,travelled 2 and half hours to see it as well :(

 

Anyone know of any other petrol galaxy's for sale?have a budget of £5000

[acecard]

www.vcars.co.uk often have a good selection