Why Should I Buy One?

[Guest AlanA]

Hi all.

I am after your help.

I am looking to buy a new MPV, not after the seven seats, I want the space.

I am looking at four models,

Galaxy Ghia 130 TDi

Renault Espace Initiale 2.2 HDi

Citroen C8 Exclusive Captains Chairs 2.2 Hdi

Chrysler Grand Voyager LX 2.8 Diesel

 

From you experiances, why should I buy a Galaxy? Its the cheapest of the four by about

[Guest Andyjflet]

Alan

Not for me to say but you seem to have answered your own questions in most of your post.

 

I too looked at all the options and by far the best engine, looks, MPG and ride were in the Galaxy's favour. Yes the Grand Voyager is longer but the seat config is not as good as the Fords.

 

I chose a 6 month old TDi Ghia with Leather and never regretted it, paid

[rwtomkins]

Agreed. Although personally I feel the Chrysler is the better-looking vehicle, it scores much worse on road-holding and driveability than the Galaxy, as is typical of US cars compared with European ones. Apart from anything else, it has a beam axle at the back instead of the Galaxy's independent rear suspension, and a fleet driver who had long experience of driving both told me the Chrysler drove like a van while the Galaxy drove like a car. What clinched it for me was the Chrysler's lousy seating configuration, which in Europe only allows you two seats in the middle row while the Galaxy offers two or three. Also worth mentioning is that the Chrysler is wider, sometimes even too wide to drive through those pinch-points they build on side streets to slow you down while driving through built-up areas.

[Guest AlanA]

Thanks for the messages.

I rather think the Espace is the prettiest of the four.

Is it true that the passenger seats in the second row of the Galaxy do not slide?

I do not need seven seats, five are fine

[Andrew T]

Both rows of rear seats (which are interchangeable) slide about six inches fore and aft.

[Guest Andyjflet]

I would really advise that you spend some time looking at the options if you can. I rarely have the two rear seats in my Galaxy and with five there is tons of room in the back, this is what I generally lug about...

 

1 net of 15 footballs

1 childs buggy

Sports bag with football boots etc

Loads of football kits

Tons of other junk from the kids.

 

And this only covers a small area, but going back to the point other people have made, the Galaxy by far handles the best, its great to drive, relaxing, great position and the best flexibility on the seating plan.

[galantlad]

I also looked at the "others" and chose the galaxy but in a 6 seater option to make for roomier seating all with armrests.

The Gal has for me exceeded my expectations to date but i'm sure when something goes wrong that may change !!!

[Richmond]

The Galaxy is v. comfortable for long journeys, although I cannot compare it with the others is the list. The Galaxy looks dreadful from the back, but you don't buy an MPV for its looks.

[Guest AlanA]

I think I am coming down to two out of the four.

The Citroen is nice with the sliding electric doors and the leather Captains Chairs, but I am worried about reliability

The Grand Voyager again is nice, but servicing seems to be very high

 

So that leaves the Galaxy and the Renault Espace.

The two of them drive very well, no difference in my opinion.

The Galaxy has less goodies, but is cheaper monthly finance payments, but for a deisel the lead time is horrendous, but the 2.3 is next day.

the Espace has everything on it you can name including sat nav, leather, high end hi fi, seats that run from the second row all the way into the back door, but the costs per month are higher. However it does have 5 star Ncap..It would be easier if it did not cost so much to spec up the Galaxy to the Initiale specification.....

[Guest warnerj]

Hi,

 

Are you getting as a company car? Or have you opted out of the company scheme and getting an allowance?

 

I had the same choice last year and looked at leasing, loans etc based on my monhly allowance. I found it considereably cheaper to get a loan than a personal leasing scheme (although I realise they include servicing etc).

 

If you have the flexibility to get an ex demonstrator then you can get a Galaxy with all the goodies for a lot less than a new Citroen, Renault or Chrysler. I looked at the Captains Chair Citroen and was nearly tempted but the Renault was a lot more expensive as was the Chrysler. I found the dash on the Citroen and the Renault too weird as they were both in the centre. This means your passengers can read your speed and you have to look to your left which I think isn't so good.

 

The Galaxy was more conventional to drive and closest to a car feel. If you get the leather it certainly feels classy and well built. Also (and some might think this is strange on my part) but because I've got the multimedia it means I've got solid front head rests which I think make the front leather seats better looking.

 

Although I did like the sliding doors, folding mirrors, xenons, 3 sunroofs and 3 way air-con and electric seats of the Citroen I think its re-sale value would be less in a few years time. The back bench of the Chrysler means that if you remove it for space you only have 3 seats for passengers - fine if that's all you want. The Reanult is the most interesting to look at and I really liked the glass roof but was too expensive for me.

 

You pay your money and take your choice. Good luck.

[Guest AlanA]

yes, i am coming out of a company car, and am looking to buy on HP (company will reimburse me and after three years the car is mine)

The Grand is a pre registered car at

[wardmw]

My 2 penn'orth having just bought a Galaxy. We were warned off diesels unless they come with warranty. The engine gives so much torque that it breaks the gearboxes and they're expensive out of warranty...

 

I liked the Espace because the seats were very easy to put up and take down, but didn't go for it due to the lack of space when all the seats were up, but it doesn't sound like that's an issue for you.

 

As for extras, I found when looking at the second-hand ones that the Galaxy had more to offer for your pennies than the others, but that may be just what the market had to offer at the time I was buying.

 

Good luck!

 

|\/|artin

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Check the Honest John site and others for problems with the Espace diesel engine - there is a thrust washetr on the crankshaft (IIRC) that gives up the ghost and results in a bill for a replacement engine. I was considering a previous-shape Espace but this inherrent problem with the Renault 4-cyl diesel has put me right off - mind you, I would like the V6 diesel!

What turnover do you do to get a supplier discount? I used to work for a tier 1 supplier before they moved production overseas to save money. When I bought my previous Scenic (1998), I wrote and asked Renault UK if they gave discounts to Tier 1 suppliers and they told me "no" B)

Conclusion: Galaxy is best B)

[johnb80]

I've had an Espace in the past (MKIII) and would never, ever have another Renault vehicle period. Spares are: a) Difficult to obtain and B) Even more difficult to afford. For example Headlamp unit (Glass smashed)

[Guest AlanA]

Thanks for all your comments.

I am not sure what our total t/o with renault is but we are a first tier supplier and come under Ren fleet sales.

I tried the last version of the Espace and it did roll alot, the latest version is much more stable on the road.

The problem with the Ford dealer is that all the local franchises are run by the same company and the attitude is not very good. he had to keep going into the back to check stock lists as they don't have computers on the desks, he would come back with a scribbled note. He also kept trying to get me to take the DVD

[Davetheref]

I also noticed that you mentioned pre reg Galaxy's. I am now on my second pre reg deisel bought from Motors Coalville. I had a round trip to pick it up of about 200 miles but saved about

[Guest Andyjflet]

Tough one Alan but I'm sure you will be happy with whatever decision you make. Mine too was a replacment for my company car, a very broken and always in the dealers Alfa 156 2.0. Lovely to drive, glad I didnt own it.

 

My company are quite generous in that there are no stipulations as to what we buy in age or style so I could go and get a 10 year old Fiesta if I wanted. They give me about

[rwtomkins]

I wouldn't let gearbox worries put you off the Galaxy diesel. Sure, occasional problems have been reported on this website but this IS a problem-solving site and I wouldn't say it was by any means a common problem. The diesel Galaxy is a wonderful vehicle, well worth waiting for, and holds its value particularly well.

 

Best reason for buying a Gal: the after-sales support you get from this friendly website! Do the other makes have anything similar?

[Richmond]

What does 'pre-registered' mean?

[Guest AlanA]

What does 'pre-registered' mean?

The dealer registers the car and is classed in the logbook as the first owner. As the car is then "second hand" it gets sold cheaper than a non registered, as the dealer needs to shift it before the 90 days are up and they have to pay Ford for the car.

[Richmond]

What does 'pre-registered' mean?

The dealer registers the car and is classed in the logbook as the first owner. As the car is then "second hand" it gets sold cheaper than a non registered, as the dealer needs to shift it before the 90 days are up and they have to pay Ford for the car.

Thanks. Why would a dealer do that?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Because the dealers get sales bonuses from the manufacturer, based on the number of cars they sell. That's why as a private buyer, it is best to try to buy at the end of a month, or end of a dealer's sales "quarter" when they will be looking to maximise their sales for that sales period.

[Richmond]

I'm not sure that I understand.

 

Are you saying that the dealer registers the car so that it counts as a sale and the dealer's bonus is increased, and he then has to flog the thing more cheaply as it's effectively second hand?

[Guest Andyjflet]

Yep, thats correct, dealers are put under pressure by manufacturers to reach quotas, dont forget these also count to the all important market share that manufacturers desperately want.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

...and the dealer's bonus (from the manufacturer or importer) for selling over and above his quota is often in excess of his normal profit margin for a normal sale, hence some cars are offered for sale at very attractive discounted prices at certain times of the year.