What Changes Would You Make To Your Galaxy ?

[Guest SA Intruder]

There are rear bins and fagtrays in the later models - can't stop the kids a**ing around with them.

[Guest JIMSTDI]

first thing i would like is rear sliding doors. as a few of you have already stated,overall very happy with my galaxy tdi ghia,but it would seem a lot of u r not,
dont people test drive cars anymore,do check ups on cars they r after,check out reports etc etc etc
i also on my 2001 model tdi ghia had 2 power sockets at they rear,as they 2002 model has 1 at they rear but has one in the 2nd row on the centre consol,the biggest point i think is silly ,is that fords cant surply the cargo net,but smc fords r getting me one,

have a nice day and enjoy yr gal

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that only 1 rear power socket means that the vehicle is an import rather than a "genuine" UK-supplied car.

[Guest JIMSTDI]

its because of the factory fitted option ,multi media system
mine still has the 2 points well 3 i front 1 centre 1 rear

[bushm]

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As a new owner I've yet to find major fault with my Galaxy,
but I'd agreed that one remote key for a car of this price is very mean. I'd replace the feeble plastic speaker covers and front cup holders that keep breaking, whoever designed them didn't have kids that's for sure, and it would hardly take much effort for Ford to implement it. Luggage nets sound like a very good idea too.

[Guest JonathanK]

I agree with Boggler.

Our Alhambra is used for the family - 5 kids - and driven mainly by the Mrs but my main transport is a Passat V6TDi estate with tiptronic. I get 40 on a run and 34 around town. It never feels short of power and has all the smoothness you'd expect of a V6.

I know that the torque figure is the same as a new 130 but it still feels a much more relaxed drive and the V6 suits the Tiptronic really well.

If they can shoehorn the 2.9VR6 in, I would have thought the 2.5TDi would go in without too much trouble (although the VR6 in a narrow angle vee so maybe not).

For sure if they built one, I'd be tempted to get one and ditch 2 big cars for 1 and a tiddler. I know the Mrs would be happy with something smaller to drive everyday.

JK

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Trouble is, Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra is long into its model cycle that I don't know if VW would look at installing another engine - for instance the new 2litre diesel that will go into the forthcoming Golf and new Audi A3.
The 2.5 V6 TDI would be a great choice for the Galaxy, but with Ford selling out their share of the factory to VW, I don't think that they are even interested in fitting their TDCI engines into the Galaxy. It is suggested in the motoring press that VW will replace the Sharan with the Microbus due in 2005, plus the new Touran (Golf 7-seater) due in UK shortly. Seat are now supposed to be producing a 7-seat version of the Salsa concept car, similar in size to Touran.
So where does that leave Ford? Focus C-Maxx is 5 seats only so what are their plans?

[Guest JonathanK]

Ivor

Touran and Focus C Maxx are both smaller cars though - Zafira size rather than Galaxy. The Microbus will, I think, be more of a novelty vehicle - a bit like the Beetle - so maybe it leaves them without a car?

Whatever they decide, all three Ford Seat & VW, will need to up their game.

I was in a Citroen dealers recently and they had a C8 HDi Exclusive there. What a great looking and featured vehicle. At

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yeah, that's the trouble - I suspect that Microbus will be well over-priced to cash in on retro-appeal, much like the new Beetle. Touran, Zafira etc are not realy full 7-seaters as rearmost seats are too small for proper adult use.
SA Intruder hinted that Ford are planning a Galaxy replacement of their own, but I've not seen anything to support this in the motoring press, and I think that SA I is on holiday now. I would think that VW will produce a replacement for the Sharan, if only because they have this huge factory in Portugal that makes the current Sharan, Alhambra and Galaxy. I can't believe that they would make the Microbus here on its own, because I don't think that the volume would be right - don't think they'd sell as many as current Sharan etc.

Not sure about the Citroen C8 though; the new C8, 807, Ulysse still look like converted vans somehow (like their predecessors) whereas the Espace and Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra look like proper MPV's. Previous experience with a Citroen (owned for 4 years from new) tells me to be very wary of buying another one....

[XN85]

I think that the Shalaxy is a fantastic family car and even without our need for all seven seats, I can't envision life without an MPV. The ability to change it from 'car' to 'van' for carrying those DIY jobs, garden furniture or kids bikes is invaluable! But, as with everything, if there is a replacement Galaxy coming (eventually), I would like to see some practical improvements in it's successor...

My previous MPV, an Espace, had two large storage areas in the rear wheelarches which were capable of storing jump-leads, towrope, kids waterproofs, etc without taking up any boot space. There is storage area in my 2003 Galaxy, but bigger would be better. Also the passenger glove box is too small for it to serve any practical use.

Whereas the front seat backs have pop-up picnic tables fitted, there is no room to 'picnic' in the front. I'm sure that a simple pop-out tray could be fitted into the dashboard, above the passenger glovebox.

For those of us with young children, who also need all seven seats, the seat backs which look like picnic tables are useless. Replacing the plastic moulding with magazine pockets would be far more beneficial. The centre, middle-row, seat would benefit from having a pop-up picnic table - like the front seats - for those sat behind. I also think that litter bins/bags should be fitted to the middle seat base.

In the three years that we have had MPVs, we have never used the swivelling front seat ability. I'm sure that whereas some people will use this function - many will not. I think that a centre console extended beyond the handbrake, featuring a bottle-holder big enough for a 2lt pop bottle, with 12v power socket (for powering multimedia systems), etc, would be more useful.

As almost everyone else has already stated there certainly should be two remote keys with a 20k+ car...

[Guest Daveb]

Side repeater fashers built into the wing mirrors like on the mercs
Overhead centre consul
Centre floor mounted housing over the handbrake
And a better Air con system that WORKS

[Guest SA Intruder]

All this is a bit irrelevant anyway since the thing is only lifed until 2005 max.

I notice the starter of the topic (jennyt) has been abscent....perhaps she didn't get a reply from FORD (hee hee)

[Guest JIMSTDI]

a bit longer and a bit wider with sidling doors

cruise control on the wheel as standard

heated seats as standard

they was a time when we bought ford ghia cars and it mean ghia

no more

bring back sunroofs as standard

its nice just to let in a bit more sunlight

[Guest JIMSTDI]

fords have no plans to replace the current galaxy

they thought about it and that was it

[Guest Jennyt]

Hello everyone !

Thanks for all your comments - I passed the majority of them to Ford and have received some really good feedback from them.

Apparently there will be a 'chromed' up version out in December and they've got a new model planned for 2005-ish which I have been assured will take all of your comments into consideration..... we'll see what the new model looks like.

Jen

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Thanks for the feed-back. The chromed-up one has been spotted at the Frankfurt motor show so it's good to find out the UK sale date is December. There are at least 2 of us likely to head for the Parts Department to get a chrome grille for our existing models!

[Guest Jennyt]

Wow !

Does the Chrome bit look good ???
I imagined they'd be a little subtle - whereabouts are the extra bits on the car ?
Jen

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Don't know - I didn't go to Frankfurt, just saw some pictures on the web. Some links were pasted elsewhere on this site.
ISTR there was talk of chrome door-handle pulls and possibly a chrome "embellisher" around the rear number plate.

[Guest Jennyt]

Ahhh - would love to see any piccies from FrankFurt - do you know where I can find them ??

Jen

[Ivor_E_Tower]

This was the link posted on this forum:
[url="http://www.autoscoop.topcities.com/autoforum/viewtopic.php?t=2588"]http://www.autoscoop.topcities.com/autofor...opic.php?t=2588[/url]
Hope you like it!
Ivor

[Guest JIMSTDI]

also new rear lights,chrome fog lamp covers

hope the galaxy rear lights are better than the nasty looking vw ones

james

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Looking at the new VW Golf, it seems that VW are now going for two ugly circles in their rear light clusters :-((

[Guest Jennyt]

The chrome looks pretty good - think might go for an upgrade myself...

[Dave-G]

Dump the Mcpherson strut rear suspension & "arm rests" to make space for 3 rear seats. Extend the rear end by 300/500mm (without moving the rear seats aft much) to allow more luggage space.. Improve turning circle. Lower the instrument panel to allow better sight of it through the steering wheel. scrap the aux. heater turbine unless its fully operational,& useless swivel seats to reduce cost,with the armrests that get in the way..both silly gimmicks unless you're a contortionist. Raise the dashboard to allow for more usefull sized compartments. Replace the excuse for a clock. Create overhead storage above sun visors. Ban vertically challenged people who cant see over the dash from driving them. Edited October 29, 2003 by Dave-G

[Guest SA Intruder]

They have trailing arm suspension. Not struts.

The "things" in the back are for the rear wheels......where would you prefer these?