Future 06 Galaxy Driver

[Jeff Tipps]

Hello,

 

Been reading this forum for a few days, all seems very friendly.

 

Just about to hand back my company 53 plate 2.0 TDCI Mondeo Estate and take delivery of a New 06 Galaxy 1.8 (125PS) Zetec.

 

I was going to go for a Mondeo 2.2 but decided on the 1.8 TDCI S-Max until lease company told me I could have the new Galaxy much cheaper.

 

Estimated delivery date is 15th September but I have not seen any on the road yet so not sure if that is a realistic date.

 

To keep cost down I have not gone for any extras apart from metallic paint which is provided by the lease company. Wouldn't have minded the adaptive cruise control or even the normal cruise control but decided against it.

 

Once I have it, I will post a short review on here.

 

If you see a 06 Galaxy Zetec in Blue Ambition with a Southend United sticker/scarf in the back window on the road in the near future, that will be me :)

[NikpV]

 

 

Once I have it, I will post a short review on here.

 

 

 

 

look forward to it - :)

[Guest HairyPlateEater]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the new Gal and the forum!

[Guest gooner52]

so did you picked up the galaxy ok :D

[Jeff Tipps]

Yep new Galaxy delivered o.k.

 

Very happy with it so far. Great to drive, I like the higher driving position (compared to my Mondeo) & even though it's only a 1.8 TDCI (125PS) it has enough power for me. Have covered about 400 miles & longest journey of 150 miles returned 52mpg.

 

A couple of things I'm not so sure on & one is the handbrake (not the electric option) I have crushed my fingers releasing it on several occasions, guess after a couple more times I will learn to keep my fingers clear!! I think they should have added the electric handbrake as standard. The handbrake does not however get in the way of changing gears as somone I think posted on here. It would also be nice to have the Aux heater & cruise control as standard.

 

The driver & passenger seat in the new Zetec Galaxy are not quite as good as the sportier bucket type seats found in the Zetec SMAX. Infact there is nothing really sporty about the new Zetec Galaxy at all! Rear seats are a lot thinner than the old ones but feel comfy enough.

 

Only ever having driven the previous MK2 model a couple of times I would say the visibility when turning out of side roads is slightly more restricted due to the front 'A' frame design on the new model.

 

Folding seats very easy to use, but I would be a bit worried about getting the rear seats dirty if you carry messy loads as there is not much protection provided by the cover.

 

Loads of room especially for rear passengers & all seats can slide backwards & forwards as well as recline. Again there seems more room than the old model (Ford claim 30% more room) and even in the 3rd row there is plenty of leg room for adults. The back of the seats in the 3rd row are however quite low & it looks a bit strange when the headrests are extended to allow for the height of an adult. The 3rd row could also do with air con vents (I think they will be available only as a Ghia X pack option) but I have noticed that the floor level vents do cover the 3rd row.

 

My model does not have the glass roof (

[Smilge]

Welcome Jeff....glad to hear you like the new motor.....shame about the "Sarffend Utd" scarfe but someone has to support them.....lol

[johnb80]

 

If anyone has any specific questions please feel free to ask.

 

UTB.

Spare Wheel ?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

New Gal and S-Max do not come with a spare - that is enough to stop me from buying, even if I don't have the money to change cars at the moment anyway. Looks like I will have to dream of an Espace.....

[Jeff Tipps]

 

If anyone has any specific questions please feel free to ask.

 

UTB.

Spare Wheel ?

 

 

No as per Ivor E Tower's comment no spare wheel.

 

The car comes with a Continental 'ContiMobilityKit' which inflates & temporarily seals a flat tyre, the usual restrictions apply max speed 50mph & max distance 125 miles. It takes 5-7 mins to inflate using the 12v socket I suppose if it hasn't inflated after that period then it's a call to the recovery people!

 

I think you can only use the tyre sealant once (560ml) & I can't find out how much a replacement sealant will cost. I think I will try & get another sealant to keep in the car.

 

 

 

Welcome Jeff....glad to hear you like the new motor.....shame about the "Sarffend Utd" scarfe but someone has to support them.....lol

 

Yep, have been going to see Southend play for 25 years. You can't beat supporting your home town club.

[Jeff Tipps]

On closer inspection the I think the quality of the seats is poor. Very thinly padded all round especially the 3rd row. I will spend 2,000+ hours in the drivers seat of this car & already I can think that even my 1979 MK4 Cortina had better seats (the Ghia velour ones, quality!) also driver & passenger seats not very wide and do not hold you in that well when cornering (still can't see why the Zetec Galaxy can't have the sporty bucket style seats as found in the Zetec SMAX).

 

I see Ford have dropped the 'Travel First Class' from the brochures on the new Galaxy.

[Guest gooner52]

:o .this doesnt sound very good .

is the warranty the same ar before 60,000 or 3years

 

cheers

[Jeff Tipps]

:ph34r: .this doesnt sound very good .

is the warranty the same ar before 60,000 or 3years

 

cheers

 

As my new Galaxy is leased I would imagine it's only covered by the Ford 'Base' Warranty which is 1 year & unlimited miles. The Optional Extended Warranty is available for another 2 years 60,000 miles but I would not know how much extra that costs.

 

I have seen another new Galaxy not far from where I live, but loads more SMAX models about.

[Jeff Tipps]

Just seen the latest NCAP test results for the new Galaxy.

 

It received 5 stars as expected, but also the best score for any right hand drive vehicle tested by Euro NCAP to date.

 

NCAP Test Results

 

Have a look at the KIA Sedona test results :ph34r: