I Need Your Words Of Wisdom.

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Griffin

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The time has come for us to buy a people carrier. There's no safe way of squashing four kids into my Astra estate :lol: Mr GG's sporty little boys convertible Golf has seen better days and he's going to part exchange it for an MPV. I'll then drive the MPV and he'll have my Astra. Tomorrow is the day Mr GG buys our new car. We thought we'd made our decision, he's already put a £200 deposit on a Ford Galaxy last weekend. However, his Uncle who works in a garage is encouraging him to forget about the Galaxy and buy his bosses sons VW Sharan instead. Mr GG has bowed down to the pressure of his Dad and Uncle and will be off to see the Sharan tomorrow morning, and if he decides it's no good he'll carry on down the road to Newbury to pick up the Galaxy.

So here's a bit about each car:

R-reg Ford Galaxy 2.3 Ghia X automatic. 71000 miles. In superb condition throughout. Full service history with stamps from a Ford garage. All mod cons including heated seats, full electrics, cruise control, CD multichanger, climate control, tinted windows etc etc. Comes fully serviced with one year MOT and a six month parts and labour warranty. £4000 but £3500 with Mr GG's Golf in px.

T-reg VW Sharan 1.9 TDi manual. 144000 miles. In reasonable condition, allegedly. No warranty but will come with a gentlemans agreement that the owner of the garage will pick up the bill for any work that needs doing in the next few months. We don't know anything else about the car. £4500 or £4300 with Mr GG's Golf in px.

To me, it's an obvious choice. The Galaxy. I know that the Sharan will do more miles per gallon, considerably more infact, 40 as opposed to a maximum of 30 with the Galaxy. Mr GG says diesel engines live forever, but how long will the other parts last considering they've already done the best part of 150k miles in five years? Or does the fact that it's a VW diesel outweigh everything else? The money saved on fuel can pay for repairs perhaps?

Any words of wisdom from the wise here on the subject?
 
You'll get more miles to the gallon with diesel, but don't forget diesel is expensive. With 144,000 miles on the clock, it begs the question how much more you'll get out of it anyway. You don't want it breaking down with four kids in tow. VW engines aren't that great.

I would go with your gut. The Ford looks like the one of the two. The other could be a pig in a poke.
 
I've just invested in a new diesel estate (diesels are a revelation these days - I was previously prejudiced against them). Overall they do work out more economical to run (and are usually cheaper to buy). But mine had 15 miles on the clock as opposed to 144,000. I'd be surprised if the VW made it to the end of the road.
 
A ROLLS CANARDLIE

I imported a VW PASSAT COMBI into the UK IN 1991 and in 1993 gave it to the local Gypsies. The taco stood at 265000 kilometres.I am sure that if you drive through LAKENHEATH towards BRANDON you will still see it,RED as ripe boil and being driven by the same old gnarled Gypsies.

However,i do agree that VW are very selective when it comes to who gets good engines. :D

By the way,it had a Petrol engine.
 
Oops, I didn't see the bit about the mileage and had rather stupidly assumed that we were discussing new engines. Having re-read the item I'd have no hesitation in suggesting the MOT and six month warranty.
 
...given that it looks to be a done deal anyway, I would also stick with the Ford and count your blessings Griffin.
 
Originally posted by SteveM@Jan 13 2006, 06:16 PM
...given that it looks to be a done deal anyway, I would also stick with the Ford and count your blessings Griffin.
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It's far from a done deal :( Mr GG's Dad has even offered us £200 so that we don't end up out of pocket as we've already paid the deposit on the Galaxy, such is his desperation for us to not offend other family members. Whatever his Uncle says, his Dad will go along with. I personally cannot stand his Uncle and I know that if he told us to buy an F-reg and that it looked really good, his Dad would be in agreement :rolleyes:

Economy is important, however I'm now driving less miles than ever before. I don't have to drive to work because I'm not working anymore. I take Emily to nursery in another village three times a week and perhaps a trip or two to Swindon to do the shopping. So no trips around town with a cold engine. In September you can remove the trips to nursery from the equation as Emily will be going to the infant school 500 yards away.

All my instincts are screaming out that the Sharan has 144000 miles on the clock, nothing else gets past that fact, but I haven't been able to convince Mr GG yet :confused: I don't want family loyalty to cost us an arm and a leg :unsure:
 
I've got a bit lost with this Griffin.

But the bottom line is that the Ford Galaxy looks the one to opt for above the VW Sharon, in this instance.
 
Originally posted by BrianH@Jan 13 2006, 07:06 PM
OK, forum members, walk away - it's a domestic...
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No it's not :lol: I just wondered if anybody would have a good word to say about the Sharan. Put it this way, I respect the opinions on here more than I do his Uncles :lol:
 
I'm surprised to read the comments about Volkswagen engines - a Volkswagen will go around the clock for you before it gives up. They're a very good make and last forever. Having said that, the Galaxy does seem to be a better deal in this instance.

Actually, sod it - keep the convertible Golf, you know it makes sense!!!!!! :D
 
Originally posted by Shadow Leader@Jan 13 2006, 08:01 PM

Actually, sod it - keep the convertible Golf, you know it makes sense!!!!!! :D
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The boot is so tiny I doubt the baby would even fit in it :lol:
 
VW/Audi diesel engines are among the best and most reliable of all diesels. I wouldn't touch a Ford with bad money.

Griffin, I suggest spending a few hours at your nearest big library looking through 'Which?' car buying guide and 'What Car?' magazine. I'm wary of the latter as it isn't entirely independent but it will tell you what you need to know in terms of overall consumption, etc.

If those are your only options...(I wouldn't go for either.) Also, if you're only doing short trips, a diesel won't save you much, if anything.

I have the Which? car buying guide at home. I'll try and put up their comments later.

I agree with Songsheet. Buying something like a car from within the family is never a good idea.

I should just add that although my Audi's engine (R-reg; 172k and counting) runs like new, I've had to replace nearly every bit of the suspension and brakes. Fortunately (touch wood) the clutch and exhaust seem absolutely sound.
 
Originally posted by Desert Orchid@Jan 13 2006, 08:14 PM
If those are your only options...(I wouldn't go for either.) Also, if you're only doing short trips, a diesel won't save you much, if anything.
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The thing is there aren't that many MPV's, and even fewer within our budget. They all guzzle fuel like there's no tomorrow, they're all damn ugly, apart from the fact they've got enough seats for our vast family there are no plus points to any of them :lol:
 
For what it's worth, a raceday colleague of mine has, for many years, traded in with Vauxhall every three years, and currently has a Vauxhall Zafira. I rode to Folkestone in it a couple of times, and it's very capacious, comfortable, and he says it's a doddle to drive. I don't know if they come in diesel, I didn't ask. But one thing about attaching yourself to a manufacturer (whether it'a rolling programme of exchange with Volvo, Saab, Vauxhall, or whoever) is that they give you a guarantee, whether the car is new or secondhand, and will always take yours back at the end of the agreed period to exchange or upgrade.
 
I am a VW fan but I have to say I would go for the Ford on this occasion. FSH, a well-looked after car with low mileage in comparison against unknown history, very high mileage. As has already been mentionned dieseel engines may go on for longer but there is the likelihood of everything else falling apart especially if the car has been hammered (Automatic definite plus point especially driving round town with small children - Also like the idea of heated seats!)

Lets face it - you are the one who is going to be driving it so go with what you feel comfortable in - sod the family - don't forget where that credit card was when you wanted to buy those bits the other day! Its your turn!
 
Originally posted by Desert Orchid@Jan 13 2006, 10:14 PM
VW/Audi diesel engines are among the best and most reliable of all diesels. I wouldn't touch a Ford with bad money.
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My thoughts exactly, DO!!!!

Griff, have you looked at Peugeots? They are another favourite marque of mine. A colleague of mine has recently bought a brand new MPV type from them for his expanding family & it's very nice. I realise it will most liekly be outside your budget as it is a brand new model but have you maybe thought of using your cash as a deposit & getting something on a loan purchase deal where you can upgrade every few years or an HP deal? There are often special offers on, especially at this time of year, & I'm sure you oculd get a 0% finance option.
 
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