2nd hand Ford S Max info requested.
Discussion
Posted this on the Ford thread - if anyone has anything to add it would be great!
-
So,
little one number 3 is on the way shortly, and we need to change up to a bigger car - welcome some advice on best options etc... having done my homework i'm going to go for an S Max; just need to whittle it down further.
The Situation.
- £8k budget (6k cash, plus approx 2k value for our current car, will either PX it or private sell).
- 2 adults, and 3 kids (4, 2, newborn) all in Isofix seat currently.
- Currently have manual, but happy to opt for automatic.
- Car mainly used for short trips around London, but will be used for trips down to the West Country on a monthly basis.
Questions:
1. Which model - from Zetec to Titanium Sport would you recommend?
2. Petrol or Diesel?
3. Manual or Auto / Sport version
4. Do i opt for the newest version i can get for the budget - even if this means high milage, or is there another way to approach this?
5. What nasty things (read expensive replacement costs) need to be changed at certain mileage, that would influence a price / buying decision?
6. Anything else i should take into account when looking for this car, at this budget?
7. Happy to travel to pick it up, so any recommendations on where to buy from (otherwise will likely be Gumtree / eBay / Autotrader)?
Thanks guys - much appreciation in advance for you assistance!
A.
-
So,
little one number 3 is on the way shortly, and we need to change up to a bigger car - welcome some advice on best options etc... having done my homework i'm going to go for an S Max; just need to whittle it down further.
The Situation.
- £8k budget (6k cash, plus approx 2k value for our current car, will either PX it or private sell).
- 2 adults, and 3 kids (4, 2, newborn) all in Isofix seat currently.
- Currently have manual, but happy to opt for automatic.
- Car mainly used for short trips around London, but will be used for trips down to the West Country on a monthly basis.
Questions:
1. Which model - from Zetec to Titanium Sport would you recommend?
2. Petrol or Diesel?
3. Manual or Auto / Sport version
4. Do i opt for the newest version i can get for the budget - even if this means high milage, or is there another way to approach this?
5. What nasty things (read expensive replacement costs) need to be changed at certain mileage, that would influence a price / buying decision?
6. Anything else i should take into account when looking for this car, at this budget?
7. Happy to travel to pick it up, so any recommendations on where to buy from (otherwise will likely be Gumtree / eBay / Autotrader)?
Thanks guys - much appreciation in advance for you assistance!
A.
I'd personally go for an auto but either are good, the hard part will be finding a reasonable mileage car with good spec leather is a bonus especially when it comes to cleaning 3 children's mess the hard part about going for an S Max is going to be finding one that meet the right mix.
Auto Titanium
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Half your original budget but worth a look:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
A good & often overlooked alternative is the Mazda5 it's slightly smaller but you get a good low mileage well spec'd MPV for your cash.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Auto Titanium
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Half your original budget but worth a look:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
A good & often overlooked alternative is the Mazda5 it's slightly smaller but you get a good low mileage well spec'd MPV for your cash.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Had our Galaxy for 3 years now and it's been "okay". Its a 2.0tdci zetec manual but has optional leather seats.
It's gone though a few tyres, 2 rear brake calipers, air con condenser and a big service last year including the timing belt, water pump etc.
And just recently the clutch is getting a bit grindy; the release bearing is fubar apparently. This means taking the gear box off to replace and one of those jobs where replacing the clutch/DMF at the same time is the norm. Been quoted £675, which isn't a bad price for it to be fair. It's not unheard of for a clutch/dmf change on these to be a grand plus.
I'd get an auto if I was getting another. Changing gear in a car such as this is an unnecessary inconvenience.
When I was looking for ours my search criteria was the same as yours budget wise and I looked at both S-Max and Galaxy (they are the same) and bought the one in best nick. They are a bit boring but immensely practical - I've had mine stuffed full of all sorts of crap that you'd need a van for normally.
It's gone though a few tyres, 2 rear brake calipers, air con condenser and a big service last year including the timing belt, water pump etc.
And just recently the clutch is getting a bit grindy; the release bearing is fubar apparently. This means taking the gear box off to replace and one of those jobs where replacing the clutch/DMF at the same time is the norm. Been quoted £675, which isn't a bad price for it to be fair. It's not unheard of for a clutch/dmf change on these to be a grand plus.
I'd get an auto if I was getting another. Changing gear in a car such as this is an unnecessary inconvenience.
When I was looking for ours my search criteria was the same as yours budget wise and I looked at both S-Max and Galaxy (they are the same) and bought the one in best nick. They are a bit boring but immensely practical - I've had mine stuffed full of all sorts of crap that you'd need a van for normally.
Was in the same situation as yourself a few months back.
I bought a 62 plate titanium diesel auto with leather interior, only the 2nd one with leather I saw for sale in two months of looking.
Buy a titanium if you can, the extra toys, dab radio, seats are all worth it, I looked at a zetec with less miles than the car I bought, but couldn't help think it was a plain Jane compared to the titanium.
If getting an auto make sure it's had the gearbox serviced. I did mine as soon as I got it home.
Overall we're very happy with the s-max, I think we made the right choice, the galaxy was just to big, we didn't need the full size rear seats. Its averaging 40.4mpg on a 15mile commute and is lively enough for a family bus, it's competent enough to overtake easily in and is a decent enough drive.
I bought a 62 plate titanium diesel auto with leather interior, only the 2nd one with leather I saw for sale in two months of looking.
Buy a titanium if you can, the extra toys, dab radio, seats are all worth it, I looked at a zetec with less miles than the car I bought, but couldn't help think it was a plain Jane compared to the titanium.
If getting an auto make sure it's had the gearbox serviced. I did mine as soon as I got it home.
Overall we're very happy with the s-max, I think we made the right choice, the galaxy was just to big, we didn't need the full size rear seats. Its averaging 40.4mpg on a 15mile commute and is lively enough for a family bus, it's competent enough to overtake easily in and is a decent enough drive.
Thanks for all the above, very helpful!
So re engine size / spec...given that we will use it primarily for tooling around London, with the occasional trip to West Country... do people recommend petrol or diesel?
Also - my wife is has recently passed her test, so need to take that into account re the insurance costs.
thanks all - very helpful!
Alex.
So re engine size / spec...given that we will use it primarily for tooling around London, with the occasional trip to West Country... do people recommend petrol or diesel?
Also - my wife is has recently passed her test, so need to take that into account re the insurance costs.
thanks all - very helpful!
Alex.
I'd be going for a petrol auto if going around London primarily. Added complication of your wife just passing her test - the auto would be the best bet.
this is nice:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
ticks most of the boxes for you.
this is nice:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
ticks most of the boxes for you.
Titanium definitely worth having above standard (zetec) spec. They are very popular sellers so your budget won't stretch far.
2.0 diesel is actually really good to drive suits the car would say it's much better than 2.0 petrol.
The 2.5 petrol model is cheaper and can be found as an auto at this price range and often have a very nice spec with leather glass roof etc but mpg is terrible - but if you are only doing limited miles would give you a nice car for little money.
Beware of oil burning 2:0 petrol models and allow best part of £1k if the clutch and dual mass flywheel need doing on a 2.0 diesel.
If fitted with a 6 disk changer make sure it works as common for them to get disks stuck inside.
Also check alarm siren works common failure and easy to fix its hidden up inside front near side wheel arch liner and 2nd hand ones on eBay from £30.
The diesel model is
2.0 diesel is actually really good to drive suits the car would say it's much better than 2.0 petrol.
The 2.5 petrol model is cheaper and can be found as an auto at this price range and often have a very nice spec with leather glass roof etc but mpg is terrible - but if you are only doing limited miles would give you a nice car for little money.
Beware of oil burning 2:0 petrol models and allow best part of £1k if the clutch and dual mass flywheel need doing on a 2.0 diesel.
If fitted with a 6 disk changer make sure it works as common for them to get disks stuck inside.
Also check alarm siren works common failure and easy to fix its hidden up inside front near side wheel arch liner and 2nd hand ones on eBay from £30.
The diesel model is
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