From Saab 9-3 TTID4 to Ford B-Max, C-Max or S-Max

[Ekim2023]

Hello all,

First time posting but hoping some of you may have some buying advice.

We’ve been having a few issues with our Saab, and I think we’re looking at going more MPV for practical reasons with the family (4 of us, 2 under 5 and a pug).

We’ve narrowed it down to the B-Max 1.0T, C-Max 1.0T or an S-Max 1.6T; the formers being £35 road tax and latter being £240).

I’ve heard a few stories about the ecoboost but the road tax is swaying me.

Ideally looking for practical interior (more rear legroom, ours is terrible, I’m only 5ft 5) and a decent boot (ours is pretty bad to lug kids bikes about because lack of height); our boot barely fit 2 suitcases on our recent holiday because I can’t stack them).

We’re looking at petrol because we don’t do the mileage. Performance isn’t too much of a concern although may miss the TTID a bit.

Thanks in advance!!

Mike.

[Canon_Fodder]

Mike there were certainly some issues with early variations of the 1.0T 'Ecoboom'

What age/gen are you looking at?

The C-max can be a good car - B-max too small for your mob

[ZX10R NIN]

From what you describe the C Max is the smallest I'd be looking at with the 1.5T/1.6T being the pick engine wise, the 1.0T's are fine (yes they had issues early on but Ford sorted that) but the bigger engines are better suited to the C Max.

[Ekim2023]

OK brilliant thank you both.

They are the 2nd gen of C max and S max; so 2011 100K+ milleage ish).

Some examples are in opposite directions hence my narrowing down before visiting (can’t drag the other half and kids here and there).

[ZX10R NIN]

Ekim2023 said:

OK brilliant thank you both.

They are the 2nd gen of C max and S max; so 2011 100K+ milleage ish).

Some examples are in opposite directions hence my narrowing down before visiting (can’t drag the other half and kids here and there).

What's your actual budget because a 2.0 Mazda5 is a very good option at this point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307159...

[Ekim2023]

I had seen the Mazda5 but discounted it on the fact that the fords seem better all round (comfortable, interior, performance, servicing options (a ford is literally down the road for me)); there’s a few examples floating about 50 miles from me (130K S-Max, 100K Grand C-Max and some 1.6T C-Max up near Birmingham (a bit of a drive for me).

Budget wise is <£5K.

I had others on my list to look at but concerned the slowness would get on my nerves a tad bit (performance isnt a big influence but certainly wouldn’t want it to be awful) :- Hyundai ix20, Pugeot 2008, Zafira Tourer, skoda Yeti.

Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

1.6T C Max Titanium X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301193...

1.6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

The 1.4T Zafira Tourer is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306299...

[Ankh87]

Buy an estate.
There's no added practicality with an MPV, other than saving your back for maybe a year or 2. Even by the time the kids are 2.5 years old, they'll want to climb into the car seat themselves. You'll then have more than enough room in the rear for the dog as well.

Everyone seems to think that an MPV is the way to go but it really isn't. You're not getting more practical space unless you buy the S-Max which is then a massive car. End of the day the kids are only small for so long so certain items like buggies, toys won't be needed. You can always with an estate car use the huge boot and then get a bike rack either roof or boot mounted.

Some examples of cars with huge boots:

Skoda Superb - Boot space 633L for the old shape. 660L for the new shape.
Skoda Octavia - 600L

VS

Ford B-Max - 318L
Ford C-Mas - 432L

If you heart is set on a Ford then even a Mondeo is like 500L.

If I were you I'd be thinking about how often you need to room and what you will enjoy driving more. This is why I'm suggesting an estate as the MPVs aren't exactly great to drive. They serve a purpose but for me an estate is far better and more practical.

[Ekim2023]

I was indeed considering an estate (Volvo V60) but the other half doesn’t like the idea of one.

I do find the low ride height irritating having to bend down; we have 2 kiddies, 2yr old & 4yr old. Still a pitta getting them in.

Other half used to have a Citroen Xara Picasso which felt like a bus.



A motorpoint near me had both a C Max & S Max in stock (for once) so we had a sit in them yesterday. Quite set on the S-Max at the moment (other half being able to give lifts for my sons football practice etc is very handy actually I didnt consider).

Thanks for all the advice all.

In terms of milleage, obviously the examples are dated, but is there any reason I shouldn’t be put off 120K+ milleage examples (assume full history)? Most the engines for the examples provided would be 1.6/1.8 anyhow.

[Ekim2023]

So, we’ve spotted an S-Max literally up the road from us (£5K), an AA trusted dealer offering 3 months warranty with purchase. Car supposedly has full service history and in good nick.

Worth a trip to the dealer or avoid?

Its history concerns me.

Can’t post a link yet but reg is EY61 OUL

[ZX10R NIN]

Ekim2023 said:

So, we’ve spotted an S-Max literally up the road from us (£5K), an AA trusted dealer offering 3 months warranty with purchase. Car supposedly has full service history and in good nick.

Worth a trip to the dealer or avoid?

Its history concerns me.

Can’t post a link yet but reg is EY61 OUL

Check the history if it doesn't have receipts then assume it'll need a service etc, with higher mileage cars it's things like suspension refreshes etc that can start to add up.

[Canon_Fodder]

Ekim2023 said:

dealer offering 3 months warranty with purchase.

That's not a good sign

[ZX10R NIN]

Canon_Fodder said:

Ekim2023 said:

dealer offering 3 months warranty with purchase.

That's not a good sign

That's standard practice especially at this price point.

[Ekim2023]

OK cool thanks all.

So we’ve spotted an S-Max with 126k on the clock, 1.6T Ecoboost.

Im not the most car savvy, anything concerning with the milleage? The history checks out OK.

Thanks