Which 7 Seater/Ford S Max?
Discussion
A friend of mine is looking for a 7 seater to perform family duties - something that is not really on my radar.
It will have to perform all duties, his commuting (about 10k a year, total mileage probably in the region of 15k a year) as well as a family car for wife and kids. 3 children ranging from 1 to 5 as well as the occasional additional passenger hence the need for space and the number of seats.
He doesn't really want a 4x4 such as the XC90, favouring a people carrier. The Ford S Max seems to get good reviews so I guess my questions are two fold:
1. Is there anything better than the S Max out there to meet his needs and
2. If not, which S Max is the one to go for and are there any known weak points on these.
Budget around the £10k mark. Any other experiences of the S Max with a tribe of young children welcome.
Cheers
ETA he is not really interested in cars, so fuel economy/reliability etc much higher on the priority list than the ability to hit 60 in 2 seconds and take every roundabout sideways.
It will have to perform all duties, his commuting (about 10k a year, total mileage probably in the region of 15k a year) as well as a family car for wife and kids. 3 children ranging from 1 to 5 as well as the occasional additional passenger hence the need for space and the number of seats.
He doesn't really want a 4x4 such as the XC90, favouring a people carrier. The Ford S Max seems to get good reviews so I guess my questions are two fold:
1. Is there anything better than the S Max out there to meet his needs and
2. If not, which S Max is the one to go for and are there any known weak points on these.
Budget around the £10k mark. Any other experiences of the S Max with a tribe of young children welcome.
Cheers
ETA he is not really interested in cars, so fuel economy/reliability etc much higher on the priority list than the ability to hit 60 in 2 seconds and take every roundabout sideways.
My knowledge comes mostly from reading mags and websites; but I'd say that they will struggle to get something better than the SMax, unless they will accept or want a smaller car.
By the way, it's refreshing to hear of someone that says they want a roomy car and is looking at MPVs, rather than 4WDs. In my opinion, MPVs are made to be roomy and practical, 4WDs are (mostly) made for "image".
By the way, it's refreshing to hear of someone that says they want a roomy car and is looking at MPVs, rather than 4WDs. In my opinion, MPVs are made to be roomy and practical, 4WDs are (mostly) made for "image".
We've had good service from our bog-standard Zafira 120 cdti over 3 years and 30k miles. Now on 103k. It's about as non-PH a car as you can get, but does its job brilliantly.
I would suggest your mate also has a look at the C4 Grand Picasso, there's a lot of value there.
Basically all the usual suspects, and the normal rules apply about not using a modern TD engine exclusively for short journies.
I would suggest your mate also has a look at the C4 Grand Picasso, there's a lot of value there.
Basically all the usual suspects, and the normal rules apply about not using a modern TD engine exclusively for short journies.
I looked at the SMax but we went for a VW Sharan. I kind of figured that if we need a 'box' may as well get the boxiest one going. For us this car is a working family tool - looks and handling were pretty far down the list. Also I know and like the older 1.9 PD 130tdi engine.
It's a useful and reliable old beast of burden. When the weather picks up I really should remind it what a hosepipe looks like...
It's a useful and reliable old beast of burden. When the weather picks up I really should remind it what a hosepipe looks like...
I've got 2008 C4 Grand Picasso. It's more flexible internally than the S-Max. The rear seats fold flat into the floor, there's storage under them when they're up. There's cubbyholes for kiddy cr*p everywhere.
On the motorway it's comfortable. The enormously large windscreen gives you a superb view out.
The EGS transmission is worth avoiding - they're not that strong. The manual is excellent. Diesel engines are more powerful than the petrol.
The only thing I don't like about it is the way it pitches and rolls on uneven road surfaces. If you turn a corner and the surface isn't smooth it rocks from side to side. No loss of grip, just the body rocking. It's not bad, just annoying, especially coming from a 320i touring.
If he enjoys driving, get the S Max. If he's not bothered, then a Grand Picasso will do nicely.
On the motorway it's comfortable. The enormously large windscreen gives you a superb view out.
The EGS transmission is worth avoiding - they're not that strong. The manual is excellent. Diesel engines are more powerful than the petrol.
The only thing I don't like about it is the way it pitches and rolls on uneven road surfaces. If you turn a corner and the surface isn't smooth it rocks from side to side. No loss of grip, just the body rocking. It's not bad, just annoying, especially coming from a 320i touring.
If he enjoys driving, get the S Max. If he's not bothered, then a Grand Picasso will do nicely.
I'd favour the S-Max too. Boot space is pretty tight when you have both the rear seats up, but if it's just occasional six/seven seats it's ok. You'll probably get a Titanium as that's what most are. The 2.0 diesel is popular and a nice drive.
Pay a bit more and get one of the 2010 cars. Plenty on sale at the end of Motability and leases. I think they look a bit nicer and the interior LED lighting is good.
Go for DAB rather than satnav, so you can tune to Fun Kids. Try to get the heat reflective windscreen as it is enormous on the S-Max.
I've only ever driven a manual, so no idea about the auto box.
Pay a bit more and get one of the 2010 cars. Plenty on sale at the end of Motability and leases. I think they look a bit nicer and the interior LED lighting is good.
Go for DAB rather than satnav, so you can tune to Fun Kids. Try to get the heat reflective windscreen as it is enormous on the S-Max.
I've only ever driven a manual, so no idea about the auto box.
campionissimo said:
I've got 2008 C4 Grand Picasso. It's more flexible internally than the S-Max. The rear seats fold flat into the floor, there's storage under them when they're up. There's cubbyholes for kiddy cr*p everywhere.
On the motorway it's comfortable. The enormously large windscreen gives you a superb view out.
The EGS transmission is worth avoiding - they're not that strong. The manual is excellent. Diesel engines are more powerful than the petrol.
The only thing I don't like about it is the way it pitches and rolls on uneven road surfaces. If you turn a corner and the surface isn't smooth it rocks from side to side. No loss of grip, just the body rocking. It's not bad, just annoying, especially coming from a 320i touring.
If he enjoys driving, get the S Max. If he's not bothered, then a Grand Picasso will do nicely.
Pretty much agree with all of this. Ours is 5 years old now and has never put a foot wrong and has been perfect for family duties. The S-max is more of a drivers car whilst the Grand Picasso is more comfortable and laid back.On the motorway it's comfortable. The enormously large windscreen gives you a superb view out.
The EGS transmission is worth avoiding - they're not that strong. The manual is excellent. Diesel engines are more powerful than the petrol.
The only thing I don't like about it is the way it pitches and rolls on uneven road surfaces. If you turn a corner and the surface isn't smooth it rocks from side to side. No loss of grip, just the body rocking. It's not bad, just annoying, especially coming from a 320i touring.
If he enjoys driving, get the S Max. If he's not bothered, then a Grand Picasso will do nicely.
We've had various Galaxys over the years and thoroughly recommend them. Currently have a 2010 model, decent to drive, well put together & tough interior, reliable, reasonable servicing although tyres are fairly costly.
We did have a 08 C4 Grand Picasso but ditched it after 6mths - flimsy but comparison. Get what you pay for with hindsight. Also had a Sedona, it was ok but very high road tax.
We did have a 08 C4 Grand Picasso but ditched it after 6mths - flimsy but comparison. Get what you pay for with hindsight. Also had a Sedona, it was ok but very high road tax.
Edited by prout on Thursday 16th January 20:05
I sell Fords and the people who buy S-Max's love them. I've come across many other 7 seaters during career and I can honestly say none are anything like as good as a S-Max.
For every Galaxy we sell we must sell 6 S-Max's.
Great car, for that budget I'd go for the 2.0TDCi, try and get a Titanium. The things to look for/avoid are the ones that have had a hard life with battered interiors and damaged rear row of seats.
For every Galaxy we sell we must sell 6 S-Max's.
Great car, for that budget I'd go for the 2.0TDCi, try and get a Titanium. The things to look for/avoid are the ones that have had a hard life with battered interiors and damaged rear row of seats.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff