MK3 Ford Galaxy as a bike hauler: sensible?
Discussion
I'm still on the lookout for a usefully big, boxy vehicle for carting bicycles around. Originally set out looking at combi vans, but it's proving hard to find anything within budget (£8k) that's a useful size, has 5 seats, air con, cruise control, is of sensible age and mileage, and doesn't have an engine or gearbox that's known to be problematic (PSA DV6, VW 1.6TDi etc). Also not terribly keen on having to stick to van speed limits!
So... I'm now looking at big MPVs rather than vans. Ford Galaxy MK3 being the current favourite due to its size and relatively plentiful supply. There's a fair few around the £4-6k mark which look OK, most are 2010-2012 cars with around 90000 miles.
Anyone who owns/has owned one: what did you think of it? Are they as practical as they look? I'm hoping that I can fit a couple of mountain bikes inside (front wheels off, bikes upright) if I drop the rearmost seats down and perhaps remove one the middle row seats.
Did you have any problems with the car? Are the Powershift gearboxes a nightmare, or do they last if treated with care and treated to fresh fluid and filters? I'm a fairly competent home mechanic and will do most of the servicing and repairs myself, but don't have the time, skill or equipment to be removing gearboxes or pulling dashboards apart to fix electronic gubbins.
I'm dismissing the 1.6TDCi entirely, on the grounds of (a) the DV6 engine being troublesome, and (b) 115bhp being a bit puny for the size of the car. Most of the Galaxies on sale are the 138bhp 2.0TDCi, and quite a few are the Powershift auto, which I'm a bit wary of in terms of durability. Although I do like the idea of an auto. The 200bhp 2.2TDCi or 2.0 Ecoboost would be nice but there's very few of these within budget.
As always, any info and opinions greatly appreciated!
So... I'm now looking at big MPVs rather than vans. Ford Galaxy MK3 being the current favourite due to its size and relatively plentiful supply. There's a fair few around the £4-6k mark which look OK, most are 2010-2012 cars with around 90000 miles.
Anyone who owns/has owned one: what did you think of it? Are they as practical as they look? I'm hoping that I can fit a couple of mountain bikes inside (front wheels off, bikes upright) if I drop the rearmost seats down and perhaps remove one the middle row seats.
Did you have any problems with the car? Are the Powershift gearboxes a nightmare, or do they last if treated with care and treated to fresh fluid and filters? I'm a fairly competent home mechanic and will do most of the servicing and repairs myself, but don't have the time, skill or equipment to be removing gearboxes or pulling dashboards apart to fix electronic gubbins.
I'm dismissing the 1.6TDCi entirely, on the grounds of (a) the DV6 engine being troublesome, and (b) 115bhp being a bit puny for the size of the car. Most of the Galaxies on sale are the 138bhp 2.0TDCi, and quite a few are the Powershift auto, which I'm a bit wary of in terms of durability. Although I do like the idea of an auto. The 200bhp 2.2TDCi or 2.0 Ecoboost would be nice but there's very few of these within budget.
As always, any info and opinions greatly appreciated!
Edited by Jonny_ on Saturday 22 August 19:04
The Hyundai i800 is what you're looking for:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
You'll get a nice one for your budget you'll have space to spare as well as a nice pokey engine that transport you your friends & bikes/kit with ease as well as an auto box that'll make the drive home more relaxing.
Oh & no speed restrictions.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
You'll get a nice one for your budget you'll have space to spare as well as a nice pokey engine that transport you your friends & bikes/kit with ease as well as an auto box that'll make the drive home more relaxing.
Oh & no speed restrictions.
In a lot of ways an i800 would be ideal. The problem is that very few of the older examples (i.e. those within budget) have cruise control, and this is a deal breaker!
I'll keep an eye out though, in case one crops up at a reasonably local trader.
(Not overly keen on buying privately, what with zero comeback if something expensive mechanically s
ts itself shortly after purchase - especially where modern turbodiesels are concerned.)
I'll keep an eye out though, in case one crops up at a reasonably local trader.
(Not overly keen on buying privately, what with zero comeback if something expensive mechanically s
ts itself shortly after purchase - especially where modern turbodiesels are concerned.)I bought a Galaxy 2.0 TDCI (2010) a couple of months back.
I got it to use for tip runs/leisure and taking friends in it, which i couldn't do in my 2 seat Citroen Berlingo!
I am really pleased with it- its the manual as the powershifts can and will be an expensive pain!
Its really comfy and relaxing to drive and goes very well for a big old bus- certainly better than an I800, and much more economical than the Hyundai as well- computer showing 48.5mpg average which is probably around 43-45mpg in reality.
The fold flat seats are great and to keep out prying eyes, i had a limo tint done on all the rear windows, for when i plan to sleep in it when away cycling or kayaking or carrying stuff.
Mine had a new cam belt ( due at 100k/10 years), waterpump and aux belt a short time before purchase , so with that done i am pleased with the £3100 i paid for it.
I got it to use for tip runs/leisure and taking friends in it, which i couldn't do in my 2 seat Citroen Berlingo!
I am really pleased with it- its the manual as the powershifts can and will be an expensive pain!
Its really comfy and relaxing to drive and goes very well for a big old bus- certainly better than an I800, and much more economical than the Hyundai as well- computer showing 48.5mpg average which is probably around 43-45mpg in reality.
The fold flat seats are great and to keep out prying eyes, i had a limo tint done on all the rear windows, for when i plan to sleep in it when away cycling or kayaking or carrying stuff.
Mine had a new cam belt ( due at 100k/10 years), waterpump and aux belt a short time before purchase , so with that done i am pleased with the £3100 i paid for it.
Jonny_ said:
In a lot of ways an i800 would be ideal. The problem is that very few of the older examples (i.e. those within budget) have cruise control, and this is a deal breaker!
I'll keep an eye out though, in case one crops up at a reasonably local trader.
(Not overly keen on buying privately, what with zero comeback if something expensive mechanically sts itself shortly after purchase - especially where modern turbodiesels are concerned.)
You can always add the cruise control for not a lot of money:I'll keep an eye out though, in case one crops up at a reasonably local trader.
(Not overly keen on buying privately, what with zero comeback if something expensive mechanically s
ts itself shortly after purchase - especially where modern turbodiesels are concerned.)https://www.conrad-anderson.co.uk/products/view/cc...
dai1983 said:
JDM wagon such as the Stepwagon, voxy or the luxury Alphard. Thinking of importing a 2009 stepwagon for similar use to yours but they're in your budget. The rear most seats go flush with the floor.
I had a look at these, but quickly ran away as it's a bit of a minefield to the uninitiated (i.e. me!). Quite a few about but you find cars listed by their import date rather than their actual age to make them look newer, can be a pain to find parts, stereos/menus/navs in Japanese, all that fun stuff. They definitely have more enthusiast appeal than a European MPV, the Alphards and Elgrands do look like a nice thing, but all I'm really after is something practical, comfy and easy/cheap to maintain.
Off to view a Galaxy later today. 2010 2.0Tdci Ghia, manual, with 90k and full history. Private seller wants £4k which, if it's in decent nick and all the history tallies, isn't far off what various valuation sites suggest.
I had a look at the Galaxy this afternoon, and took it for a test drive. All appears well; it needs a good clean having been used as a family bus, but mechanically it seems sound, and drives better than I expected from a ten year old turbodiesel MPV.
I've left a small deposit with the seller, who is getting the car serviced and valeted before I collect and pay the balance next week.
Should be most useful for shifting bikes, DIY gubbins, tip-runs, and even occasionally for ferrying the full complement of 7 humans around...
I've left a small deposit with the seller, who is getting the car serviced and valeted before I collect and pay the balance next week.
Should be most useful for shifting bikes, DIY gubbins, tip-runs, and even occasionally for ferrying the full complement of 7 humans around...
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