Discussion
Hi all,
I am after some advice as i`m looking to buy a Ford Galaxy/Seat Alhambra/VW Sharan,the only problem is is that i`m totally confused engine wise with regards to the different engines and sizes,i`m after something with reasonable power and fuel economy something with more guts than my 1.6 Escort and petrol preferably, however i have test drove a galaxy 19 TDI and not only did i think it sounded like a bus it also went as sluggish as one,but i have since heared that there are different BHP models so i`m not rulling out diesels just yet.
I am not looking for a gas guzzler as in the 2.8 V6.I have been looking at the Galaxy 2.3`S but again theres differnt models some engines are the zetec some are not,some have cam belts some dont, the usual ones are the GLX and Ghia and X but theres also an Si whats the best one to go for especially engine wise?
Then theres some 1.8 T 20 valve`s and the 2 ltr ones,petrol and diesel to be honest i`m totally confused, what do these go like?
Any advice with regards to the best one`s for power and fuel economy combined would be much appreciated.
Oh by the way i`m looking at the early models and the later face lift ones up to about 2002 and definately not looking for other similar vehicles.
I am after some advice as i`m looking to buy a Ford Galaxy/Seat Alhambra/VW Sharan,the only problem is is that i`m totally confused engine wise with regards to the different engines and sizes,i`m after something with reasonable power and fuel economy something with more guts than my 1.6 Escort and petrol preferably, however i have test drove a galaxy 19 TDI and not only did i think it sounded like a bus it also went as sluggish as one,but i have since heared that there are different BHP models so i`m not rulling out diesels just yet.
I am not looking for a gas guzzler as in the 2.8 V6.I have been looking at the Galaxy 2.3`S but again theres differnt models some engines are the zetec some are not,some have cam belts some dont, the usual ones are the GLX and Ghia and X but theres also an Si whats the best one to go for especially engine wise?
Then theres some 1.8 T 20 valve`s and the 2 ltr ones,petrol and diesel to be honest i`m totally confused, what do these go like?
Any advice with regards to the best one`s for power and fuel economy combined would be much appreciated.
Oh by the way i`m looking at the early models and the later face lift ones up to about 2002 and definately not looking for other similar vehicles.
we have a 2.3 petrol, and no matter how its driven the return is about 26mpgs. This is about the same as my brother gets from his 2.8 v6 sharan. The 2.3 is grunty enough and pulls well but its not that great, especially given the mpg.
The 2.8 sharan has a fair bit of grunt considering the weight and the fact its 4wd, if I had a choice between the 2.3 galaxy and the 2.8 sharan I would go for the sharan.
Alternatively, driving wise the 1.8T engined alhambra should be similar (perhaps slightly better) compared to the 2.3 galaxy but should return better mpgs. I would guess at over 30 (based on the same 1.8t engined cars making around 35) (p.s. - the vw 1.8T engines can be remapped to 200bhp!)
I doubt the 2.0 petrol will be much cop. Never driven one but these things are heavy, especially fully laden. I can imagine one of these being annoyingly gutless.
If fuel economy is likely to be an issue for you then spend the extra money and go for the deisel. I wish we had in some respects. On days out we nearly always take my deisel focus now, because it costs almost half the amount in fuel compared to the galaxy.
btw - My boss has a deisel alhambra and gets about 45mpgs out of it.
The 2.8 sharan has a fair bit of grunt considering the weight and the fact its 4wd, if I had a choice between the 2.3 galaxy and the 2.8 sharan I would go for the sharan.
Alternatively, driving wise the 1.8T engined alhambra should be similar (perhaps slightly better) compared to the 2.3 galaxy but should return better mpgs. I would guess at over 30 (based on the same 1.8t engined cars making around 35) (p.s. - the vw 1.8T engines can be remapped to 200bhp!)
I doubt the 2.0 petrol will be much cop. Never driven one but these things are heavy, especially fully laden. I can imagine one of these being annoyingly gutless.
If fuel economy is likely to be an issue for you then spend the extra money and go for the deisel. I wish we had in some respects. On days out we nearly always take my deisel focus now, because it costs almost half the amount in fuel compared to the galaxy.
btw - My boss has a deisel alhambra and gets about 45mpgs out of it.
Damian S said:
we have a 2.3 petrol, and no matter how its driven the return is about 26mpgs. This is about the same as my brother gets from his 2.8 v6 sharan. The 2.3 is grunty enough and pulls well but its not that great, especially given the mpg.
The 2.8 sharan has a fair bit of grunt considering the weight and the fact its 4wd, if I had a choice between the 2.3 galaxy and the 2.8 sharan I would go for the sharan.
Alternatively, driving wise the 1.8T engined alhambra should be similar (perhaps slightly better) compared to the 2.3 galaxy but should return better mpgs. I would guess at over 30 (based on the same 1.8t engined cars making around 35) (p.s. - the vw 1.8T engines can be remapped to 200bhp!)
I doubt the 2.0 petrol will be much cop. Never driven one but these things are heavy, especially fully laden. I can imagine one of these being annoyingly gutless.
If fuel economy is likely to be an issue for you then spend the extra money and go for the deisel. I wish we had in some respects. On days out we nearly always take my deisel focus now, because it costs almost half the amount in fuel compared to the galaxy.
btw - My boss has a deisel alhambra and gets about 45mpgs out of it.
Thanks for the info.i`ts got me wondering about a diesel again,the only thing is like i mentioned earlier i have taken one for a test drive a 19 tdi and i reackon i could have cycled faster than that went,however it may have been one of the lower BHP ones.If not i will stick to petrol forever, well until i can.The 2.8 sharan has a fair bit of grunt considering the weight and the fact its 4wd, if I had a choice between the 2.3 galaxy and the 2.8 sharan I would go for the sharan.
Alternatively, driving wise the 1.8T engined alhambra should be similar (perhaps slightly better) compared to the 2.3 galaxy but should return better mpgs. I would guess at over 30 (based on the same 1.8t engined cars making around 35) (p.s. - the vw 1.8T engines can be remapped to 200bhp!)
I doubt the 2.0 petrol will be much cop. Never driven one but these things are heavy, especially fully laden. I can imagine one of these being annoyingly gutless.
If fuel economy is likely to be an issue for you then spend the extra money and go for the deisel. I wish we had in some respects. On days out we nearly always take my deisel focus now, because it costs almost half the amount in fuel compared to the galaxy.
btw - My boss has a deisel alhambra and gets about 45mpgs out of it.
They never made a 2.3 V6, it was a 4 pot.
There are various deisel versions. I know ford did various different powered tdi units.. 90, 115, 130 and 150bhp. VW and Seat do a 115 and 130. (assuming you are looking at the last model, ie post 2000)
Ideally you would want at least the 130bhp version, but these command a premium. The 115 is probably adequate, but the 90 will be absolute rubbish (you can always get the deisel remapped though. 115s remap to 140, and the 130s remap to 170. better fuel economy as well)
There are various deisel versions. I know ford did various different powered tdi units.. 90, 115, 130 and 150bhp. VW and Seat do a 115 and 130. (assuming you are looking at the last model, ie post 2000)
Ideally you would want at least the 130bhp version, but these command a premium. The 115 is probably adequate, but the 90 will be absolute rubbish (you can always get the deisel remapped though. 115s remap to 140, and the 130s remap to 170. better fuel economy as well)
have a galaxy 2.3 ghia it has a cam chain, gets about 29mpg its done 145000 miles and only ever needed in its whole life from new (2000 reg) a water pump(£200) brakes and coil pack and the odd service and tyre change. great car for work, and flexible as u can take all the seats out, but diesel could have been better mpg but i doubt it would have been anywhere near as reliable.
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