0 useful votes
Review Ford Galaxy 1.9pd turbo diesel Manual 2000
Submitted by greg222
Key strengths: Good ride, spacious
Areas for improvement: Underpowered, gearbox
This car has been a disappointment for many reasons. Firstly some car magazines in initial reviews of the new Galaxy 2000 model raved about the new VW stlye quality of this model. If this car of ours demonstrates VW quality, then they have only been dragged down to Ford's level.
Also reports that the Galaxy is the most 'car like' to drive is a gross exageration. A Transit van is now very good to drive and probably better made. The Galaxy drives like a van, full stop.
Although more powerful than the previous 110 bhp VW diesel engine, this new Pump Deuse unit is not as smooth and the economy has been disappointing. On a fast run in France it only averaged 31 mpg on the Autoroutes, and the best we have ever achieved is 36 mpg. The power band is quite narrow and it is pointless revving the engine. If I was buying this car again I would seriously consider the VW sourced 5 speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox, as you forever seem to be changing gears with the manual.
The new six speed gearbox is notchy and it is easy to select third gear by mistake instead of first. Sixth gear you hardly ever use, as speeds under 60mph in this gear cause the engine to labour. Until you get used to it, the engine is very easy to stall when pulling away.
The ride quality is generally good but rather van-like. It sort of nods and hops in corners if you encounter bumps.
There is a design fault with the seats made for this car which I demonstrated to the dealership on their identical showroom model. Because it is such a tight fit, the third row seats get damaged if forced forwards and are impossible to remove without first taking out the middle row. Ford say they are aware of this problem, but have been unable to tell me when it will be remedied.
Since this car will be mainly driven by women, it is not very lady friendly. What is a must though, are the parking sensors fitted as standard to the Zetec model. Never buy a secondhand "Shalaxy" without air conditioning, otherwise it will mist up all the time.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9pd turbo diesel Manual are high
Areas for improvement: Underpowered, gearbox
This car has been a disappointment for many reasons. Firstly some car magazines in initial reviews of the new Galaxy 2000 model raved about the new VW stlye quality of this model. If this car of ours demonstrates VW quality, then they have only been dragged down to Ford's level.
Also reports that the Galaxy is the most 'car like' to drive is a gross exageration. A Transit van is now very good to drive and probably better made. The Galaxy drives like a van, full stop.
Although more powerful than the previous 110 bhp VW diesel engine, this new Pump Deuse unit is not as smooth and the economy has been disappointing. On a fast run in France it only averaged 31 mpg on the Autoroutes, and the best we have ever achieved is 36 mpg. The power band is quite narrow and it is pointless revving the engine. If I was buying this car again I would seriously consider the VW sourced 5 speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox, as you forever seem to be changing gears with the manual.
The new six speed gearbox is notchy and it is easy to select third gear by mistake instead of first. Sixth gear you hardly ever use, as speeds under 60mph in this gear cause the engine to labour. Until you get used to it, the engine is very easy to stall when pulling away.
The ride quality is generally good but rather van-like. It sort of nods and hops in corners if you encounter bumps.
There is a design fault with the seats made for this car which I demonstrated to the dealership on their identical showroom model. Because it is such a tight fit, the third row seats get damaged if forced forwards and are impossible to remove without first taking out the middle row. Ford say they are aware of this problem, but have been unable to tell me when it will be remedied.
Since this car will be mainly driven by women, it is not very lady friendly. What is a must though, are the parking sensors fitted as standard to the Zetec model. Never buy a secondhand "Shalaxy" without air conditioning, otherwise it will mist up all the time.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9pd turbo diesel Manual are high
Safety: 78
Reliability: 76
Equipment: 72
Comfort: 80
Design: 67
Driving: 73
0 useful votes
Review Ford Galaxy 1.9TDI 110 Manual 2000
Submitted by daughter1
Key strengths: Good strong engine, drives like a car
Areas for improvement: Seats, poor quality interior
Pulls well for a big diesel MPV and drives like a car not a van. Comfy and great seat arrangements.
Would have liked some more "toys" but practically the Zetec looks good in black and handles well.
Interiors need toughening up a bit though.
Clutch burnt out at 65000 miles, as the car had been an ex hire car then this was accepted.
Seats haven't taken to the rigours of being moved in and out of the vehicle with some scuffs and a couple of tears.
Fuel Mapping sensor needed replacing at 65000 miles at the cost of £175 + labour.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9TDI 110 Manual are high
Areas for improvement: Seats, poor quality interior
Pulls well for a big diesel MPV and drives like a car not a van. Comfy and great seat arrangements.
Would have liked some more "toys" but practically the Zetec looks good in black and handles well.
Interiors need toughening up a bit though.
Clutch burnt out at 65000 miles, as the car had been an ex hire car then this was accepted.
Seats haven't taken to the rigours of being moved in and out of the vehicle with some scuffs and a couple of tears.
Fuel Mapping sensor needed replacing at 65000 miles at the cost of £175 + labour.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9TDI 110 Manual are high
Safety: 73
Reliability: 68
Equipment: 58
Comfort: 77
Design: 70
Driving: 72
0 useful votes
Review Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi (115BHP) Manual 2003
Submitted by yangeroo
Key strengths: Great handling & performance for a MPV
Areas for improvement: Electrics
Performance is great both in pace and economy. The 115bhp TDi engine is VW's most modern unit for 2003 cars. It has a superb torque range and you can get into the right rev range because it is mated to the six speed gearbox. Cruises quietly at 1900rpm / 70mph so long journeys are effortless.
Handling is the best I've experienced for a full size MPV. Far better than Toyota Picnic or Zafira. Not a Subaru Impreza on the back roads, but is a competent performer and won't leave you exhausted at the end of your country lane / Scottish lochs tour.
Comfort is very good. Seats are superb, loads of room, great view, climate control, superb radio, cassette & six CD unit.
Space is great. Front seats swivel 180 degrees. All others move, fold forward and can be removed. Various seat layouts possible. This car does anything a family can possibly ask of it. Adults can comfortably seat in rearmost seats.
Final compelling point? 5 passenger, German autobahn, 110mph, aircon on with 38c outside, luggage and...45mpg!!!
Drop links started knocking at 10,000 miles - replaced under warranty without problem.
Booster (auxiliary) heater misfiring with plumes of grey smoke at 20,000 miles - replaced under warranty with upgraded glow plug kit. Dealer excellent and proactive in resolution.
Minor erratic electrical faults - e.g. one-touch automatic electric window switch works sometimes and at others you have to hold it down/up.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi (115BHP) Manual are normal
Areas for improvement: Electrics
Performance is great both in pace and economy. The 115bhp TDi engine is VW's most modern unit for 2003 cars. It has a superb torque range and you can get into the right rev range because it is mated to the six speed gearbox. Cruises quietly at 1900rpm / 70mph so long journeys are effortless.
Handling is the best I've experienced for a full size MPV. Far better than Toyota Picnic or Zafira. Not a Subaru Impreza on the back roads, but is a competent performer and won't leave you exhausted at the end of your country lane / Scottish lochs tour.
Comfort is very good. Seats are superb, loads of room, great view, climate control, superb radio, cassette & six CD unit.
Space is great. Front seats swivel 180 degrees. All others move, fold forward and can be removed. Various seat layouts possible. This car does anything a family can possibly ask of it. Adults can comfortably seat in rearmost seats.
Final compelling point? 5 passenger, German autobahn, 110mph, aircon on with 38c outside, luggage and...45mpg!!!
Drop links started knocking at 10,000 miles - replaced under warranty without problem.
Booster (auxiliary) heater misfiring with plumes of grey smoke at 20,000 miles - replaced under warranty with upgraded glow plug kit. Dealer excellent and proactive in resolution.
Minor erratic electrical faults - e.g. one-touch automatic electric window switch works sometimes and at others you have to hold it down/up.
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi (115BHP) Manual are normal
Safety: 78
Reliability: 72
Equipment: 75
Comfort: 79
Design: 74
Driving: 70
0 useful votes
Review Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi Manual 2006
Submitted by daughter1
Key strengths: Roomy interior - especially at back
Areas for improvement: Too many noises!
Very roomy, perfect for passengers.
Poor boot space unless you lose a seat or two (big muscles required to do this).
1.9 TDi, 130 bhp engine is very economical, but very responsive.
Inherited irritating "knock" noise from the drivers seat recently which "talks" to me when I pull away.
Parking sensors front and rear are a great idea, especially as it's a big car and needs to be slotted tightly into certain parking spaces.
Handles overall very well, considering the bulk of it.
Some hi-pitched noise when I apply the brakes at low speed..
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi Manual are normal
Areas for improvement: Too many noises!
Very roomy, perfect for passengers.
Poor boot space unless you lose a seat or two (big muscles required to do this).
1.9 TDi, 130 bhp engine is very economical, but very responsive.
Inherited irritating "knock" noise from the drivers seat recently which "talks" to me when I pull away.
Parking sensors front and rear are a great idea, especially as it's a big car and needs to be slotted tightly into certain parking spaces.
Handles overall very well, considering the bulk of it.
Some hi-pitched noise when I apply the brakes at low speed..
The running costs for Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi Manual are normal
Safety: 86
Reliability: 67
Equipment: 75
Comfort: 90
Design: 71
Driving: 62
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