2000 Ford Galaxy Zetec from UK and Ireland - Comments

* New windscreen wiper motor fitted.

* New headlight light bulbs fitted.

* Various rattles from the dashboard and passenger door.

* Complete electrical failure on two occasions.

* Bonnet lid would not close.

* Third row seats get damaged when folded forwards and are impossible to remove without taking out the middle row seats too (design fault on all new Galaxy 2000 models).

Things did not get off to a very good start when we went to pick up my wife's Galaxy from the dealership in Eastbourne. The car was not ready at the arranged time, the number plates had not been fitted and I doubt whether it had been PDI'd, as the bonnet lid was impossible to close after the salesman opened it. Also the washer bottle filler lid was left open and there was muck in the filter for it. We soon found out the reason why, as the wipers never worked properly and eventually failed completely.

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.

As a footnote to my earlier review of our Galaxy Zetec 1.9pd, on Monday 22nd January 2001 the Ford dealership we bought the car from, refunded the entire purchase price of £20,700 which we paid in September last year.

Because of the problem with the third row seats, I had sent a letter to the dealership after taking legal advice, demanding our money back or a replacement vehicle. Because all Galaxy's (and Sharans/Alhambra's too) have this problem, under the Ford Commitment scheme the manufacturer bought back the car in spite of it having nearly 4,000 miles on the clock!

I believe Ford have acted very honourably in making this gesture. If it wasn't for the fact the dealership in Eastbourne washed their hands of us and made us have to hire a KA for the two weeks it took for the cheque to come through after we had returned the Galaxy, we would have certainly purchased another Ford. All the goodwill has been lost.

If anyone else is fed up with the seats in the Galaxy 2000 model range, please contact me at KPWats7@aol.com and I will email you a copy of my letter, which motivated Ford to buy back our car within 48 hours!

I recently bought a 2001 Galaxy Zetec 2.3 petrol model, and have to say that I have not been as unfortunate as you seem to have been. I have no complaints regarding build quality, ride or handling, but would agree that the rearmost seats are not the easiest to remove. The headrest catches on the seat back tilt mechanism lever for the middle row seats, however this can be easily resolved by moving the middle row seats forward.

I suppose a lot of dissatisfaction comes down to expectation - if you buy a BMW and you experience 95% trouble-free motoring, you are more likely to be dissatisfied than if you buy a Skoda and have the same level of reliability.

I previously owned a 2000 model Alfa 156, which if the motoring press (and a number of colleagues who owned one) were to be believed, was a quality, reliable car. To my cost I found this was not the case, with a litany of major faults (including a replacement engine) that had the car off the road more often than on.

So by comparison, the Galaxy is a dream. And having driven arguably one of the finest-handling sports saloons in the compact exec sector, I certainly don't feel the Galaxy suffers by comparison in the ride & handling department. Yes, it's large, yes, it can be sluggish, but in no way does it feel van-like. Again, it's down to expectations - I expected the Galaxy to have poor ride and handling, but it exceeded those expectations, and therefore is not unacceptable.

I guess both our experiences show it's still possible to get a 'Monday Morning Car' just like the good old days of British Leyland.

I have sentiments about the Ford Galaxy that are reflected pretty much in both the comments written here, and I own a late 2001 Zetec, petrol manual model. The seats can be a bit awkward, but manageable. On the whole, I am content with this vehicle, about which I knew little before I purchased it.

The finish is a bit shabby, and I have problems with an annoying rattling noise, set up by vibration and airflow over the bonnet. This is the result of the cheap and nasty ill-fitting plastic trim at the base of the windscreen.

My main beef though is about the airbag and its electronic management and indication system. Ever since about 3 weeks after buying the car new, the warning light comes on periodically and then remains on permanently, for no apparent reason that my local garage can ascertain. It has been re-set 4 or 5 times now, and I have been told that the "airbag controller" (?) has been replaced. Could it have anything to do with the fact that after I turn the engine off, something is still running (a humming sound from under the bonnet) for up to 13 minutes?

The airbag system is basically just a reed switch with a magnet on a spring.

I find it hard to beleive that this system could be reset.

Probably just a duff airbag sensor. I worked at the facory that built it, I should know.

Has your galaxy leaked water, it seems a common problem regarding other reviews that I have read?

Faults on any car is not good, but to have water seeping into every thing electrical is major bad news!

I am seriously considering a Galaxy for many reasons, but unfortunately the reviews that I have looked at do not bode well.

Obviously any car review can read good or bad one, and ultimately peoples' own experiences.

But the water issue seems only to have affected the post 2000 model.

I have read with great Interest the comments concerning the Galaxy, and the bad experiences this person has had.

It is quite obvious that this person has never owned a Ford Galaxy at all, why do a review is beyond me. The Galaxy is car like in it's driving mannerism and handles a lot better than my Mercedes, It Is also more comfortable. Yes, the Ford Dealers are probably some of the worst dealers in the UK, but the MPV is a 10 out of 10 Multi Purpose vehicle.

The only negative I would add is, if you use all the 7 seats luggage space is very limited.

I have owned a 96 2.3 ghia "X" & find generally a good family mode of transport. only gripe- clogging of a/con system - not covered by dealer warranty & very expensive to repair.

Well, I bought a '96 2.8 Ghia X in early 1999. It was not a very well cared for example, and had 52Kmiles on it.

Apart from a build problem with the A/C evaporator which cost me about £1000 more than it should have (due to incompetent AC monkeys), and a loose bolt on the engine steady bar, it has been one of the most reliable and pleasurable motors I have ever had.

For a family man with growing kids it's the perfect mass transport, and if it handles like a Transit, that's high compliment to Transits. We drove a lot of the competition before we bought it and the Gal wins hands down. And what other MPV even offers a V6?

Big-engine lack of economy is a myth, unless you thrash around *all* the time. I get 25ish to the gallon on a trip (85mph on the m'ways) and 19-20 around town, which is fine by me. I hired a 2.3 for a (work) trip to Germany once and got almost exactly the same MPG figures, 'cos it is lower geared.

But I'm getting rid of it now.

No, I've not fallen out - I've bought a 51 reg V6 Ghia with a paltry 6K on the clock which I now know will do me another 80,000 miles without a problem.

Oh and the new one's got the reversing sensors!

Andy.

My Wife has a 1997 Galaxy TDi Aspen.

It has good economy (36 mpg) but I find it noisy inside compared to my old 1989 Audi 100.

I'm changing my car now and I want a Galaxy too! We love it. But I'm thinking of a V6 which I hope will be quieter and quicker, or maybe a 1.8T (Sharan). And definitely a Ghia X (or VW carat) because the Aspen doesn't have Air Con and it's a nightmare on warm days.

Does anyone have views on the performance of an automatic?

My budget means I'm looking at around 1998/9 model.

I purchased a 1999 "T" 1.9TDI ghia x August 2002. excellent fuel economy, averages 46mpg, exceeds 50mpg regularly at 70mph if you keep the revs to about 2500.

Over the year of my ownership, the air con evaporator was replaced (fortunately under warranty)

Gear box replaced (out of warranty) A bolt on the gear selector sheared off and dropped into the gearbox, after mashing everything inside continued through the casing.

I have experienced a problem when braking at 60-70 MPH which is a juddering/vibration. After inspecting the front disks and finding them OK, I will live with it as it is quite a common occurrance in galaxies.

Tyres are horrendously expensive as are exhaust systems.

One annoying feature is a rattle from the tail gate area, despite greasing hinges regularly, it reappears weeks later again.

Yes, I would buy another, The galaxy is such a roomy, versatile, economical, comfortable vehicle.