ford galaxy

[rich.]

hmm what do i need?? something big enough to carry all the stuff we need for 2 kids 2 adults& a jack russel, cheap to buy and run and thats reliable. also needs to be good for very very long and boring motorway trips....

[hobby]

Unless you've got a limitless supply of money then for the above (long motorway drives) a conventional estate gives far better mpg than any of the MPVs, so that's worth bearing in mind as well... Forget the Gov mpg figures, they give no indication of the horrendous fall-off in mpg the MPVs (and 4x4s) give when travelling at motorway speeds compared with conventional cars/estates...

[rich.]

limitless supply of money me!! i cant even afford the bald tyres on a mini.... so fuel consumption is critical, wifey does around 15000 km a year.. with my van & tipper which are real alcoholics i have to be carefull..

[TerryG]

2.0 Mondeo diesel estate, 44mpg on a run with a boot full of junk and 5 adults. I have had to hire one a few times and they are just as nice to drive as a focus but LOADS more room. They are pretty cheap to buy used but remember when you want to sell it on, it will be worth very little.

[hobby]

Then I'd avoid MPVs and 4x4s, Rich, at motorway speeds they guzzle fuel compared with an estate like the Mondeo or Vectra...

[rich.]

galaxy does about 44 mpg on the motorway a bit less around town etc, wifey wants me to get rid of mr2 & buy a ford ka (we had one before & it was a good little car) suggested my dream car but she thinks thats just wierd..

[rich.]

new waterpump fitted with all new bits, new pump has a better seal than the old one but we shall see how it goes, thankfully i had a spare belt & tensioner kit which saved me €200 but the new pump & fitting cost me €200 & with the cat costing us a fortune at the vets we are now skint

[richardtaylor]

I would concur - Mondeo Estate would be a great choice. Big, reliable and good to drive.Mazda 6 est?

Mazda 6
Had a Mazda 6 saloon as a company car a few years ago and it was pretty damn good, for a modern - worth a look

Wild card - Saab 95 estate?

Had two, loved them. Go for 2.3 lpt: Quick, well equiped, pretty reliable (bar an appetite for rr shocks but there a doddle to change), not to bad on fuel: however check for regular oil and filter changes with fully synthetic oil or the turbos go at abot 120k . Avoid the larger diesel engine - throws liners at vast cost to repair

[rich.]

just failed its ct (mot) the front suspension is out of balance? only had the whole lot changed 10 months ago... off to see the garage that did the work...
just no luck with this car at all

[TerryG]

Sounds like the French are revolting (hehe) about having an Englishman in their garage
You should sell it and make yourself a Micra limo to go with your Micra tipper.