Ford Galaxy 2.3 Ghia

HAD CAR 10 YEARS 18 MONTH OLD WHEN BOUGHT HER ONLY WEAR AND TEAR PARTS REPLACED ALLWAYS STARTS GREAT FOR COMFORT EASE OF DRIVING AND VERY VERISITLE WHEN TAKE SEATS OUT CAN FIT ALLMOST ANYTHING IN SOFA /BEDS MAIN THING IS THE COMFORT WHEN DRIVING AND PASSENGER

I am on my 2nd Galaxy. The first one was MK1 1998 2.3 GLX Model and was great on fuel for its age, and only ever demanded the standard servicing parts, It was spacious, my dogs loved it as I have 3, 1 huge dog, 1 medium and 1 small dog who all had more than enough space, The suspension was firm but soft enough to take all the bumps, and it only failed its MOT on an ABS sensor and ring, which I DIY repaired and cost less than £50 for the parts.

The only 2 reasons I got rid of it was because someone in a works van cut me up, they speeding and I had to mount a high kerb which damaged all the passenger side componants which because there was no physical contact between vehicles I could not get fixed through the other drivers insurance, so I let it go to someone else who had the funds to get her fixed and back on the road.

I now have a MK2 Ghia with the same engine, although the front cup holders are broken and paint damaged on the lower dash, The starter motor makes the normal woooooo noise that is common on them and I wont change until it dies, I have had to have the clutch replaced YESTERDAY but the car has covered over 130k Miles, And it failed its MOT a couple of weeks ago so have spent over £1000 in 2 months, but only standard wear and tear, and I feel it is more than worth it. My Galaxy is modified by me, and I love it. So easy to drive, so many gadgets, very comfortable and reliable.

Only thing to mention to everyone, their is a MAJOR common fault on the MK2's, The wire that goes from the Alternator to the fuse box by the Battery can overheat and has done on many of my friends car, the end of the wire and the ring terminal tend to burn out and melt and will melt the fuse box if not careful. I had to cut the wire back and fit a new ring terminal and shrink wrap the wire at the end and I used everyday thick grease over the small crack my wire caused. A BIG sign of this fault is, Car not starting, Battery APPEARING not to put the full amount of volts or amps that it should, blackened and clearly melted wire inside the fuse box.

The repair I have done is only a TEMPORARY one as you do need to fit a NEW alternator wire.

I would still highly recommend this car, just make sure you read up on the faults so that you know what you are in for in case it happens to you. And avoid the earlier automatics as the gearboxes are VW made and were only designed for 1.6 Volkswagon Golfs, and fail approx every 60000 miles.

And as soon as the Haynes manuals are out for the MK2 which is May 2012 at the earliest and June 2012 at the latest GET ONE.

Hope this informations helps anyone thinking about getting one.

I achieve 28mpg around town when driving sensibly and 38mpg on a Motorway journey again when driving sensibly.

Owned a 2.3l Ghia x from new (£21,000) Jan 1998 and have just traded it in with 68K on the clock. Like all Fords the plastic bits came adrift in the first few years but having said that not one mechanical component has been replaced. The car has same exhaust and brake disks as from the factory. The starter motor is a bit noisy but what would you expect after >10,000 engine cranks. The Galaxy is a versatile MPV offering average to good performance on most road types and in in most road conditions except snow and ice where it is abysmal. Great car for families which doubles as a van providing you are strong enough to remove the 5 rear seats and have somewhere to store them.

The only major problem I have had and cannot cure is the air con! I started having problems about 2 years ago and took it to local ford dealer to address the problem? they totaly overhauled it and it cost £1100!!! BUT the problem was never really sorted and the problem is this, The air con comes on when it feels like it and not when I want it to, If i turn it on it may not work but I can get it to work by turning the heat up to full and then it will kick in,It may then work for 5-10 mins then switch itself off!! When it is on it blows really cold like it should so I dismiss the fact it needs re-gassing as it's been doing this for about 12 months. I don't know if there is one but it's as if the cabin air temp sensor is faulty.

Not a bad car but I had to pay £60 to get the air con recharged after only 8 months. The garage have put a dye in the system and said if the discharge has been caused by a stone chip then a new system (condenser) will be down to me!

Not very happy about this as I explained that it should perhaps have a guard in front of it. Or even suggested that it may not be fit for purpose. They wouldn't have it and I will await and see. Just a typical poor Ford service for a new car. Purchased from Priests in Chesham.

The steering rack packed in when the car was just over 3 years. £1500 replacement. Ford refused to make any contribution at all.

The central locking went after 2 and a half year on the passenger door.

The handbrake keeps falling apart - it's an absolutely dreadful, shoddy design.

I deeply regret buying a Ford Galaxy.

The Ford Galaxy is really the best car ever! You have a lot of space and it has a BEAUTIFUL DESIGN! EVERYTHING on and in the car is rounded, I like that. The 5 seats in the back are removable so you can create a big boot or you have 5 good seats. By the newest Galaxy you can't remove them an the seats are bad. I like the sound of that 2.3 DOHC engine. I'll keep it my whole life!!!

I bought my 2.3 Galaxy as a replacement for my Chrysler Voyager and would definitely buy another. Although it was not as well appointed it is an order of magnitude more comfortable on a long journey, much easier to drive (great engine) and the visibility is way better than the Voyager.

It goes all over the country full of kids, camping gear, pulling trailers, (up to 1 tonne) full of Scout stuff, etc. and has given very little trouble.

I agree that rain does come in through the open window when it is raining but I can't remember a car where this doesn't happen.

The radio has had to be replaced the security code was not recorded in the manual by the last owner.

The air-con has gone toes up, but then the car is 11 years old and the speaker grills are at a perfect height for kids' feet ... At 105,000 miles it has just had it's first engine fault - a spark pack has gone the way of the Dodo but even then it is still driveable.

It does use fuel around town, but this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone buying a 2.3 engine car that weighs 2 tonnes and has the aerodynamics of a bingo hall. On a motorway run, I get better than 30 MPG with a full car and trailer, as it cruises at 70 MPH on almost no throttle and will give 300+ miles from a tankful.

It is a bit tired now and the suspension could do with some help, but it can still be pushed along at a surprisingly quick pace when empty.

I'll be buying a replacement soon but I am honestly reluctant to let this one go.

Excellent people carrier. Excellent cruise on motor way. Bags of space. Good value for money despite new gearbox (link bolt dropped into gearbox)£1300. New clutch £400 (The alps a challenge for any vehicle fully loaded). Tyres expensive £100+ (Make sure you get the correct tyres they must be re-enforced). Cruise control packed up (common problem) not fixed. Windscreen wipers packed up now fixed after pulling apart linkage/cleaning/greasing etc (make sure make a note of the correct position of gears)

Great car for carrying passengers and generally reliable but the VW built automatic transmission fitted on the 2.3 models of this year is apparently prone to trouble and is an expensive replacement.