2.8 v6 advice

[stred]

Hi,

After owning a mk2 galaxy tdi 3 or so years ago that went south with head gasket problems, I've had a renault espace for a year or so that's also gone the same way plus turbo.

I'm hankering after another galaxy, actually wanted a alhambra for the better spec, but want to steer clear of diesels, I'm worried because of past experiences, I know the story of buying with good history, but these cars are expensive even for high milers in diesel form.

Also this is going to be a school run car plus weekend grandparent hack etc, so I'm not sure about wether a diesel would be that more economic and I don't want to open a petrol vs diesel debate, I've plenty of experience with both.

My budget is limited around Ã,£1500 and I've spotted a 2.8 v6 02 galaxy ghia, not only the extra power but the better specs, heated seats etc are tempting, also these are quite rare when compared with the diesels, so pickings are slim and I have to have a manual because partner just won't drive an auto.

Now, a few caveats with this car, it has no history 85k miles, a couple of months tax and test, I've checked the mot history it's all normal stuff except last mot had advisorys for rear subframe bushes and worn driveshaft, I'm assuming these weren't dealt with because the car was retested at a different station and passed with these advisorys not listed.

The car is in reasonable shape, nothing special but it's a school run car so is going to be ruined by the monsters anyway.

I've spent the last 3 weeks looking for cars but I need to buy this week really, I refuse to buy another French car so it's got to be one of these really.

Come on, someone give me a clue!

Thanks
Scott

[gregers]

school run car eh,imo its goner work out very expensive on the fuel for you.

[Etihad84]

Surely that car has got to be a petrol guzzler???

[Mirez]

The V6 is a cracking engine with a lot of power, the downside is indeed the MPG as its heaving a one and half tonnes of Galaxy about. Expect real world figures of 22 to 30 MPG on a long run, Sub 20 around town Don't forget insurance is generally a little more for petrols.

Reliability wise they are fairly sound with coil packs being the problem component, easy enough to change but there are 6 of them Ã,£1500 is an ok price, they are difficult to sell with the V6 engine so you may be able to haggle is down a little

[stred]

Thanks for replys guys, I'm not blinkered about the lack of economy, but I'm looking for a car that will last a few years, the diesels are great cars and I enjoyed ours immensely, but I'll always have this nagging feeling about head gaskets, turbos, injectors and cambelt issues, in the price bracket I'm looking a diesel will have not been looked after as well as it should of been and they are all north of 150k miles, so to get something with impeccable service history and sensible miles is going to be a gamble, with the v6 being somewhat more simpler, ie no cambelt, turbo etc, it seems to be a more sensible idea for reliability

After speaking with the owner of the car I'm interested in, they say that the car was acquired from a relative who passed away and they paid off the outstanding finance, of course I would do an hip check in this instance, but it seems a plausible reason to have the car but wish to move it on.

They also have lowered the price considerably to Ã,£1250


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[Chrispb]

Hi Scott
Having the overheating problem can get expensive if not diagnosed early, distorted eroded head is often the result on many engines if not tackled early enough not just on galaxy's, obviously your budget will influence your decision, you will allways hear more faults about the diesel because there is more of them,the V6 is not without it's faults but with the added fuel costs could out way any saving on the purchase price.

[stred]

I'm awaiting some pictures of sills and door shuts before I travel on Saturday to view the car, I'm @ crystal palace on Saturday to watch football so will nip up afterwards.

Insurance premium difference is Ã,£35 over my demised 1.9 dci espace, so not bank breaking .

My partner is making some worrying noises about a citroen c8 hdi we looked at today, it's a little over budget I'm telling her !


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[stred]

Heh guys, what's your opinion of this damaged sill



Looks rusted through to me


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[Mirez]

Its rusted yes, but there is a recess there where the U Jack would go so its not quite as bad as it looks. That said the ends of the recess do look to have holes in - should be an easy enough repair for a bodyshop to do and for me, not a reason to walk away from a car. Whilst its probably incorrect use of a jack thats caused paint damage and subsequent rust it makes a thorough inspection important in case its rusting in other areas.

[stred]

Thanks mirez, the owner took pictures of all these area on my request, this is the worst although the leading edges of the inside rear wheel arch lip are rusted, it looks only like surface rust to me


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[stred]

Here's the two arches, looks ok to me, obviously viewing the car would be preferable, but it's not going to be possible until the weekend





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[Mirez]

What year is the car?

[stred]

It's a 52 plate, I noticed the tyres appear to be dunlops


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[Mirez]

Its on "ok" amount of rust for a 52 plate to have, kinda shows its not been washed as often or as thoroughly as it should have been though Again, repairable in its current condition - nothing major from the looks of the photo

Are you basing dunlop tyre's just on that photo? That's damn impressive if so lol

[stred]

Not that photo,,, I have another lol, I know the rust on the arch lips aren't a problem (mot speaking) but the rust in the first picture is an mot failure I would think, then of course there are the outriggers on the floor to worry about which I haven't asked for pictures of, we had those welded on our previous galaxy both sides and remember that as being a 'problem area' on these although it wasn't terribly expensive.

When I go to view I'm going armed with my laptop and lead (bought during previous ownership) to scan the car, see what I can find out about it


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