Done enough throwing money away to last a life time. Thanks for your thought, not for me.

I am picky, won't be buying any old junk.

Edited by Random on 24/08/2023 at 21:39

No worries about the predictive text, very good of you to take the time to look. I'd be wary of a low mileage diesel/lack of use car.

With the price now being £3975 I'm sure they'll be thrilled with an offer of £4000.

Thanks for the time you've taken with this.

The Jogger is a non starter, and always will be. Even if the seats had folded into the floor it would have been rejected. A sure fire money pit if I ever saw one. Why? Well, I know for certain it will cost me £10,000 plus and be worthless to me at the end of it, unless I want to spend more to buy it.. Within a few years the S-max will be on the cusp of being a classic. It was trendsetter, brilliantly design and great to drive. I'll be coming up to retirement in about 5 years so won't require a car of that size. An X-trail is still a contender but after a sour taste experience with an ebayer that's becoming unlikely - we'll see.

In the last five years my ancient VW TDI, over 150,000 miles when bought - now approaching 195,000 has cost me about £1100 in addition to routine servicing. So much for older cars being money pits, had plenty of them, saving loads, while other chuck money away on PCP. My accountant tells me people think they're saving money doing this. He has plenty of experience to know that's not the case.

You pay your money how you want, I will too.

Within a few years the S-max will be on the cusp of being a classic. It was trendsetter, brilliantly design and great to drive.

A 'classic' ? Really ? Why ?

It's there in black and white, and it's a Ford.

For example the Maxi (1969) which was a FWD hatchback before most manufacturers realised that was what punters wanted. You could argue that it was poorly built, but that isn't the point, is it ?

If you look you'll see Maxis going for crazy prices these days, driven by childhood memories etc. Certainly a classic to many, not that you'll find me ever buying one. Three Maxis have been in the family, none badly built.

Within a few years the S-max will be on the cusp of being a classic. It was trendsetter, brilliantly design and great to drive.

A 'classic' ? Really ? Why ?

Can't see it myself.

Although a sales success, personally I didn't really "get" the S-Max. The point of an MPV is maximum practicality, but the S-Max is simply a Galaxy with slightly less room (thanks to the lower roofline and being slightly shorter) and is therefore less practical.

To that end, in the time I have been a forum member it always strikes me odd that the S-Max is so readily recommended to anyone looking for a big MPV, but the Galaxy is hardly ever suggested by anyone other than me!.

Edited by badbusdriver on 27/08/2023 at 16:05

It doesn't exactly have the hallmarks of a classic, but people are happily forking out stupid money for a selection of r****** cars (mostly Fords, indeed) from the 80s, so who knows?

True, and I guess the version with the 5 pot Volvo turbo does have a certain appeal (as does the Zafira VXR) :-)

.It doesn't exactly have the hallmarks of a classic, but people are happily forking out stupid money for a selection of r****** cars (mostly Fords, indeed) from the 80s, so who knows?

What are the hallmarks of a classic? Basically any fondly remembered car will become a classic, and an S-Max was probably the best of its kind so assured classic status, especially - as BBD has pointed out - in 5 pot form.

. Anything totally mainstream is not going to be a classic, nor is something that nobody wanted originally. The best way to spot a future classic is probably to find a ten year old and ask them what they wish their parents drove. In 20 years' time, they will be in the market for one.

Marinas, Maxis, Fiestas, Novas, Cortinas, Ladas, Skodas, Maestros etc. are all classics, doesn't matter what it is, it's just the time it takes to reach varies. Mainstream good, bad, once common as muck, rare as hen's teeth will get there. Even the nobody wanted originally can find love now just ecause it was bad.

Ah, I see, it's about differing definitions. Those listed I would call 'old cars' and, more particularly, s***boxes. I thought the only people labelling those as classics were a certain breed of dealer that charge £10k for a 30 year old Lada Samara.

There are classics and classics.

Hot, or at least warm, hatches will be classics sooner than the base models that begat them.

But given time anything from your childhood or early years driving will, well preserved, command value.

What's today's price for an Austin A30 or an Issigonis Mini in decent condition?

Exactly Adam, certainly more than one idea of a classic. Recommend you go to FOTU sometime, if it appeals, loads of ****boxes, underappreiated by some, loved by many. :-)

but the Galaxy is hardly ever suggested by anyone other than me!.

It looks like an airport shuttle vehicle or is used for carrying dead bodies.

A Galaxy wouldn't be much use as an airport shuttle bus unless the passengers were travelling very light. It does more luggage space than the S-Max when all seats are in use, but that is still only 300 litres. Can't say I've ever seen a Galaxy being used as a hea*** either?

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest anyway ;-)

I know of more than one busness using them as an airport taxi, to be useful it doesn't have to be in 7 seat configuration to be perfect for the job..

Never said mentioned a hea*se.

No, you didn't mention hea***, but you did say carrying dead people. If, on family fortunes, the presenter said, "we asked 100 people to name a type of vehicle which carries dead people", what percentage do you suppose would say anything other than hea***?

You also didn't mention airport taxi, you said airport shuttle bus. Not the same thing at all.

So you know what to do !

Sorry, not on my radar to buy ATM, and I'll never buy a car with a leather interior, the smell makes me feel sick.

I can promise you Paul this isn't a wind up. I'm 100% serious about buying a X-Trail or S-max.

Thanks SLO, for your input, and to the others who've contributed, all appreciated. I have about 6 months or so to be fussy -), no hurry to buy. I'll update when necessary even if I change tact.

Edited by Random on 27/08/2023 at 19:50

That low mileage S-Max was £3275 when I looked earlier today. Over £1000 drop in a week. If I wait long enough it will be free! Wonder if there's something wrong with it?

Hang on..you said the other day you would never buy a car with a leather interior? So why are you still watching the price?

That low mileage S-Max was £3275 when I looked earlier today. Over £1000 drop in a week. If I wait long enough it will be free! Wonder if there's something wrong with it?

They're trying to get shot of it before the MOT runs out. .

It looks like they're in Dulwich which, I think, was outside the ULEZ zone but is now inside, so they don't want to keep it as a daily.

Just a thought, would an Estima be a wise choice?

And would considering one of these be an unwise choice?

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309021482290?s...a

Edited by Random on 20/10/2023 at 09:34

I get the appeal of these Jap imports, they’re pretty robust things and comes with loads of kit. They are horrendously thirsty though with large petrol motor, barn door aerodynamics and automatic transmission. Remember that it’s not a 2017 by the way, it’ll be a 2004 car and it’s been here since 2017. Japanese home market cars don’t have the same underbody rust treatment cars marketed here would have so unless it’s been treated underneath it may be a tad crusty now so you’ll need to get under it for a good look. The Mot history is clear though. Parts are the biggest issue though, these were never sold here so even basic things like an exhaust will have to be imported or made especially which will be very costly. Nothing will be available off the shelf so any failures will mean time off the road while waiting on parts. A petrol Mazda 5 is a bit more sensible at this money, but you’d need to find one that’s solid underneath. At least you can gets bits for one of them. But again I see the appeal of the import, it’s comfy and different. If you can afford to run it.

Probably true of the Honda, but I think an Estima would probably.be fine. They were sold here as the Previa up until 2005 so not all that exotic.

I've had 3 imports (two Toyotas and a Mitsubishi) and I can't say parts were ever much of a problem. Mechanical stuff is almost always shared with a UK model of something and body parts are all over eBay and breakers.

The lovely interior of the Honda was enticing, yet the sensible head overrules.

Had a look at an S-max yesterday, probably now ruled out now, perhaps a bit larger than really needed. Drove a C-Max MK2, a 1.6, just a bit underpowered but very pleasant to drive with a good ride, currently front runner having discovered the rear seats are removable. Might consider a MK3 1.6 petrol, IIRC 24 bhp more powerful than the MK2.

Okay, thanks for that. Any reason why I souldn't add a 1.8/2.0 petrol to widen my options?

Only available in the Mk I C-Max and getting old now, but if you can find a solid one they’re worthy of consideration. The 1.8/2.0 is essentially a Mazda L series chain driven motor, as you’ll find in many Mazda models. It’s generally very robust, but some 1.8’s can burn a bit of oil. I personally prefer the smaller and more numerous 1.6, which is an excellent unit in every way. It’s a bit smoother Johan the Mazda units but I’d buy on condition over which of the three engines it had.

C-Max purchased.

I do usually take on board the advice here. :-) It's a 2008, 1.8 petrol Titanium - Zetec dosen't even have elctric rear windows - just 2 owners from new, last one had it from 2011. FSH, with some receipts, good MOT history, no evidence of any paintwork done. 12 months MOT, serviced only 1,000 miles ago, just over 100,000 miles covered and paid a bit under £2,000, well within the £3,000 budget I'd allocated. And all tyres the same brand with a decent amount of tread.

Drives very sweetly, so now have to sell my MK1 Ghia Focus. This C-Max makes it five Focus in a row, three MK1 & one MK2 - only downside iof the C-max is the ride on the 17 inch wheels over some surfaces.

Certainly fun to drive, influencing the way many cars drive today. There's also rot you can see. Carpets lining the rear wheel arches hasn't been an asset in preventing rust. It's another two owner car before I bought it, including FSH with all receipts.

Thanks SLO, I find patience is a good trait to have when looking for a car. Rarely am I in a hurry to change. This time I've down sized from a van to end up with a vehicle combining the duities of private and business use. Also enabled me to go down to the cost of just two vehicles once the Focus MK1 has sold. Fiat Coupe summer fun car.

And thanks to all who gave advice regarding S-Max/C-max.