C-Max or alternatives

Burning Eclipse

So, that time has finally come to buy a second car. My wife is pregnant with child #2 (because what single, childless man would by a C-Max) and we can't really get by with 1 car any more. I'm driving a 3dr Golf, and the plan is to buy something with a bit of space and a decent boot that will become the family car.

Wife test drove a 1.6 petrol C-Max, and since then is almost refusing to consider other cars. I'm hoping to get feedback from posters here who are familiar with that and other similar cars. We're not spending much money, so we're talking 04-05, ideally nothing larger than a 1.6 engine. Is the Corolla Verso worth a test drive? What else should we be considering? I know the driving position in the C-Max is a selling point for herself.

For anyone out there with the first gen C-Max, how did you find it? Anything in particular I should look out for when purchasing?

Also, spotted a 1.6d C-Max with 130,000 miles, but a full Ford service history - worth a look?

Would greatly appreciate any advice here.

Bpmull

We had a diesel Opel Zafira and they are a great family car. The only thing is the petrol version is 1.6 and a neighbour has a 2005 1.6 and is always complaining that it is underpowered and hard on petrol. However if you could get a diesel 2004 or 2005 Zafira they are one of the best 7 seaters in my opinion for that year. There is the 5 seater Opel mervia but I know little about them so the opens may be an alternative to the c- max maybe worth a look anyway. As far as I know the Renault scenic had a lot of issues so I wouldn't really look at them.

bugler

For what it's worth OP, I was hell bent on getting a C Max as a family car, mostly going off the glowing review on honest john, promise of lots of space and comfort etc. But I wound up driving an Octavia! Don't rule out a hatch/saloon if the comfort and boot size are right. With only 2 kids I'd imagine it isn't critical you be able to seat 3 easily in the back.

Scenics have a rep for too many electrical issues. Though you get a great spec for the money, as their resale values are muck.

I also considered a Seat Altea, Altea XL, or Toledo (2005) on. Again, you can get a great bargain on any of these with a good spec.

If you do focus in on a C Max, I have seen it said that the earliest runs (2003-2004) had a tendency to burn oil. Make sure you get at least a zetec spec, zetecs are very common here, don't settle for the lx.

LFC Murphy

VW Touran.... I spent 8 months mulling over the same question and cannot fault it.

Supergurrier

C-MAX ST = Sorted !

techie

Op, I am in the same boat, i.e. Second Child on the way, and we went and drove a few C-Max's and ended up buying an Avensis

Large boot and plenty of space, and ISOFIX too

osheen

I've a 1.6d cmax since 2004 143k miles and still going. nice car but borrowed the sisters mondeo for family trip to kerry and it has mountains more space. the cmax really does'nt hold much more than a m2 focus .

OldmanMondeo

The C-max is based on the Focus. As pointed out, try a larger saloon hatchback. I have 3 kids and I found loads of room in a Mondeo hatchback. Have a look at Avensis, Mondeos, Octavias in hatchback form. I currently have a saloon Mondeo and would swap tomorrow for a hatchback.

But remember, if her heart is set on the C-max, you need to start pointing out the down falls, try putting a buggy and shopping in the boot for a start. Look at how much room there is between the 2 child seats, not much good if Granny and Grandad are coming for the spin.

The Focus is around a long time now and the 1.6 would be much better than the 1.4 petrol. As long as they are looked after they last.

Burning Eclipse

Really appreciate all the replies here. Especially interested in the advice from people who were in the same situation and went for a regular saloon/hatch.

I should have stated clearly in the OP, no way we're buying a 7 seater (and nothing French).

osheen, very interesting to hear the comparison between the C-max and the Mondeo!

I suppose my ideal purchase at this point would be a mk II Focus estate. Love the look of them, and they seem to have lots of space! 1.6 is ideal, although estate could potentially be heavy on petrol?! Regardless, I'm trying to argue against someone who found the saloon focus to be too big/long (if that makes sense). I've also noticed that the Zetec is a must on the C-Max. LX isn't great spec in fairness.

alias no.9

You're being forced into a car change now with the arrival of no.2, its worth giving thought to avoiding the same thing happening down the line should there be a no.3! The CMax is really a 4+1 seater rather than a proper 5 seater. 3 child seats in the back could be a problem, never tried it but looked at its close cousin the Mazda 5 which was less than elegant when trying to fit 3 child seats properly.

Zubeneschamali

alias no.9 wrote: »

The CMax is really a 4+1 seater rather than a proper 5 seater.

Yes: an 04 C-Max's party trick with the rear seats is that you can fold the useless center one away, making it into a 4 seater with no boot. Mad.

Merch

following this thread, as I'm starting to consider my replacement car and interested to see what peoples opinions and experience are

Not planning on having more than one more child (than the current one), so I am considering
Mondeo/Avensis/Primera/Octavia hatch or estate with the intention of keeping it for 10 years minimum, prefer those over a people carrier (MPV) style particularily in a small-medium vehicle size.
I've been recommended the corolla verso, but it looks like it has a small boot.
I may still go for MPV, not a fan of french yokes or VW's and not much for Opels really but Im open minded, fiat,seat (maybe a zafira),fords, anything japanese incl imports, so long as its a car size and doesnt look like a cupboard on wheels (ie preferably not a funny looking import suzuki/yaris MPV's or the like)
Don't want to go over 1.6, 1.8 max, any opinions on engine size?
In some ways the decisions will be narrowed down for me as my other half only has an auto restricted licence and isn't willing to learn manual.
We dont do much mileage so Im thinking petrol and the age of a diesel wouldn't encourage me either, I'd be hoping for a 2007/8 but it could be a year minimum before we need to do that anyway so its planned to be not over a 5 year old car.

bazz26

You will be fairly limited in cars that size with an auto in less than 2.0 litre.

bladespin

TBH I doubt you need anything near that size, we've (2+2) had a Mondeo (hatch), a Passat and golf over the last couple of years and all were more than up to the job (boot's small in the golf though), eldest is 3 and littlest is now 18 months so there's less to carry nowadays.

Merch

bazz26 wrote: »

You will be fairly limited in cars that size with an auto in less than 2.0 litre.

That seems to be the case, but there are a few autos out there. Unfortunately its an absolute, cant convince her to learn manual, she allowed her learner permit to lapse for that and I think it may be hassle going that route because of that, but simply put she doesnt want to do it.

On the one hand it helps narrow down the options
I never thought she'd be the one to convince me, but after driving her auto, I'm getting lazy besides, we need a car both of us can drive
:mad:

Burning Eclipse

Am going to view this: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4032514

Anything in particular I should look out for? Quick (free) check online reveals it's a UK import.

bazz26

That is very low mileage for an almost 9 year old diesel car. Make sure to do a full history check and verify the service history.