Ford C Max Titanium

Now that I've spent a year after buying a Ford C Max Titanium , it is time to take stock.

In late 2007, my Peugeot 205 XAD old man, now aged 16, she blamed the weight of age, and "asked me" to get the papers for retirement. Not that he had been giving major problems, but with age, as you know, everything is degraded and began to need to replace some bodies because of their age, accused wear.

My old Peugeot had already almost 220,000 miles and was only put oil and diesel. Never let me down.

As for the Ford C Max Titanium, this was not my 1st choice, moreover, was not even a choice. To be frank, when I thought I had to change cars, I did not know what car to choose.

Ford C-max

I started thinking of a semi-new or even used (something like a Toyota Avensis or an Audi A4 Avant , always in van, but because I am a fan) but this time, it was precisely when the car manufacturers began to advertise their programs vehicle end of life, with considerable financial deal. Then I thought about buying a new car

The dilemma

How was near the end of 2007, and why I decided to buy a new car, pointed the purchase just for the beginning of 2008, was always less than 1 year of devaluation.

Until then, I started visiting a few booths to get to know the different candidates. The first thing I saw was a OPEL ASTRA wagon in time to OPEL with its program Opel ecoFLEX provided a value approaching € 4000, then went to Renault who, with the launch of its program Renault ECO2 it offered a value too exceeding € 3,000, the purchase of a Renault Megane Break .

Any one of the vans to show a positive experience for their years of existence, however, was that even the "what the hell," the years of existence, believing that they are coming restylings or even new versions, and though this was not a big problem, there was another devaluation in a car just bought.

In early 2008, then comes the new Ford Focus , which basically remained virtually unchanged their back, but since the front came through new and inspired by Ford kinetic design . I confess that nothing had me back, but the front is remarkable.

The decision

I went to a stand of Ford and here the problems begin "Portuguese". Being a car just released, the number of vehicles available for delivery are distributed among different countries and according to their sales volumes. Result, Portugal has received few vehicles that is to say that the vans, in the version intended (Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Duratorq 109CV Station), was already esgotadissima.

Dai went to the same version but in the car. There were 1 available black, but by the time of launch, the Titanium's offer came with a Titanium X Pack and other accessories, wearing the tinted windows, which provided a very air car tuning. Results went home and when I decided to reflect this also had "flown".

Even thought of ordering and waiting, but for any of models waiting was approximately three months (ie buying a car and be waiting three months is not here with nothing). Ford almost quit, however, my more than anything in 1st visit to the dealer had been with Ford C-Max crossed (I silently also impressed, because I'm also a fan of the format Minivan).

I turn again to the dealer and C-Max was available and only took the time of registration. I was soon to experience the car more carefully, I made a test drive and got the decision right there, we want a Ford C-Max Titanium 1.6 TDCi Duratorq 16V (109 hp).

The extras were metallic paint, Family Pack (Includes a mirror for observation of children in the back seat, parking sensors front and back - and give way, since it is almost impossible to see the dimensions of the C-Max when we are at steering wheel - and curtains for the sun in the rear doors), The Pack V2C (Voice to control, which contains a radio cd with 8 speakers and controls on the steering column, just behind the steering wheel and even a system with bluetooth controlled voice), finally, the wheels of 17? (Give another breath).

The slaughter program of end-of-life

I enjoyed the program of the state vehicle end of life and my old man has surrendered 205 + / - € 1,500 (€ 1,000 less in car tax and the consequent reduction of VAT). This process is as fast as expected and we still have to make some turns (the vehicle is shot at a center in that certificate is a document for us to ask at the custom exemption from the tax but in the meantime we need to go ask for a Social Security Statement how we have no debts and a declaration in the former DGV in as the car shot has no liens or charges, only then does the process advances), which meant that it was still + / - 1 and a half months to wait for the registrations are only applied after everything settled for an exemption of that amount.

Delivery

He arrived a day to lift the car and it was raining. Not that this has some influence, but new car asks thousand cares, and, indeed, a rainy day was not good days to receive the car, but then I was happy and contented. The seller explained to me the most important features (I confess I only heard half) and I put myself in the car towards home.

Here, pass a commercial vehicle with 16 years for a passenger car and new is a big difference. The comfort, soundproofing, visibility, security, everything was different from my old man 205. As usual diesel fuel was at an end, but it did make the trip to home.

The car

Now that I've spent over a year, I am quite familiar with the C-Max. It is indeed a very good car. Even with the rims of 17? no comfort suffers. Driving is always soft and amortization and uneven ground. Also the driving position could not be better for the vehicle and entry does not require any effort (the height of the seat is at the level of our hips, or lower or higher). The position, being high (normal in a minivan) gives a sense of power because it allows us to see everything around us, such is the excellent visibility afforded by the huge glass area (only the lateral column between the glass front and side deserved more attention).

Behind the rear seat allows three adults feel completely comfortable there (the middle seat is the least generous), and with a huge legroom either laterally or in length. In terms of habitability C-Max breathing space.

The features leave something to be desired when you compare for example with a Renault (I speak from experience). For example, the onboard computer has fewer features, giving us the average consumption, average speed since last reset, and also the instant consumption, which is very little.

The system of locked doors is not automatic as the Renault, so if you forget to lock the doors, go with the car with all doors unlocked during the journey. Taking into account the recent phenomenon of Carjacking is not very reassuring.

The engine

In terms of engine, let me tell you, this 1.6 TDCi Duratorq 16V (109 hp) left me quite surprised by the positive. It is a motor always available from a low speed (in fact it is in this range that the engine more surprises me) always with a considerable power and ready to progress to their limits. Recoveries is more of it, just press the accelerator and even a rotation there is going to lower C-Max leaving dust behind.

I'm not a big speeds, but I confess it is a pleasure to drive this engine, even taking into account the C-Max weighs over 1,400 pounds.

It lacks only a 6th speed as it is noticed when going into 5th there was room for one more, but unfortunately, this box was only available for the 2.0 engine, which though more power, the engine capacity was reflected in the final price .

Consumption

Consumption, to my foot slightly, and making a journey mixed city of 60% and 40% road / highway, usually standing at 5.7 lts per 100 km and although I know C-Max's consuming more, is intimately weight attached to the foot of the driver. Road / highway that consumption drops to 5.4 liters (I managed to average 5.0 liters).

A full tank gives a range of around 700/800 miles.

The Maintenance

The 1st intervention was to the 20,000 km (oil change, filters, etc.). Was up by € 190 (I know that there is cheaper but also more expensive, so this value is acceptable) and I believe that work was up to the workshop. I'm close to 40,000 km (so-called 1st revision), so we will wait to see what type of intervention is made and its value.

Conclusion

The engine, driving position, interior habitability and comfort, are powerful weapons that Ford C-Max Titanium has. Although not a 6th speed, the engine is economical and always has a ready response to stepped on the accelerator.

I confess it will be difficult to find another vehicle with such a good driving position and this is reflected not only in comfort and proper positioning behind the wheel, but also on ease of entry and egress.

Since it was not my 1st choice, I think I made a good choice. While acknowledging that in terms of functionality (when I compare with the French brands) is a bit behind, make a positive balance.