I had a 1.6sx in 2000 and part x'd it a couple of years ago for a Zafira! The Zafira has been a good workhorse and trouble free, but we do miss the size of the Multipla. Our previous one gave us good service and we still see it bombing around locally and, £ for £, they do seem the best value for money for what you get compared to others, particularly the FRV and the S-Max (which we like but can't afford). I'm just concerned again about reliability issues (especially when you look on forums such as this), although the only thing our other one suffered from was a dodgy hand brake cable. I would now like a diesel and something up to 3 years old with relatively low miles but would like to hear from other owners with good things to say about the latest models - please? Any advice/comments would be appreciated.

I picked up a tatty 05 jtd eleganza very cheaply (door trims peeling and nice 17" wheels kerbed) I think the later ones have got to be improved in things like sunroof leaks and generally tawdry earlier faults, but you've still got the same issues with suspension parts that wear and clutches that seem weak - so make sure its got all these thing done in the service history of anything you buy.
I don't yet fully trust this car like I did a diesel HDi Berlingo, but that might just be time...
That said, dont seem to many complaints of injector issues or dual mass flywheels on diesels which Ford TDCis are rife with.

Best of all, they (facelifts) are rare and look quite classy. Like tatty old Merc estates, they just ooze "I dont care" in a good - but different - way.

pondweed said:

...Best of all, they (facelifts) are rare and look quite classy. Like tatty old Merc estates, they just ooze "I dont care" in a good - but different - way.

Click to expand...

By that reasoning then, the originals must be screaming "I don't give a flying #*@# what you think!"

yes! I completely agree. Its very odd, but I find a similarity with the facelift and things like the posh Mercedes people carriers (admittedly viano based, but exude something for the sheer nerve of someone paying £35k for a posh van)