| Home > Procurement. Why buy a Tourneo? |
There are many choices in buying a vehicle like this
Getting the specification
right,
getting the deal. |
| Purchase Options |
| One big problem with the Tourneo range is the options that are
available, some not even listed in the Brochure !! |
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Doors or Tailgate |
The tailgate is massive, and takes some strength to close, but is
does have advantages over doors.
You may find if you have asked for a towbar, they will want
to supply doors.
A Tailgate can get in the way if you try to open it with a trailer or caravan
attached.
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Engine
100 or 125 PS |
Although the brochure only lists a 125 PS TCDi engine, the Tourneo is also
available with the 100 PS conventional ( legacy) diesel engine.
It appears the dealers order
the 100 PS version when they have to pre-register vehicles, hence there seem to be plenty of 100 PS
to be had. But beware, the 100 PS should be £650 +VAT less than the 125 PS |
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8 or 9 seats |
It's a matter of choice, do you want one or two passenger seats?
One is
useful as it leaves room to walk to the front to the rear, allowing people to change around on
journeys.
The single seat has an armrest, the twin not.
Also, unchecked, but I believe
theat the 8 seater has a taxation class of "Diesel Car" but a 9 seater is classed as a "Minibus"
hence big implecations for speed limits on non-motorway roads. |
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Final Drive Ratio |
There are two final drive ratios. The only way to tell the difference when
viewing a vehicle is by looking at the VIN plate inside the left hand front door .
In the
bottom left corner, near the Ford badge, is a box
If it is N this means a 4.23 ratio
if it
is L it is a 4.54 ratio |
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The VIN Plate |
Here as a massive source of information, but most dealers will not want to
disclose what it means, though they know.....
My recommendation is to take a photo of it, take
it round to the Service Desk and ask them to look up what it means on their TIS |
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| Where to buy |
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Your Local Dealer |
Mostly they have not got a clue. They may as well be selling ladies
tights on the market . All they are interested in is the chasing deal. They have no enthusiasm.
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Internet Shopping |
Some good deals can be found, but often too late and watch out for the extras.
Credit card surcharges, VAT, delivery, insurance, import charges.
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| Alternatives |
Before we jumped and put paid out the cash, we mulled on the
alternatives for months
Here are some of those vehicles that we considered, their advantages
and disadvantages. |
| We looked at 4 x 4 s |
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Fuel Consumption |
even a diesel was going to be 22 to 25mpg. Grim
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Massive engines |
We didn't need any more than 2 litre diesel
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Expensive Servicing |
These guys really know how to charge.
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Tyres |
Expensive
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| We looked at a Volkswagen
Caravelle 2002 model |
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Build Quality |
Feels really strong, but 10 years old technology
Badly in need of updating |
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Ride |
My wife thought the ride too soft, and felt seasick after a long day around the
Essex county lanes.
I thought it was really good. The handling seems great yet still preserved a
soft ride.
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| We looked at Vivaro / Trafic /
Loadstar 2003 models |
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Built quality |
it seemed very lightly built
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Cabin space |
Difficult to move past the gear stick bulge
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Refusal to supply |
We have seen lots of the 8 seat version on the continent, no one was prepared to
quote for one. They talked of "conversions", dealers did not know what the factory produced, just
salesmen with a very narrow focus, no interest in anything they did not have immediately available.
No chance of a sale = no interest.. I finally got one quote from Vauxhall £19999 + VAT -
forget it.
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