C-Max Grand vs S-Max

feedtheram

feedtheram

feedtheram

Associate
Joined
1 May 2007
Posts
1,150
Hi all

Can anyone give opinions on the C-Max Grand vs the S-Max?

We're getting a new family car and have access to the Ford Privilege scheme making a new c-max grand just about affordable (around the 14k mark).

Problem is i really want an S-Max so am toying with the idea of spending a bit less on a second hand S-max. Downside obviously being no warranty and higher running costs.

I'm going to test drive both this weekend but wondered if anyone had any experience with either car.
 
Much as I like the Ford Smax. I can't deal with a car that is named after a breakfast cereal.
What happened to Ford naming their cars after popular men's magazines like Fiesta and Escort.
 
I don't really see why the S-Max would have higher running costs than a C-Max, I would have thought they are very similar, the oily bits are much the same.
 
If you go for the used S max, you would miss out on the new car niggles and massive depreciation.

If you want the S max, go for it. You could get a good spec with 14k
 
The research i have done so far suggests the s-max will drink more and cost more for tax and insurance (dependant on engine of course) - although we don't do big mileage so hopefully shouldn't be too big an issue.

The wife is leaning more towards the c-max due to it being new and having a 3 year warranty - she previously had a nightmare with a dodgy VW she had always breaking down on her. Plus the Ford privilege means £1700 off whatever i can negotiate with the dealer.

I'm hoping the test drive will sway her - she openly admits she prefers the look of the S and that it's more practical. Anyone care to share some new car horror stories i can spook her with? :D
 
A '10 plate Titanium trim S-Max is within budget, so warranty is covered and you'd get a better spec, I'd imagine. What model C-Max are you looking at for £14k?
 
monkey_boy said:
A '10 plate Titanium trim S-Max is within budget, so warranty is covered and you'd get a better spec, I'd imagine. What model C-Max are you looking at for £14k?
Click to expand...

1.6 Petrol Zetec. Nothing fancy.

List price is around £19k but the dealer had knocked off £2.5k if we go for one that's on its way in already (assume this is standard practice).

A further £1.7k off from the Ford privilage and £500 less for taking out finance (they offered us a 2 year 0% finance deal).

Was planning on trying to get a further few hundred quid off if we go down the c-max route although not sure how viable that will be - i haven't mentioned the privilage discount yet :)

Also got an old focus to part ex although i'm fairly sure i will get more selling it private.
 
feedtheram said:
The research i have done so far suggests the s-max will drink more and cost more for tax and insurance (dependant on engine of course) - although we don't do big mileage so hopefully shouldn't be too big an issue.

The wife is leaning more towards the c-max due to it being new and having a 3 year warranty - she previously had a nightmare with a dodgy VW she had always breaking down on her. Plus the Ford privilege means £1700 off whatever i can negotiate with the dealer.

I'm hoping the test drive will sway her - she openly admits she prefers the look of the S and that it's more practical. Anyone care to share some new car horror stories i can spook her with? :D
Click to expand...

Depreciation will see that '£1700' disappear in a jiffy. New cars are not the holy grail of reliability, far from it. Most cars are more likely to go wrong when recently purchased aswell as when they are old and have run up the miles.

I wouldn't tarnish used cars because your wife has had one bad run in with a VW.
 
Brookert said:
I wouldn't tarnish used cars because your wife has had one bad run in with a VW.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly not doing that - i want the second hand s-max and just need to convince her thats the better choice. She will use it more so has a bit more input but i think the test drive should sway her my way.
 
We have a 61 plate Smax titanium in black , It's a 1.6 petrol and we can get 55mpg on a run but around town about 25mpg . Cant fault the car so far to be honest with everything else .

The problem we saw with the Cmax is the seats , We needed each person in the middle row to have there own seat and being individual and each moving on there own seperate pull bar made this the better choice . Then there is the bonus of the 2 seats in the boot if ever needed .
 
I bets it's even more thirsty than the ST though as its heavier and more block like, my ST averages 17mpg on short journys but it is remapped
 
Sorry for thread revival but didn't want to start a new thread.

I was just wanting to know what people's overall experience with these two vehicles were, particularly with young children (i.e. car seats/configuration etc).

Thinking of the Grande C-Max at the moment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom