Tidy Ford C-Max can be a bargain
Anything based on a Focus has to be good news and so it is with the early people-mover version, writes Dave Moore.
While Ford in its wisdom did nothing about importing the first-generation C-Max to New Zealand, a steady flow of used Japanese imports did gain access to the market down here, proving the adage that if a car is good enough it will eventually trickle through to our car yards.
It was a period when Ford was making much noise about its world-wide sourcing as part of its advertising, when the reality was that many products were left in the too-hard basket despite their talent and quality.
So incensed were some dealers about what was allowed on their manifests that they even bought their own higher performance Focus models, and the earliest Kugas, as well as the C-Max, Ford’s first C-segment peoplemover. The C-Max is based on the Focus II but actually came out some months before it.
Using higher-rise cabin architecture and the same chassis as its hatch and sedan siblings, the C-Max became the best handling people mover on the market, with supple ride quality, a light, airy cabin and high levels of refinement. In its native Europe, the car was offered with 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol and turbo diesel engines, with those from Japan – where most of our stock come from – featuring 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol units with a fourspeed automatic.
Some diesels came though as British baggage cars, with one real cracker being a 1.6-litre diesel with a CVT transmission, which delivered some great mileage figures. For all that, the 2.0-litre Ps-linked diesel is a honey and the one to go for in ex-Brit cars with a six-speed manual.
Many of the ex-Japan cars are to full Ghia specification with high equipment levels, sunroofs, leather and top-level comfort ratings. All models come with twin front, side and curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic distribution. The car’s tall, panoramic driving position is terrific and passengers like the low window-line which gives better focus-points for children, resulting in less likelihood of travel sickness.
The steering is incisive and sporting, and the chassis offers lots of grip and makes the C-Max a better handler than any other multi purpose vehicle of its era.
While the car offers only five seats (later versions had up to seven) it has a useful load area which can be improved by folding or removing the second row seats.
BEST TO BUY:
We would try to find an ex-Japan Ghia model with the 2-litre 105kW petrol engine, though the 88kW 1.6 is adequate and cheaper.
You will only get diesel versions ex-Britain and these are best with some extra inspection
and evidence of regular servicing.
WEAKNESSES:
The cabins can squeak or rattle when they get older, and there were some recall issues, which included trouble with some models’ electronic parking brakes so check for any work done here.
Oddly there was also a recall for overheating wiper motors.
A faulty engine control unit was the source for some on 2.0-litre and 1.8 petrol engined models. It is a known fault which was generally put right as part of regular servicing under the car’s original warranty. Build quality was not a high point with C-Maxs so we would advise paying a professional to look over the car.
Those second-row seats require effort and help if you want to remove them, and putting them back is not easy either.
YOU’LL HAVE TO LIVE WITH:
It is not a dynamic looking car and some think it is rather plain, which is also what they thought of the series II Focus anyway.
Don’t let that put you off, it is a great drive. Also, only having five seats when the equivalent VW Touran and Renault Scenic II could offer seven, puts some off.
WHAT TO PAY:
New Zealand has never had much love for people-movers which is why the C-Max’s prices are are so achievable. You can get a sub 50,000 kilometre model from 2007 for $9500, with automatic and a 2-litre petrol engine, and every version comes with air con and decent alloys. A Ghia with all the fruit from 2004 with 101,000km clocked was $8500, while one real sweetheart deal sees a 35,000km 2007 for $10,000 – a no-brainer.
RUNNING COSTS:
The diesels are hard to find but can offer up to 4.7L/100km.
The most common car is the 2.0-litre automatic petrol model, at a useful 6.9L/100km.
BUT WAIT:
If you like five-seats, the Nissan Almera Tino is a good alternative, while Citroen’s original Picasso is closest for dynamic appeal and airiness.
Of the seven-seaters in this age and price bracket, the Volkswagen Touran is the best bet, with better reliability than most.
Vauxhall/Opel’s Zafira II also offers a good alternative but none of them drive quite as well as the Ford.