Not sure about the Sharan/Galaxie reliability record since we don't get
those vehicles in the US, but the Sharan is no Windstar.  The Sharan is
based on the Passat platform, although not the current one--the old one
with the transverse mounted engine.  The Windstar is the Ford's minivan
developed in the US and is considerably larger.  Ford of Australia
probably makes one of these as well.  The Sharan/Galaxie was jointly
developed by VW and Ford (mostly VW, though) and also comes in version
by SEAT.  Before Mazda came out with its redesigned minivan, there was
talk of using the Sharan/Galaxie platform for that but Ford apparently
isn't too happy with this joint venture with VW and that idea was nixed.

The Windstar reliablility record is on a par with the Taurus, they use a
lot of the same drivetrain parts.

DB

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Andrew Grebneff
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 5:45 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: SA vehicles Sharan/Galaxie

>> Doesn't it just make you sick that they have a choice between the
>> Sharan, Bus and T4 Caravelle and we don't?
>
>if you want a Sharan, go buy a Ford Windstar - its bascally the same
>thing... but the 5cyl caravelle/bus would be nice, again..

Apparently the Sharan (and the Ford Galaxie version) has a horrific
reliability record in Europe.

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
ph   64 (3) 473-8863
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
84 VW Caravelle GL (to be fitted with SVX engine & G50 trans) 87 Corolla
1.8DX CE80 diesel sedan 89 Corolla 1.8DX CE96 diesel van/wagon 89 Corona
2.0D Select CT170 diesel sedan