Stylish Seven Seater Search.
Discussion
flatso said:
HTP99 said:
Regarding the OP's criteria for style; for a people carrier I think the Espace/Grand Espace is the most stylish out there and considering the design is now over 10 years old it still looks fresh, they are supremely comfy and will cruise all day.
They do look rather good, however the seats in the back look a bit uncomfortable for adults (short, narrow). How are they on highway runs, especially at speeds of 160-180 km/h (100-110 mph)? My top priority is long distance comfort for myself as a driver and the passangers (supple suspension, roominess and straight line directional stability). If one was to use this strictly for 3-4 long distance runs /year the 3,5 petrol V6 (shared with the 350Z) is also interesting.
Which production years are to be recommended/avoided?
I can't say I ever sat in the back of ours, but we took the parents to France and back with no complaints. As said post 2006. Obvious changes that highlight it are the head unit in the dash, not under the floor, and the 2.0dci. Don't bother with any other engines.
Ours was the 'Tech Run', which was based on the Expression, but loaded up nicely. The only thing we missed on Dynamique was tinted glass (hate it anyway!) and parking sensors.
jellypig said:
Sadly, she has deemed (largely unseen) that an S-Max and XC90 are too small no matter how competent a vehicle they are, sorry suggestees.
So book a test drive on a Galaxy, and check out the SMax while you're there. I refused to even look at the SMax for 5 years because I didn't believe it could be big enough - and to be fair we needed a full size MPV last time round (but couldn't afford the latest Galaxy which we'd happily have bought otherwise).We've now brought the V70 back into MPV usage (and added a permanent small roofbox) but with youngest children almost 5 and almost 7 and the Volvo not getting any younger we've got about 2 years to find something else, and this time round the SMax looks like a strong contender.
You may find the latest Galaxy ticks more of your boxes - it depends on your usage profile and children's ages - but if you are likely to be taking 6 or 7 on holiday etc then the lower roof of the SMax will make roofbox access significantly easier.
What about a Mitsubishi delica? Limited i think to 10+ year old grey imports but they're bulletproof and you can get immaculate low miles examples...
Prob the most stylish proper 7/8 seater imo, while avoids both the dogma of being a people carrier and a 4x4, sporty people carriers just look like they're trying too hard to be something they can never be.
Lovely machine to go on a trip.
Prob the most stylish proper 7/8 seater imo, while avoids both the dogma of being a people carrier and a 4x4, sporty people carriers just look like they're trying too hard to be something they can never be.
Lovely machine to go on a trip.
oldcynic said:
jellypig said:
Sadly, she has deemed (largely unseen) that an S-Max and XC90 are too small no matter how competent a vehicle they are, sorry suggestees.
So book a test drive on a Galaxy, and check out the SMax while you're there. I refused to even look at the SMax for 5 years because I didn't believe it could be big enough - and to be fair we needed a full size MPV last time round (but couldn't afford the latest Galaxy which we'd happily have bought otherwise).We've now brought the V70 back into MPV usage (and added a permanent small roofbox) but with youngest children almost 5 and almost 7 and the Volvo not getting any younger we've got about 2 years to find something else, and this time round the SMax looks like a strong contender.
You may find the latest Galaxy ticks more of your boxes - it depends on your usage profile and children's ages - but if you are likely to be taking 6 or 7 on holiday etc then the lower roof of the SMax will make roofbox access significantly easier.
flatso said:
HTP99 said:
Regarding the OP's criteria for style; for a people carrier I think the Espace/Grand Espace is the most stylish out there and considering the design is now over 10 years old it still looks fresh, they are supremely comfy and will cruise all day.
They do look rather good, however the seats in the back look a bit uncomfortable for adults (short, narrow). How are they on highway runs, especially at speeds of 160-180 km/h (100-110 mph)? My top priority is long distance comfort for myself as a driver and the passangers (supple suspension, roominess and straight line directional stability). If one was to use this strictly for 3-4 long distance runs /year the 3,5 petrol V6 (shared with the 350Z) is also interesting.
Which production years are to be recommended/avoided?
I'd say the glass roof and full-on ACC were essential.
So far as long runs are concerned, I took ours to Catalonia non-stop every summer and it was a piece of cake: 75-80mph rather than 100+, mind you.
Edited by IroningMan on Wednesday 1st January 23:22
John Galt said:
It constantly amazes me that no-one ever mentions these when a "What 7 seater?" thread comes up:
Or if thats not PH enough for you, how about this version:
We've got a previous gen one, and it's been absolutely bloody brilliant for the 4 years we've had it. It may not be the best looking car out there, but as 7 seaters go, I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find something which looks more 'stylish'.
Wow, thanks for this. The OH has been pandering for a SUV/MPV for ages and I have held off as I cant find one I actually would find myself driving. I think these look pretty good and amazing for the price (<50k mile imports for £6-7k)Or if thats not PH enough for you, how about this version:
We've got a previous gen one, and it's been absolutely bloody brilliant for the 4 years we've had it. It may not be the best looking car out there, but as 7 seaters go, I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find something which looks more 'stylish'.
Another vote for the R-Class from me. Perfect for crossing continents in supreme comfort & quietness.
Replaced our Grand Espace with one, which raised our comfort up another level for us.
Grand Espace was good, but the flat floor has no rear footwells so adult sized rear passengers feet rest higher without much thigh support from the low seats, and there's even more rear legroom in the lwb R than with the Grand Espace seats slid as far back as possible.
The lwb R is about a foot longer than the Grand Espace, and more than a foot longer wheelbase too, which really does make a noticeable difference inside.
The R320 CDI also feels noticeably quicker than our 2.0 Dci 175, despite all its extra weight, and ends up just as economical for us on long journeys despite its 4wd and auto box. Longer gearing enables under 2000 rpm in the 7 speed auto R compared with about 2500 in the six speed manual Espace at normal motorway speeds.
The R also feels more like a car than the Espace, although both are probably less nimble than an S-max.
The main difference for me, is the R feels more like a lwb S-class estate with 4wd, and the Grand Espace felt more like a MPV. HTH.
Replaced our Grand Espace with one, which raised our comfort up another level for us.
Grand Espace was good, but the flat floor has no rear footwells so adult sized rear passengers feet rest higher without much thigh support from the low seats, and there's even more rear legroom in the lwb R than with the Grand Espace seats slid as far back as possible.
The lwb R is about a foot longer than the Grand Espace, and more than a foot longer wheelbase too, which really does make a noticeable difference inside.
The R320 CDI also feels noticeably quicker than our 2.0 Dci 175, despite all its extra weight, and ends up just as economical for us on long journeys despite its 4wd and auto box. Longer gearing enables under 2000 rpm in the 7 speed auto R compared with about 2500 in the six speed manual Espace at normal motorway speeds.
The R also feels more like a car than the Espace, although both are probably less nimble than an S-max.
The main difference for me, is the R feels more like a lwb S-class estate with 4wd, and the Grand Espace felt more like a MPV. HTH.
Everyone who I know that has had an Espace have had quite a few issues, electrics and Gearboxes mainly, nearly bought one new, some Yacht racing themed special when we bought a Sharan in 2002 but some friends had one that tried to bankrupt them, it ended up scrapped at 5 years old. In fact everyone I know that has had Renault has had issues, basically they are a bit s
t really apart from a couple of sporty exceptions.
t really apart from a couple of sporty exceptions.Miglia 888 said:
Another vote for the R-Class from me. Perfect for crossing continents in supreme comfort & quietness.
Looks like exactly what I need in every respect except price 
One day when the kids are grown and out the door I may be able to drive one - except of course I won't need it by then!
Is this a typo or did they come with that size engine? Sounds like fun
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
J4CKO said:
Everyone who I know that has had an Espace have had quite a few issues, electrics and Gearboxes mainly, nearly bought one new, some Yacht racing themed special when we bought a Sharan in 2002 but some friends had one that tried to bankrupt them, it ended up scrapped at 5 years old. In fact everyone I know that has had Renault has had issues, basically they are a bit st really apart from a couple of sporty exceptions.
Have you had one or are you repeating what everyone else says?t really apart from a couple of sporty exceptions.What the people who have had one are saying is buy post 2006 and you should be fine. What's good about people like you is they are a bit of a bargain for those who are in the know.
chrisw666 said:
If I needed to use 7 seats on a regular basis I'd forgoe style and would buy a Vito, Transporter, Transit Torneo, etc. Van based people carriers are much more spacious and IMO safer.
I agree, the only problem to my mind is the vast amounts of space they take up. My drive way is two cars wide, plenty of room Gor my Honda and the wife's Zafira to cohabit. At the weekend, my sil visited in their T5 combi, with that on the drive we couldn't open the doors properly on either vehicle. Which would make car parks equally awkward.TheDoggingFather said:
I agree, the only problem to my mind is the vast amounts of space they take up. My drive way is two cars wide, plenty of room Gor my Honda and the wife's Zafira to cohabit. At the weekend, my sil visited in their T5 combi, with that on the drive we couldn't open the doors properly on either vehicle. Which would make car parks equally awkward.
I lived with a vito for a few years, mainly for work but it also worked as a car and went into multi-storeys and normal spaces with relative ease, parking next to mongs often meant they left little room for the doors but the sliding rear doors helped. I'm not sure on my drive the Vito took much more room than my current S60 does, probably a few inches length but width was barely any different.
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