The rise of the Super-MPV. A new menace
Discussion
It would seem to me that there are more and more of these hideous things about-
Also Mercedes Vano and other mini-van type things.
I can only assume the race for the biggest 'car' has taken a new turn and the 4x4's no longer cut it at the school run grand prix?
I would like to know what makes people buy them and how to you use one day in day out as I can imagine parking them can't be fun.
Also Mercedes Vano and other mini-van type things.
I can only assume the race for the biggest 'car' has taken a new turn and the 4x4's no longer cut it at the school run grand prix?
I would like to know what makes people buy them and how to you use one day in day out as I can imagine parking them can't be fun.
I hired one of those VW's last year and did about 2k miles in it over a week, it was surprisingly decent to drive, certainly no worse than a humdrum hatchback. Visibility was great, the diesel engine returned 40mpg despite having 8 blokes plus gear stacked up to the roof, and it rode and handled nicely.
Not a bad choice if you've got a huge litter of kids, but I wouldn't choose one unless a 7-seat Disco or similar was too small.
Not a bad choice if you've got a huge litter of kids, but I wouldn't choose one unless a 7-seat Disco or similar was too small.
Krikkit said:
I hired one of those VW's last year and did about 2k miles in it over a week, it was surprisingly decent to drive, certainly no worse than a humdrum hatchback. Visibility was great, the diesel engine returned 40mpg despite having 8 blokes plus gear stacked up to the roof, and it rode and handled nicely.
Not a bad choice if you've got a huge litter of kids, but I wouldn't choose one unless a 7-seat Disco or similar was too small.
Yeah but you would have to have minimum of 4 kids, that is a lot! Not a bad choice if you've got a huge litter of kids, but I wouldn't choose one unless a 7-seat Disco or similar was too small.
LittleEnus said:
It would seem to me that there are more and more of these hideous things about-
Also Mercedes Vano and other mini-van type things.
I can only assume the race for the biggest 'car' has taken a new turn and the 4x4's no longer cut it at the school run grand prix?
I would like to know what makes people buy them and how to you use one day in day out as I can imagine parking them can't be fun.
Fairly simple, it's on my list because I need to fit three kids seats in a car, and we're buying a dog, which we will take with us on camping holidays. It will sit in the garage most of the time, the kids walk to school. I would actually prefer to get a smaller car, like a Sharan or even a Touran, but I wouldn't say no to a good Multivan if it was at the right price.Also Mercedes Vano and other mini-van type things.
I can only assume the race for the biggest 'car' has taken a new turn and the 4x4's no longer cut it at the school run grand prix?
I would like to know what makes people buy them and how to you use one day in day out as I can imagine parking them can't be fun.
I too have driven a rental Transporter van. They are easy to park due to large mirrors and square shape, plus (in SWB form at least) can fit in a normal supermarket parking space.
When I go down to Dorset to visit family there's loads of them about, all modified (as campers or just paint and wheels). Don't see many non-workvan ones up here in Hampshire.
When I go down to Dorset to visit family there's loads of them about, all modified (as campers or just paint and wheels). Don't see many non-workvan ones up here in Hampshire.
bigandclever said:
That E38 in your profile is longer and only marginally (40mm) narrower than the bus. "Menace" indeed
Good point, well made Its the height generally I think that makes them seem so much bigger. I know that cars with roof boxes can sometimes struggle in multi-story car parks so wonder how you can get by with them
So people that own them, are they really that good to drive? No issues?
3 or 4 kids, plus granny and granddad?
you wouldn't buy one unless you needed it, because they are bloody expensive
and yes, as said, no bigger than a 7 series, but with better visibility
oh and not a new menace either, VW vans have been fairly popular since the 50s
my uncle had a Hiace van for his family in the 80s, my wife's family had a Tranny van with builder's benches down each side
all in all, poor effort
you wouldn't buy one unless you needed it, because they are bloody expensive
and yes, as said, no bigger than a 7 series, but with better visibility
oh and not a new menace either, VW vans have been fairly popular since the 50s
my uncle had a Hiace van for his family in the 80s, my wife's family had a Tranny van with builder's benches down each side
all in all, poor effort
Few guys i work with who have families have all converted to these one by one. Theyre a brilliant solution to having to have a family vehicle but still wanting to have something a bit useful, fun and interesting.
It's not for me, but i actually quite like them. If i had to drop performance and ferry a family around it's what i'd choose.
It's not for me, but i actually quite like them. If i had to drop performance and ferry a family around it's what i'd choose.
They drive nice for a van but as someone posted above, no nicer than a low spec car.
You have to remember they are still a van, perhaps loaded with 8 blokes & kit the suspension was working nicely but 2 up they bounce all over the place.
Unless you have a Caravelle or California they take ages to warm up inside, many with windows added don't have demisters or rear wipers so it's mirrors to reverse and ofetn these aren't heated.
The spec varies - a 130hp+ model with electric windows, factory glass isn't too bad a place to be. A basic 85hp model with not toys is a slow, good work horse but not so nice compared to most cars.
Useful 2nd vehicle but as a daily driver - if I could afford another for carrying bike around as a 2nd car then I would but in my situation I prefer a nice car and trailer for such occasions.
I've said before though, they are fairly depreciation proof so work trying for the summer especially if you can add value by fitting decent wheels, carpet/insulation & colour matching.
You have to remember they are still a van, perhaps loaded with 8 blokes & kit the suspension was working nicely but 2 up they bounce all over the place.
Unless you have a Caravelle or California they take ages to warm up inside, many with windows added don't have demisters or rear wipers so it's mirrors to reverse and ofetn these aren't heated.
The spec varies - a 130hp+ model with electric windows, factory glass isn't too bad a place to be. A basic 85hp model with not toys is a slow, good work horse but not so nice compared to most cars.
Useful 2nd vehicle but as a daily driver - if I could afford another for carrying bike around as a 2nd car then I would but in my situation I prefer a nice car and trailer for such occasions.
I've said before though, they are fairly depreciation proof so work trying for the summer especially if you can add value by fitting decent wheels, carpet/insulation & colour matching.
Ugh, came within inches of having one of those T5 things embedded in the side of my Passat last night when the moron driving it decided he didn't want to pay any attention to the lane markings on the roundabout we were on and changed lanes (crossing the cross hatching) at the last second with no warning, then spent the next 3 miles flashing and tailgating me after I hooted him. Seem to be driven with the attitude of "I'm bigger than you move out of my way"
Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 27th March 10:07
lufbramatt said:
Ugh, came within inches of having one of those T5 things embedded in the side of my Passat last night when the moron driving it decided he didn't want to pay any attention to the lane markings on the roundabout we were on and changed lanes (crossing the cross hatching) at the last second with no warning, then spent the next 3 miles flashing and tailgating me after I hooted him. Seem to be driven with the attitude of "I'm bigger than you move out of my way"
And we're off Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 27th March 10:07
They're ace.
Most of the people I know with them don't have huge numbers of kids but do have hobbies that involve taking kit around with them - windsurfing, R/C planes, motorcycle trackdays, mountain biking, etc.
Footprint of a SWB one is no more than something like an E-Class estate so I don't really see what the problem is. Some people drive like knobs in anything.
Most of the people I know with them don't have huge numbers of kids but do have hobbies that involve taking kit around with them - windsurfing, R/C planes, motorcycle trackdays, mountain biking, etc.
Footprint of a SWB one is no more than something like an E-Class estate so I don't really see what the problem is. Some people drive like knobs in anything.
sjg said:
They're ace.
Most of the people I know with them don't have huge numbers of kids but do have hobbies that involve taking kit around with them - windsurfing, R/C planes, motorcycle trackdays, mountain biking, etc.
Footprint of a SWB one is no more than something like an E-Class estate so I don't really see what the problem is. Some people drive like knobs in anything.
I wonder how their footprint compares with a 7-Series BMW for example? Most of the people I know with them don't have huge numbers of kids but do have hobbies that involve taking kit around with them - windsurfing, R/C planes, motorcycle trackdays, mountain biking, etc.
Footprint of a SWB one is no more than something like an E-Class estate so I don't really see what the problem is. Some people drive like knobs in anything.
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