budget 7 seater......

[Ian Jones]

Hi all, I am wondering if you can help please.

I am looking to buy a 7 seater with around 3k to spend.

I think I have found the car that I will be looking for, but wanted to see if there any other options.

The car that I think I am going to try and find is a Hyundai Trajet. 2L diesel auto (manuals have weak boxes)

I like the trajet because the size if the thing, the front seats can swivel around to face the back, when all seats are removed, it is like a can.

In other cars/suv/van, I would like it to be a auto, as much space inside as poss, no read bad mpg.

I am not keen on the kia version as they have a problem with fuel pumps going and cost meag ££ to fix, am open to something JDM, or van type

what else could you recommend please?

thanks
ian

[toddygti]

Have you tried looking at the SEAT Alhambra 2001- or it's sister model, the VW Sharan?

They both do exactly what you have described, etc including swivel seats

[Ian Jones]

thank you, ill have a look.

I have had a 2.0L grand espace before, and that was a very nice car. but just to many problems, get them fixed, then more problems..

[Ian Jones]

looking at something like this, but from the pics, the sill has been bent over and poss knock at the rear, if the bodywork was in better condition, then it would be ideal


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[anonymous-user]

Syringe?

[Ian Jones]

280E said:

Syringe?

what make is that please?

or can anyone think of any van type? I like the hyundai i800, but way to expensive

[anonymous-user]

Sorry - Citroen Synergie - later the C8

[Ian Jones]

any more ideas please?

[Dr Murdoch]

Ian Jones said:

any more ideas please?

Nissan Cubic

[Simbu]

Toyota Previa?

My parents have had one from new for the last 15 years and its been utterly reliable. They have the 2.4 petrol auto (an 8 seater, in fact), but i imagine the model in general is pretty reliable. It also has a turning circle that belies its size!

[Matt UK]

toddygti said:

Have you tried looking at the SEAT Alhambra 2001- or it's sister model, the VW Sharan?

They both do exactly what you have described, etc including swivel seats

I don't think those two have swivel seats.

[pointedstarman]

I had a Mazda MPV for a few years and it was excellent. I used it as a van during the week and cleaned it for family use on the weekend - it cleaned up very well even though it took a lot of abuse. It was completely reliable as you'd expect from a Mazda and was massive - 7 people no problem (plus their luggage for a weeks holiday at a squeeze). I got late 30's mpg knocking about and 40ish on a run (diesel). They were discontinued about 2005 so are a real bargain now but are a genuinely excellent people carrier for the money. Being of the older generation (which you'll be looking at on your budget) it doesn't have the fancy seating arrangements of later cars but that was never a problem for me. Also it was fairly well equipped with aircon (inc rear controls), sunroof etc. You'll probably get a good one and have change from £3k!

[lilwashu]

Simbu said:

Toyota Previa?

My parents have had one from new for the last 15 years and its been utterly reliable. They have the 2.4 petrol auto (an 8 seater, in fact), but i imagine the model in general is pretty reliable. It also has a turning circle that belies its size!

I just took one of these (cost £450) on a 2500 mile banger rally including mountain passes and it didn't miss a beat.

[mobile chicane22]

About 2 years ago I bought an R plate 2.3l auto ford galaxy for £900 with a years T+T for my BIL and his 90000000 kids.

Despite his best efforts it has yet to die and has just sailed through another mot, bits are cheap and the standard spec includes heated screen and seats.

£3k will get you a very nice and much newer example and if your journeys are mostly sub 10 mile ones ( his are) then the petrol engine wont gum up like a derv one on a vehicle in your price bracket might do.

edit: the R plate also has the swivel seats.

HTH

Edited by mobile chicane22 on Tuesday 26th May 19:07

[mobile chicane22]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...


petrol


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

derv, no mileage on the add though so may be a bit leggy

Edited by mobile chicane22 on Tuesday 26th May 19:10

[Ian Jones]

the reason I would like something with swivel seats is when we go down to the coast/out for the day, we can turn it into a mini picnic type thing in the back. the galaxy does look like a good buy, with good mpg from the dirty D. My current citroen c5 is over 200k and that does a lot of short drives

[mobile chicane22]

I dont know if the newer galaxys have the swivel seats but BIL's R plate one does.

A friend did have an early 2002 IIRC alhambra with the 1.9 vw tdi engine which ate water pumps so it may be worth doing research on specific engines and their foibles.

[Ian Jones]

what about something like the SsangYong Rodius, im not after looks here....

[ZX10R NIN]

Here are a few:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-REG-TOYOTA-ESTIMA-LUCI...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-S-MAX-TITANIUM-2-0L...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/06-reg-Mazda-Mazda5-2-0-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Previa-2-4-7-seat...

[Ian Jones]

thank you zx10r, i will have a look over them