In need of a 7 seater

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Shame they don't sell this over here:





Saw a Belgian one in the Lakes a few weeks ago and it looked really quite nice.


techguyone

3,137 posts

141 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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That does look nice but it's a renault espace so by the time I finish typing this, the wheels would have fallen off sadly.

david mcc

201 posts

99 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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I bought an XC90 last year (2008 model) and it is a fantastic family wagon. Loads of space, lots of cubby holes and 12V charging points, build in booster seat, isofix points. Safe as can be and reasonably cheap to run for a big 4x4.

I reckon it will eventually be replaced by the new model XC90 as no other 4x4 seems quite so "family" designed.

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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So OP have you drawn up a short list?

Here's an alternative but it does mean higher miles than the mpv's.

2010 Mercedes E250cdi Sport Estate (with 7 Seats quite rare on the newer model) 205bhp 97k Well spec'd
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 E350cdi (7 Seats but with IMO the better engine) 71k 231bhp FMBSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


andygtt

8,344 posts

263 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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I've had 7 seaters for years... I never liked any of the 'normal' ones I had which were slow and boring to me.... Then I found Merc did the ML with 7 seat option and a 5.0l V8.... I had 2 of these over the years.

However I now run an Audi Q7, by far the best I've had. Very comfy, twin turbo V8 diesel so not horrific on fuel yet does 6ish second 0-60... Lovely to drive fits 7 large adults comfortably and has a large boot so the 3rd row are still safer than a smaller car.

Paid around 19k for mine 3 years ago.

Efbe

9,251 posts

165 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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J4CKO said:
Why, has there been a lot of documented child deaths in the third row of people carriers or is it just that it seems risky ?

We had a Galaxy and it was superb for the job, miss it for its usefulness, basically a van with the seats down, drove well, never gave us any agro.
I dont think rear impacts are tested by NCAP, and afaik no-one collates statistics on third row injuries/fatalities. However, in my experience, which is all I can go by here, rear impacts can be really low speed and get well into the boot area of a car. I wouldn't fancy sitting 6" from the rear screen myself.

PomBstard

6,728 posts

241 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Are you really sure about the need for 7 seats? I've got three kids, aged 2-9 so two are in booster seats, and have been running a 7-seat CX9 since Feb. have used the 3rd row precisely twice in that time. When we go away, we fill the boot. I know lots of people like to use them for short runs, taking school friends or parents around, but it's never been a problem and not something that has driven our choice of car. We had a 5-seat wagon before (V70, hateful thing) and will go back to a wagon when the Mazda is returned this Jan.

However,as an ownership proposition, the CX9 is great, waaaay better than an XC90 if the woes of two of my friends are anything to go by.

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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On the other hand, we use the 3rd row in our Galaxy on every trip (3kids).

The separation it gives keeps things relatively calm.

Our bus proved it's usefulness again yesterday with a trip to b&q. Not many cars you can fit 2.4m long chipboard flooring into.

Ilovejapcrap

3,274 posts

111 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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How about 6 seats

Don't Honda do a frv or some name like it ?

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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I yes they do but ultimately it won't be as good as an S-max.

The problem with the S-max and the galaxy is the length of the production run. You can get a 2006 reg car for a couple of grand up to 20odd thousand for the last of the run on a 64 plate.

They are essentially the same inside though. I keep thinking I'd like to "upgrade" my 2007 built galaxy for a newer petrol Smax but I'd be essentially paying out 10k plus for a cleaner version of what we already have.

milu

2,346 posts

265 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Searider

979 posts

254 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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ZX10R NIN said:
So OP have you drawn up a short list?

Here's an alternative but it does mean higher miles than the mpv's.

2010 Mercedes E250cdi Sport Estate (with 7 Seats quite rare on the newer model) 205bhp 97k Well spec'd
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 E350cdi (7 Seats but with IMO the better engine) 71k 231bhp FMBSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Those aren't really practical useable 7 seaters though. They are estate cars with some cushions in the boot!

Some Gump

12,671 posts

185 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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milu said:
I'm thinking of the "more cowbell" scene, but with "awful" replacing the cowbell...

surveyor

17,767 posts

183 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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techguyone said:
That does look nice but it's a renault espace so by the time I finish typing this, the wheels would have fallen off sadly.
Buy 2007 and on and the reliability problems are gone. They also a bargain compared to the others

Put my money to my mouth a few years ago and did not regret it

Nickyboy

6,700 posts

233 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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We had the same a while back

Other half bought a Zafira but with the rear seats up there is no space whatsoever for anything in the boot. You end up with one of the rearmost seats down which means stacking stuff around the kid in the back.

Stick with 5 seats and plenty of boot space.

Countdown

39,689 posts

195 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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My dad's got a Zafira. we tend to borrow it for day trips and the like. It's extremely practical and flexible. I accept the point about limited boot space when all 7 seats are in use but (as noted above) you can drop one of the 3rd row seats and still have as much space as a Focus sized hatchback, and seating for 6. The S-Max and galaxy would definitely be better but they cost more and "bigger" also means "harder to park". So what you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts. Another thing I noted about the Zafira was that the hard plastic interior feels like it can stand up to some significant child-inflicted violence smile

Plus the insurance company will pay out a big wedge when it sets itself on fire biggrin

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Searider said:
Those aren't really practical useable 7 seaters though. They are estate cars with some cushions in the boot!
Which was why I said alternative as I wasn't sure of the OP's third row useage, but the MPV's are on page 1. smile

colinevan

164 posts

102 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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I had a fabulous Mondeo estate that was large enough for 3 kids and dog for days out . A roof box addition for when I needed a bit more luggage and was happy with this combo .

However the kids on the other hand were constantly fidgeting , arguing bickering and so a 7 seater with the idea to space them out a little was perfect.

I was on a budget of around 5k and really fell for the Chrysler grand voyager . I'll tell you why as it wasn't an obvious contender for many reasons .

1) it's massive inside , no other 7 seater bar 1 has a huge boot whilst the 7 seats are all in use .

2) most come with tvs and DVD players as standard . The newer range come with 2 screens prices around 9k

3) specifications . Mine is the older 2006 model but with stow and go seating means all the rear 5 seats fold completely flat into the floor leaving a van cargo machine . I'm not lying when I moved house in this car . It swallowed my 3 piece suite with ease. Most cars allow removal of seats but for sheer versatility folding them into the floor is amazing .

Electric everything is good. Imagine it's raining , all been shopping open the front door open all the side doors and boot electrically grab stuff run in house and close everything from the key fob.

It's a decent ride the 2.8 card engine is nippy enough to surprise people and the autobox is pretty reliable . I'm on 135k now and still super smooth.

If I was you just view a couple of the newer shape models . See what I mean spec wise and im sure you will be as pleasantly surprised as what I was .

Nothing competition wise touches it for versatile , ride and comfort .

colinevan

164 posts

102 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Watch this and tell me your not impressed lol.

https://youtu.be/imZ0uiVGaTM

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Tuesday 30th August 2016
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I wish I'd bought one of those now. Rear screens would be a godsend for us.

Might be trade in time!

Do they handle like a wobbly Van though?