best used mpv

[smallzoo]

I'm not sure MPV and pistonheads are allowed in the same sentence but here we go..

My wife is looking for a 7 seater MPV for under £6k. She likes the Seat Alhambra, Chrysler Grand Voyager and Kia Sorento.

So whats the criteria.. Fit at least 6 adults/teenagers+, diesel, reliable and of course not too much of a dog to drive..

Anyone have any opinions ?

I'm happy to take other advice as well

Thanks a lot

[Simbu]

Toyota Previa?

[alcovrugbyfan]

My wife has the 3.3 Auto Grand Voyager. Black windows, electric sliding doors, spoiler, runner boards etc..... Drives fantastic, takes 7 people and loads of luggage in comfort. Took it down to Spain twice last year and it ate the miles up without missing a beat. I'd highly recommend it.

Downside: 19mpg around town and 25 on a run.

Edit: just saw that criteria is diesel, I'd have the Grand Voyager diesel next time, purely on consumption, but would definitely consider a LPG Petrol for the V6 grunt

[mgroadster]

Oddly enough, I got to try out a Fiat Multipla diesel last year and was amazed with it's versatility and pleasure to drive. A very quirky MPV but got the top praise also surprisingly on Top gear.
Seats turning into picnic tables etc, make it worth a look for a large family and decent MPG. A truly worthy oddity.

[JakesterUK]

We too had a Grand Voyager for a couple of years as a family hack, great all round vehicle which ticked all boxes bar fuel consumption.

Not sure what sort of options you'd get in a diesel GV but I'd recommend having a look for one

[davidjpowell]

drove an old shape Voyager in South of France. Handled like a dog, rolled like a whale and (despite being diesel), drank like a fish.

It was big and comfy and on the motorway it was ok.

We bought a 3 month old Espace, as I had enjoyed the peace from the kids. I would bizarrely recommend trying one. Ours gave no serious grief although the dealers were pretty crap, but then I expected that. For a car of it's size and bulk it handled well.

Don't write it off because it's french - have a drive in one. If you can track down a 2.0 diesel facelift, a lot of the nasty 1.9 surprises appeared to have been dealt with.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by davidjpowell on Monday 27th June 21:38

[minimatt1967]

I'm in the same boat, I will be paying close attention to this thread... What a terrifying state of affairs!

[rallycross]

Zafira is Decent to drive (ie like a car not a boat) amazing value second hand and plenty to chose from and versatile with the fold flat rear seats.

Do you really nead something as big as a voyager?

[smallzoo]

Maybe I should add a bit of detail:-

I have 3 kids ( 18,15, and 10 ) plus since my dad died we take my mum as well.

..AND I need a big boot as my dog is 14st !!... I currently have an old disco which has seen better days and as it rolls an awful lot makes it unsettling to drive for my wife..

Thanks for all the comments so far

[Bluebarge]

The Alhambra drives the best out of your list and will be more economical than the CGV. The GCV was more expensive than the Alhambra when new, and consequently you can find a less tired Alahambra than a CGV for the same money. The Alhambra can carry normal sized people in the 3rd row, and with one seat removed can carry a big hound.

The new model Kia Sedona is not bad (but rather slow) but the old model isn't on a par with the competition.

[Bluebarge]

PS the Sorrento is a 4x4. If it has 7 seats, they are bolt to the floor, midgets and amputees only type seats.

[smallzoo]

Sorry I meant Kia Sedona not sorrento

[Bill]

smallzoo said:

my dog is 14st !!

WTF? That's huge* The Disco has a surprisingly small boot, so anything will be an improvement as far as space goes.



*Please note the understatement of the century.

[Lets Torque]

Vauxhall Zafira GSI?

Edit: Didn't see diesel. Sorry forget my suggestion.

KIA Sorento is the one I would go for.

Edited by Lets Torque on Tuesday 28th June 09:58

[J4CKO]

We have the newer Galaxy, very pleased with it, the earliest ones may be around for that kind of money, 2006 on, probably leggy but a lot better than the previous Sharan (same as Galaxy/Alhambra) we had before.

[300bhp/ton]

Bill said:

smallzoo said:

my dog is 14st !!

WTF? That's huge* The Disco has a surprisingly small boot, so anything will be an improvement as far as space goes.



*Please note the understatement of the century.

Is an MPV really going to have a bigger boot than a Disco? I know I used to be able to fit my drum kit assembled in the boot of mine and still have loads of room. This was with the seats up too.

[alcovrugbyfan]

The back seats of the CGV slide backward and forwards as a row to make the boot bigger or smaller

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

Is an MPV really going to have a bigger boot than a Disco? I know I used to be able to fit my drum kit assembled in the boot of mine and still have loads of room. This was with the seats up too.

Yep. The D3 is a similar size to the SMax, but the D2 is slightly narrower and iirc 20cm less deep.

[paoloh]

Just sold a 2.8CRD Voyager. Handles 7 adults in comfort, returned good MPG and surprisingly, got along the road quite well.

[300bhp/ton]

Bill said:

300bhp/ton said:

Is an MPV really going to have a bigger boot than a Disco? I know I used to be able to fit my drum kit assembled in the boot of mine and still have loads of room. This was with the seats up too.

Yep. The D3 is a similar size to the SMax, but the D2 is slightly narrower and iirc 20cm less deep.

That's quite amazing...

In fairness though, I've never even sat in an MPV.