What Car? (7-Seater)
Discussion
Chaps,
Friend needs a car. Criteria are typical of those of a family; three kids, to be used as an only car to drive them to school and back, ferry the odd friend around, do the weekly shopping but also to take them on family holidays to France and beyond. Chap is an old friend but not a PH-er, hence is not bothered about image, styling, fun-to-drive and all the rest of it. Budget is around the £5k mark, but he would like something where the last row of seats fold flat into the floor. He's not that keen on a full-fat MPV, so Sharan's and Galaxies are out.
As far as I am aware the list in this category is pretty much Ford S-Max, VW Touran and Vauxhall Zafira. The Ford will be the most exciting but is at the limit of their budget, and the Vaux and VW are both pretty dull but worthy.
Is there anything I have missed? Any other models I should be considering? Anything to look out for when buying any of these? Any experience of owning the things?
No need for oodles of detail, but am keen to know what else there is in this sector which I may have missed.
Thanks,
Oli.
Friend needs a car. Criteria are typical of those of a family; three kids, to be used as an only car to drive them to school and back, ferry the odd friend around, do the weekly shopping but also to take them on family holidays to France and beyond. Chap is an old friend but not a PH-er, hence is not bothered about image, styling, fun-to-drive and all the rest of it. Budget is around the £5k mark, but he would like something where the last row of seats fold flat into the floor. He's not that keen on a full-fat MPV, so Sharan's and Galaxies are out.
As far as I am aware the list in this category is pretty much Ford S-Max, VW Touran and Vauxhall Zafira. The Ford will be the most exciting but is at the limit of their budget, and the Vaux and VW are both pretty dull but worthy.
Is there anything I have missed? Any other models I should be considering? Anything to look out for when buying any of these? Any experience of owning the things?
No need for oodles of detail, but am keen to know what else there is in this sector which I may have missed.
Thanks,
Oli.
Might be able to get an early (06 or 07) C4 Grand Picasso for that budget.
Plenty of info here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Plenty of info here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
When we finally had to bite the bullet and go for a people carrier, we looked at absolutely every type.
The Pug 807 was the one we finally went for, did everything well, massive spec and great to drive. Plus it had so many nice little touches the othersd didn't...
Look: http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
The Pug 807 was the one we finally went for, did everything well, massive spec and great to drive. Plus it had so many nice little touches the othersd didn't...
Look: http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
grayme said:
We've got a Toyota Corolla Verso.
Steer clear. It's done just over 100k and is six years old, last year it got its third clutch and second gearbox.
Ooooh, not good. Toyota = reliable, surely? Maybe not ... Was yours just a duffer or is the bombproof image of the brands from the rising sun misplaced? Steer clear. It's done just over 100k and is six years old, last year it got its third clutch and second gearbox.
Boring to drive won't bother him!
Oli.
zcacogp said:
oooh, not good. Toyota = reliable, surely? Maybe not ... Was yours just a duffer or is the bombproof image of the brands from the rising sun misplaced?
Boring to drive won't bother him!
Oli.
We thought it would be reliable, but given the recent history of accelerators sticking on, I'm not seeing it.Boring to drive won't bother him!
Oli.
When it went wrong for us (just under five years and less than 100k), I called Toyota but they were 'unable' to assist with the work it needed; why not just say 'unwilling'? She did say I was entitled to tell anyone how unreliable Toyota was, so I am fulfilling my obligations.
Then I looked at the history and saw it had had a new clutch just 10k miles before.
It still seems a little stiff at times now changing gear, it better not be going again.
If it wasn't so beaten about, I'd be looking to downsize to a Fiesta.
How old are the kids? We have an 08 Zafira and with the extra seats up there isn't much room in the boot as has been mentioned. We can get a (smallish) pushchair in there and that's it. We can get three car seats across the middle though so if he has three kids the boot seats can stay away and the boot is large. The 1.6 petrol isn't up to much in ours. Underpowered and thirsty if you're on a motorway doing motorway speeds.
williredale said:
How old are the kids? We have an 08 Zafira and with the extra seats up there isn't much room in the boot as has been mentioned. We can get a (smallish) pushchair in there and that's it. We can get three car seats across the middle though so if he has three kids the boot seats can stay away and the boot is large. The 1.6 petrol isn't up to much in ours. Underpowered and thirsty if you're on a motorway doing motorway speeds.
My wife had several as company cars. Agree the 1.6 petrol is gutless and thirsty, the diesel however, she had as a loan car when hers was in for something was quite good.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff