The PH alternative to the MPV...
Discussion
What is it?
Whilst I love cars, I've never owned anything special. In fact my current car is a lovely example of Asian Pensioner Chic, an Avensis.
So I'm surprised at my own reluctance to buy an MPV, despite the overwhelming sense they make. I drive a new Galaxy from time to time and they're excellent at what they do. But I don't want to spend my own money on one.
We really could do with something big inside and big in the boot with three growing boys and an appetite for day trips. I've mooted a w124 but the wife's not biting. Shame.
So where do the credible types put their £7.5k?
Whilst I love cars, I've never owned anything special. In fact my current car is a lovely example of Asian Pensioner Chic, an Avensis.
So I'm surprised at my own reluctance to buy an MPV, despite the overwhelming sense they make. I drive a new Galaxy from time to time and they're excellent at what they do. But I don't want to spend my own money on one.
We really could do with something big inside and big in the boot with three growing boys and an appetite for day trips. I've mooted a w124 but the wife's not biting. Shame.
So where do the credible types put their £7.5k?
I went down the route you are treading and in the end gave in and bought a VW Sharan Diseasel.
It was the best thing I ever did for family motoring.
The biggest advantage with all that space is the kids don't scrap half so much in the back as they do in a smaller car, they have a great view out and generally family journeys are in peace and harmony, and when you don't need tons of luggage space their mates can come along.
I have also had a Mitsubishi Grandis (55 reg) which was very good although interior not as smart as VW, but the rear 2 seats folded away like the latest MPV's. They are very good value now as nobody knows what they are (2 litre VW engine in the diesel, whether that's good or bad is for you to decide).
2.4 litre in the petrol is quite a swift machine.
My advice would be do the MPV - it's not forever.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/mitsu...
It was the best thing I ever did for family motoring.
The biggest advantage with all that space is the kids don't scrap half so much in the back as they do in a smaller car, they have a great view out and generally family journeys are in peace and harmony, and when you don't need tons of luggage space their mates can come along.
I have also had a Mitsubishi Grandis (55 reg) which was very good although interior not as smart as VW, but the rear 2 seats folded away like the latest MPV's. They are very good value now as nobody knows what they are (2 litre VW engine in the diesel, whether that's good or bad is for you to decide).
2.4 litre in the petrol is quite a swift machine.
My advice would be do the MPV - it's not forever.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/mitsu...
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 24th February 13:35
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 24th February 13:42
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 24th February 14:09
radiodanno said:
What is it?
Whilst I love cars, I've never owned anything special. In fact my current car is a lovely example of Asian Pensioner Chic, an Avensis.
So I'm surprised at my own reluctance to buy an MPV, despite the overwhelming sense they make. I drive a new Galaxy from time to time and they're excellent at what they do. But I don't want to spend my own money on one.
We really could do with something big inside and big in the boot with three growing boys and an appetite for day trips. I've mooted a w124 but the wife's not biting. Shame.
So where do the credible types put their £7.5k?
Get a 2.5T SMax, it's suprisingly good. Or alternatively use more fuel to go slower in a 4x4.Whilst I love cars, I've never owned anything special. In fact my current car is a lovely example of Asian Pensioner Chic, an Avensis.
So I'm surprised at my own reluctance to buy an MPV, despite the overwhelming sense they make. I drive a new Galaxy from time to time and they're excellent at what they do. But I don't want to spend my own money on one.
We really could do with something big inside and big in the boot with three growing boys and an appetite for day trips. I've mooted a w124 but the wife's not biting. Shame.
So where do the credible types put their £7.5k?
We bought a Smax 2years ago when our third was born, it makes sense, the boot space is only a smidge over a large estate but that is not really the advantage of MPVs the advantage is that the extra height and having 3 individual seats in the back.
also fecking ace for trips to the tip and Wickes, my missus and I both want to replace it with a fast estate as soon as the third kid is on a booster but i think i might keep it and use it as a van and winter car and use the bike all summer, they really are very bloody usefull.
also fecking ace for trips to the tip and Wickes, my missus and I both want to replace it with a fast estate as soon as the third kid is on a booster but i think i might keep it and use it as a van and winter car and use the bike all summer, they really are very bloody usefull.
If you have less than 3 kids not worth it IMO.
We bought an Alhambra a short while after our 3rd was born and the other 2 were still in car seats.
Yes they all would fit across the back of ther previous Mondeo Estate but it was such a hassle I lasted a month after his birth. Just so easy to fit them all in.
It drove ok as well.
When that had done nearly 5 years of decent service I went for an XC90, not as much room inside and TBH not as nice to drive but there's just something about them and that D5 engine is very good.
However due to wife getting job (it was her car) involving a 20 mile commute, 27 mpg and the kids are big enough not to need car seats we changed it last month for a 59 reg Avensis Estate. very pleased so far, 43 mpg (believe me thats good with my wife driving, I get 52!), lots of kit, big enough inside and it feels solid.
We bought an Alhambra a short while after our 3rd was born and the other 2 were still in car seats.
Yes they all would fit across the back of ther previous Mondeo Estate but it was such a hassle I lasted a month after his birth. Just so easy to fit them all in.
It drove ok as well.
When that had done nearly 5 years of decent service I went for an XC90, not as much room inside and TBH not as nice to drive but there's just something about them and that D5 engine is very good.
However due to wife getting job (it was her car) involving a 20 mile commute, 27 mpg and the kids are big enough not to need car seats we changed it last month for a 59 reg Avensis Estate. very pleased so far, 43 mpg (believe me thats good with my wife driving, I get 52!), lots of kit, big enough inside and it feels solid.
Barkychoc said:
I went down the route you are treading and in the end gave in and bought a VW Sharan Diseasel.
It was the best thing I ever did for family motoring.
The biggest advantage with all that space is the kids don't scrap half so much in the back as they do in a smaller car, they have a great view out and generally family journeys are in peace and harmony, and when you don't need tons of luggage space their mates can come along.
OTOH the high up seating position does tend to amplify the movements of the car and promote car sickness (as colleages of mine form another mag found out when letting a 'model family' with young kids out in the three MPVs they had for a comparo... only five minutes in and It was the best thing I ever did for family motoring.
The biggest advantage with all that space is the kids don't scrap half so much in the back as they do in a smaller car, they have a great view out and generally family journeys are in peace and harmony, and when you don't need tons of luggage space their mates can come along.
- and then again in the next one, cue embarrassed parents, owners of a regular hatchback/estate (I forget which) exclaiming that the never had that happening before, small comfort for the journos who had to clean the mess up before returning the cars...) so you might want to check your kids' compatibility with MPVs beforehand... 
LordHaveMurci said:
E55 AMG Estate, RS6 Avant, M5 Touring, Legacy GTB estate, S4 Avant, Forester Turbo, Scooby wagon, Skoda Yeti?
Nismo Juke?!
No comment on the other but..Nismo Juke?!
Legacy GTB estate, - might fit three but not massively comfy for long journeys for the one in the middle(brother has one)
Forester Turbo, - too small for three (we have one)
Scooby wagon, - too small for three (smaller than the Forester)
Skoda Yeti? - too small for three (we have one)
Nismo Juke?! - way too small for three (no rear head room as it is based on the Micra)
If it was me, I'd go for the legacy and make the middle seat the "naughty seat"
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