Which £15k seven seater SUV
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking into the best options for new family transport.
Decided that due to comfort considerations, occasional towing, and space requirements, that our next car will be a modern luxury SUV. Mileage per year will be up to 15k, and reliability / dependability will be very important. We'll not be scaling cliff faces, so outright ability in the Australian outback isn't hugely important, however I will look at sourcing a second set of winter wheels in case we get some tough winter weather over the next few years ..... looking to buy something that'll serve us well over four or five years.
Keen to hear from owners of similar vehicles meeting the above requirements.
My research so far, and heart (having owned several BMWs) says that we'd be best looking at a post 2007 shape BMW X5, especially if we could find one with the right spec of seats, and panoramic roof.
Other options that spring to mind at the Audi Q7 (concerned about economy), and the Discovery 3 (concerned about it being an "off roader" as it will just break down all the time).
What are the options I've missed, and what are peoples first hand experiences with these examples of vehicle?
Looking into the best options for new family transport.
Decided that due to comfort considerations, occasional towing, and space requirements, that our next car will be a modern luxury SUV. Mileage per year will be up to 15k, and reliability / dependability will be very important. We'll not be scaling cliff faces, so outright ability in the Australian outback isn't hugely important, however I will look at sourcing a second set of winter wheels in case we get some tough winter weather over the next few years ..... looking to buy something that'll serve us well over four or five years.
Keen to hear from owners of similar vehicles meeting the above requirements.
My research so far, and heart (having owned several BMWs) says that we'd be best looking at a post 2007 shape BMW X5, especially if we could find one with the right spec of seats, and panoramic roof.
Other options that spring to mind at the Audi Q7 (concerned about economy), and the Discovery 3 (concerned about it being an "off roader" as it will just break down all the time).
What are the options I've missed, and what are peoples first hand experiences with these examples of vehicle?
mat205125 said:
Welshbeef said:
Merc GL 350 blue tec - next.
As in, case closed?What makes them that good so as to dismiss the alternatives? Interested in them as an option, but need convincing Mercedes is out of their bad days.
For £15k it will be an older version.
Personally we have been looking at S Max/Galaxy/Touran/discovery etc and they simply don't compare.
The XC90 is meant to be very reliable, and there actually is some space in the back seats, with the seats in front of them being able to slide forwards and back. D5 engine is solid, however, a bit slow off the line due to the 'lazy gearbox'. Suspension is great and has some of the best seats you can get! Great sound system and lots of options to choose from.
Q7 is nice but a bit of a monster.
X5 has very small seats but a creamy smooth engine.
Can't really think of anything else...
Maybe a FFRR with an aftermarket 7 seat option?
Q7 is nice but a bit of a monster.
X5 has very small seats but a creamy smooth engine.
Can't really think of anything else...
Maybe a FFRR with an aftermarket 7 seat option?
The MB GL350 is a good call but not going to happen at £15K. In reality £20K will get you into a way over 100,000mile plus example.
The XC90 is a VFM vehicle and most of the issues resolved. Some good deals at £15K even in R-Design and Executive specification.
X5 still a cracking looking vehicle. the 4.8 is a super buy as so few people want a petrol. Personally, I love those big fat rear tyres and the stance.
I am not a fan of Q7 solely because it is an Audi but it is a very good car by all accounts and many friends rave about them.
Discovery - no comment.
An owners view - the GL is superb and you do not see them everywhere. They can be cumbersome to park. Fantastic ride. Lots of space and room. Seats 6 and 7 fold flat (electronically) and whilst in place still allow some storage space. Cost no more to run than any other mainstream 4x4. Only real watch outs are the air suspension components. If I won the lottery a GL63 would be on the list.
The XC90 is a VFM vehicle and most of the issues resolved. Some good deals at £15K even in R-Design and Executive specification.
X5 still a cracking looking vehicle. the 4.8 is a super buy as so few people want a petrol. Personally, I love those big fat rear tyres and the stance.
I am not a fan of Q7 solely because it is an Audi but it is a very good car by all accounts and many friends rave about them.
Discovery - no comment.
An owners view - the GL is superb and you do not see them everywhere. They can be cumbersome to park. Fantastic ride. Lots of space and room. Seats 6 and 7 fold flat (electronically) and whilst in place still allow some storage space. Cost no more to run than any other mainstream 4x4. Only real watch outs are the air suspension components. If I won the lottery a GL63 would be on the list.
I bought an XC90 a couple of weeks back and I'm impressed by everything except fuel economy so far - but there are plenty of people who think 33mpg is good for such a large vehicle.
3rd row seats were a big factor - they will seat a mid-size teenager OK but an adult may feel cramped. What has surprised me is the boot space in 7 seat configuration - as in useful rsther than afterthought.
It will be pulling a loaded twin axle caravan and a full load of passengers to youth camp tomorrow, so I may be genuinely loving or hating it within 24 hours; however at the 20K mark there was little competition if one also decides that low mileage and youthfulness are important. I imagine that at £15K the choice is even narrower unless you check out the Korean offerings (Kia Sorrento or Hyundai Sante Fe) but the rearmost seats weren't designed to be used on these.
3rd row seats were a big factor - they will seat a mid-size teenager OK but an adult may feel cramped. What has surprised me is the boot space in 7 seat configuration - as in useful rsther than afterthought.
It will be pulling a loaded twin axle caravan and a full load of passengers to youth camp tomorrow, so I may be genuinely loving or hating it within 24 hours; however at the 20K mark there was little competition if one also decides that low mileage and youthfulness are important. I imagine that at £15K the choice is even narrower unless you check out the Korean offerings (Kia Sorrento or Hyundai Sante Fe) but the rearmost seats weren't designed to be used on these.
I made a similar thread a few months ago.
I wanted the answer to be XC90 - every third reply was "S-Max"
I am a Volvo-ist, miss my last one dearly - and tried hard with Herindoors to convince her of XC90.
We even sat down with a salesman to talk numbers on a brand new one (they were offering big discounts, and so depreciation curves were drawn)
And each time I checked the thread it had more "buy an S-max" posts, and I'll be honest, I snubbed them - almost even for snobbish reasons.
And then we bought a 2010 S-Max, Titanium Sport-X 163hp auto model. And this inst me defending a "buy" decision , and it doesn't sparkle but I find it "surprisingly competent". OK, in your spec, we haven't towed with it, but every family demand has been surpassed with ease. (5up,7up, heavy, lane blast, motorway cruise, Temple of Pine run, school run) And to use yesterday as an example - 5 up, 90mile A1 blast, 30degs outside, Aircon on - not a peep from the backseat, no fighting, no turfwars, no DJ battles, no "Daaaaad Tell him!" - and so to me, thats "win".
So, by all means try an XC90, but dont reject (as I nearly did) the S-Max.
I wanted the answer to be XC90 - every third reply was "S-Max"
I am a Volvo-ist, miss my last one dearly - and tried hard with Herindoors to convince her of XC90.
We even sat down with a salesman to talk numbers on a brand new one (they were offering big discounts, and so depreciation curves were drawn)
And each time I checked the thread it had more "buy an S-max" posts, and I'll be honest, I snubbed them - almost even for snobbish reasons.
And then we bought a 2010 S-Max, Titanium Sport-X 163hp auto model. And this inst me defending a "buy" decision , and it doesn't sparkle but I find it "surprisingly competent". OK, in your spec, we haven't towed with it, but every family demand has been surpassed with ease. (5up,7up, heavy, lane blast, motorway cruise, Temple of Pine run, school run) And to use yesterday as an example - 5 up, 90mile A1 blast, 30degs outside, Aircon on - not a peep from the backseat, no fighting, no turfwars, no DJ battles, no "Daaaaad Tell him!" - and so to me, thats "win".
So, by all means try an XC90, but dont reject (as I nearly did) the S-Max.
I have just gone through this conundrum due to the wife's Porsche Cayenne dying of terminal electrical gremlins. We ended up with Land Rover Discovery Metropolis from a main dealer and are very pleased. A Merc GL, 7 seat X5 and non Cat D. Q7 where just not available at £15000 when we looked 3 weeks ago. The Jeep Commander and Volvo XC 90 but personal preference excluded those for us.
A budget option is the Hyundai Santa Fe 7 have had a couple of these at around 90'000 miles they seem to cope with the miles quite well.
The 2.2 diesel is a rough old engine but gives good economy, even when towing.
These have a split folding extra row of seats = massive boot space when not using the extra seats.
The plus model comes with heated leather' Sat nav and parking sensors.
Quite good looking for a big daft SUV.
Should get a 2010/2011 model under your budget.
The 2.2 diesel is a rough old engine but gives good economy, even when towing.
These have a split folding extra row of seats = massive boot space when not using the extra seats.
The plus model comes with heated leather' Sat nav and parking sensors.
Quite good looking for a big daft SUV.
Should get a 2010/2011 model under your budget.
Veeayt said:
I actually really quite like the idea of one of these, and the styling just makes them better value. Problem is, the hatch boot is far too small to fit a bike through. Whilst I've got racks for the roof when we're going away, if I just want to drive to a mates for a road ride, I want to just drop the seats and through it in. Even with wheels removed, it'd be tight getting anything large into the back of an RGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff