Not very PH - stylish 6/7 seater what car
Discussion
Sorry, i may need to hang up my smiley... 
We will need to change my e39 touring for a 6/7 seater soon due to school run requirements. We are joining with other families to share the journey so need something that can take at least 4 kids aged 10-14.
It needs to be an Auto, have 6 or 7 decent seats (used to have a v70 with fold out seats in boot but don't think they will be suitable for this age ) and budget roughly £5-6k
Just to be a pain, I don't want something that looks dull or one of those hideous jap import boxes (bongo's, fairies, tracey's etc) - getting the right colour, tints and some decent alloys does help i think
Current thoughts are:
Zafira
Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra
Disco (mk2)
Voyager (although heard horror stories about reliability of these from close friends)
Can the PH massive help with anything I've missed?
We will need to change my e39 touring for a 6/7 seater soon due to school run requirements. We are joining with other families to share the journey so need something that can take at least 4 kids aged 10-14.
It needs to be an Auto, have 6 or 7 decent seats (used to have a v70 with fold out seats in boot but don't think they will be suitable for this age ) and budget roughly £5-6k
Just to be a pain, I don't want something that looks dull or one of those hideous jap import boxes (bongo's, fairies, tracey's etc) - getting the right colour, tints and some decent alloys does help i think
Current thoughts are:
Zafira
Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra
Disco (mk2)
Voyager (although heard horror stories about reliability of these from close friends)
Can the PH massive help with anything I've missed?
The only proper 7 seaters out of that lot, especially for 14 years olds are the Voyager & Galaxy etc.
I heard the same as you about the voyager & it's not good in a crash, so I went Alhambra as IMO it looked better than the Galaxy & Sharan & was cheaper for more kit (SE spec)
Auto's apparently work really well with the PD engine too, though if you're doing mostly short journeys, go for the 1.8t petrol engine as the diesels take ages to warm up.
I heard the same as you about the voyager & it's not good in a crash, so I went Alhambra as IMO it looked better than the Galaxy & Sharan & was cheaper for more kit (SE spec)
Auto's apparently work really well with the PD engine too, though if you're doing mostly short journeys, go for the 1.8t petrol engine as the diesels take ages to warm up.
Wow £6k to spend on a vehicle to carry other peoples kids about in. I'm in the wrong job
Less convential how about a Land Rover 110 County? 2 or 3 seats in the front, 3 in the middle and side seats in the back. In the back you could replace the benches with the individual side facing seats with belts for little cost.
Total seating capacity would be 9-12 seats depending on configuration. Only thing to check is if you licence is post 1997 then you might need an additional licence.
Other bonuses:
-all year weather ability
-kids will love it
-despite how it may look they are easy to park. Square so you can easily see each corner and not overly wide
-cheap and easy to run and maintain
-very good depreciation
I know some will say about safety. But I presume as a school run it won't be for prolonged high speed use. So any such potential accidents are far more likely to be low speed ones which the 110 will be good in.
It's also worth noting that the 110 is still produced today. And according the the DfT (Department for Transport) it is the safest vehicle on UK roads statistically.
Less convential how about a Land Rover 110 County? 2 or 3 seats in the front, 3 in the middle and side seats in the back. In the back you could replace the benches with the individual side facing seats with belts for little cost.
Total seating capacity would be 9-12 seats depending on configuration. Only thing to check is if you licence is post 1997 then you might need an additional licence.
Other bonuses:
-all year weather ability
-kids will love it
-despite how it may look they are easy to park. Square so you can easily see each corner and not overly wide
-cheap and easy to run and maintain
-very good depreciation
I know some will say about safety. But I presume as a school run it won't be for prolonged high speed use. So any such potential accidents are far more likely to be low speed ones which the 110 will be good in.
It's also worth noting that the 110 is still produced today. And according the the DfT (Department for Transport) it is the safest vehicle on UK roads statistically.
Previa? Good auto. Plenty of room. Not bad looking.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2620682.htm
VW Caravelle? Probably more expensive, but solid and roomy. Maybe too big?
Merc V-class? Don't know much about these. Early-Mid 2000's Merc not a good idea? Rust?
How about a Pug 806 / Fiat Ulysse? Cheap and big enough. Decent TD engine.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2620682.htm
VW Caravelle? Probably more expensive, but solid and roomy. Maybe too big?
Merc V-class? Don't know much about these. Early-Mid 2000's Merc not a good idea? Rust?
How about a Pug 806 / Fiat Ulysse? Cheap and big enough. Decent TD engine.
Edited by excel monkey on Friday 18th March 11:07
Try this Volvo - well under budget, and it's an auto.
OTOH we've got the Alhambra pictured earlier (well a 55 plate equivalent) and I'd agree with the suggestion mainly. However I would get a VW Sharan if I did it again because:
1. Alhambra is on 17" wheels & sports suspension which is about as stupid as it gets - this means crashing over speed bumps & potholes etc. We lose about 2 tyres per year to potholes & stuff; I think several of the wheels are now buckled as well (although Seat will sell you replacements for a mere £450!)
2. No petrol engine for the Alhambra of that era, and the diesel takes forever to warm up; also the diesel relies on a hopelessly unreliable (according to the internet) auxiliary heater which on our car would cost £600 to replace. I've disconnected it, so the car has hardly warmed up since September.
3. The auto box is only available with the 105BHP engine. Probably OK if the car's empty but who on earth decided this was a good idea?!
OTOH we've got the Alhambra pictured earlier (well a 55 plate equivalent) and I'd agree with the suggestion mainly. However I would get a VW Sharan if I did it again because:
1. Alhambra is on 17" wheels & sports suspension which is about as stupid as it gets - this means crashing over speed bumps & potholes etc. We lose about 2 tyres per year to potholes & stuff; I think several of the wheels are now buckled as well (although Seat will sell you replacements for a mere £450!)
2. No petrol engine for the Alhambra of that era, and the diesel takes forever to warm up; also the diesel relies on a hopelessly unreliable (according to the internet) auxiliary heater which on our car would cost £600 to replace. I've disconnected it, so the car has hardly warmed up since September.
3. The auto box is only available with the 105BHP engine. Probably OK if the car's empty but who on earth decided this was a good idea?!
oldcynic said:
1. Alhambra is on 17" wheels & sports suspension which is about as stupid as it gets - this means crashing over speed bumps & potholes etc. We lose about 2 tyres per year to potholes & stuff; I think several of the wheels are now buckled as well (although Seat will sell you replacements for a mere £450!)
2. No petrol engine for the Alhambra of that era, and the diesel takes forever to warm up; also the diesel relies on a hopelessly unreliable (according to the internet) auxiliary heater which on our car would cost £600 to replace. I've disconnected it, so the car has hardly warmed up since September.
1. I would agree that its crashy over bad roads but it means it does behave well for a big car. I had a spate of tyres going at a regular interval but been ok the last few years.2. No petrol engine for the Alhambra of that era, and the diesel takes forever to warm up; also the diesel relies on a hopelessly unreliable (according to the internet) auxiliary heater which on our car would cost £600 to replace. I've disconnected it, so the car has hardly warmed up since September.
2. Didn't know this. You used to be able to hear this heater on ours but realised now you can't. Is ours knackered? Warms up ok, bit slow but thats all diesels I suppose. Once up to temperature its very toasty inside and temp gauge never moved from top dead centre.
GreatGranny said:
2. Didn't know this. You used to be able to hear this heater on ours but realised now you can't. Is ours knackered? Warms up ok, bit slow but thats all diesels I suppose. Once up to temperature its very toasty inside and temp gauge never moved from top dead centre.
Our auxiliary heater spews clouds of white smoke as if the car is on fire. First starting happening whilst it was under warranty but I didn't work out the problem for a few months as this was summertime and the warranty expired at the end of August.Got prices for a repair then promptly crawled under car and disconnected failed unit! Sounds like yours is working OK though - ours won't reach normal temperature if it's below about 3 degrees outside.
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