New Family Bus

[Legend83]

Sadly our workhorse S-Max 2.5T is on it's last legs - bits are falling off, there is a lot belt squeaking going on under the bonnet and frankly the fuel economy is a disaster (not quite as bad as my RX8).

So it's research time on a new family-wagon for 2 adults and 3 nippers (7,7 and 3) - we are looking at 7 seaters for flexibility - price range £16-20k.

Current shortlist:

Hyundai Santa Fe

+ the wife fancies an SUV and likes the looks
+ a lot of equipment for the money
+ at our price point we will get a bit of left over 5 year warranty

- boot not as big as the S-Max
- middle seat is a bench and it's a squeeze getting 3 car seats in the back
- diesel...

Kia Sorento

As above with longer warranty but worse fuel economy and pricier

Renault Grand Scenic

+ not sure I have seen a better looking MPV ever
+ French depreciation means a nearly new car with 2-3 years warrant is same price as a 15 plate Hyundai / Kia

- not owned a French car before and have concerns over reliability
- 90% on sale have the 1.5dci engine which I have read is sluggish to say the least

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

As above but even cheaper with a petrol option.

Other marginally possible options are another S Max (+ familiar, great to drive - familiar, petrol engines thirsty) or a Skoda Kodiaq (+ look great, well-reviewed, massive - probably out of price range right now).

Anyone have any experience with the above cars or advice to offer?

[magpie215]

Nissan elgrand?
A family member has recently bought one and its a rather nice vehicle.

[Legend83]

magpie215 said:

Nissan elgrand?
A family member has recently bought one and its a rather nice vehicle.

I know these things are subjective but they are pretty awful looking (IMO) and bearing in mind this is for the wife (who's main criteria is it has to "look good")...plus the 3.5 V6 will probably be worse fuel than the current steed.

Cheers for the suggestion though!

[dmsims]

Avoid French

2 series active tourer

Prius+

Verso

[Legend83]

dmsims said:

Avoid French

2 series active tourer

Prius+

Verso

The Verso would be perfect if it were not for the tiny boot (comparatively).

My head says avoid French but such a lot of car for the money.

ETA - anyone reading this with a 2 series Tourer confirm or deny if 3 car seats will go across the middle row?

[Tyre Smoke]

Nothing wrong with a Grand Picasso. Decent 2.0hdi engine (yes, I know you said petrol) which is virtually bomb proof. And a good boot with the back seats down. The auto (clutchless manual they call it) is dire though.

Have you ruled out a Galaxy then?

[Legend83]

Tyre Smoke said:

Nothing wrong with a Grand Picasso. Decent 2.0hdi engine (yes, I know you said petrol) which is virtually bomb proof. And a good boot with the back seats down. The auto (clutchless manual they call it) is dire though.

Have you ruled out a Galaxy then?

If we going to go Ford again it would be another S-Max (the Galaxy is probably bigger than we need).

The issue with the latest S-Max is that a) I'm trying to avoid diesel if I can; b) the EcoBoost petrol is thirsty.

ETA - shame if the Citroen auto is crap. Definitely want an auto this time for the family duties.

[zedx19]

We were in a similar situation 12 months back, tried all the usual suspects but all had their flaws, then stumbled upon a Peugeot 5008 which we purchased. It's a 64 plate now on 40k and in the past 12 months has given us zero problems and been a fantastic family car for us. We've got 3 boys under 5 and our 4th is due in 6 weeks. We've had it loaded to the hilt, roof box and 3 bikes on the back and it'll still return 50-55mpg on a holiday run. It's basically a Grand Picasso but it doesn't come with the god awful auto box. We tried a Grand Picasso with that auto box and I do not know how people live with it, even my wife commented she couldn't cope with how slow the changes were. We also tried Zafiras but they have small centre seat and rear seat. We wanted an S Max but prices are strong and I couldn't justify paying that much for a family car.

[magpie215]

Honda elysion

Toyota Alphard

Yes I like JDM imports :-)

[Legend83]

zedx19 said:

We were in a similar situation 12 months back, tried all the usual suspects but all had their flaws, then stumbled upon a Peugeot 5008 which we purchased. It's a 64 plate now on 40k and in the past 12 months has given us zero problems and been a fantastic family car for us. We've got 3 boys under 5 and our 4th is due in 6 weeks. We've had it loaded to the hilt, roof box and 3 bikes on the back and it'll still return 50-55mpg on a holiday run. It's basically a Grand Picasso but it doesn't come with the god awful auto box. We tried a Grand Picasso with that auto box and I do not know how people live with it, even my wife commented she couldn't cope with how slow the changes were. We also tried Zafiras but they have small centre seat and rear seat. We wanted an S Max but prices are strong and I couldn't justify paying that much for a family car.

Had looked at the 5008 - at 64 plate yours is presumably the previous "non-SUV" looking version? The wife likes the new one and it's looks a great car but, just like the Kodiaq, is currently out of our price range.

[Legend83]

Setting aside the French-ness, this is such a nice looking car for an "MPV".

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A disaster waiting to happen?

[Sheepshanks]

It's very anonymous but surprising how many you see around once they catch your eye - VW Touaran?

I'm not 100% on this but I think it's unusual in having 5 isofix seats.

I've been humming and harring about trying one on a cheap lease to ferry grandchildren around - the Family version has a glass roof, which is the grandkids only requirement in a car.

[Legend83]

Sheepshanks said:

It's very anonymous but surprising how many you see around once they catch your eye - VW Touaran?

I'm not 100% on this but I think it's unusual in having 5 isofix seats.

I've been humming and harring about trying one on a cheap lease to ferry grandchildren around - the Family version has a glass roof, which is the grandkids only requirement in a car.

Good shout I should have had that on my list. TSI engine is attractive (any issues now? I know early ones were problematic) plus DSG and as you say 3 across the back easily.

Downside, again as you say, not exactly winning in the style awards - a box on wheels to ferry kids.

[zedx19]

Legend83 said:

Had looked at the 5008 - at 64 plate yours is presumably the previous "non-SUV" looking version? The wife likes the new one and it's looks a great car but, just like the Kodiaq, is currently out of our price range.

Indeed, the facelift one before the SUV type. Worth looking at the non SUV older one though as they are cheap now and great family buses.

[Legend83]

Sheepshanks said:

It's very anonymous but surprising how many you see around once they catch your eye - VW Touaran?

I'm not 100% on this but I think it's unusual in having 5 isofix seats.

I've been humming and harring about trying one on a cheap lease to ferry grandchildren around - the Family version has a glass roof, which is the grandkids only requirement in a car.

Clarkson's take quite amusing:

"And so if you’ve given up on life, you’ve got children and you just need a sensible family car to move you around while you wait to die, the Touran is probably your best bet."

[sprouting]

We have a 2010 touan and a 2003 Megan scenic.
The VW I bought 5 years ago on 20,000 miles, now on 176,000 with nothing but services & a cambelt. ( 140,000 intervals) 1 set of front brake pads and that's it. It's just having a clutch and front discs and pads now on its service. I tried a 7 speed dsg version recently and loved it. Would have had it but it sold 2 days later when I'd made my mind up.

The Renault is only on 56,000 miles but has seen no issues on the last 6 year's and the oh refuses to part with it.

[dmsims]

None of the cars here have "style"

These will get 3 Isofix in the back/middle

VW Touran
VW Sharan
Audi Q7
S-max
Kia sportage
Toyota Verso

there maybe other others but I will not inflict any JLR product on you!

[amoeba]

I see alot of these (MPV) cars for sale with automatic gearbox problems.

I would avoid auto unless you can find one with a 'good' box, i.e. a ZF. However the Ford Powershift could be an option (I know the early ones were iffy, but assume they solved it).

[Legend83]

dmsims said:

None of the cars here have "style"

Oh I agree completely, they are tools a the end of the day. Through the eyes of a non-motoring fanatic though (My OH) a Hyundai / Kia 4x4 is magnitudes more attractive than a practical box-on-wheels e.g.Touran.

[Pothole]

If you're looking at the Skoda you should also try the Seat-badged version.