Discussion
Right, need some serious advice (Lord help me).
I identified with the help of this forum that the best mpv for me, doing mostly 5 mile trips with a 50 and a 40 mph stretch in would be a petrol zafira.
Gravy.
So I test drove one yesterday and I'm looking at another tomorow but the rub is the footwell extending back towards the driver is quite narrow and I'm a big chap and I found it a bit uncomfortable using the clutch.
All the other MPV's seem to be either diesel or citroen and it is the citroen and peugeot that are most comfortable for me as I can relax more.
Question 1: what is so bad about a Citroen Xsara Picasso from a maintanance pov?
Question 2: Is a diesel absolutely out of the question even if I were to use a fuel treatment to keep the crap down and took it for a good blast once a fortnight to get s
t good and hot?
Your collective genius is required.........
I identified with the help of this forum that the best mpv for me, doing mostly 5 mile trips with a 50 and a 40 mph stretch in would be a petrol zafira.
Gravy.
So I test drove one yesterday and I'm looking at another tomorow but the rub is the footwell extending back towards the driver is quite narrow and I'm a big chap and I found it a bit uncomfortable using the clutch.
All the other MPV's seem to be either diesel or citroen and it is the citroen and peugeot that are most comfortable for me as I can relax more.
Question 1: what is so bad about a Citroen Xsara Picasso from a maintanance pov?
Question 2: Is a diesel absolutely out of the question even if I were to use a fuel treatment to keep the crap down and took it for a good blast once a fortnight to get s
t good and hot?Your collective genius is required.........
One of the main issues is picassos is that they are not exactly a petrolhead car so normally maintenance has been scrimped on and just generally not looked after. Most are tatty and if you look on the MOT history its obvious that they only get the bare minimum done to get through the test.
Common issues with them are the power steering pumps exploding, alternators are a weak spot and the sills rust badly.
The best one to get is the 2.0 hdi 90 bhp version, which is a very tough engine and it can take a fair amount of abuse.
Common issues with them are the power steering pumps exploding, alternators are a weak spot and the sills rust badly.
The best one to get is the 2.0 hdi 90 bhp version, which is a very tough engine and it can take a fair amount of abuse.
I'm not seeing any petrol Tourans within reasonable travelling distance, FRv is unsuitable and the Altea isn't big enough.
Partners seem to be diesel only, Berlingo only the crap or out of my budget which is £2k tops. Can't afford to run petrol Galaxy or Sharan etc.
Hitting a bit of a brick wall but I need a car within the next week.
Partners seem to be diesel only, Berlingo only the crap or out of my budget which is £2k tops. Can't afford to run petrol Galaxy or Sharan etc.
Hitting a bit of a brick wall but I need a car within the next week.
Fundamentally there are plenty of older diesels out there with short daily runs experiencing no problems at all, it only seems to be the modern dpf laden things that get touchy. How do taxi's go on, there'sloads of standard diesel saloons stop starting, so are they dpf hamstrung or do they have a more frequent maintenance schedule?
If the clutch is the problem in the Zafira, you could try an auto?
Presumably you require 7 seats etc or you can buy 7 seater estates or SUV types?
I'd have a look at an S Max or possibly something like a Rav4 or CR-V.
I'd definitely stay away from French (reliability reasons) and I'd stay away from diesel (not worth it because of low mileage and potentially troublesome)
Presumably you require 7 seats etc or you can buy 7 seater estates or SUV types?
I'd have a look at an S Max or possibly something like a Rav4 or CR-V.
I'd definitely stay away from French (reliability reasons) and I'd stay away from diesel (not worth it because of low mileage and potentially troublesome)
I don't need 7 seats I need the space. often have 2 car seats in the back and those devils get bigger and bigger. need to fold rear seats down when taking wife to craft fairs etc.
I also have mobility problems so need a higher seat to get into, standard estates are a bit touch and go, CRV looks lovely but the running costs are frightening.
on a very low income atm so I'm really being forced into compromises I don;t want to have to make.
smax tend to be diesels and have been to Mars and back.
I also have mobility problems so need a higher seat to get into, standard estates are a bit touch and go, CRV looks lovely but the running costs are frightening.
on a very low income atm so I'm really being forced into compromises I don;t want to have to make.
smax tend to be diesels and have been to Mars and back.
Does it have to be an MPV?
Just there are many cars that have space for 2 car seats and folding seats and boot space. Ford
Mondeo has acres of space inside and available in many engine sizes and variations, as do Skoda superbs, Kia Optima, Toyota avensis. I think these are all hatchback or estate so not saloon size boot openings to deal with.
As a 6ft 5 chap - these are cars that I have fit in better than most.
Just there are many cars that have space for 2 car seats and folding seats and boot space. Ford
Mondeo has acres of space inside and available in many engine sizes and variations, as do Skoda superbs, Kia Optima, Toyota avensis. I think these are all hatchback or estate so not saloon size boot openings to deal with.
As a 6ft 5 chap - these are cars that I have fit in better than most.
Okay I know it's french but...
My cousin ran a Citroen c8 for years with no issues. It had starship miles and just kept going. That thing was huge, basically a van. I remember helping him move sofas in it once.
They come as a 2.0 petrol. Very high on tax and probably slow and uneconomical but it is petrol.
The thing about french cars is that some go pop in no time at all and yet others seem to run forever. Pot luck really.
My cousin ran a Citroen c8 for years with no issues. It had starship miles and just kept going. That thing was huge, basically a van. I remember helping him move sofas in it once.
They come as a 2.0 petrol. Very high on tax and probably slow and uneconomical but it is petrol.
The thing about french cars is that some go pop in no time at all and yet others seem to run forever. Pot luck really.
Not sure what your budget is & there are a few decent petrol options:
Mazda5 Sport Venture
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.0T S Max Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Galaxy Titanium X
Mazda5 Sport Venture
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.0T S Max Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Galaxy Titanium X
Lol999 said:
Fundamentally there are plenty of older diesels out there with short daily runs experiencing no problems at all, it only seems to be the modern dpf laden things that get touchy. How do taxi's go on, there'sloads of standard diesel saloons stop starting, so are they dpf hamstrung or do they have a more frequent maintenance schedule?
My wife’s is a 2018 so it’s near enough latest and greatest and you are correct, most taxis (at least up here) are still diesel octavias, the penny pinching taxi firms would be using petrols if dpf’s were failing left right and centre. That’s a better indicator than anything you will get on here. PH has a cult like anti diesel following. Slightly (just) above your £2k budget, but if you don't need 7 seats and just a decent boot space/folding seats, try a Toyota Verso-S? Same 1.33-litre engine as a Yaris - same basic floorpan underneath but stretched (255 cm wheelbase) resulting in a lot of rear legroom. Plus, it has a raised driving position and ISOFIX in the rear seats. 51 mpg to boot (CVT auto 54 mpg, but asking prices are twice your budget).
As it's a Toyota it'll be pretty indestructible, too.
As it's a Toyota it'll be pretty indestructible, too.
Well, I went and looked at another Zafira and the discomfort I was experiencing the other day was down to the clutch being so worn it was biting somewhere near my left ear it was travelling so high.
different story today, much better vehicle, good dealer chucking in the timing belt if it hasn't been changed already, 12 months mot and 3 months AA warrenty (fwiw?).
It's a petrol so no worrying about diesel disasters, job's a good 'un.
thanks for all the input.
different story today, much better vehicle, good dealer chucking in the timing belt if it hasn't been changed already, 12 months mot and 3 months AA warrenty (fwiw?).
It's a petrol so no worrying about diesel disasters, job's a good 'un.
thanks for all the input.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff