Big booty - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

12,680 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

I think my options here are limited but would love to know what I've missed.

Requirements,

Reliability! This is to drive people and kit for events around the country. The kit is bulky, think trophies and medals, merch, exhibition type stands etc. People may be 6 or 7. It can't break down.

Comfort. Some of the 6 or 7 may be kids. They'll moan. A lot.

Modest economy, it's likely a diesel, range is important too.

18-22k.

Van derivatives in this zone, the Renault/ Vauxhall stuff not overly comfy, unless you tell me different. Transit wet belt is a no. Transporter variants a possibility? Vito, most are imports lying through their teeth about miles. Dots the brief though with the known 2.1d.

Big SUVs, do any of the 3.0+ LR models have really good storage space when all 7 seats are out? Or is it Merc GL territory? Appreciate reliable and land rover a challenge, but the 3.0 seems to be a reasonable shot. XC90? Too many problems?

What have I missed? What would you buy?

RizzoTheRat

27,933 posts

214 months

Thursday 19th February

I think you're going to struggle. Other than massive SUVs most 7 seaters have a rubbish boot. Might be worth looking at some imports like the Alphard or Oddesy as these kind of minivans are popular in Japan and the US but rare in Europe.

Is a 7 seat MPV and a trailer an option?

Belle427

11,224 posts

255 months

Thursday 19th February

I would personally avoid anything JLR if reliability is your main concern.
Vito sounds like the most obvious choice if it is big enough, Transporters are ok but expensive and you need to avoid certain bi turbo models as they had engine issues, have a cult following though.
Something Jap may be an option, not sure on the reliability of the Elgrands etc but the large petrol engines are probably too expensive to run.

Stegel

2,058 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th February

I have a 2015 Merc GL (X166) diesel, bought when it was two and now on 92k miles. It’s been pretty reliable - an EGR valve and an O2 sensor are the only repairs it has needed.

Five up, the boot is enormous, but in seven seat mode the boot space is poor, really, relative to the number of people it can carry, probably less than a Golf hatchback. The rearmost seats pop up individually so if you can manage with 6 seats the L shaped space around the one rear row seat would hold a fair amount. Alternatively use a roof box - it’s already the size of a small house so the added wind resistance isn’t noticeable.

DaveyBoyWonder

3,513 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th February

6 or 7 people AND bulky stuff is van territory. Transporter kombi with the double passenger seat up front will give you a massive load area but still only 6 seats. Go for a Shuttle/Caravelle setup for more seats but a Shuttle has a triple as the 3rd row so then you're into removing one of the middle seats to shove your gear. Caravelle has is only a 7 seater as they all have 2 singles up front so still short on storage (think they're all SWB too).

No SUV or people carrier in the 7 seat configuration is going to give much in the way of boot space and the SUV especially, the 3rd row is going to be pretty grim for adults if you're doing long journeys.

Original Poster

12,680 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

Yeah it probably is, just a shame those double front seats in any variant of these things are not quite the same as X166 levels of comfort!

RSTurboPaul

12,770 posts

280 months

Thursday 19th February

LWB minibus with seats taken out?

Yank escalade?

ZX10R NIN

29,964 posts

147 months

Thursday 19th February

AddyT.

381 posts

115 months

Thursday 19th February

Caravelle. A friend has had them for years. We used to travel to Le Mans and other European road trips in them. That’s where my money would go.

Original Poster

12,680 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

Some top ideas as ever ZX smile

Does no one think a 7 seat JLR product is a good idea then? Are they all really that bad? Disco or Velar can have 7 seats, naff all additional room I guess, 3.0D can snap a crank but seems rare and if oiled regularly not necessarily likely? They look comfy, is that "while waiting for the AA"?!

Pickle_Rick

649 posts

82 months

Thursday 19th February

macron said:

Some top ideas as ever ZX smile

No JLR product is a good idea if reliability is one of your main criteria, some models and engines far worse than others.

Van is only option really. Alphard or proace verso would be my goto, various seating and wheelbase lengths to choose from.

Original Poster

12,680 posts

188 months