6/8 Seater Required
Discussion
GreatGranny said:
Has been pretty reliable, only let us down once when it went into limp mode. RAC came out and couldn't find anything wrong so just started it up and it been fine since.
Had that a few times, normally when it's not been on a good run for a while. It's sticky turbo vanes, quite common on VAG PD motors. Seems towing a caravan up and down the country does a good job of clearing them out!Google PD sticking turbo vanes.
Toyota Previa perhaps?
When I was in the market for something similar a few years ago I had a look and was impressed with these. They were on the pricey and rare side though.
I'm not too sure what the market is like now for them.
Ended up with a Zafira which had a raft of DPF / EGR / ECU problems (1.9 CDTI) so I'd recommend crossing these off your list unless you like sitting in the service department of a dealers whilst they accuse you of mis-fuelling / not driving it on the motorway enough ('car' used to do a 130 mile daily commute!).
Hope this helps.
When I was in the market for something similar a few years ago I had a look and was impressed with these. They were on the pricey and rare side though.
I'm not too sure what the market is like now for them.
Ended up with a Zafira which had a raft of DPF / EGR / ECU problems (1.9 CDTI) so I'd recommend crossing these off your list unless you like sitting in the service department of a dealers whilst they accuse you of mis-fuelling / not driving it on the motorway enough ('car' used to do a 130 mile daily commute!).
Hope this helps.
New shape Galaxy, far better than the Sharan we had, better than the other ones we tried like the Voyager. The Espace is nice but had horror stories about them disintegrating, some friends had one and it nearly bankrupted them, electrics, gearbox, engine running issues.
8 grand should get you into a new shape Galaxy, dont bother with the old ones if you can stretch to one, its so much better.
8 grand should get you into a new shape Galaxy, dont bother with the old ones if you can stretch to one, its so much better.
Egbert Nobacon said:
Maybe if you are Jack Bauer !Land Rover Defenders? You can get something like 12 seats in a 90s Defender for around your budget.
Alternatively, the VW Transporter has a relatively car-like driving position so that might be worth investigating. Old Merc E-classes often come with two pull-out seats in the rear; and the diesel Zafira isn't actually as bad a car as some would suggest - and it's surpisingly economical.
You could also be the "cool dad" and ferry the kids round in a Lincoln limousine.
Alternatively, the VW Transporter has a relatively car-like driving position so that might be worth investigating. Old Merc E-classes often come with two pull-out seats in the rear; and the diesel Zafira isn't actually as bad a car as some would suggest - and it's surpisingly economical.
You could also be the "cool dad" and ferry the kids round in a Lincoln limousine.
We're running an Alhambra as family transport here too - 5 kids, ages 2-15. I hate it, but it's functional and easily attains 45 mpg on a run. We've also accepted that we'll either tow a trailer or fit a roofbox when we go 'away', and that we just take two cars and have done with it when we go camping.
If I started again with the buying process I think I'd look at VW Caravelles but I'm not sure I'd buy one - they're even bigger than our MPV and will offer economy down in the low 30's if you're lucky. They also seem to command a pretty good resale value, which is no help whatsoever if you plan to buy it and run it into the ground.
Alternatively I'd seek out the same car with smaller wheels and without firm 'sports' seats, because pretending my MPV is a 'sports' model is a bad case of missing the bleedin' obvious (it works though - I handed over hard-earned debts to buy one)
If I started again with the buying process I think I'd look at VW Caravelles but I'm not sure I'd buy one - they're even bigger than our MPV and will offer economy down in the low 30's if you're lucky. They also seem to command a pretty good resale value, which is no help whatsoever if you plan to buy it and run it into the ground.
Alternatively I'd seek out the same car with smaller wheels and without firm 'sports' seats, because pretending my MPV is a 'sports' model is a bad case of missing the bleedin' obvious (it works though - I handed over hard-earned debts to buy one)
I cover less miles and have lots of toys too which affected my decision but I went for a LWB VW T4 and its great - 8 seats all with loads of room and 3ft+ of luggage room.
I eliminated most MPV's as they simply aren't big enough for 6 plus luggage.
Grand Espace is good but its reliability combined with all its electronics put me off.
I eliminated most MPV's as they simply aren't big enough for 6 plus luggage.
Grand Espace is good but its reliability combined with all its electronics put me off.
Many thanks everyone, most enlightening, one of the problems we have is our drive is quite small and a Galaxy/Alhambra is probably about as big as we can fit without it sticking out onto the pavement.
Espace - after the issues we've had with the Grand Scenic ("Grand" refers to the annual cost of getting it through the MOT I reckon) I'm loathe to even consider another Renault.
Galaxy - didn't know the new shape was within my budget, I'd consider one of those if it looked like a good deal, thanks!
4x4 - the running costs scare me to be honest, is there a decent one that's not too pricey to keep on the road?
Espace - after the issues we've had with the Grand Scenic ("Grand" refers to the annual cost of getting it through the MOT I reckon) I'm loathe to even consider another Renault.
Galaxy - didn't know the new shape was within my budget, I'd consider one of those if it looked like a good deal, thanks!
4x4 - the running costs scare me to be honest, is there a decent one that's not too pricey to keep on the road?
Silver940 said:
Had that a few times, normally when it's not been on a good run for a while. It's sticky turbo vanes, quite common on VAG PD motors. Seems towing a caravan up and down the country does a good job of clearing them out!
Google PD sticking turbo vanes.
Only happened once and ironically it was whilst towing a caravan!Google PD sticking turbo vanes.
OP - Google Espace problems and then decide if you still want one on your list. I know its the internet but there has to be some substance in it.
If given the choice I woud look for a new shape Galaxy. Yes it might be highish mileage but it will be most modern design, safest and will drive better than the Sharan/Alhambra. There is an issue with the DMF on the TDCi engines but then most modern diesels have issues of some kind. I think its worth the (relatively small) risk.
http://www.addleecarsales.com/browse-cars/?cbf=673...
High miles, ex-taxi, but FSH. Bargain price if you can put up with those two drawbacks.
I'm going to get one from here soon to replace an 03 reg old shape Galaxy I run. I'm fed up with the noise and vibration from the 1.9TDi engine in mine - that engine's fine in smaller, better insulated cars (it's wonderful in our Golf), but it's becoming a drag in the Galaxy.
High miles, ex-taxi, but FSH. Bargain price if you can put up with those two drawbacks.
I'm going to get one from here soon to replace an 03 reg old shape Galaxy I run. I'm fed up with the noise and vibration from the 1.9TDi engine in mine - that engine's fine in smaller, better insulated cars (it's wonderful in our Golf), but it's becoming a drag in the Galaxy.
davidjwest said:
Many thanks everyone, most enlightening, one of the problems we have is our drive is quite small and a Galaxy/Alhambra is probably about as big as we can fit without it sticking out onto the pavement.
Espace - after the issues we've had with the Grand Scenic ("Grand" refers to the annual cost of getting it through the MOT I reckon) I'm loathe to even consider another Renault.
Galaxy - didn't know the new shape was within my budget, I'd consider one of those if it looked like a good deal, thanks!
4x4 - the running costs scare me to be honest, is there a decent one that's not too pricey to keep on the road?
I'm in the same boat;Espace - after the issues we've had with the Grand Scenic ("Grand" refers to the annual cost of getting it through the MOT I reckon) I'm loathe to even consider another Renault.
Galaxy - didn't know the new shape was within my budget, I'd consider one of those if it looked like a good deal, thanks!
4x4 - the running costs scare me to be honest, is there a decent one that's not too pricey to keep on the road?
5 kids - check
Renault Grand Scenic - check
Spent everything I have keeping it on the road - check
Replacement require - check.
Although I think I am going with the biggest thing going, the VW Transporter Shuttle or Caravelle LWB. We had a new Transit Tourneo for 3 days, and I really liked it in 8 seat guise it would be comfortable and very accessible and the news one's have cruise control too. Punchy 6 speed box and 35+mpg....might be a bit big though?
Bang on the money http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/stock-item-id/at8ab3a...
Renault Grand Scenic Dimensions
Overall Length (mm) 4493
Overall Width (mm) 2087
Overall Height (mm) 1636
S max dimensions
Length 4768 mm +275mm
Width 1884 mm - exc. mirrors
Height 1658 mm +22mm
Transit length 4,863mm +370mm
Transit width inc mirrors 2360mm +273
Transit Height 1,989 353mm
Still big though!
Renault Grand Scenic Dimensions
Overall Length (mm) 4493
Overall Width (mm) 2087
Overall Height (mm) 1636
S max dimensions
Length 4768 mm +275mm
Width 1884 mm - exc. mirrors
Height 1658 mm +22mm
Transit length 4,863mm +370mm
Transit width inc mirrors 2360mm +273
Transit Height 1,989 353mm
Still big though!
Edited by Andrew_M on Friday 23 September 16:10
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