2 Dogs and their [soon] 5 Humans

[J B L]

Right. Not quite 5 yet but in April, we are getting twins.

We have also 2 dogs which travel in the boot. They are fairly small - English Cocker spaniel and Westie - but they come everywhere with us.

Car will be used for commute (80% motorway) and holidays which usually mean driving to South West of France and back.

Considered at the moment:
- Seat Alhambra / VW Sharan
- Ford S-Max + roofbox
- Peugeot 5008 + roofbox

These are considered mostly because they have 3 independent seats at he back meaning our 8 year old daughter won't feel like she has pulled the short straw (much!)

Any other recommendation welcome.

Thanks

[Tomthespesh]

There's also the VW Touran, touch smaller than the Sharan but 3 independent seats in the back still. Girlfriend's mum has a 2007 model and that regularly takes 5 adults and 3 dogs (Springer spaniel and 2 lurchers) with little fuss on hour + long trips. So should be easier with kids and 2 smaller dogs!

Otherwise Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zafira, Ford Galaxy etc. But I have no experience with them.

[avenger286]

We have a 2010 grand scenic it's done 50k in less than 3 years and has not put a foot wrong. Will do 48mpg 7up with a roof box on and over 50 without. Lots of space, 3 indervidual seats in the middle row all with iso fix.
Not to bad to drive our 1.5dci 110 is slow off the line but once moving can hustle along.
Only needed its services and tyres, everything works and nothing fallen off.

[GreatGranny]

Budget?

Think you'll need a full size people carrier TBH but they all aren't buses like some think on here.

Alhambra/Sharan are excellent as is the Galaxy. S Max is, IMO, a little compromised in the 3rd row/boot compared to the others.

We looked at a Touran but again too small ( we have 3 kids) as is the Zafira.

The newer shape Alhambra has sliding doors which make a huge difference especially in car parks.
We had the older one and it was excellent.
Took all the abuse very well with only a boost pipe coming adrift whilst towing being the only time it left us stranded in 3 years ownership.

Ours are 11, 16 and 19 so we make do with an estate now.

[geeks]

My old boss had three kids (twins and a daughter who was older than the twins) plus a dog and did the same sort of journeys as you all in a VW Touran, he highly recommended it!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a Galaxy/S Max:

The Titanium Sport/Titanium X Sport dependent on budget:

Titanium Sport (if you're at the higher end of the budget then the 210 model is the one to go for)

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

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

Titanium X Sport

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

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

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

Galaxy Titanium

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

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

[J B L]

GreatGranny said:

Budget?

That's a good point.

Most expensive so far is Alhambra fully loaded at £35k (£30k according to CarWow) and they are doing 0% on PCP with £12k final value. That's £280/month with a £10k deposit.
That would be top budget to be fair and the only one of these I can see more expensive would have to be the Sharan.
Since then I found out the Citroen Grand C4 is also at 0% as well as the Grand Scenic.
Otherwise, a nearly new / 1 year old car with an unsecured loan would work too. Jury is still out.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Jag_NE]

Full size people carrier all day long if you are doing long trips with a family of that size. Side thought....twins plus another may reduce your appetite to drive to the south of France for a while....

[ZX10R NIN]

I wouldn't recommend spending 35k on an MPV but I would recommend one of these:

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

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

The reason I say one of the above is that their depreciation curve will be a lot slower than the equivalent MPV & they will take all five of you & the dogs with ease

S Max Vignale:

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

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

[J B L]

I looked at those. I haven’t made any proper research yet but I’m weary of running costs.

[ZX10R NIN]

Running costs are very decent the drivetrain is nigh on bulletproof can be found in a fair few Mercedes you should also be able to extend the (after an inspection by Mercedes) manufacturer's warranty, if you want some peace of mind if it were my money this is where it would go.

Yes the 2.0d MPV's will be better on fuel & a little cheaper servicing wise but they'll depreciate faster be less desirable as they get older whilst the GL will be depreciating more slowly & a well looked after one will find a buyer.

[Jag_NE]

ZX10R NIN said:

Running costs are very decent the drivetrain is nigh on bulletproof can be found in a fair few Mercedes you should also be able to extend the (after an inspection by Mercedes) manufacturer's warranty, if you want some peace of mind if it were my money this is where it would go.

Yes the 2.0d MPV's will be better on fuel & a little cheaper servicing wise but they'll depreciate faster be less desirable as they get older whilst the GL will be depreciating more slowly & a well looked after one will find a buyer.

Values of euro5 diesels could take a big knock soon. Euro5 will be essentially banned from London in 2 years time, other places may follow. Euro6 a much safer long term bet.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jag_NE said:

Values of euro5 diesels could take a big knock soon. Euro5 will be essentially banned from London in 2 years time, other places may follow. Euro6 a much safer long term bet.

2014 Mercedes GL's were already Euro6, as they'd been updated when the facelift came out.

[kieranblenk]

Would a used Q7/Discovery/XC90 not be a better fit? Failing that the Peugeot Traveller is meant to be pretty good and huge inside.

[arguti]

geeks said:

My old boss had three kids (twins and a daughter who was older than the twins) plus a dog and did the same sort of journeys as you all in a VW Touran, he highly recommended it!

My daily driver is a 2006 Touran with 4 kids and dog (including twins) ugly but immensely practical as has proper 3 seat in middle row, square shape can carry enormous loads and takes quite a bit of abuse; handily also can fit an Alfa Busso V6 or alfa 105 engine in the back!

We also have a VW caravelle for big trips and my wife drives a 7 seat Toyota Prius +. she enjoys the Prius but lots of plastic trim bits have fallen off and the the soy based wiring harness covers attract rodents which caused £1200 damage last year.

Currently looking to replace with VW Sharan 2.0 TDi as kids are now bigger!

The Fords just look too plasticky and the Kia Sorrento looks and drives great but just cant fit all the kids kit in the back with the 7 seats deployed although the very rear seats are very comfortable for an adult as with the Sharan/Alhambra.

[J B L]

kieranblenk said:

Would a used Q7/Discovery/XC90 not be a better fit? Failing that the Peugeot Traveller is meant to be pretty good and huge inside.

No 3 independent seats on any.
If I use one of the 6&7 seat + the dogs, all I have is the roofbox and that's a no go with a pram for twins to cart around. We might get one for the good lady for when I am not around and/or we're not going on holidays fully loaded.

I considered and dismissed the Traveller / California / V class / Viano as they are all modified vans which means that crucially they lack creature comfort for the driver (me), sound boomy inside and I really don't see myself commuting to work regularly in one. Practicality is ace through, you're right on that.

[Herbs]

I wouldn't rule those out without taking a nose round one.

The Q7 second row is split 2/1 and adjustable for leg room and all 3 are capable of carrying an adult in comfort. The 6/7 seats are also independent giving you flexibility. The boot is still a good size even with all 7 seats in use.

[J B L]

Will check.

I must say, XC90/Q7 far more appealing than the rest. But Head is leading over Heart on that one. I have other toys.

[J B L]

Don't you hate it when people don't conclude their threads!? I remember this thread as I am loading the bus, as it is nicknamed in the family!

In the end the Alhambra won. Zero compromise but still requires a roof box. It's a great car for the purpose.

Bought it used with 20k miles on the clock and it's a fully loaded version with (I think) fake leather, huge opening panoramic roof and DSG. I am looking forward to our first long distance trip in it.

Thanks for all the input.

[ZX10R NIN]

Nice conclusion, glad you got sorted.