Which 7 Seater?

[Hudson1984]

Morning All,

so, I've got a caravelle which i'm looking to upgrade. It's a 2006, served us well but i'm keen to get something a little newer and i'm not really wanting to pay VW Transporter prices.

Any suggestions what to go for?

We have a Nissan Juke as our daily driver. Runs on fumes so it's ideal for the school run and general running about. So this vehicle will be for:
Camping - although I'm not against a trailer.
Holidays
Family outings will all the crap
Dog walks (we'd like to keep the juke nice so the dog cage will live in this vehicle)
I have to go to the office once a month (120 miles each way) although I mostly use the juke as it's cheap but may use this.
Trade shows - I have a hobby shop I run as a sideline, I'd like to do some trade shows so stuffing things into it and getting into London would be nice - although, again, trailer is an option.

Van is worth about £10k, I'd rather not add extra, although I do have a harley I barely use worth another £4,500 so could bundle together if needs be.

What would you buy? Another van/minibus? an S-max/vivaro type thing? Trailer? I don't really need 7 seats but it is handy when people come away with us, and having boot space additional to the 7 seats has been pretty useful.

Must be automatic

[Bannock]

Bang, straight in with the leftfield suggestion:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304146...

You will not beat this on spec, size and value for money.

[djsmith74]

In terms of specification & functionality for the money, then the JDM imports are very hard to beat, i.e. Nissan Elgrands and Toyota Alphards,

I've had my Alphard for 2 years now and it has been utterly wonderful. From loading the back up for camping trips, to doing tip runs, to transporting 6 adults plus luggage in complete comfort, it's been fabulous. Granted, the looks aren't to everyone's taste, and they're a bit thirsty, but they're fantastic value for money.

If running a JDM import concerns you, then have a read of a reply that I posted on the Camping & Caravanning thread, about running one daily...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ZX10R NIN]

Just over your 10k budget comes the Hyundai i800:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303265...

Or if you sell the Tractor (don't sell it) then you'll get one a year newer with 60k less on the clock:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303215...

[Chromegrill]

Very few 7 seaters can seat seven adults (the Sharan/Alhambra and Galaxy are probably the most common outside the specialist grey import stuff like El Grands). And cars with rear row seats that can only accomodate children will probably struggle with children small enough to need a car seat too.

So if you ever want to carry adults in the rear row there are plenty of cars you can eliminate immediately.

[Some Gump]

Vw touran.
Can fit 3 adults across the back comforably. Either mass boot space, or 7 seats - but in 7 seat mode can still get pram / ste in it.

When we ditch the pram we'll go to a tiguan allspace most likely, but the allspace yiu can't have 7 seats and a buggy. Best non slidey door car for family, imo.

Elgrand and alphard might be practical, but jesus. Would you want to leave the hose and see one of them every day? they make sharans / galaxies look like alfa romeos!!

[wolfie1978]

If you're coming from a Caravelle you won't find a car that offers any where near the space or practicality. Pretty much all of them offer no use able boot space, we've tried or at the very least viewed all the above suggestions and more baring the ssangyong thing. We have a Sharan now but if I had the choice it would be another van. We had a Honda Elysion for about a year and a half that was a 3.5 auto, probably no good for you though as the 3rd row seats don't fold away so are always up but they are full seats so will take adults if necessary. A Nissan Elgrand may be better but they can have issues with the cats. I have to disagree with the Touran taking 3 adults in the middle row easily though, We had a Touran for 2.5 years and it was terrible for access to the 3rd row and the seats practically touched the boot when in use

[Hudson1984]

wolfie1978 said:

If you're coming from a Caravelle you won't find a car that offers any where near the space or practicality. Pretty much all of them offer no use able boot space, we've tried or at the very least viewed all the above suggestions and more baring the ssangyong thing. We have a Sharan now but if I had the choice it would be another van. We had a Honda Elysion for about a year and a half that was a 3.5 auto, probably no good for you though as the 3rd row seats don't fold away so are always up but they are full seats so will take adults if necessary. A Nissan Elgrand may be better but they can have issues with the cats. I have to disagree with the Touran taking 3 adults in the middle row easily though, We had a Touran for 2.5 years and it was terrible for access to the 3rd row and the seats practically touched the boot when in use

I think you're right. I think we're in the right vehicle and it's just got some niggles but i'd have more if we changed.

[D_G]

I run this, Nissan Serena. It's brilliant, 2.0 petrol, reasonable fuel economy, reliable, the seats move around for massive space, bed, etc. Suits my needs perfectly, you can't tow with it though.