Struggling to find a car - 6/7 seater :o( Please help!!
Discussion
Hi
We have have 3 children and a 4th on the way.
Currently I run a Toyota Picnic as a family hack (the worst PH car ever?!), but have about £10-11k saved up for its replacement.
The S-Max 2.5T looks tempting, but reality says that 40mpg is required really.
TBH the Picnic is running fine and is worth maybe £800? Its faultless, but I feel like chopping my testicles off every time I get in it! Its fine at what it does, but something with a bit more credibility wouldn't go a miss.
So, what would you buy?
We have have 3 children and a 4th on the way.
Currently I run a Toyota Picnic as a family hack (the worst PH car ever?!), but have about £10-11k saved up for its replacement.
The S-Max 2.5T looks tempting, but reality says that 40mpg is required really.
TBH the Picnic is running fine and is worth maybe £800? Its faultless, but I feel like chopping my testicles off every time I get in it! Its fine at what it does, but something with a bit more credibility wouldn't go a miss.
So, what would you buy?
BigTom85 said:
Hi
We have have 3 children and a 4th on the way.
Currently I run a Toyota Picnic as a family hack (the worst PH car ever?!), but have about £10-11k saved up for its replacement.
The S-Max 2.5T looks tempting, but reality says that 40mpg is required really.
TBH the Picnic is running fine and is worth maybe £800? Its faultless, but I feel like chopping my testicles off every time I get in it! Its fine at what it does, but something with a bit more credibility wouldn't go a miss.
So, what would you buy?
Time for a reality check - you are the father of 4 sprogs, whatever you get into will not transform you into Juan Fandango, international playboy. If the Picnic is running fine - keep it; if you feel like some excitement - buy a little 2 -seater as a second car and go for a blat (£2k will get you a decent MGF/TF), or treat yourself to a track day. Families and PH-cred cars don't really mix - yes, the S-Max is a slightly sporty MPV, but if you drive it as you'd like to, the missus will be unimpressed and your kids will be car-sick.We have have 3 children and a 4th on the way.
Currently I run a Toyota Picnic as a family hack (the worst PH car ever?!), but have about £10-11k saved up for its replacement.
The S-Max 2.5T looks tempting, but reality says that 40mpg is required really.
TBH the Picnic is running fine and is worth maybe £800? Its faultless, but I feel like chopping my testicles off every time I get in it! Its fine at what it does, but something with a bit more credibility wouldn't go a miss.
So, what would you buy?
I favour the Espace in this form, 2.0dci, but 40 is a struggle other than on a run, ours used to be stuck at 37mpg.
Some say they are unreliable. I suspect they are assuming that because it's French. The one we had for 3 years was pretty good, the only let down being crap dealers so hardly unique. Had a reasonable turn of speed, and did not handle too badly.
Only competition I can compare to is a Voyager, which was s
t, thirsty and Roley poly. It was comfy though. Have not driven any of the others.
Some say they are unreliable. I suspect they are assuming that because it's French. The one we had for 3 years was pretty good, the only let down being crap dealers so hardly unique. Had a reasonable turn of speed, and did not handle too badly.
Only competition I can compare to is a Voyager, which was s
t, thirsty and Roley poly. It was comfy though. Have not driven any of the others.7 seat disco3, 40mpg will be a distant memory, but you will have a bit more cred and distance yourself from the other breeder-mobiles
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3172639.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3172639.htm
Edited by Greg_D on Friday 23 September 16:04
We've done lots of looking this weekend.
Its a shame all the 4x4s and estate cars have such crap 3rd row of seats! Fold down seats are a definite no from the Mrs, and I am inclined to agree. The main exception being the Volvo XC90, but the prospect of some very large repair bills is putting me off.
The new Galaxy and S-Max look identical really, except the height. 3rd row will be fine for the kids.
Both of us weren't keen on the Zafira. The Grand Scenic is nice but we need towing ability and this has a silly reduced towing capacity when you have a car full.
The Mrs loves the Kia Sedona/807/Ulysee/C8/Grand Voyager/Espace for their space etc, but I have ruled all of them out on grounds of reliability and likely depreciation, and mpg issues. Plus as I haven't actually brought any children into the world yet (mine is still an embryo and the other 3 are from SWMBO previous relationship) I don't think I deserve the punishment of such a vehicle!
One fairly pleasant surprise was the Toyota Avensis Verso - didn't even know they existed, and something suitable can be had for half the budget. Also the post 2008 facelifted Mazda5 looks the business, although its only really a 6 seater as the middle seat in the 2nd row is a joke.
This then leaves the old shape Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan - which tbh we do like. Theres certainly no point spending £10k on one, as £8k gets a 2006 with 60k on the clocks.
So we are undecided. We have agreed that we will be keeping the Picnic until it dies, its just really good at what it does, and the 3rd row are PROPER seats. Its an auto with plenty of poke from the 2.0 petrol lump, its rust free, and 100% faultless, so we'd be silly to get rid, its probably worth max £1k as a private sale, px would be half that.
Instead we would be chopping in SWMBO's 2011 Seat Ibiza Chill. For the time being we'll stick with what we have I think and see how we get on when the little un arrives.
I'd love another MX5 as a third car, but it wouldn't get used unfortunately. Going places on your own isn't much fun to be honest!
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
Its a shame all the 4x4s and estate cars have such crap 3rd row of seats! Fold down seats are a definite no from the Mrs, and I am inclined to agree. The main exception being the Volvo XC90, but the prospect of some very large repair bills is putting me off.
The new Galaxy and S-Max look identical really, except the height. 3rd row will be fine for the kids.
Both of us weren't keen on the Zafira. The Grand Scenic is nice but we need towing ability and this has a silly reduced towing capacity when you have a car full.
The Mrs loves the Kia Sedona/807/Ulysee/C8/Grand Voyager/Espace for their space etc, but I have ruled all of them out on grounds of reliability and likely depreciation, and mpg issues. Plus as I haven't actually brought any children into the world yet (mine is still an embryo and the other 3 are from SWMBO previous relationship) I don't think I deserve the punishment of such a vehicle!
One fairly pleasant surprise was the Toyota Avensis Verso - didn't even know they existed, and something suitable can be had for half the budget. Also the post 2008 facelifted Mazda5 looks the business, although its only really a 6 seater as the middle seat in the 2nd row is a joke.
This then leaves the old shape Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan - which tbh we do like. Theres certainly no point spending £10k on one, as £8k gets a 2006 with 60k on the clocks.
So we are undecided. We have agreed that we will be keeping the Picnic until it dies, its just really good at what it does, and the 3rd row are PROPER seats. Its an auto with plenty of poke from the 2.0 petrol lump, its rust free, and 100% faultless, so we'd be silly to get rid, its probably worth max £1k as a private sale, px would be half that.
Instead we would be chopping in SWMBO's 2011 Seat Ibiza Chill. For the time being we'll stick with what we have I think and see how we get on when the little un arrives.
I'd love another MX5 as a third car, but it wouldn't get used unfortunately. Going places on your own isn't much fun to be honest!
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
BigTom85 said:
We've done lots of looking this weekend.
Its a shame all the 4x4s and estate cars have such crap 3rd row of seats! Fold down seats are a definite no from the Mrs, and I am inclined to agree. The main exception being the Volvo XC90, but the prospect of some very large repair bills is putting me off.
The new Galaxy and S-Max look identical really, except the height. 3rd row will be fine for the kids.
Both of us weren't keen on the Zafira. The Grand Scenic is nice but we need towing ability and this has a silly reduced towing capacity when you have a car full.
The Mrs loves the Kia Sedona/807/Ulysee/C8/Grand Voyager/Espace for their space etc, but I have ruled all of them out on grounds of reliability and likely depreciation, and mpg issues. Plus as I haven't actually brought any children into the world yet (mine is still an embryo and the other 3 are from SWMBO previous relationship) I don't think I deserve the punishment of such a vehicle!
One fairly pleasant surprise was the Toyota Avensis Verso - didn't even know they existed, and something suitable can be had for half the budget. Also the post 2008 facelifted Mazda5 looks the business, although its only really a 6 seater as the middle seat in the 2nd row is a joke.
This then leaves the old shape Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan - which tbh we do like. Theres certainly no point spending £10k on one, as £8k gets a 2006 with 60k on the clocks.
So we are undecided. We have agreed that we will be keeping the Picnic until it dies, its just really good at what it does, and the 3rd row are PROPER seats. Its an auto with plenty of poke from the 2.0 petrol lump, its rust free, and 100% faultless, so we'd be silly to get rid, its probably worth max £1k as a private sale, px would be half that.
Instead we would be chopping in SWMBO's 2011 Seat Ibiza Chill. For the time being we'll stick with what we have I think and see how we get on when the little un arrives.
I'd love another MX5 as a third car, but it wouldn't get used unfortunately. Going places on your own isn't much fun to be honest!
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
Thew newer Espaces with the 2.0 dci engine are much better than the predessecor. A lot of the posters here don't like French cars... Take advice from someone who has owned an Espace, and may buy another - drive one before you rule it out completely. Its a shame all the 4x4s and estate cars have such crap 3rd row of seats! Fold down seats are a definite no from the Mrs, and I am inclined to agree. The main exception being the Volvo XC90, but the prospect of some very large repair bills is putting me off.
The new Galaxy and S-Max look identical really, except the height. 3rd row will be fine for the kids.
Both of us weren't keen on the Zafira. The Grand Scenic is nice but we need towing ability and this has a silly reduced towing capacity when you have a car full.
The Mrs loves the Kia Sedona/807/Ulysee/C8/Grand Voyager/Espace for their space etc, but I have ruled all of them out on grounds of reliability and likely depreciation, and mpg issues. Plus as I haven't actually brought any children into the world yet (mine is still an embryo and the other 3 are from SWMBO previous relationship) I don't think I deserve the punishment of such a vehicle!
One fairly pleasant surprise was the Toyota Avensis Verso - didn't even know they existed, and something suitable can be had for half the budget. Also the post 2008 facelifted Mazda5 looks the business, although its only really a 6 seater as the middle seat in the 2nd row is a joke.
This then leaves the old shape Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan - which tbh we do like. Theres certainly no point spending £10k on one, as £8k gets a 2006 with 60k on the clocks.
So we are undecided. We have agreed that we will be keeping the Picnic until it dies, its just really good at what it does, and the 3rd row are PROPER seats. Its an auto with plenty of poke from the 2.0 petrol lump, its rust free, and 100% faultless, so we'd be silly to get rid, its probably worth max £1k as a private sale, px would be half that.
Instead we would be chopping in SWMBO's 2011 Seat Ibiza Chill. For the time being we'll stick with what we have I think and see how we get on when the little un arrives.
I'd love another MX5 as a third car, but it wouldn't get used unfortunately. Going places on your own isn't much fun to be honest!
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
We just bought a C4 Grand Picasso 2 months ago and I love it. It's the 1.8 VTR+ and does about 35mpg in mixed city and motorway driving. It's not thrilling to drive nor particular quick but it's by far the easiest and most comfortable car I've driven or been in. Yes it is French and most will be put off by reliability issues but the petrol manuals seem to be made pretty well, it's the diesel autos that everyone is having problems with. Post June 2008 petrol models come with a co-developed BMW engine.
BigTom85 said:
Don't know how I missed that. Never considered one (assumed they were 5 seaters).
I like the Multipla layout, so no reason I wouldn't like the FRV. I'll give one a look for sure!
Yup, 2x3 seats. Plus they come in diesel flavour if you're so minded. I think they even look good in a pleasingly boxy fashion. I like the Multipla layout, so no reason I wouldn't like the FRV. I'll give one a look for sure!
I never did update this thread.
We bought a 2006/56 Galaxy 1.8 TDCI Ghia.
We were very pleased, but its cost us a bit with faults over the past 8k miles. New DMF came in at £1370 after shopping about, ouch. Turbo is getting noisy. Some trim issues, a/c not working etc.
Issues aside, we are very pleased with the car.
We bought a 2006/56 Galaxy 1.8 TDCI Ghia.
We were very pleased, but its cost us a bit with faults over the past 8k miles. New DMF came in at £1370 after shopping about, ouch. Turbo is getting noisy. Some trim issues, a/c not working etc.
Issues aside, we are very pleased with the car.
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