Which 7 seater?

[Davel]

Currently drive the wife and kids around in a FFRR but the kids (15 & twins of 13) keep fighting over knee space etc in the back which is driving me to distraction, so I'm thinking of my next car as having three rows to seats, to space them out more.

I'm thinking of Dico 4 or Q7 at the moment but, as I'm using my little Morgan as much as possible for commuting etc, I'm reluctant to spend a vast sum on a car that spends much of its life parked up at home.

The problem is that I like my cars to be a little different and not too boring.

So come on guys, give me a few pointers please.

Edited by Davel on Sunday 2nd October 16:58

[Deerfoot]

Merc R-Class?

Plenty of room, you'll not see many around, still 4WD if that's important to you..........

You didn't state your budget, vast sums of money can mean different things to different people.

[daveparry]

Although i hate to give credit to anything French, our Espace is brilliant! using it as a van at present with all the seats out it is cavernous!

[B.J.W]

[AmitG]

+1 for the latest generation Espace. Masses of space, typical French soft ride, stylish image, slightly off-piste. The top-spec ones have a glass panoramic roof. The dashboard is lovely.

Avoid anything other than the 2005-on 2.0 diesel versions. They have all the electrical bugs ironed out and the engine is made by Nissan.

Parts are expensive and usually have to come from Renault (no aftermarket). And travelling 7-up leaves you with very little boot space. If you need 7-up plus a big boot, have a look at the latest Chrysler Grand Voyager.

[BlueMeganeII]

I have a Grand Espace Initial and love it, but I wouldn't recommend it to you if your coming from a FFRR. Some of the kit your used to is missing as its an older car coming to the end of the models life.

I think you'd end up with a similar spacing issue on the Q7 which is one of the reasons I have discounted (although I've been looking at much older 56 reg cars). To be honest I really wish I could justify spending the money on a VW T5 caravelle. It would solve many of your issues. The viano is often used as an exec transport but previous generations suffered badly from rust so I don't hold much hope for the current generation.

[Davel]

Sorry - up to about £45k but less would be better since it does very little.

4 x 4 not essential but useful.

[davidjpowell]

Another one in the Espace group here. I miss ours and would like to replace it. Very versatile family car.

[fathomfive]

I had a current generation Galaxy a couple of months back on hire and couldn't fault it at all.

[Davel]

I did look at a Defender today and the Disco.

I don't think that the Defender will be right for me as I travel up to Scotland a few times per year and also to Lincoln several times too, from the North West.

Also looked at an R Class too, which I quite liked, so thanks for that.

[Deerfoot]

Davel said:

Also looked at an R Class too, which I quite liked, so thanks for that.

The present one looks a lot better than the original. The ride is excellent and I think there are good deals to be had on them too.

There are several delivery mileage 350CDIs on Autotrader below your budget, I'm sure they'd negotiate as well.

[davepoth]

6 people, all more or less full sized. You don't want three rows, you want two.

[Davel]

Well have discounted the new X5 and Q7 because they don't have enough room in the back.

Not sure about the R Class but suspect that it will be a good option.

[Tyre Smoke]

Grand Voyager?

Had an Espace and it was nothing but a money pit.

Got a Citroen C8 - just don't.
Got a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso - just do it, really impressed. 1.6 hdi has done 180,000 faultless miles.
Got a Voyager which has loads of space, very impressed and not overly thirsty, but does run out of steam at about 90mph.

[shipley]

Absolutely agree with the above.

C8 - died at 54k

Grand Voyager replacement, dirt cheap, huuuuuge and easy driving, all mod cons and reasonable mpg. They're not fats but equally, they're not supposed to be.

[Benbay001]

You can just about get a v8 landcruiser for £45k. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Should hold its value very very well, and they are rare in the UK.
quite a community compared to RRs and Discos, just as capable, yet considerably more reliable.

[Tyre Smoke]

Benbay001 said:

You can just about get a v8 landcruiser for £45k. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Should hold its value very very well, and they are rare in the UK.
quite a community compared to RRs and Discos, just as capable, yet considerably more reliable.

But not nearly as good looking.

[Fleckers]

I would keep the FFRR and get

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tie

if all else fails get them a http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=bus+pass&hl=e...

[Davel]

Love it!

[mattyn1]

I made the move and bought a Galaxy - while might not be the coolest car in the land, it transported us five (three of which play golf, one who had all the baby paraphenalia (spelling probably!) in great comfort and space.
Its a ford yes, but it ranks as one of the best cars I have owned with respect to usefulness etc.
Definitely recommended - especially the 2.2 diesel!