Boring boring mpv

[philpalmer]

Our 806 has gone wrong for the final time. I hated it since day one, to be fair.
Dodgy doors, electrics, stupid handbrake position and a multitude of problems and we are fed
up.

This is a good time for us to part, so i've been looking at big estates.

Personally i like the Subaru Legacy as it would be perfect in our location but my wife says we should get a people carrier for more height and space. I don't need the hassle, so an MPV it is.

After the 806 experience, i don't want another french car. Dodgy electrics are the worst problem.
The only one i'm remotely interested in is a VW Sharan or maybe something japanese. Apart from the Kia Sedona i can't think of any other jap mpvs which are diesel and manual.

Anyone have any other suggestions. Budget up to about £3000. Thanks

P.S Merry Christmas!

[billzeebub]

Don't listen to the missus, get yourself a Legacy, you won't regret it, it has no less room inside than the average boredom people carrier, indeed it is lower and has Roofbars so you have added practicality and could always fit a roofbox

[philpalmer]

This is what i fancy!

[NotDave]

Ey does she need height?

[philpalmer]

Yep unfortunately height is the key, hence the mpv

We do a lot of chilli shows and we normally take lots of plants.

Other possibility is a Galaxy TDI i guess.

I quite like the Honda Shuttle but its a pity they are all autos.

[NotDave]

Vivaro crew-cab?

Gotta be bigger and more robust

[stemll]

Mazda 5?

[Mr2Mike]

philpalmer said:

Apart from the Kia Sedona i can't think of any other jap mpvs which are diesel and manual.

Kia is South Korean, not Japanese.

[hedges88]

philpalmer said:

Yep unfortunately height is the key, hence the mpv

We do a lot of chilli shows and we normally take lots of plants.

Other possibility is a Galaxy TDI i guess.

I quite like the Honda Shuttle but its a pity they are all autos.

I was going to suggest the shuttle/stream, they are actually quite good. Honda's auto's are manuals hiding behind a torque converter too so dont be too put off by the gearbox

[itz_baseline]

Ssanyong. Another cheap 4x4 MVP from South Japarea

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[George7]

My Dad had a Shuttle in the 90s and it was fantastic. Faultlessly reliable and lovely engine. He replaced it with an e39 525D and actually regretted getting rid of it. They're only auto and petrol, so the complete opposite of your criteria, but they're very cheap and still worth a look. They also have those clever seats which fold into the floor, way before the Zafira had them!

[s_zigmond]

Mazda 5 or Mitsu Grandis

[Liquid Tuna]

itz_baseline said:

Ssanyong. Another cheap 4x4 MVP from South Japarea

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Good looking car lol

[m44kts]

s_zigmond said:

Mazda 5 or Mitsu Grandis

My brother had a Mazda 5 courtesy car when he crashed his Vectra, was surprisingly nice to drive, dreary though.

The Grandis is one of the best looking MPV IMO, not that, that means much I know.

It's a shame Ford S-Max's are about £1k over your budget, that would be my choice if I needed an MPV.

[andy-xr]

If you'll all fit in a CMAX they're reasonable on comfort and fuel, the 2.0 diesel isnt too shabby through the gears either

[rijmij99]

plus 1 on the c-max, just bought a 54 plate ghia 2.0 derv burner and i'm very pleasantly surprised. coming from alfas you can guess i wasn't too pleased to be going ford in general but its been a revelation. back seats come out altogether i think so plenty of room.

[Xpander]

Subaru Forester? Something sort of in-between height wise.

[welshdiesel]

One car I would definetly recommend is the Kia Soul.

I've only recently brought mine but its fantastic, as a cross over vehicle it is prettier then the Juke, better looking then any BMW wanna be cross over and is definate value for money.

I was lucky & found a good spec model second hand for £8000. Mine is the 1.6 CRDI Soul Shaker, has the high seating position of a MPV/small 4x4, plenty of space for children and luggage & the added bonus of slightly better ground clearance.

I would definetly put it on your list to consider

I only just noticed the budget - really need some glasses

[TankRizzo]

I can't see the OP getting a C-max or a Kia Soul for a budget of £3k.

[andy-xr]

TankRizzo said:

I can't see the OP getting a C-max or a Kia Soul for a budget of £3k.

2005/55 1.8 petrol with 89k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-FORD-FOCUS-C-MAX-GH...

2006/06 2.0 petrol with 43k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-C-Max-Ghia-/1...

2006/06 1600 diesel with 85k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-C-MAX-TDCI-/2...