Van Derived MPV
Discussion
So, I'm ready to surrender all delusions of youth and join the mpv fraternity.
All too often we find ourselves doing three trips to the tip when one would be possible, and with three children (and possibly more to follow) it's probably time to bite the bullet.
Now, as great as the S-Max's and Galaxy's are... I'm tempted to go all the way and upsize further. I've always fancied a day van, so a Caravelle could work brilliantly.
This is all new to me so if anyone can help I'd be grateful.
1) Does anything other than the Caravelle or V class have conference seating? This would work brilliantly for us and it may end up being a top priority.
2) How quickly can you remove all seats to get full load space? If it's a ball ache I may need a rethink.
3) Any other cars to consider and/or to avoid? 6 seater a minimum.
Tia
All too often we find ourselves doing three trips to the tip when one would be possible, and with three children (and possibly more to follow) it's probably time to bite the bullet.
Now, as great as the S-Max's and Galaxy's are... I'm tempted to go all the way and upsize further. I've always fancied a day van, so a Caravelle could work brilliantly.
This is all new to me so if anyone can help I'd be grateful.
1) Does anything other than the Caravelle or V class have conference seating? This would work brilliantly for us and it may end up being a top priority.
2) How quickly can you remove all seats to get full load space? If it's a ball ache I may need a rethink.
3) Any other cars to consider and/or to avoid? 6 seater a minimum.
Tia
I had an import Toyota Granvia, based on a swb Hi-ace powervan but with it being the 4x4 version it had Hilux surf 3.0td engine and front axle.
Obviously these are getting a bit old now but a lot of the Japanese imports have a far better and flexible business interior.
This had 7 seats and you could swivel the seats, had tables and rear air conditioning and heating etc.
A lot depends if you want new or old.
Obviously these are getting a bit old now but a lot of the Japanese imports have a far better and flexible business interior.
This had 7 seats and you could swivel the seats, had tables and rear air conditioning and heating etc.
A lot depends if you want new or old.
We had a Toyota estima lucida 8 seater jobby which could rotate the middle row of seats, kids loved it when the wife was childminding. 4 wheel drive, high top with moonroof and sun roof. We bought it for about 600 quid, spent about 300 replacing shocks and stuff then sold it on a few months later and got all our money back.
Comfy big bus to drive, had a decent boot even with all the seats in place and took seconds to rearrange them if more space required.
Only got rid as the Alhambra we were planning to replace with the Toyota wasn't selling, it was only doing 25 to gallon and there was always the worry of head gasket blowing.
Always thought the previas and the jap versions were better looking and specced than the galaxy/sharan/Alhambra.
Comfy big bus to drive, had a decent boot even with all the seats in place and took seconds to rearrange them if more space required.
Only got rid as the Alhambra we were planning to replace with the Toyota wasn't selling, it was only doing 25 to gallon and there was always the worry of head gasket blowing.
Always thought the previas and the jap versions were better looking and specced than the galaxy/sharan/Alhambra.
I couldn't find any that were big and versatile so I built my own.
LWB T4, tinted side windows, lowered, alloys etc, Unwin tracking - so I have 6 individual seats in the back that I can position in multiple ways - either way around and anywhere along the length of tracking.
All the usual options have bench seats which are awkward to move by yourself and very little luggage room once all 6 are onboard.
I have 4' of luggage space after seating 8 people.
LWB T4, tinted side windows, lowered, alloys etc, Unwin tracking - so I have 6 individual seats in the back that I can position in multiple ways - either way around and anywhere along the length of tracking.
All the usual options have bench seats which are awkward to move by yourself and very little luggage room once all 6 are onboard.
I have 4' of luggage space after seating 8 people.
Great. Thanks for these suggestions.
(Other than the one about birth control. I'm fascinated as to why having more than 3 children is a crime punishable by death. The punishment of driving an MPV is enough alone)
Sadly, I'm not really up to building my own wagon. I'm the guy who congratulates himself when successfully changing the oil on a 15 year old Avensis.
Granvia is definitely of interest as I'm a bit of a Jap Fanboy. Furthermore, it'll be a third car so classic insurance a possibility at this age. Is it any trickier to insure an import?
(Other than the one about birth control. I'm fascinated as to why having more than 3 children is a crime punishable by death. The punishment of driving an MPV is enough alone)
Sadly, I'm not really up to building my own wagon. I'm the guy who congratulates himself when successfully changing the oil on a 15 year old Avensis.
Granvia is definitely of interest as I'm a bit of a Jap Fanboy. Furthermore, it'll be a third car so classic insurance a possibility at this age. Is it any trickier to insure an import?
radiodanno said:
All too often we find ourselves doing three trips to the tip when one would be possible,
Worth checking with your council what their policy on van and van based vehicles using the tip is. My council will allow me to use a van, but only once a year. The council just across the river requires you to sign an form (which they call an "honesty form"), confirming you are not using the tip for commercial purposes, if you are using a vehicle over 2metres tall, a van, a minibus, a pickup, are towing a trailer, or are a regular user of the tip, and they have a detailed list of vehicles that can't use the tip.I've heard of situations were a Citroen Berlingo MPV with the seats folded down can use the tip, but a Citroen Berlingo panel van can't. If you're buying a van based MPV it's worth baring in mind.
GoodDoc said:
Worth checking with your council what their policy on van and van based vehicles using the tip is. My council will allow me to use a van, but only once a year. The council just across the river requires you to sign an form (which they call an "honesty form"), confirming you are not using the tip for commercial purposes, if you are using a vehicle over 2metres tall, a van, a minibus, a pickup, are towing a trailer, or are a regular user of the tip, and they have a detailed list of vehicles that can't use the tip.
I've heard of situations were a Citroen Berlingo MPV with the seats folded down can use the tip, but a Citroen Berlingo panel van can't. If you're buying a van based MPV it's worth baring in mind.
Good point - my council allows 12 visits in a van / pick up but they impose awkward hours too.I've heard of situations were a Citroen Berlingo MPV with the seats folded down can use the tip, but a Citroen Berlingo panel van can't. If you're buying a van based MPV it's worth baring in mind.
You could also consider a Renault Grand Espace. You can remove all the seats and have massive load space, arrange them in different ways etc. (but not sure about conference seating - need to check). The seats are quite heavy but I guess there is no getting away from that.
Almost as big as a Caravelle but more stylish and car-like. They are pretty cool IMHO. Better to drive. Superb ride. Also, no problems at the tip with commercial vehicle designations, nor at car parks with low height restrictions.
The 2.0 diesel ones are generally good. These are the later models, by which time Renault had finally worked out how to build them
Avoid any other engine.
Almost as big as a Caravelle but more stylish and car-like. They are pretty cool IMHO. Better to drive. Superb ride. Also, no problems at the tip with commercial vehicle designations, nor at car parks with low height restrictions.
The 2.0 diesel ones are generally good. These are the later models, by which time Renault had finally worked out how to build them
Avoid any other engine.I think you'll find that those Caravelle type seats are bloody heavy to remove.
If you want the versatility of transforming passenger to load space quickly then a Galaxy or similar with fold-down seats would be best.
I'd also check out whether conference seating works in practice - it does require a bit of compromise as to where the facing passengers put their feet so I can envisage a few sibling kicking contests over personal space. If you want to climb all over the MB Viano (Caravelle equivalent) and are in SE England, you could consider a trip to MB World near Brooklands, where you can look over every MB model there is plus do other kids stuff (even driving experiences).
If you want the versatility of transforming passenger to load space quickly then a Galaxy or similar with fold-down seats would be best.
I'd also check out whether conference seating works in practice - it does require a bit of compromise as to where the facing passengers put their feet so I can envisage a few sibling kicking contests over personal space. If you want to climb all over the MB Viano (Caravelle equivalent) and are in SE England, you could consider a trip to MB World near Brooklands, where you can look over every MB model there is plus do other kids stuff (even driving experiences).
Hey.
Thanks for your help so far.
We're particularly taken by the Mercedes Viano. It ticks all the boxes (conference seating, tables, big boot etc) and they look great. Trying to find one that hasn't been to the moon will be the challenge.
The Toyota Regius Windtourer is also a possibility (I love Jap) but the seats revert to lap belt only when in some positions, which is a hindrance when it comes to child seats. Lot more car for the money though.
Time to go see some this weekend.
Thanks for your help so far.
We're particularly taken by the Mercedes Viano. It ticks all the boxes (conference seating, tables, big boot etc) and they look great. Trying to find one that hasn't been to the moon will be the challenge.
The Toyota Regius Windtourer is also a possibility (I love Jap) but the seats revert to lap belt only when in some positions, which is a hindrance when it comes to child seats. Lot more car for the money though.
Time to go see some this weekend.
Hoping to have a climb over this at the weekend as it's only 10 minutes away. Will certainly get an idea of what they're like to live with.
http://www.europe-cars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-be...
http://www.europe-cars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-be...
I had a Viano for about 6 months, that I inherited as a company car, and absolutely loved it. Then again I enjoy driving vans. The double row of bench seats unclipped easily enough but were heavy and awkward to carry, also they scratch wooden floors. They wouldn't let me in the local tip with it and I had to argue my case on the M6 toll road. If your happy driving and parking a LWB van they are a really practical vehicle.
Update: Now leaning towards a Granvia.
It seems that most Viano's have had a pretty hard life. If they've not had a thousand suitcases knocking seven shades of s
t out of the boot, they've had a thousand kids doing the same to the rear cabin.
Granvia's in similar condition are around 1/5th of the price and a really nice one is no more than £2500. It's hard to argue at that kind of value.
It seems that most Viano's have had a pretty hard life. If they've not had a thousand suitcases knocking seven shades of s
t out of the boot, they've had a thousand kids doing the same to the rear cabin.Granvia's in similar condition are around 1/5th of the price and a really nice one is no more than £2500. It's hard to argue at that kind of value.
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