Best Budget MPV?

[Ulook]

Hey all. Hope you're all having a good day.

First post on these forums as i am looking to get some advice from people who have the experience.

I currently have a 2.0TDI mk5 VW Jetta. And while it is a great car and i will be sad to see it go, i need something bigger. With the family expanding, 2 dogs and plenty of family to car around i am needing a 7 seater. I only have around £1,500 to play with so is going to have to be something around 2005-2009.

Problem is the options a quite limited. I do not really want another VW as the repair prices of my Jetta have put me off German cars.

Ford S-Max/Galaxy/Grand C-Max just seem too expensive for what they are when theyre guaranteed to break just as much as anything else.

The Zafira B is a nice looking car but i know that they are notoriously unreliable depending on model. Am i right in thinking that the 1.8 Petrol is the best model to go for?

I also have a 02 Clio which i use for work and despite always hating French cars, it has not done me wrong, so makes me more open to the idea of a Grand Scenic/Espace. But they are so damn ugly. From what iv read they have common faults with electrics (which youd expect nothing less from a French car) but also seem to be the better equipped and nicer to drive.

And that leaves the only other options of Toyota Corolla Verso or Mazda 5. Now while i think Japanese is the best for reliability, (i had a 2000 Corolla which i used and abused and nsver skipped a beat) they are not very good to look at and not very well equipped. Plus the wife insists she would not have one. Whether i listen to her or not im yet to decide haha.

So i really am stuck as to what to go for. I could really do with some personal experience to help me out.

Let me have it

[ZX10R NIN]

Citroen C8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Grand Espace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda5 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Carens

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sedona

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[HTP99]

ZX10R NIN said:

Grand Espace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lovely cars when they work, horrendously expensive when they go wrong and the 2.2 has engine problems, many have been replaced and not only once.

[dave_s13]

Tricky at this price.

You can't be picky and need to buy on condition.

From what I've read the renault 2.0 is ok but the 2.2 is a liability, as already said.

And I stupidly bought a corrola verso off a mate and it's the only car I've ever had to replace the clutch and gearbox in. And the air con compressor! The engine was fine though. Boring as fk though.

[A500leroy]

kia is your friend

[Ulook]

ZX10R NIN said:

Citroen C8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Grand Espace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda5 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Carens

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sedona

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Do you have any experience with any of these?

The KIA Sedona looks nice. Never even thought of that.

[Raino144]

Kia Sedona is 16.2 to 60, thirsty and in the £555 tax bracket...

Mazda 5 would be my pick of ZX10’s haul there!

[Ulook]

A500leroy said:

kia is your friend

I really like the look of the Sedona but the 2.9l engine puts me off. I was looking to slightly downgrade from 2.0l tbh. I will be happy with a 1.8.