Selling my 3.6 Estate to buy a people carrier and a motorbike?!

[Chunk11]

Unfortunately it looks like my time is up owning my 3.6 litre Skoda Superb estate!

I have owned it since Aug 2014 and my god it has been a brilliant car but child number 4 on the way means no matter how you do the maths we still won't fit into the superb. From looking on autotrader I think I could get between £10k - £10.5k for my car.

I have been looking at decent sized people carriers mainly the Chrysler Grand Voyager (can fit all the kids in plus luggage) on an 06/07 plate for about £5k fsh/all the toys and then of course my other £4k is going on my first proper bike a Kawasaki ZX6R!

Yes I know probably a very bad choice of first bike but I have found a couple of green ones on 06/07 plates that have the under seat exhaust and I just love the look of them! Sat on one the other day and feel pretty comfortable with the seat position.

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Chunk

Edited 2 April, 2016 by Chunk11

[Danny 57]

Being practical. How long have you had a full licence and how long since you have ridden?

On the second practical but boring point pop into the bike section and create a thread on the subject there are a lot of good people there.

Best of luck.

Btw I have been riding for 40 odd years and a full bike licence since 86 but I do not have the inclination or skills for a sports type bike but I have had my Triumph America since 2001.

Edited 2 April, 2016 by Danny 57

[Chunk11]

Hi Danny I have posted this in the bike section as well as I don't think there is much of a crossover between the two.

I have had my full bike license only a couple of weeks but on the flip side I like to think I am a careful person and don't want to go out and kill myself!

[Danny 57]

Hi Chunk 11, I have seen your post in the bike section.

Being serious please get something sensible at least for this summer and do not be in a hurry to go the sports route for at least one season. I ride mine for pleasure but throughout the year and have seen too many people jump to quickly onto a bike without realising what they have between their legs (no pun honest). So please if you do buy it and good luck if you do learn to ride before you learn what potential it has.

Sorry to sound an old (well I am 59) fuddy duddy but I have seen too many that find out their bike's potential too early and don't know how to control it.

Sorry if most of the above does not apply to you in which case have a safe ride.

[Wile7]

Sad to see the 3.6 going Chunk.....it's a gorgeous car and if it were a LHD car I'd be very interested!

Regarding the bike.....as everyone has said, go easy. I still have an Aprilia Moto 6.5 Starck edition which is a fun touring bike with a reliable rotax lump....but my days of sports bikes are long gone although a Ducati Multistrada is a great bike for looks and ease of ride with comfort and plenty of zip. It's comfort for me, since buggering my back with rugby I need a 'touring stance' bike as crouched over a tank feels uncomfortable and I can't relax at all. To be honest an old bob tail Harley beckons just for the lack of speed and that noise...

My first ever bike was a 72 Yamaha DT250 which I rebuilt as a school project, then a Kawasaki KH400 triple followed by a Suzuki GT380. Nearly killed myself on the KH...growing up in Hong Kong you could ride silly bikes from age 16 at the time. Madness but parents were happy that I was not out boozing and on wacky backy But I totally understand your desire to scratch that itch. Just do so sensibly to start with and try a variety of bikes out first for both comfort and smiles.

Nowadays my good wife forbids me (?) to ride the bike much and to be honest drivers here in Switzerland are pretty poor...lots of accidents. I have an old Xflow caterham as my real toy and it's fantastic fun.

Now, seriously....a Chrysler Voyager? Really? Do look around I assume a lovely Landy 110 is out of the mix? If not, do look...great fun and easy to play with. If not an option, the new Espace is an awesome bit of kit and a VW caddy van (like they used in the apprentice...) is a great bit of kit too. Good luck with it...shame Skoda don't have a seven seater in their line up....yet.

Dave

[Chunk11]

Yes I know Dave a Skoda superb 3.6 estate to a Chrysler Grand Voyager....

The new criteria: seats 6 minimum, a decent amount of luggage space with all the seats occupied, a few little toys/gadgets, price around £5k - £6k and the newer the better. Will be used for ferrying the kids around to all sorts of sporting activities, going on holidays and trips around the uk.

Vehicles I have considered:

Hyundai i800, Ranault Grand Espace and Chrysler Grand Voyager.

Vehicles I have ruled out:

- Zafira, Touran, Alhambra, Sedona, Smax, Galaxy ...etc all have no luggage space once the rear seats are occupied.

- XC90, X5, Q7 and Range Rovers and all too expensive

Looking at the main 3 I have listed above the i800

Is just outside the price bracket (there are a couple around 6k but look like ex taxis).

The Renault Grand Espace is very similar to the Chrysler Grand Voyager and realistically it looks like it will be between those two vehicle unless anybody else wants to throw some more suggestions in?

Cheers,

Chunk

[Bristolf2b]

What age would the Voyager be? If it is the earlier model I would be very wary of getting one, if only because of the dire crash testing results obtained by EuroNcap

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/chrysler/voyager/15715

The later one (2011 on?) is much better.

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/lancia/voyager/12062

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/chrysler/grand-voyager/verdict

[williamshatnerspants]

I have a good friend who has owned a Grand Voyager for a number of years and its caused them endless grief, always something wrong with it, in the mechanics getting fixed. So, be careful.... the last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road with 4 kids and a grumpy wife ;o)

 

Here in NZ there are a lot more options on people movers as we get a lot of Japanese imports, and they love their vans and MPVs. Do you have the Honda Odyssey in the UK? The 2003-2013 model in 'Absolute' spec is a great car. 200hp. They even make 4WD versions. Maybe these guys can get you one:

 

http://www.japaneseimportspecialists.com/

 

Either way, good luck and we'll see you back here when the kids have left home ;O))

[LHVRS]

I'd avoid Chrysler from passed experience and get a decent 7 seater and a roof box.  We travel a lot with our 4 kids and there's plenty of room. We use the roof box only on our hols with the thule bag system and get a ton of stuff in them

[cnc]

What about a Mercedes Benz Vito minibus, or Nissan NV200 minibus?. Take a look on Autotrader.

[Superb170]

The poor safety rating alone of the Voyager would put me off straight away as mentioned above. Electrics on the Renault - not exactly their strongest point! Admittedly choices are limited for 7 seats plus lots of luggage space. I agree with LHVRS, I also know people that use an Alhambra/Sharan with a roof box and it works well with lots of luggage

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[Auric Goldfinger]

Unfortunately it looks like my time is up owning my 3.6 litre Skoda Superb estate!

but child number 4 on the way means no matter how you do the maths we still won't fit into the superb.

 

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Chunk

 

 

Three kids in the back, one in the front, Mrs Chunk goes by Bus

 

Sorted, keep the Superb.

 

Another great motoring tip from AG

[Chunk11]

Cheers guys thanks for the advice. Ncap results for the grand voyager are terrible!

I have been looking at the grand Espace Initiale which has 2 armchair type seats in each row, so 6 seats in total, with a decent amount of luggage space.

Currently in France for a week and have got a Seat Alhambra and the rear two seats are cramped which annoys the kids and I can't get much in the boot.

The engines are great as are all the gadgets but just don't think there is enough space.

Never had a Renault though and not still totally sure I want one....

LHVRS what 7 seater do you have?

Off I trot to have a look at Mercedes Vito's on autotrader...

[terrytowelling]

I've got a hyundai i800 minibus /mpv , 170 hp diesel engine, doesn't rust like the merc vitos and 15k cheaper than the equivalent VW with a 102 hp engine. Has a 5 year unlimited mileage guarantee ,twin zone a/c with separate controls in the back heated drivers seat, reversing sensors &  has a top speed of 115 mph ( on a private track you understand of course  occifer ) and gives the sporty VW vans a fright ;-).

 

It has 8 reclining seats , even when all filled with people it still has large luggage area, unlike the mpvs like chrysler , galaxy etc , it's either people or luggage.  I've had it from new and it's coming up to 4 years old

Edited 5 April, 2016 by terrytowelling

[LHVRS]

LHVRS what 7 seater do you have?

 

I've got a 2008 Citroen C4 grand picasso but wouldn't 100% recommend it.

 

I had the air suspension fail (Known fault with executive model) which I had to pay for at the time, I did get the money back in the end but only after it was aired on Watchdog. The two rear seats are only really for small children (under 7) and the build quality of the rear seats is poor. Apart from that the cars been great, we travel to cornwall every year and its not missed a beat, its really comfy and spacious and apart from the poor ESG gear box its great to drive and eats the miles. 

 

Whats about a nissan x trail? I think they are 7 seaters. My wife has a Qashqai and I'd recommend that to anyone as a family car.   

[terrytowelling]

I've taken one of the seats out from the middle row in my I800 so you can move around the vehicle without opening the doors and that still leaves 7 full size adult bloke seats and a handy space to put stuff  when you open the N/S sliding door 

Edited 5 April, 2016 by terrytowelling

[andyEm]

Best cheap van is Toyota previa with 6 cylinder petrol engine but finding one is almost impossible

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[terrytowelling]

Petrol? Eek , no thanks

[lichfielddriver]

The MPV of choice here for taxi use (needs luggage space) is the "E7" Scudo conversion with Vito 2nd and the Traffic in 3rd, the VW transporter is expensive, I quite fancy a Traffic lwb myself

 

We cant have Galaxy/Zafira multiseaters by law, council say they are unsafe

[Stupotpat]

A few years ago, when my wife thought we would be adding another 2 to our brood (a night at a clairvoyant - don't ask !!) I started looking around for a MPV and settled on the Merc Vito. I really liked the versatility - 3 x 2 in luxury or 2 x 3 with loads of space in the back. Luckily, we didn't need it and now I'm very happy with the Superb, but I really like the sound of the hyundai i800. At eh time I looked at the Grand Voyager, but got put off by the generally bad reviews

[Chunk11]

Okay guys now having had a Seat Alhambra on hire in France for a week I have realised that we could probably manage with one and get a roof box for when we go away.

Been looking at 06/07 plates,as the more recent model is over my budget, and there are a few with full service history/cam belt changed with with 2 litre 140bhp Diesel engine which I presume is also used in numerous skodas.

My last two cars being skodas I have faith in the brand so would like to stick with vag if possible.

Having never owned a diesel what sort of things would I have to look out for?

I will also look for a Seat forum and do a bit of research into buying an Alhambra.

[100andthirty]

I had two of the old pattern Alhambras. The SE or Stylance models had sports suspension and 17" wheels. It was a joy to come to the Superb. If you like it, fine, if not, you might try a VW Sharan instead. You will be disappointed about the number of toys in both!

I used to carry 4 children in the back; three in the second row and one in the back. I built a divider to make sure the luggage didn't envelop the poor little blighter in the back. (Might still have it!) I managed to get as much, if not more, luggage in the Alhambra as I do in the Superb. We could even carry skis inside the Alhambra. I don't think the latest Alhambra is as flexible.

Edited 10 April, 2016 by 100andthirty

[old newbie2]

Unfortunately it looks like my time is up owning my 3.6 litre Skoda Superb estate!

I have owned it since Aug 2014 and my god it has been a brilliant car but child number 4 on the way means no matter how you do the maths we still won't fit into the superb. From looking on autotrader I think I could get between £10k - £10.5k for my car.

I have been looking at decent sized people carriers mainly the Chrysler Grand Voyager (can fit all the kids in plus luggage) on an 06/07 plate for about £5k fsh/all the toys and then of course my other £4k is going on my first proper bike a Kawasaki ZX6R!

Yes I know probably a very bad choice of first bike but I have found a couple of green ones on 06/07 plates that have the under seat exhaust and I just love the look of them! Sat on one the other day and feel pretty comfortable with the seat position.

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Chunk

Lot's of interesting conversations about people carriers, (look for a "V" class as well as a Vito), tell me//us about your V6 Superb. All the things that might attract a buyer...........

 

DC

[Chunk11]

Got back from France yesterday and drove my superb back home from my parents house. Boy have I missed it....

It feels wrong downgrading cars surely when you work hard you should be going the other way right?!

[silver1011]

I guess my advice has come too late, stick to three kids 

 

Most things in life (cars, holidays, houses etc.) are all geared for families of four or less.

 

Unfortunately the cost of four kids will be a relatively dull motor, at least for a few years!