Thought about the S-Max?

im in the same sort of boat - VRS is to small so we need something bigger for our new arrival. im NOT getting rid of the vrs so shopping around for MPV's. Stupidly both me and wifey have fabias lol.

The Zafira ISNT THAT BAD. its just a vauxhall - buy the VXR version if you really want some fun but you wont get one of those for £5k.. i think they are about 19k new - but they are seriously quick.

next on my list was the C-MAX. i saw a 6 month old one for £11k in a local dealer the other day. but again, probably over the 5k limit.

you might be able to get an older Sharan or Galaxy for that sort of money? both decent enough. Also watch out for the 4x4's - rumour has it government is making extra taxes head their way...

i know your wifey takes 4 kids to school. but do you REALLY want to buy a new car just to satisfy the your friends need to get their kids to school? youll have enough on your plate with a new baby without taking other peoples kids to school - but im sure u know that already! sorry sounds selfish - and it is - but ive always been of the opinion "look after your own". im sure the relationship works both ways - ie they get your kids to school - but i doubt they are looking at a 7 seater?

i know your wifey takes 4 kids to school. ... im sure the relationship works both ways - ie they get your kids to school - but i doubt they are looking at a 7 seater?

Why should they, if the OP's the only one who needs the extra space for a baby seat?

well this is true. my point was that if its just OP. wifey and 2kids + new arrival - thats still a 5 seater.. you're only buyign the 2 for the other kids? assuming OP is still going to do the school run..

Of course one thing i didnt consider (should have in my position really) is that OP might need the 7 seater for when they go away on hols...

either way, i really wouldnt rubbish the Zafira.

:iagree:

We had a Zafira SRi for a few weeks as a hire car when SWMBO's company car wasn't ready and to my eternal shame (as a young man of (ahem) 28) I really enjoyed driving around in it and was genuinely upset when it went back! It was virtually brand new and had a full leather interior and all the toys, so maybe a better than average example, but I still liked it a lot! Was great for novelty value when we went out with two other couples for dinner and only had to take one car too!

you could buy a roof rack, stick a kid in that?. clean out the glove box, thats the newborn sorted.

for extra transportation you could consider this?

you could buy a roof rack, stick a kid in that?. clean out the glove box, thats the newborn sorted.

for extra transportation you could consider this?

:rofl:Presumably only useful for Nissan X-Trail/Chrysler PT cruiser (hearse GTi) or anything else made circa 1950 which still has running boards...

Thank you all the replies guys the roof rack was a great idea especially when they start giving you cheek stick um on the roof rack and down the M6 to see my dad!

On a serious note at least for the next 2-3 years my wife and her friend will defo have to share the school run otherwise it is just too much. We live in North Manchester and the good school all the kids go to is in South Manchester. They would both spend all their time driving!

So I need one...I think the S-Max will be too expensive...I would love the VXR...I mean the wife would! Well she has kept saying is the MPV for me or you? I have to be honest it is for her and it needs to be 'civilised'. So I reckon it will most probably be a Touran TDI.

Any other comments?

Aaquil

Having had both Zafiras and Tourans in the past, I think I'd recommend the Touran. Smooth as the Zafira 150bhp CDTi is, the economy wasn't as good as the Touran 2.0 TDi 140bhp.

Having the ability to remove all the seats in the Touran can also be an advantage - in the Zafira you can only fold the middle row.

TBH I don't think you'd be that disappointed by either of them, so the best thing is try a drive in them before you buy. Both handle with almost car-like manners - you don't feel like you are driving a van with windows.

Come on, the Zafira handles like a sailboat; handling like a van would be an improvement!

Which gives me an idea; ok the fuel economy won't be great, but how about a Ford Tourneo (up market Transit, so has 7 or 8 seats, and still has decent luggage space).

Come on, the Zafira handles like a sailboat; handling like a van would be an improvement!

Which gives me an idea; ok the fuel economy won't be great, but how about a Ford Tourneo (up market Transit, so has 7 or 8 seats, and still has decent luggage space).

So that would handle better than a Zafira would it ?????

I very much doubt it.

So that would handle better than a Zafira would it ?????

I very much doubt it.

Well ok, that does depend on just how "committed" you're prepared to be but a Trannie actually handles very well if you push it hard enough. The issue with them is if you go in half-hearted.

Well ok, that does depend on just how "committed" you're prepared to be but a Trannie actually handles very well if you push it hard enough. The issue with them is if you go in half-hearted.

Not being a Transit driver, I'm a little confused. :confused:

Does that mean if you drive it sensibly it handles like a barge, but if you drive like a tw*t it's OK ? :confused::confused::confused: That maybe explains the 'white van man' syndrome !

BTW - have you ever had extended drives in a Zafira or Touran ?

Yes, if you hustle a Trannie, it handles better. This doesn't mean driving illegally quick though, so if you're half as good as you seem to think you are (I aspire to actually being half as good as I think I am some day), they shouldn't affect you unless you're being held up. And if you want evidence on just how fast a Trannie can be, do a you tube search for "Sabine Schmidt Transit Nubrugring Nordschleiffe Lap"! She was swearing in German at litre sportsbikes because they were in her way!

I've never been in a Touran, and 6 miles at suburban speeds was enough to expose the Zafira as a boat. Yes there are even worse, but "not the worst in class" doesn't mean you're actually good.

Edited 11 March, 200917 yr by KenONeill

So I need one...I think the S-Max will be too expensive...I would love the VXR...I mean the wife would! Well she has kept saying is the MPV for me or you? I have to be honest it is for her and it needs to be 'civilised'. So I reckon it will most probably be a Touran TDI.

Aaquil

had a quick scout on ebay

2006 model Smax goign for 8k -

2006 model touran goign for between 7-8k

2007 model zafiras goign for 7k -

for 5k your looking at an early 2005 or late 2004 (54) zafira

if you want somehting newer you might need to revise your budget. i would say shop around - there ARE bargins to be had and its a buyers market.

And if you want evidence on just how fast a Trannie can be, do a you tube search for "Sabine Schmidt Transit Nubrugring Nordschleiffe Lap"! She was swearing in German at litre sportsbikes because they were in her way!

Shame then that a) very few drivers can drive as well as Sabine Schmidt, and you can't drive on open UK roads like you can on the Nurburgring. In fact it's a pretty nonsensical comparison IMHO :thumbdwn:

I've never been in a Touran, and 6 miles at suburban speeds was enough to expose the Zafira as a boat. Yes there are even worse, but "not the worst in class" doesn't mean you're actually good.

6 miles in a Zafira at suburban speeds is hardly sufficient to qualify you to pass judgement on the handling capabilities on the open road. I have actually owned 3 Zafiras in the past, 2 old shape (1.6 petrol and 2.0 DTi) and 1 new shape (1.9 CDTi 150bhp diesel Design). Handling at legal UK speeds wasn't a problem in any of them, in fact I probably didn't corner in them much slower than I corner in my current vRS.

At the end of the day, you are entitled to your opinion based on your experience, I can only give my opinion based on my experience. Who is right, who is wrong ? That is for others to decide.

I think though in general that most of the motoring magazines praise Zafiras for their car-like handling, as opposed to slating them.

I think you'll find Zafiras cheaper than 5k.

Someone here recently traded one in, and got £2.5k on a mid or late 56 with average miles. Dealers cant shift them, so expect some realistic prices.

£7k for an 07 doesnt seem too realistic if you can buy a new mid spec mondeo or Vectra for the same money.

Thanks for all the replies I am kind of dragging my feet at the moment... other things on my plate but I will defo look at VW Touran and other similar cars in their class.

I was just at Awesome yesterday and they said they could do a custom remap on a TDI!!!

We shall see...

Anyone else with any advice/experiences?