Mrs 2SF is looking for a car that seats more than 5. 7 is ideal but 6 would be ok at a push. Sounds simple but here's where I throw a spanner in the works.....

 

1. it has to not be a huge thing like a Kia Sedona or Chrysler Grand Voyager. Apart from both of those being crap cars, we don't need to seat more than 5 all that often, and don't want to haul around a monster that's going to have carp fuel economy.
2. It has to be not mumsy like a Zafira. Even the newer ones look dull as ditchwater.
3. I'd prefer it wasn't French.

So - options are 

 

-Toyota Verso, which she liked when we had one last but I thought was rubbish. Expensive to run and the build quality was poor.

-VW Touran which I liked but she thought was boxy, although she does accept newer ones look ok

-Mazda 5 which she really wants but even the diesel isn't very economical and the middle seat is only really a half seat. It's only really a 4 seater unless you use the third row.

-Volvo XC70 or even a V70 with 7 seats might be an option, but the 6th & 7th seats always look like an afterthought to me?

 

As to cost, we haven't yet decided how much to spend, so for the sake of putting a figure on it, think in terms of a max of £15k.

 

suggestions please?

 

 

 

 

Any reasons why you didn't mention the S-Max or Galaxy?

Any reasons why you didn't mention the S-Max or Galaxy?

 

Presumably too big? My first thoughts were the S-Max/Galaxy.

 

From the list - Verso or Touran.

 

Another "off the wall" - Fiat Multipla.

Any reasons why you didn't mention the S-Max or Galaxy?

 

My forgetfulness

 

The S Max had some build quality issues early on if I recall..... and perhaps the Galaxy is leaning towards the tank category?

 

The S Max is on the list of possibles though....

I would say put aside your prejudice and take a look at a well specced Peugeot 5008. 

 

 

Frugal 1.6 Diesel is still up to the job of moving a full car of passengers around - easily saw 50mpg on a run.

Rearmost seats fold into boot floor so car can be run as a big estate if needed

When upright they are mostly acceptable for midsize adults.

Very refined

Stupendously good ride quality

Quality cabin.

Even had an above average stereo.

 

I had one for a short period of Dad madness after our first was borne, my only reason to swap it was that it was a massively kneejerk and premature purchase which we won't be needing until the third comes along so bought something smaller and quicker for the meantime.

Presumably too big? My first thoughts were the S-Max/Galaxy.

 

From the list - Verso or Touran.

 

Another "off the wall" - Fiat Multipla.

 

Ah - Multipla was described by SWMBO as "that horrible bug-eyed thing"

I would say put aside your prejudice and take a look at a well specced Peugeot 5008. 

 

Frugal 1.6 Diesel is still up to the job of moving a full car of passengers around - easily saw 50mpg on a run.

Rearmost seats fold into boot floor so car can be run as a big estate if needed

When upright they are mostly acceptable for midsize adults.

Very refined

Stupendously good ride quality

Quality cabin.

Even had an above average stereo.

 

I had one for a short period of Dad madness after our first was borne, my only reason to swap it was that it was a massively kneejerk and premature purchase which we won't be needing until the third comes along so bought something smaller and quicker for the meantime.

 

If I had to buy French, it would be Citroen. Then Renault. And Peugeot shortly after Hell freezes over. Horrible cars which in the experience of everyone I've ever known who's had one are unreliable and expensive. (since the halcyon days of the 205 GTi anyway)

If I had to buy French, it would be Citroen. Then Renault. And Peugeot shortly after Hell freezes over. Horrible cars which in the experience of everyone I've ever known who's had one are unreliable and expensive. (since the halcyon days of the 205 GTi anyway)

 

the 5008 is pretty much mechanically identical to the Citroen Xsara Picasso

 

and for the avoidance of doubt, I am saying that it is the same car, not similar, the same.

 

Peuegot and Renault I believe are the same company and from experience via my little brother working for them they also share a couple of engines with Nissan.

 

That said I understand where you are coming from if that's what your experience has been.

My forgetfulness

The S Max had some build quality issues early on if I recall..... and perhaps the Galaxy is leaning towards the tank category?

The S Max is on the list of possibles though....

 

Ah!

The S max and Galaxy are actually quite similar in size and smaller than the tanks you mentioned.

We've got a couple of Galaxys and they are a very practical car.

Have been reliable too.

One 55 plate (50k miles) we've had from new has only had a wiper motor fail and one 59 plate (35k miles) that has never had any issues.

Both diesel Ghia automatics.

 

Plus, as Fords, there are loads around so prices are generally sensible.

 

The S max is the more "sporty" version though.

 

I think the 59 plate is going this year and we'll probably replace it with a SEAT/VW Alhambra as Skoda don't do a version.

Ah!

The S max and Galaxy are actually quite similar in size and smaller than the tanks you mentioned.

We've got a couple of Galaxys and they are a very practical car.

Have been reliable too.

One 55 plate (50k miles) we've had from new has only had a wiper motor fail and one 59 plate (35k miles) that has never had any issues.

Both diesel Ghia automatics.

 

Plus, as Fords, there are loads around so prices are generally sensible.

 

The S max is the more "sporty" version though.

 

In a previous job, we had a taxi firm that shuttled us to the airport and back again. Ran a brace of Galaxy which got to exactly 100k miles and then promptly gave up the ghost. They then ran Volvo S80s which ate the miles effortlessly. That was around the end of the 90s though, so maybe they've improved since then.

the 5008 is pretty much mechanically identical to the Citroen Xsara Picasso

 

and for the avoidance of doubt, I am saying that it is the same car, not similar, the same.

 

Peuegot and Renault I believe are the same company and from experience via my little brother working for them they also share a couple of engines with Nissan.

 

That said I understand where you are coming from if that's what your experience has been.

 

My wife had a Xsara Picasso from new and within three years the lamda sensor went, as did the locking solenoid on one of the back doors. Dealers atrocious. Other than that though not too bad and I am being won over by their newer designs.

the 5008 is pretty much mechanically identical to the Citroen Xsara Picasso

 

and for the avoidance of doubt, I am saying that it is the same car, not similar, the same.

 

Peuegot and Renault I believe are the same company and from experience via my little brother working for them they also share a couple of engines with Nissan.

 

It's true that my overall impressions of French cars may be a few years out of date, and ironic that a serial Skoda owner is prejudiced against a particular brand(s)!

 

I guess it depends if you depend to own it from 0-3 years old, or from say, 3-8 years old. Almost anything ought to be ok for the 0-3 year period, although my Kia Sedona was rusting within its third year!

In a previous job, we had a taxi firm that shuttled us to the airport and back again. Ran a brace of Galaxy which got to exactly 100k miles and then promptly gave up the ghost. They then ran Volvo S80s which ate the miles effortlessly. That was around the end of the 90s though, so maybe they've improved since then.

 

Well I estimated our 59 plate Ghia with 35k on the clock would probably be worth around £12,000 so that was why it popped into my head.

 

If you could find any vehicle with one owner, full service history and low miles on the clock you should be laughing. (IMO)

Which should be easy given your budget.

Well I estimated our 59 plate Ghia with 35k on the clock would probably be worth around £12,000 so that was why it popped into my head.

 

If you could find any vehicle with one owner, full service history and low miles on the clock you should be laughing. (IMO)

Which should be easy given your budget.

 

Keep me posted! ;-)

When I had small children I had a T4 combi company car and it was brilliant , my wife loved it yes its a bit big but they drive like cars,

 the T5 are even better and come with all the toys.

 

example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-TRANSPORTER-T5-COMBI-VAN-2006-2-5-TD-6-SPEED-6-SEATER-/161184377248?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item2587

 

Peuegot and Renault I believe are the same company and from experience via my little brother working for them they also share a couple of engines with Nissan.

 

 

Peugeot and Citroen are the same company (PSA).

 

Renault is totally separate and owns the majority of Nissan, hence most Nissans are made from Renault bits.

 

My experience of Renault ownership was not good.  Poor build quality, total unreliability (we were pretty much on first name terms with our local Green Flag man) difficult to work on and the parts were extremely expensive.  I will never repeat that experience.  In the same way, whilst I daresay that they screw them together pretty well in Sunderland I would not consider a Nissan.  They are made from the same parts, with the same design faults, as Renault.

a friend is very happy with his Seat Alhambra - says it doesn't feel big or drive like it's huge

we've got a Mazda 5, it's a 2.0 petrol as we didn't like the idea of the DPF issues they suffered on the 2.0D. I thought the new Mazda 5 used the 1.6td engine that most cars seem to run?

 

We have had no issues with ours, it looks pretty sporty and gets a few comments off other mumsys as being nice. Sliding doors are a god send in car parks, build quality seems good.

 

If I were to buy a new car, I'd probably look at the Grand C-max

The Touran and Verso's 6th and 7th seats are very small and you have very little room in the boot when they are up.

 

Renault is totally separate and owns the majority of Nissan, hence most Nissans are made from Renault bits.

 

 

Not strictly true - Renault own approx 43% (not a majority)  of Nissan and Nissan own 15% of Renault.

 

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/COMPANY/PROFILE/ALLIANCE/RENAULT03

Not really a recommendation here, but I was surprised the Tesla Model S actually has a 3rd row of seats.

 

http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/models/walkthrough/playlist#3

We test drove quite a few 5 to 7 seaters a little while ago and have owned two Tourans.  If you do decide on a car make sure that you have a go parking it in a car park as I've found out that some cars  don't feel like tanks on the open road and then are awful to park in a confined car park. 

Yes, the Sedona is actually quite deceptive in that regard. Very tricky to park due to length and width.

I can only give good remarks on the S-Max, they are our standard work car and are brilliant, always getting abused and they always come back for more.

Another suggestion is the Honda F-RV, they seat 6 and look a quality motor.

the 5008 is pretty much mechanically identical to the Citroen Xsara Picasso

 

and for the avoidance of doubt, I am saying that it is the same car, not similar, the same.

 

Peuegot and Renault I believe are the same company and from experience via my little brother working for them they also share a couple of engines with Nissan.

 

That said I understand where you are coming from if that's what your experience has been.

As already said by others Peugeot and Citroen are the same company whereas I believe Renault may still be state owned by the French.

To give an example on the pug/citroen engines etc (PSA) these are used in ford and volvo and a quick searc of the 2.0d models especially volvo will soon bring up dozens of cars with really massive mileages, they are very reliable engines.

The HDI engine from pug / citroen is a good lump and can last a lifetime. Shame the rest of the car will have an electrical meltdown and implode

 

 

Six seats, easy to park, cheap to run. What's not to like? 

 

Otherwise how about a Touran or Caddy max-life? As others say French diesel engines aren't too shabby at all but the rest of the package will cost you a fortune. 

Edited 8 January, 201412 yr by sparks03