The time has come to change the Golf, we keep saying it but we want more space for when we go out as a family.... I'm sad to see it go but excited aboutm a new toy!

Mrs quite likes the look of the Zafira VXR but I don't think I could bring myself to buy a Vauxhall!

Test drove a Touran 2.0TDI Sport on Saturday afternoon, nice car although out of principle we wouldn't buy one from that dealer (Martin's of Andover) as the sales guy just was not courteous or considerate (he occupied the front seat whilst my wife was relegated to the back, direct us on where to go and we had a really long 4 mile test drive!) Got to say it felt slightly under powered but nothing a remap wouldn't solve! Only problem with the Touran is I could see me wanting to mod it and I really wanted to avoid the costs that this brings! If we went for one the Mrs has already said it would need lowering and at least 18's!

Another option is the Mazda 5, don't know anything about Mazda. We quite like the idea of sliding rear doors for ease of access etc. Would need to have an extended test drive if I were to go for a car like this....

The 7 seats is only for occasional use so van like vehicles are not needed!!!

Ruled out the Disco, I'd want a fully loaded one and I just can't justify 30k plus....

Anyone got expereince of 7 seat cars and make recommendations, top of my list is the Touran at the moment but haven't yet driven the Zafira or Mazda 5....

Definitely have a test drive in the zafira u will be surprised:eek: ...My wife has one as she is a child minder and myself not a big vauxhall fan enjoys driving it....although hers is only the 1.6 16v it is a little under powered but once rolling dare i say it is a joy to drive.

Mitsubishi Grandis? Replacement for the old Space wagon its a bit more car like than some mpv's, no idea how good it is but the old spacewagon was ok and mitsubishi are pretty well known for reliability. Price arent bad either.

Toyota Previa?? if your looking for a full fat people carrier or the Verso if you want a semi-skimmed one???...Mazda 5 is very good but has a useless middle row, middle 'seat'.

Or the Ford S-Max which is probably the best all-rounder currently on sale.

Ford S-MAX is definitely worth a look

Chris

Sounds like I should look at the S-Max, problem is my nearest Ford Dealer in Salisbury I wouldn't touch with a brage pole which means I have to travel at least 30 miles to see a car whcih isn't gonna impress the Mrs with the 2 kids in tow!

Ford S-MAX is definitely worth a look

Chris

I thought there was a Ford Dealer in Andover, can't find them on Ford's site, have they gone?!

I thought there was a Ford Dealer in Andover, can't find them on Ford's site, have they gone?!

I've never been there, but they do still exist apparently....

Andover Ford

Btw, can you ask them when the Focus ST-2 will be in for me to test drive .... I've only been waiting to hear back from them since September

Chris

I've never been there, but they do still exist apparently....

Andover Ford

Btw, can you ask them when the Focus ST-2 will be in for me to test drive .... I've only been waiting to hear back from them since September

Chris

Just found it, and realised that I'm certain they are the same group as the clowns in Salisbury!

Test drive booked for 1pm, be interesting to see what it's like. Driving a 1.8 TDCi Zetec model which will be lower spec than I will want to go for but will be good to check out seating arrangments etc.....

If residuals are not an issue then the new citroen picasso is worth a look, and you would be able to barter a good deal even though it's a new model

Test drive booked for 1pm, be interesting to see what it's like. Driving a 1.8 TDCi Zetec model which will be lower spec than I will want to go for but will be good to check out seating arrangments etc.....

Got to say very impressed with S-Max, need a more powerful engine but quality of build and design was great. Knocked spots off the Touran IMO!

I was going to Suggest the S-Max too, played with one when I bought the Mondeo and was very impressed!

I believe it's car of the year or something too?

I'd also look at the Vauxhall though, My mates VXR goes like stink, and the standard exhausts look so mean!

Got to say very impressed with S-Max, need a more powerful engine but quality of build and design was great. Knocked spots off the Touran IMO!

Porbably why its car of the year. If I were to go for a 7 seater it would probably be this or the zafira.

Got to say very impressed with S-Max, need a more powerful engine but quality of build and design was great. Knocked spots off the Touran IMO!

My bro has just bought an S-MAx and after driving it back from Kent after he brought it over from Switzerland (its a left hooker) I was very very impressed.

Visibility was poor to what Im used to, but that seemed to be the only drawback. Plus points were great driving position and totally specced up interior.

Diesel engine was great, and quite forgiving! Cruised home at 80 mph all the way home and was a very lazy and relaxed drive.

Back row of seats is definately just for kids mind, but 2nd row is manageable with 3 adults

Ford have done very well here. Gets my vote

I can't believe I'm considering a Ford! However I need to convince the Mrs now as she was dead set against the blue oval!

I think she is more of a badge snob than I am!

Just found it, and realised that I'm certain they are the same group as the clowns in Salisbury!

Are part of the same group but the young lad (looked like he'd only just left school) who showed me round the car and took me out on the test drive certainly knew his stuff about them, almost knew too much!!!!

Are part of the same group but the young lad (looked like he'd only just left school) who showed me round the car and took me out on the test drive certainly knew his stuff about them, almost knew too much!!!!

Is that a recommendation then? They've always seemed helpful on the phone and may be a better proposition for servicing than my local independent (don't ask )

Chris

From initial impression I'd say they were effiecent but it was the servicing etc at Edwards that really lost my business and some of our ther company cars. They made apigs ear of warranty work, never called to say things needed doing so when you picked the car up thinking all was well you had to take it back again etc etc

I think from what i was hearing that there are not going to be big discounts on the C4 picasso

Not sure what it's like to drive but Kia Sedona

the Mazda 5 is Ford C-MAX underneath

The S-Max is a great vehicle. We test drove a top of the range diesel last year when looking around at new cars. It would certainly be my choice of 7-seater, but we decided an MPV wasn't for us and stuck to 5 seats in the end.

My wife keeps getting excited about the Mazda jobbie

Ford S-Max seems to be the 7-seater of choice at the moment. If you want more luggage space, try a Galaxy, but frankly, save yourself a few grand and buy the S-max and a decent roof box instead!

Wicked looking motor too, considering some of the opposition.

P.S A lot of you seem to have the same problem with Ford dealers as we do locally. Ford finally have a decent range of vehicles to sell, but the dealers are too rubbish to sell 'em properly!