And the next car question....which people carrier?

[ICBM]

In terms of budget, we'd like it to be less than what we sell our current car for. So, I reckon £4k is absolute max.

You'll comfortably get quite a decent Grand Scenic for that. Probably a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso as well, which is a slightly newer design but quite similar.

[erictheweary]

I think this has been covered before, but fresh views are welcome.

Don't tell me not to bother with a people carrier, it's pretty much essential for my wife's business to flourish. She's a childminder and we have 2 kids of our own. To get a good income she needs to have 2 full time kids, but currently has 1 full time and 1 part time. Taking on an extra kid inevitably means an overlap in timings which means not having enough seats in the car.

So, something which works as a family car for camping holidays and having shopping in the boot, as well as something with usable 7 seats. I think we're looking at Ford Galaxy/Seat Alhambra/VW Sharan rather than Zafira which is cramped in the rear. Also thinking of Toyota Previa but they tend to be less common and more expensive.

I've suggested a camper van but she isn't agreeing!

Oh, and Fiat Multipla is a no-no.

The 3 cars you do like are all the same model basically so might just be about the deal. I have driven a Galaxy and I didn't think the seating and use of the boot space was all that clever. Lot of it though.

Second hand price on Kia's is low so you can get a lot of metal for the money. Let's face it, once you drive an MPV you are already saying to the world you have stopped having sex so driving a Kia ( the world's lest cool car brand) is neither here nor there.

The Toyota is suprisingly cramped in the back - my kids are now taller than I am so they were no good.

I wouldn't touch a Zafira with a barge pole.

Friends of ours( hello Dr Nick!) do massive mileage with 5 kids in their Grand Scenic. They are the wealthiest people I know and change cars like underpants but love the Grand Scenic.

Our near neighbours tarded their Sharan for a VW Touran, although that might be more mini MPV.They do seem to be driven by about 90% of all civil servants though so they are the height of sensible.

[Viz]

We got an 05 zafira in 2008 for £2800, taxed and MOT'd from ebay - 36k miles, we've done 40k more miles and have changed 2 tyres and one windscreen wiper. It's an incredible machine, the back's not too cramped (only 2 seats after all) though we keep out 10, 8 and 6 year old in the middle and use the back section for stuff. Good fuel, soooo reliable it just doesn't break, parts are incredibly cheap and available (just remembered we broke the seat lever and it was 4 quid or something).Ii've owned 10 cars in the past and this is by far the best.

By the way, we had a fiat multipla, and apart from it being fucking shit it was absolutely brilliant. 2 sets of 3 seats was actually great and it's almost as short as a normal car so really maneuverable. And fun in the front with so much space.

[roundthebend]

And fun in the front with so much space.

Nice But it's an MPV so, according to erictheweary, you won't be having sex anymore!

We best get out to look at some motors. I'd quite like a Kia Sedona because of the value for money - I don't want a blooming MPV anyway so no point trying to get a cool one.

[Viz]

you won't be having sex anymore!

Hence I sold it ;-) the zafira's a puller

[Viz]

By the way we had a kia clarus before kiddies, it was also mental. Apart from the obligatory unlocatable rattle somewhere deep in the dashboard it NEVER went wrong. Not a sausage. After the Zaf, best buy i've ever done. Bought it for 600 sold it 5 years later for 700.

[thebeagle]

I'm driving a Mitsubishi Delica at the minute, which looks more military vehicle than MPV rare and heavy on the juice, but sliding rear door, folding/sliding/rotating seats, selectable 2/4WD, SHITLOADS of space and same chassis / engine as the much-more-common Pajero. You'd easily get one within budget, but with them being old and heavy you'd need to allow for a fair bit of diesel.

[erictheweary]

Hence I sold it ;-) the zafira's a puller

I'm seriously worried about who you are pulling with an 05 Zafira.


I think MPV's are easy to drive. I'd rather drive an MPV or a van or a minibus than a more standard car. Hiring a motorhome last year was totally brilliant and getting back in my own car at the end of the week a huge dissapointment. I much prefer the upright position* and good visibility.

Next time we are looking for a car an MPV to 2 berth motorhome conversion is definitely on the cards. Although that's based on the idea we can't afford another car until the kids have left home anyway.




*all fnaar fnaars accepted.

[chillidoggy]

My mate had a Bongo Friendee.

[ICBM]

I think MPV's are easy to drive. I'd rather drive an MPV or a van or a minibus than a more standard car. Hiring a motorhome last year was totally brilliant and getting back in my own car at the end of the week a huge dissapointment. I much prefer the upright position* and good visibility.

Same here. I always thought an estate car was the best combination of easy driving and practicality, but the Scenic is better. It's also substantially larger inside than my old Xantia estate both with the seats up and especially down, and yet it's shorter on the road and easier to park - helped by having a small turning circle for a relatively big car and the wheels closer to the corners. Handles well and is safe even heavily loaded... but I have to admit, it doesn't like snow all that much.