People carrier

[princess pixiedust]

Looking to get a new car next year, and hubby likes the look of the mercedez benz v class estate, it has seperate seats, which is ideal for the kids, does anyone have any info on this car ie its safety rating?

what other mpv's would be good?

we have a toyota previa just now and i would be happy with just a newer version as it does us well

[elvch01]

The V Class is overpriced IMO - my sister had one and only had the one - it felt like driving a Transit van. The maintenance & depreciation costs can be large too.. She had had 2 Toyota Previas in the past and is on her 3rd Chrysler Grand Voyager. I have a Chtysler Grand Voyager 2.8 diesel and am quite happy with it. The diesel engine is repsonsive but is definitely of the older generation (i.e. sounds like a tractor), but I knew that was the case when I bought it. When the seats are all stowed, the loading space is HUGE. I have friends with Ford Galaxys & VW Sharans who are happy with them

Irrespective of whatever size of car you are looking for, I would always advise to go for one that has fold-flat seats so you don't have to remove & store them

[AdrianHi]

we have a toyota previa just now and i would be happy with just a newer version as it does us well
They stopped making the Previa a few years ago, nearest you get is a Corrolla Verso which isn't anywhere near as spacious.
Grand Voyager or possibly VW Caravelle only sliding door options.

[Hintza]

Mazda 5 might be worth looking at if it's not too small? Quashquai 7?

[grace1990]

My best advice would be don't get a people carrier!

[AdrianHi]

Mazda 5 seems tempting but it is in the end only a full time 4 seater vehicle which is a bit odd for an MPV. The centre seat on the main middle seating bench is so narrow it's useless and the seats in the back are really for small children or bigger people and short jouneys.
Shame, it's a nice looking vehicle and the sliding doors are great.

[Hintza]

My best advice would be don't get a people carrier!


I tend to agree, but I can see why folk have them (just). Currently driving a Zafira (on hire), gutless, badly geared, tends to tramline and wander. Awful car.

I have just seen that Ssanyongs are very cheap just now and 7 seats is a I think a £500 option (and OK its not an X5 and you will all slag it off) but at those prices??!!

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/best_deals/item.htm?id=5989

[princess pixiedust]

thanks for replies, its not gonna be a brand new car, sorry should have been clearer, we have a r reg previa at the mo so anything newer than that will be fine:D

will roughly have between £5000-£7000 for the car

[nullogik]

A couple of potential candidates that will fit within your budget:
- Citroen C8/Peugeot 807 (tend to suffer from electrical gremlins)
- Renault Grand Scenic (best with a diesel engine)
- Renault Espace (not the best for reliability though)
- Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan (steer clear or any late model low spec VW Sharans in black with auto boxes and diesel engines as these are most likely ex-private hire cars like Addison Lee)
- Kia Sedona
- Mitsubishi Grandis (nice MPV but the petrol engined ones are very thirsty and the diesel engine versions are a little unrefined)
- Volkswagen Touran

Of course you could go down the estate route, such as Volvo V70, Mercedes E Class, Audi A6 with rear facing seats.

[babybimbles]

A couple of potential candidates that will fit within your budget:
- Citroen C8/Peugeot 807 (tend to suffer from electrical gremlins)
- Renault Grand Scenic (best with a diesel engine)
- Renault Espace (not the best for reliability though)
- Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan (steer clear or any late model low spec VW Sharans in black with auto boxes and diesel engines as these are most likely ex-private hire cars like Addison Lee)
- Kia Sedona
- Mitsubishi Grandis (nice MPV but the petrol engined ones are very thirsty and the diesel engine versions are a little unrefined)
- Volkswagen Touran

Of course you could go down the estate route, such as Volvo V70, Mercedes E Class, Audi A6 with rear facing seats.

gulp. My father just came back from the auction with a VW S TDI 115 diesal autobox that's an ex-private hire car. 56 plate with 89,000 on the clock. I'm not happy - what could be the potential problems? He paid £5900 for it. We will be the third owners, the first was a hire company, the second a private individual who only had it for 5 mths.

[jeannieblue]

Mazda 5 might be worth looking at if it's not too small? Quashquai 7?
Avoid the Mazda 5 - if you do some research, you will find that you need new tyres around every 6k... :eek:

The Corolla Verso is a good vehicle. Late Galaxy's are alright - early ones are not......

And majority of us on here know to avoid anything beginning with the word Mercedes... :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Check out the Voyager in the sense that there is a rumour that Chrysler are pulling out of Europe - could have potential warranty and parts problems in the future. I don't rate them anyway - pricey to maintain. I'd avoid French, tendency to have electrical problems.

VW are good - Galaxy has a VW engine in it. Parts reasonable and generally easy to obtain.

Why Toyota stopped producing the Previa is beyond me - especially the early ones - they were really good vehicles, better than the later ones.

Not sure what Honda have people carrier wise - they tend to produce pretty good vehicles but I have no knowledge there... :o

[gilbert and sullivan]

If you can wait till the year after the Hyundai i800 should start filtering through in the used market...5 years unlimited mileage warranty too, don't think anyone else would offer that on their unreliable overpriced tat.

[wazza]

Avoid the Mazda 5 - if you do some research, you will find that you need new tyres around every 6k... :eek:



This is only true with the sport trim. I have the TS2 version which has different tyres and alloys to sports trim and have no uneven tyre issues.

Handles better than Zafira. True the middle seat is only suitable for a child or a slim adult. Otherwise can't fault it.

[wazza]

Not sure what Honda have people carrier wise - they tend to produce pretty good vehicles but I have no knowledge there... :o

They do a FRV model which is a 6 seater. Three in front and three in rear. There is no third row of seats.

[vikingaero]

If you're looking at the V-Class then also look at the:

Hyundai i800
VW Caravelle

[jeannieblue]

If you're looking at the V-Class then also look at the:

Hyundai i800
VW Caravelle

Caravelle - a horrid name!! What do they look like? Don't think I have seen one........... probably really nice!

I'd google but can't be ar5ed :D

[NickWarren]

http://indimoto.com/blog/media/blogs/IndiBlog/volkswagen_Caravelle.jpg

Its basically a van with seats lol

Always reminded me of the dodgy old LDV minibuses schools use.

I'm reluctant to say it due to redicule and public lynching but what about the multipla JTD?

[jeannieblue]

http://indimoto.com/blog/media/blogs/IndiBlog/volkswagen_Caravelle.jpg

Its basically a van with seats lol

Always reminded me of the dodgy old LDV minibuses schools use.

I'm reluctant to say it due to redicule and public lynching but what about the multipla JTD?

Aaah...... the name fits the looks, sadly. Would've thought VW would have moved on in that area from the 1960's......... :o Obviously not.

That is not saying it is a bad vehicle - but I like a good car to look appealing too... I'm female and looks count.

Right Goldie?

[goldspanners]

That is not saying it is a bad vehicle - but I like a good car to look appealing too... I'm female and looks count.

Right Goldie?

thats right jeanie, the transit tourneo is what they want, none of this vw nonsense.

[LandyAndy]

Looking to get a new car next year, and hubby likes the look of the mercedez benz v class estate, it has seperate seats, which is ideal for the kids, does anyone have any info on this car ie its safety rating?

what other mpv's would be good?

we have a toyota previa just now and i would be happy with just a newer version as it does us well

I suspect your OH won't like this question;) but why not just keep the Previa?

[jeannieblue]

thats right jeanie, the transit tourneo is what they want, none of this vw nonsense.
What does it look like? Is it pretty? Got some nice curves? Colours? :D

[goldspanners]

What does it look like? Is it pretty? Got some nice curves? Colours? :D

it looks like a transit van with windows on the side and nice comfy seats in the back. an executive minbus if you like. yes they do pretty colours.

[leehal]

I have an 08 plate Touran and find it very good, sits 5 with ease and 2 mini type seats in the back.

[jeannieblue]

it looks like a transit van with windows on the side and nice comfy seats in the back. an executive minbus if you like. yes they do pretty colours.
You have not made it sound appealing.........

Think I will pass .. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Us females need good looks, comfort and safety. After that we think about reliability and maintenance costs.. :D:D:D Bit like men really..

[goldspanners]

You have not made it sound appealing.........

Think I will pass .. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Us females need good looks, comfort and safety. After that we think about reliability and maintenance costs.. :D:D:D Bit like men really..

my transit looks great and its comfy and im there to keep you safe. what more do you want? :confused:

[vikingaero]

my transit looks great and its comfy and im there to keep you safe. what more do you want? :confused:

King sized bed in the back?

[goldspanners]

King sized bed in the back?

thats the comfy bit. :p

[jeannieblue]

thats the comfy bit. :p

True - but I would like some curtains for privacy...........

And a fridge to keep the chocolate sauce cool. And a tv thingy for some interesting films to watch too. And some cushions.

And a hot water bottle and thick woolly socks to keep me warm for when Goldie is off on a bender 'watering' anewmans car......... :rotfl::rotfl:

[goldspanners]

True - but I would like some curtains for privacy...........

And a fridge to keep the chocolate sauce cool. And a tv thingy for some interesting films to watch too. And some cushions.

And a hot water bottle and thick woolly socks to keep me warm for when Goldie is off on a bender 'watering' anewmans car......... :rotfl::rotfl:

your too demanding sometimes. whats wrong with some oily ply lining for comfort and some parts manuals for interesting reading?