Vauxhal Zafira, VW Touran, Mazda 5 or Ford C-Max

[wazza]

Just been awarded high mobility of DLA which enables me to get a car on the mobility scheme. Need something with higher seating position in order to make it easier to in and out of the car. Hence the above selection. Any advice which one to go for? They will be basic model probably 1.6 or 1.8 petrol engine. Would like an automatic but will be happy with a manual.

[tanith]

I have mobility problems and can highly recommend the Zafira , I am on my second one now and its great , I can't speak for any of the other sorry...

[vikingaero]

I think the C-Max gets highly rated for mobility customers. It's a combo of the wide opening door, seat at the right height and the ride which is much better than the others.

The Zafira and C-Max have an automatic, as does the Touran with a DSG auto, and the Mazda is manual only.

[jungliemac]

Touran Touran TOURAN.......We have a zafira and it feels like a cross between a dogem car and a tin of beans. Its rubbish.(used to have a new shaped golf and wish i'd kept it and squeezed us all in!) Go for a VW. They are built solidly and are reliable. As soon as have saved up enough I'm going to trade us in and get a touran....if i could afford it i'd burn the zafira and smash it to pieces with a hammer but may find a poor soul to take it off our hands for a few grand!

[louidog]

Go and test drive them all....that really is the only way to know what's the best for you and your disability!
See if you can get the car for the weekend for the test too! Some makes will allow you to do this especially if they think they are in with a chance of getting the order ;) If you don't ask you don't get!

[wazza]

Have been looking around it seems Zafira is popular for those on mobility. Don't know if the reason is it having very low advance payment compared to others

[wazza]

Go and test drive them all....that really is the only way to know what's the best for you and your disability!
See if you can get the car for the weekend for the test too! Some makes will allow you to do this especially if they think they are in with a chance of getting the order ;) If you don't ask you don't get!

Plan to visit several dealers tomorrow. When i have narrowed it down i will make my decision

[iluvmylexus]

had a c max on holiday in spain
i would thoroughly recommend it

[nullogik]

Touran gets my vote, well built and dependable. However, don't go on what we say, the best thing to do (if possible) is to test drive them all.

[wazza]

Story so far..

Have been to the dealers. Went to a local Ford which also sell Mazda. Had a look at C-Max and Mazda 5. The mobility guy was very helpful. C-max was fine but Mazda5 is bigger and roomier with extra 2 seats making it a 7 seater. No car was available for test drive. He said he will arrange the Mazda5 for next week.

Went to the VW dealer to see the touran. Helpful assistant. Unfortunately no demo but she arranged for me to take a showroom car for a quick drive. Nice car but felt the seat was lacking support for my thigh/leg. Also found it awkward to position myself so i can be comfortable with the positioning of my feet on the pedals. Need a longer drive so i can adjust. She will give me a call when they can get a demo.

Vauxhall. Felt like they was doing me a favour by talking to me. No test drive without appointment.

So far Mazda 5 seems favourable. Will need a test drive to confirm my decision.

[pboae]

Do you know what type of Touran you tried? The Sport version has different seats to the other variations. I prefer the Sport ones. They are much firmer and I was able to drive all the way to France without sciatica kicking in.

So if you can, it would be worth trying both types to see if you prefer one seat over the other.

[wazza]

Do you know what type of Touran you tried? The Sport version has different seats to the other variations. I prefer the Sport ones. They are much firmer and I was able to drive all the way to France without sciatica kicking in.

So if you can, it would be worth trying both types to see if you prefer one seat over the other.

yes i is the sport version. the hardness of the seat was no problem. It seemed a bit short on the seating area. probably need a longer drive to get used to it.

[dnc1781]

This might be helpful:
http://www.ricability.org.uk/reports/report-mobility/carmeasurement/carfactsheets.htm

[fesdufun]

I was looking at some of cars you have mentioned. The thing that put me off the Mazda 5 is the middle seat in the middle row isn't really a seat plus there is some talk of excessive tyre wear see http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=436123&highlight=mazda5

I asked the salesman and he told me it is down to the way you drive and to expect to replace them after a year! He didn't really deny there was a problem and was keen to change the subject.

Anyway good luck. I ended up with a second hand Fiat Multipla. It has six seats (all I need) plus a generous boot not like most of the compact seven seater. It has a nice high seating position however because it is quite wide it sometimes difficult to get out of when parking in tight car park spaces.

[wazza]

http://www.mazdaforum.com/m_34231/tm.htm

it covers the tyre wear problems with mazda 5. I will be getting my car through mobility so they will bear the cost of tyre replacements

[gardnt1]

I dont know if you can get this on the motability, but my neighbour has just bought a Honda FRV - very pleased with it. 6 seats and very roomy.

[wazza]

I dont know if you can get this on the motability, but my neighbour has just bought a Honda FRV - very pleased with it. 6 seats and very roomy.

Mazda 5 is availably through model. You can get the 1.8 TS2

[dodo69]

Well I have had a TDci C Max Ghia now under Motobility for the past two and a half years and I have been delighted with it. The Ford Motobility operation (Ford Magic) are great and you get a quarterly update. The C Max is easily the most comfortable car I have ever owned, does 50 mpg, managed 26,000 miles on the first set of front tyres and is incredibly well equipped. When my three years is up I will replace it with another. By the way before being awarded DLA my last few cars have been Audi BMW and Mercedes- all new.

[tinandy]

hi you guys we have a kia karens on the motobility sceme and am totally discusted with it .its been in for repair about seven times in the first year ,the radio blew after 5 mins and has had three more since front disks after a month ,cv joint also had three more fitted ,anti roll bar bushes and now radious arm bushes and its only a year old anybody else had any bother like this please let me know as i am going to be having words with motobility about sending this heap back every time it goes in for repair it comes out with another fault and stoneacre in hull like to leave oily hand and footprints allover your car .my partner who is disabled dreads going in the car has you never know what will go wrong next with it regards andy

[glowgirl]

I've been driving a C Max Zetec for 3.5 years and it has been fabulous, lots of room, very reliable and good on petrol, I have a 1.6, my local Ford dealers are second to none on customer service. I am just about to part x mine for a smaller car as I fancy a change but would certainly recommend the C Max.