view on vw caravelle

dizzycreak

We have a chrysler grand voyager 6 yrs old ish and have had a few probs with it so have decided we need to look again.

We need 7 seats and space so are thinking of a caravelle, if poss a excutive version.

As we dont know anyone with one I was hoping someone here may have a user view.

We live in the far south west so not much choice here, we will have tpo look further afield, hoping to find one either ex demo or a year old, if we decide to go ahead.

Dizzy

vikingaero

They look nice and I've driven a van version and it's the closest to a car of all the vans out there. There's not much choice anywhere because Caravelles tend to only be available new from VW dealers and VW van centres.

Hintza

Probably not a great help but I drove them a few times when I lived in South Africa in the 90's. Very popular there. Certainly do the job you probably require it for and would be on my short list if I was looking for that sort of thing.

I guess it won't be the most economical of beasts and will drive more like a van. On a smaller scale the Quashqai now comes in a 7 seat version might be worth a look. Do Mercedes not do something similar?

dizzycreak

thanks, its not economical but neither is the chrysler. Have had a good look around and there int much choice on mercedes or caravelle. May be we will have to look out for an older one?

Dzzy

vikingaero

If the Caravelle and Mercedes are too pricey then what about this?

http://www.hyundai.co.uk/newCars/i800/

nullogik

How about a Kia Sedona?

http://www.kia.co.uk/sedonahome.asp?flash=true

Obviously, don't buy a brand new one as you'll loose a ton of money. But a good used 1 or 2 year old car from the approved used range at the dealer will be a good bet.

The Mercedes model people are thinking about is the Mercedes Viano (previously known as the V-Class). Its big though, but is similar in concept to the Caravelle (van with seats and windows).

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/viano/639.flash.html#chapter=1

Finally, along the lines of a Caravelle, you could also consider a Ford Transit Tourneo. Like the Caravelle, its a van with windows and 9 seats.

http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/tourneo/-/-/-/-/-/-

dizzycreak

have looked at viano, seemed very van like, the caravella seems more comfy. The smaller mpvs just dnt have enough space for 7 plus push chairs etc.

We foster so always have one or 2 under 3's so ned the space.

We did have a seat alhambra once but bits dropped off easily & it was rather small in the boot.

The layout of the two seats in the middle works well for us.

i just hate buying a car, I always think we ar going to get a dud one.

Will keep looking and thinking,

Dizzy

goldspanners

if i can offer only one piece of advice it would be don't buy the mercedes vito/viano. very expensive for parts and labour and not just at the dealers,they are very labour intensive vans to work on and like to develop crazy expensive faults for no reason at all. steer clear of this.
and the paint work is terrible they rust like nothing else.

they are fast though,but this isnt what your looking for.

ive got the new ford transit and find it brilliant,no wonder it won van of the year last year,if you can get a new shape transit tourneo im sure you would love it.

not too sure about the vw transporter/caravelle.never had one.