mpv recommendations/alternatives?

shays_mum

I would really love to buy the new toyota avensis verso 7 seater mpv, but they don't do a automatic diesel , can anyone recommend any other alternatives, baring in mind the size of the verso.....!. Thanks in advance for any help

funky-footprints

i dont know whether you mean brand new ? and not knowing the toyota I cant comment. I am currently looking for a diesel mpv too (was supposed to be down sizing all round .... but we have decided if i can cope with a larger car then dh will some time in the future change his pimp wagon ...lol !!! ) I have test drove everything available to me since last July and have fallen in love with the chrylser voyager . (i found the grand voyager a bit too big) have you driven any other mpvs ? currently looking for the right sort of spec, would love power doors and leather seats, but we shall see !!!!
Best bet is test drive lots, then compare your experience to everyones views on here.

rdwarr

I think the Voyager is one size up from what the OP is looking at (Avensis is more like a Zafira) and many people are put off them by poor safety ratings (I think it was the only car ever to score 0% in a crash test!). Mine is a Toyota Estima (Diesel Auto) which is certainly good but a bit old now and about the same size as a Voyager (but much biger inside).
Shays_mum, if you need seven seats plus luggage then the choice is limited to Previa, Grand Espace or Grand Voyager I think. A secondhand Kia may be OK but they depreciate like hell so don't buy new!
Honest John is a great website for more impartial information.

Cumbrian_Male

How about a VW Touran

funky-footprints

rdwarr wrote:

I think the Voyager is one size up from what the OP is looking at and many people are put off them by poor safety ratings (I think it was the only car ever to score 0% in a crash test!).

Hi Rdwarr, thanks for your comments, can you give me a link to this onfo on the chrysler voyager, I have used Parkers to get an idea on this mpv and was pretty confident about it. As I said we have previously had a grand voyager and loved it, but back then i was realy uncomfrotable driving a larger car, however after a year of driving an estate feel a little more confident.

I realy would appreciate some link up, as I dont want to proceed if this car is classed as bed news? May have to re-assess the situation !!
Thanks for your time.

SuperAde_2

I would recommend a Chrysler Grand Voyager. We upgraded from a Vauxhall Zafira to the Grand Voyager (2002 model) a couple of years ago and the difference in space, comfort and class is immense. The older Voyagers (pre 2001) had a bad press because of poor safety ratings but the newer models are an improvement. It is a big car but you get used to it and I would definitely buy another one in the future.

The only negatives in my opinion are the high fuel consumption (although there is the option of an automatic/diesel) and the heavy seats (if you need to remove them). The most recent models have a 'stow and go' seating system similar to the Zafira's which basically means the seats are folded rather than removed.

Here is some info that I have found:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/C/chrysler/voyager01-/voyager01-.html

rdwarr

funky-footprints wrote:

I realy would appreciate some link up, as I dont want to proceed if this car is classed as bed news? May have to re-assess the situation !!
Thanks for your time.

The NCAP MPV tests are at http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/ratings.php?id1=5.
Click on the Voyager and you'll see where I was coming from, especially in contrast to the Previa. Obviously I've had an Estima (Previa-like Import) for a number of years and been very happy with it so won't claim to be unbiased.
If we al bought cars on the basis of safety alone then we'd all have 1986 V12 Jags or similar! I used to have one of those and remember a car slamming into me at high speed, completely disintegrating (but saving the driver in the process) and scratching my towbar :rolleyes: .
I'm sure the new Voyager is a bit better than the old one - just not sure how much.

funky-footprints

thansk very much, Im looking at the newer model, but only becasse i fancy the power doors, and th efold away seat system for ease. I did wonder if part of the safety record was related to being in accidents with other cars ? we did have an iccident in our grand voyager where hubby drove into the back of a car that decided to not go at a roundabout (car infront pulled out then slammed his break on and hubby carried on driving) we had a few minor dents on the front bumper, but the car infront was totalled !