I wanna: car to seat up to 7

paul_h

Although the Galaxy size MPVs are not as pretty and cost a little more to run, I reckon they are really the only way to seat seven in reasonable comfort, especially for journeys longer than a school run... Out of the smaller MPVs, I would say that the Zafira is probably the roomiest 7 seater from what I've seen, but they are still cramped for 7. Additionally, access to the back seats is better on the bigger vehicles.

I'm not sure about the fuel consumption of the 1.6L mentioned earlier, the smallest petrol engined Galaxy ever produced had a 2 litre Ford unit. We currently have a 2.3 petrol Galaxy, which is surprisingly nippy - it's a 16V twin cam engine with balancer shafts, making it a nice smooth engine. We comfortably get 30 mpg, which I feel isn't too bad for a car it's size, that's mostly local runs with a few longer runs per week. If you do a good annual mileage, LPG conversions are a great idea on these vehicles, reducing the running costs by about 40%.

If were to replace it today, I would certainly buy another Galaxy - however, I would probably go for a Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra with the excellent VW turbodiesel in it - well over 40 mpg from a vehicle that size is great... Parts are cheap too, anyone can service them and most of the underpinnings are standard VW. For example, the brakes discs and calipers on mine are the same as an Audi A4, all the factory fitted brake parts are stamped VW.;)

I'm not sure about your budget, but as the new Galaxy is due out soon, there are some good buys about, both new and used - I have seen brand new diesel Galaxy Ghias recently at a car supermarket well under £14,000... that's about £10,000 under list price.:D

HTH!:j

oldMcDonald

paul_h wrote:

I'm not sure about the fuel consumption of the 1.6L mentioned earlier, the smallest petrol engined Galaxy ever produced had a 2 litre Ford unit.

*cough* *shuffles about slightly embarrassed*
Have just consulted DH and been told that our Galaxy was, infact, a 2L!!

OP:
Our Savanah did have a reasonable boot space, but I think that they replaced this car with the Laguna, so the earliest one you will get will be around 10 years old.

I did love the Galaxy and would happily buy one again when we are at a stage when we need fewer seats. I had a lot of trouble getting a 5'7'' 15 year old in the back seats and we had to rearrange car seats etc in order that they could sit in the middle row instead, so it is worth considering how longterm you want this car to be and how old any foster children may be?

Think you have made the right choice re: backward facing seats FWIW!!

paul_h

oldMcDonald wrote:

*cough* *shuffles about slightly embarrassed*
Have just consulted DH and been told that our Galaxy was, infact, a 2L!!

Yes, the old 2 litre wasn't very good, worse fuel consumption than the 2.3 16V and quite weedy too in such a big body.

I suffered with really bad car sickness as a child too...

...rear facing seats - no thanks!:D

plane_boy2000

We changed our car for a Sharan just before christmas - fantastic. Done 10K in it now and no problems of any sort, and the worst we have seen in it is 40 MPG, but usually getting 42-44. Its the 1.9 TDI 130. Dont know what the rest of teh models go like but this one is quick enough. We have 3 kids, but sometimes have others in the car plus wanted plenty of space for the camping stuff and so far it has been fantastic- the only drawback is that the seats dont fold into the floor so if you want them out you have to rmove them and have somewhere to store them. Not a big problem for us, but they are heavy to move in and out. The new galaxy whcih has just been launched looks nice, and has seats that fold into the floor so much easier, but a lot depends on your budget. We paid 16K for ours as it was a dealer pre reg so was like new and only 1 month old. Same car brand new was 23K.

We also test drove the volvo XC90 which was fantastic. We did serioulsly consider one, but it was twice the price of the Sharan, and at the end of the day it didint do anything the sharan didnt so although it was first cholice was rulled out on the grounds of cost

rdwarr

Remember you may need to seat seven plus luggage! That plows the Galaxy family out of the window and really leaves only a few MPVs in the frame. These are:
Renault Grand Espace
Chrysler Grand Voyager
Toyota Previa
Toyota Estima (Import)
Mitusibishi Delica (Import)

Of the above I'd dismiss the Renault on the grounds of reliability and the Chrysler on the grounds of safety (only car ever to get 0% in a crash test :eek:). The Delica has the most street cred, the older Previa had a poor engine, older Estimas are geting old now too (although I love mine).

Depends on budget I think. Up to 5k, get an Estima or Delica, over 10k, get a new-shape Previa. All should be diesel automatics with good air con.

Frugal_Fox

Oooo New cars to think about. Like the Chryslers safety record !! Will look into the Delica, Previa & Estima.

Thanks

Chris_VRS

as previously mentioned i'd be sticking with the galaxy/sharan/alhambra variants...in 1.9tdi form...surprisingly good to drive and much better economy than a petrol & enough room for 5 people with lots of luggage or 7 and a couple of bags.

the trio of Japanese cars mentioned is like taking a stroll back into the 80's compared with the more modern designs.

the chryslers NCAP score is only applicable to the newer facelifted cars, as has been previously mentioned the older cars wern't very good.

oldMcDonald

:eek:

Getting too technical now.:eek:

I had a blue Galaxy and in the sun it was all glittery and sparkly and looked kind of purple. As I already said, it was a guzzler, but it was damn pretty!!

Will now step back and leave this thread to the people who know what they are talking about!

paul_h

I do agree about the lack of luggage space in the Galaxy, the rear seats are movable to increase the luggage space a bit, but there's really only room for a couple of small suitcases and a few small squashy bags in the back with all 7 seats in.

The problem with the larger full 7 seaters is that when you move ontoo the Grand Espace / Grand Voyager sized vehicles, purchase, insurance and running costs increase considerably.

My answer for 7-person holidays is a very aerodynamic Thule top box on the roof bars, which complements the shape of the Galaxy perfectly and provides all the luggage space you need. It does reduce the mpg a little, but it's the best top box I've had as it only loses you a couple of mpg - I can highly recommend them. I still get 36+ mpg on a long distance motorway run, probably about 38 mpg without the box. However, even at 36 mpg, it's much better than running a Grand Voyager for example.

Note that top boxes have less effect on mpg at lower speeds, and that the effect on a Galaxy is less than most cars as the vehicle is so big anyway.

I've had many large cars, but I have found the Galaxy a useful compromise without being too big, or too expensive to run.

Frugal_Fox

OldMacDonald - don't leave this thread!!

I'm a girly - and colours/looks are important!! She says - as she's sat here watching Top Gear!!