I wanna: car to seat up to 7

flea72

out of the 807/C8/Ulysse the ulysse has the most reliable/economic engine (post2002). however, Fiat have stopped producing the Ulysse, so you wont be able to buy them from new for much longer., although this does mean you should be able to get good deals on them as they are trying to shift the last of the stock

Flea

nej

I just got a new Mitsubishi Grandis, and I absolutely love it. We took 7 (4 adults, one child, 2 babies in seats) to the beach the other day and it coped with ease. We even got 2 full-size pushchairs folded up in the boot, and a couple of bags. With the rear-most seats down (they fold not remove like a Zafiras) there's tons of boot space.

We've got a 2.4 which is a bit thirsty. They do a 2.0 VW Diesel now, but probably not within your budget.

I would really recommend you go and look at one. They look the business and nothing like a "van-with-windows" like a lot of MPV's. It's a bit lower and sleeker. Very good spec too, for the money. Plus, you never see them around so you stand out from the crowd of Galaxys a bit!

Chris_VRS

Along the same lines as the Grandis is the new shape Toyota Previa which is equally 'non van with windows' looking...they do a 2.0 D4D diesel which should be available secondhand around the top end of your budget.

Either that or one out the Galaxy, Sharan, Alhambra trio if it was me buying.

paul_h

Certainly don't dismiss the Fiat Ulysse, it is the same vehicle as the Peugeot 807 and Citroen C8, with the same PSA manufactured engines, produced in the same factory - there are only cosmetic and trim differences.

The Fiat is usually cheaper than either.;)

The old Fiat Ulysse/Peugeot 806/Citroen Synergie are also virtually identical.

michaels

Do you need all seven seats - the Honda FRV and Fiat Multipla seat 6 and have luggage. The former is even quite car like, that later a lot more spacious and with big windows good for travel sickness sufferers. Also there is a new ford mondeo smax, not sure if there is a 7 seat option but I suspect being new only you will be struggling to find one under 13k.

Peakma

I absolutely love our Toyota lucida/ previa.It is so spacious.
Really versatile seating options,fits 8 comfortably,and still has a huge boot.
Don't let this put you off! but the head gasket has gone on ours,my partners half way through fixing it,it is a common problem on these,but apparantly has something to do with the fuel that was used in Japan,ixing with what we use-I could of got that alll wrong ,but something like that!
Anyway we new ours was a bit of a gamble as it was off Ebay,and fairly cheap.Ideally I would like a newer ,snazier one with a moon roof! but easily the best people carrier on the whole,I've seen for families.
Some have a table,curtains,coolbox etc,which is great if your camping with kids in tents,and the whether is bad,nice dry room to use!And a lot cheaper than most of the models already mentioned in the thread.Between£1000-£10,000+(I only look as far as £2000!)

jano_3

Hi
I am also a foster carer
I did have a Zafira however found that if I had small foster children needing car seats (also note new law coming in as lots of children will need car seats)
then I would place the car seat in the middle row. This meant however that if I had all seven seats up then my other passengers couldn't easily get in the back as the middle row moves as a whole and this isn't possible if you have a car seat strapped in the middle as the seat belt stops it. Also if my children were in the very back they could not easily be seen and felt aa bit stiffled as there was no window to open.
I therfore looked at people carriers but didn't want anything to big but wanted to get in the rear seats easily.

I have now bought a FIAT DOBLO 1.3 MULTIJET FAMILY 7 SEATER.

Ok so it does lose out on style a little but it is very practical. Not much bigger to look at than a normal car just van shaped. Loads of headroom very very economical. easy to get to all seats and as a bonus sliding doors. rear passengers are also quite high up and still feel part of the car not shoved out the way. Also has rear window that opens slightly.
Not a lot of boot space when using all seven seats but can remove rear seats if you don't need all seven of them.

Downside. front windows don't wind all the way down but to be honest the car seems wide and so this hasn't been a problem. Back windows open continental style sliding but kids haven't complained.

Can't think of anything else except it is cheaper than all the other people carriers I think
Bought ours preregistered for around £8000

Hope this helps

pianeet

my brother has a honda stream these are great plenty of room when you need it plus seats seven in comfort,and honda reliabilty,we looked at getting an Alhambra or a sharan but they have major problems with the aircon failing

DealDrivers_company_representative

If you are looking at buying 'new'....look at the new Ford S Max....we've had a huge ordering interest on these ready for new September plates, moreso than the facelifted Galaxy.

They are 7 seats, streamlined in looks...and are flying off the shelves, we're taking around 15-20 orders week for them compared with Galaxy at 8-9 weekly.

Some of the decent 4x4's are 7 seaters too...depends on your budget I guess.

Hope this helps

Lob_Rockster

watch Top Gear repeat tonight on BBC2 for a very complimentary review of the S-Max. Looks good...!