7/8 seater suggestions for 4-child family

Jo_R_2

Hi all

We're looking for a 7/8 seater once baby#4 comes along in October. (We currently have a Vectra estate with three car seats in the back which is a huge squash!)

We used to have a Nissan Largo but after loads of probs we're off those, despite the fact they are very characterful:D

We've looked at the Galaxy and its counterparts but feel we'd much prefer something with the back seats fixed rather than folding up and down mainly so we don't have to faff around with moving car seats, so also sliding doors rather than a four door IYSWIM. Diesel is preferable, also we're looking at fuel economy and engine size, our main journeys are across the city and school runs but also every weekend we can end up doing 100 miles +.

Toyotas are another we are just looking at but don't know much about those atm.

Any initial suggestions would be helpful as I feel I'm floundering a bit!

10JH

What's your budget? Are you after new or used?

AdrianHi

The only 8 seater MPV out there new today is the Hyundai i800 unless you start looking at mini buses.
7 seater's with 7 full sized seats are thin on the ground too. Chrysler Grand Voyager, Renault Espace, VW Carravelle, may be Land Rover Discovery

Jo_R_2

10JH wrote: »

What's your budget? Are you after new or used?

Sorry should have said! We're buying secondhand, looking at around 2k but *could* stretch a little.

AdrianHi wrote: »

The only 8 seater MPV out there new today is the Hyundai i800 unless you start looking at mini buses.
7 seater's with 7 full sized seats are thin on the ground too. Chrysler Grand Voyager, Renault Espace, VW Carravelle, may be Land Rover Discovery

Well OH completely insists he wants to convert a Transit but then he likes creating work for himself and we'd never see him!

We have actually discussed minibuses as suggested by OH, I'm a bit worried about driving something bigger tbh (scaredycat:o) although I was fine driving the Largo when we had it.

My dad mentioned the Grand Voyager, the thing that put me off was they seem to tend to be quite big engines (?) but like the room.

The Espace are the four door ones - I've had very reliable Renaults in the past but I'd prefer the manoevrability of having slidey doors (sorry not technical at all but just a personal preference!)

Caravelles I don't know much about so will take a look, thanks.

My dad has a Mitsubishi with 7 seats but can't remember the model, is really nice and roomy inside but don't think we'd get one for our budget.

nanker

We looked at the Grand Voyager a couple of years ago when we had a new baby - loads of room but horrible to drive, made us feel seasick. The thing that killed it for us though was its awful NCAP score, only 1 star if I remember correctly. You wouldn't want to put your kids in there. Plumped for a Honda FRV in the end - perfect for us, but too small for you I suspect.

AdrianHi

Jo_R wrote: »

My dad mentioned the Grand Voyager, the thing that put me off was they seem to tend to be quite big engines (?) but like the room.

Friends have a 2005 petrol engine version, 3.3L V6, drinks like several shoals of fish being chased by a blue whale :rotfl:
It would be easy to spend £2000 a year on fuel if you do any kind of mileage.

For up to £2000 a Toyota Previa is probably the best bet but it will be a thirsty 2.4 petrol engine. You might be better off spending more on the purchase price of the car to get something more economical and younger that should cost less in fuel and repairs.

Rolandtheroadie

nanker wrote: »

We looked at the Grand Voyager a couple of years ago when we had a new baby - loads of room but horrible to drive, made us feel seasick. The thing that killed it for us though was its awful NCAP score, only 1 star if I remember correctly. You wouldn't want to put your kids in there. Plumped for a Honda FRV in the end - perfect for us, but too small for you I suspect.

Ncap score is 17.5 out of 20 for side impact so the little cherubs are safe enough. Think it scores 3.5 but gets reduced to 2.5 for its 0 rating for pedestrians. The drivers side front impact brings it down too.
Did you have one? (I see it made you feel seasick).
With 4 kids, you'll go a long way to beat the Grand Voyager (dont get the normal Voyager).
Do your research, shop around, for £2000 you should be able to pick up a 2.5TD (2000 and older).
As your husband likes to tinker (convert a transit) he may like the idea that this one will run on vegetable oil saving a fortune on fuel. It will also return around 35 to the gallon as well.
A friend has 3 seats added to the back of his transit and I believe it led to insurance problems.
When we were looking (4 kids too) we whittled it down to the caravelle, grand voyager then a minibus. The voyager was the first one that came along at the right time and the right price.

Rolandtheroadie

AdrianHi wrote: »

For up to £2000 a Toyota Previa is probably the best bet.

The guy I use to fix my cars has one sitting just now waiting for spares. He said they're murder to get parts for.
Now the voyagers not got great spares avaliability either, but once you know where to look, it's ok.

delain

I have a friend with one of those toyotas and it spends more time in the garage being fixed than out being driven, plus around here they are known as 'chav-mobiles'

They are (apparently - I've never had one but the broken ones on ebay speak for it!) really unreliable and prone to overheating and major engine issues.

mcjordi

what about a mitzi pajero ( sp?) im sure some of these are 7 seaters

Bubby

Sorry to hijack your thread op:o but we are looking for a decent second hand 7 seat mpv aswell. We have approx £6k/£7k to spend so I will be looking closely at your recommendations:D