Which people carrier to buy/avoid for around £4-5k

bigjl

Pity the new Galaxy is on the small side for you.

Of your two choices i must admit i would go for the VW. The Transit being a bit too much van for personal use.

My sister manages four kids and a load of kit when they go to Scotland in the holidays. They use a roof box to provide the extra space.

The new Sedona is smaller than the old one though isn't it? Or at least it seems smaller when i have seen one on the road.

I am so fixated on Galaxy's I am.not even sure what to chose.

I take it a big estate is no good? As you need the extra seats.

I like the look of the Grand Espace but can't recommend one as they have a reputation for expensive problems.

Any other possibles for Sarah?

Rolandtheroadie

Just back from the South Coast and due to this thread have been actively looking at everything.

I've also been thinking of whether we really need someting as big as the Grand Voyager (kids getting older, should be out of their buggies soon, roof box may take any luggage required for hols).

I actually thought the Galaxy looked physically bigger than before

I'd consider a Caravelle, looked at them before but found the voyager first.

When our Voyager belt went, it turned out it took out the rockers to protect the rest of the engine. Think they call it sacraficial and non sacraficial. Someone on here may have a timing belt book and be able to tell you what your engine is?

I got my work done by a very trustworthy local guy who carried out the labour for £250. Is there nobody that can recommend anyone locally to you?

When mines went, I got onto a chrysler forum and they were able to tell me exactly what would be wrong. Any good forums that cover the C8?

Good luck.

sarahg1969

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Sorry to hear that, Sarah.

I'm going to keep my mouth shut next time!!

We're going on holiday in 3 weeks, too. The children are NOT happy that they'll be squashed in the back of hubby's Saab. And I'm not happy that there's no room to bring any wine back.

So, so, so cross.

bigjl

If you will all fit in a Saab hatch then seriously think about cars like the Vectra Estate, not fashionable, not expensive, and more importantly the boot is almost stupidly large.

The Mondeo mk4 Estate is also a very large car, you really would struggle to fill the boot on one of them.

I would only have a full size MPV if I needed the number of seats, my sister has four kids so needs the extra seats.

But if your family can fit into a Saab hatch with a struggle then I would certainly give a bit of thought to buying a family estate, they are pretty much overlooked as everybody goes for seven seaters ans small 5 seat mpv's.

sarahg1969

We do need a 6/7 seater, really as we have four children; it's just fortunate that our eldest isn't coming on holiday with us this time.

JimmyTheWig

Sarah, if it's the case that you only need the extra seats every now and again (e.g. if it's often that your eldest doesn't go with you) then I'd suggest you look at the Zafira or the Grand Scenic. The seats right at the back look a bit naff and I wouldn't fancy them for constant use (and so we ruled them out as we have 4 small children) but they seem by far the best value second hand 7 seaters around.

Flyboy152

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Sarah, if it's the case that you only need the extra seats every now and again (e.g. if it's often that your eldest doesn't go with you) then I'd suggest you look at the Zafira or the Grand Scenic. The seats right at the back look a bit naff and I wouldn't fancy them for constant use (and so we ruled them out as we have 4 small children) but they seem by far the best value second hand 7 seaters around.

Although the Grand Scenic would be a good choice in those circumstances, the C4 Picasso is a bit roomier and the boot is far bigger.

Sarah, although I might be throwing water into the wind here, but don't let the C8's cambelt failure cloud your judgement on Citroens, they are normally more reliable than that, as you did say earlier, it had been trouble free up until that point.

sarahg1969

We've looked at the smaller people carriers, and they don't appeal at all.

I've faxed and emailed Citroen today. Also reported to VOSA (think I said that before) and am considering an independent report, but that could cost a fortune, based on the damage that's probably been done.

It has been trouble-free up to now, and I absolutely love it, but I'm shocked that Citroen have been so blase about what appears to be a very common problem with that particular engine, and a dangerous one at that. When I spoke to them today, they admitted they are well aware of it.

bigjl

From what I have read the new C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso are a lot more reliable than the C8.

In fairness to the C8 most of he issues where build quality and electrical, these things show up a lot sooner in the Private Hire game due to sheer mileage. Nobody uses the C4 Picasso as most use the Sharon that they just replaced with a new model and the obvious choice of Galaxy.

In Sarah's position she is probably best getting her current car fixed, but must look to keep it for another couple of years. Hopefully any repair will be able to take care of the issue that caused this failure.

With cars sometimes it is better the devil you know.

sarahg1969

An update:

The car has been into the dealers and dismantled, and premature cam belt failure has been confirmed. No oil leaks and no failure of the water pump. A report is going in to Citroen, so fingers crossed they'll agree to sort it.