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

sarahg1969

I have a C8 (2.2HDi).

It's not the most stylish car on the market, but it's the most spacious people carrier we've had. The seats are all proper, sturdy seats, not like the ones you get in the Zafira and other cars, and there's a ton of space behind the rear seats when they're all in (which also means little heads aren't too close to the rear window).

It also has a 2/3/2 seat combination, which suited us best. The Sedona we looked at was a 2/2/3, and couldn't be swapped around, which meant that with 3 children in the rear, any luggage would have had to go in front of them. The Chrysler is similar, but I believe you may be able to move the rear bench seat forward in that one.

The Zafira is only a tall Astra, and that was way too small for us, and the rear seats were too close to the back and very small. Also, the way the middle seat folded wasn't very practical.

The older Galaxy has sturdy seats, but the newer one has flimsy fold-away seats that we didn't like.

We also had an Espace (the latest shape), but that proved to be a lemon, unfortunately, although it was nice enough to drive, and quite roomy.

I'd have another C8, but I'd also go for a Galaxy again if it were an old shape one with proper rear seats.

ETA: One thing that does bug me about the C8 is the thickness of the front doors - they have these really deep handles, so that when you've opened the door, you have hardly any space to get out. Impossible on a car ferry! We had to climb through to the rear seats.

Flyboy152

sarahg1969 wrote: »

I have a C8 (2.2HDi).

It's not the most stylish car on the market, but it's the most spacious people carrier we've had. The seats are all proper, sturdy seats, not like the ones you get in the Zafira and other cars, and there's a ton of space behind the rear seats when they're all in (which also means little heads aren't too close to the rear window).

It also has a 2/3/2 seat combination, which suited us best. The Sedona we looked at was a 2/2/3, and couldn't be swapped around, which meant that with 3 children in the rear, any luggage would have had to go in front of them. The Chrysler is similar, but I believe you may be able to move the rear bench seat forward in that one.

The Zafira is only a tall Astra, and that was way too small for us, and the rear seats were too close to the back and very small. Also, the way the middle seat folded wasn't very practical.

The older Galaxy has sturdy seats, but the newer one has flimsy fold-away seats that we didn't like.

We also had an Espace (the latest shape), but that proved to be a lemon, unfortunately, although it was nice enough to drive, and quite roomy.

I'd have another C8, but I'd also go for a Galaxy again if it were an old shape one with proper rear seats.

ETA: One thing that does bug me about the C8 is the thickness of the front doors - they have these really deep handles, so that when you've opened the door, you have hardly any space to get out. Impossible on a car ferry! We had to climb through to the rear seats.

Which don't fold flat into the floor and can't be removed.

funkycoldribena

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Which don't fold flat into the floor and can't be removed.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/galaxy-mpv/pictures/25566-7
Sure about that??

gravitytolls

We've had a couple of espaces. Pesonally can't stand them, there's no boot space, not much legroom in the rear seats, it's a pain getting small ones in and out of the rear, and the seats are narrow. On the plus side, the diesel engines give good MPG.

We've had a Nissan serena, 8 seats, massive boot space, pushchair and shopping easily. 40MPG in the diesel, and I actually really liked it, would have another.

Like the citroen synergie, very nice to drive, also fiat Ulysses, comfortable and affordable.

currently have a Toyota import, it chugs along, pulls the caravan, we load it with shopping and people and luggage. The seats turn to face one another, and this then gives us another load of storage space between front seats and the turned to face the rear window back seats. Moon roof, sun roof, curtains etc. I would recommend them, but repairs ain't cheap....Mind you, they weren't cheap on any of the others.

sarahg1969

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Which don't fold flat into the floor and can't be removed.

I'm fairly sure they do fold flat, so they don't need to be removed.

The older ones didn't fold flat, but could be removed. We used to take out the rear two when we went on holiday, to give us more room for bringing home the wine.

ETA: I've just seen the photos - they don't fold entirely flat, and if you can't remove them either, that could be a nuisance. I was in one last week, and even the middle row of seats wasn't as sturdy as the older models. And it seemed very small compared with my C8.

Flyboy152

funkycoldribena wrote: »

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/galaxy-mpv/pictures/25566-7
Sure about that??

Absolutley....




That is not flat. That is raised above the level of the floor.

funkycoldribena

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Absolutley....




That is not flat. That is raised above the level of the floor.

Talk about being pedantic.

Flyboy152

funkycoldribena wrote: »

Talk about being pedantic.

Not at all. The seats on a Citroen Grand Picasso, Renault Grand Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira, for example, all fold flat into the floor. It makes it possible to load items straight in to the boot, but the Galaxy doesn't give one that option.

sarahg1969

funkycoldribena wrote: »

Talk about being pedantic.

Not at all. It could make quite a difference. I wouldn't buy one. I prefer the old style with proper seats that came out to leave a flat floor area.

funkycoldribena

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Not at all. The seats on a Citroen Grand Picasso, Renault Grand Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira, for example, all fold flat into the floor. It makes it possible to load items straight in to the boot, but the Galaxy doesn't give one that option.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/renault/grand-scenic-mpv/pictures/25915-7

Yeah its such an effort to lift another 4/5 inches...