Best estate/mpv for fuel economy and reliability

nh101

I am looking to spend about £10,000 on a used car and want a diesel estate or MPV. I am expecting twins at the mo and will probably have at least one other child in the future so the bigger the car the better! Also we will be going camping to France each summer so need lots of space for all our stuff.

We have a Toyota Avensis at the mo and the fuel ecomomy is great (up to 60mpg) - I am interested in an Avensis estate but wondered whether any other big cars do as well on fuel and reliability.

My thoughts are VW Touran (47mpg combined)
Zafira (39mpg)
Avensis (46mpg)
Mondeo (44mpg)
Peugeot 307 (48mpg)
Skoda Octavia (48mpg)

Anybody got any experience of these cars or can suggest any others?

Thanks!

chivers1977

Normally I would suggest you have a look at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk but as I write the site is not working.

John_3:16

I think you have to look at cars you have chosen. My first impression is that the VW and Zafira are 7 seats. That would make them stand out above the rest as taking more children or other adults the car can do it. The VW would probably be seen to hold its valve better as it could have better build qulity. Also the driving position in all your choices are not the same. Again the VW and Zafira it is higher also children get a better view over hedges etc.

You may also throw a MK 2 Galaxy into the mix. 1.9tdi 45 mpg Plenty of room for the all the kids kit?

Jorgan_2

I would go for a full size MPV, such as a Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra or a Citroen C8/Peugeot 807/Renault Espace and leave the second row of seats in the garage. You are going to need all the space you can get, twin buggies take up a lot of room, plus all the other gear. I'm a twin, ask my mum.

Friends bought a Zafira & regretted straight away, once the kids were in, plus a buggy & two holdalls, there isn't room for anything else. The OH has a Seat Alhambra TDI & we see an average of 41-43mpg, on the annual trip to France we have seen 56mpg. The later models have a six speed gearbox, a friends dad had one and was get 50mpg from his.

The C8/807 have the advantage of sliding rear doors which will make it easier to put babies in. Just make sure they come with a good warranty.

nh101

Jorgan wrote: »

Just make sure they come with a good warranty.

The babies or the car?

nh101

John_3:16 wrote: »

You may also throw a MK 2 Galaxy into the mix. 1.9tdi 45 mpg Plenty of room for the all the kids kit?

What is the Ford's reliability like? I quite like the S max though may be out of my price range.

code-a-holic

Last year i sold my VW sharan 1.9 tdi . It would do 45mpg at worst, at best on motorway 62mpg. I loved that car but sold as needed an auto for health reasons. Stupidly bought a Fiat Ulysse petrol(identical to 807 and C8) it does 24mpg. So 3 months down the line im going to look at a auto diesel galaxy today. I love the trio sharan, galaxy,alhambra. and they seem to hold the value better than what i have much to my horror this week. I have 3 under 5's and have to have a 7 seater. Zafira was much to small and to keep costs down i like to share school runs where possible, the extra sats help that happen.

beachbhoy

I have a peugeot 807 auto it is no good for fuel consumption. I only get at best 30 mpg. The car is great apart from the fuel consumtion and it has a 20k service interval. Arnold clark in glasgow is selling these cars at the moment for around 11k, they are about 1 year old.

rdwarr

I agree with the argument that there's no point buying a "small" MPV like a Zafira. A proper one won;t cost much more and the difference in space will be more than worth it. Easier to drive too - the view is lovely!
We had a Toyota Estima for seven years but there are better alternatives now.

andy1974_2

I wouldnt recomend the Peugeot 307 either as I have one and can't wait to get rid of it as it was in the garage a few time with the same faults.

The fuel consumption is nowhere near what it states.

What about a Seat Altea XL as I have been looking at these they are quite roomy and you get a lot more for your money, thay are made by Volkswagen.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/review.aspx?model=1533

Little_John

Loads of storeage and 5 seats and great fuel economy. What about a Vectra Estate I know rep mobile but becasue of that you find there is loads of choice a 1.9CDTi 150 it has loads of power and can be quick if you need it but also gives me 50+ mpg when cruiseing at 70 *cough* or 80 maybe 90 not that I would ever do those speeds. for an 07 its over your budget like this one I saw at the weekend but if you drop down to an 56 maybe even a 06 you should be able. there are 2 1.9 engines a 120 bhp and the 150bhp the 120 is even more econimic but not by much. I would hope the insurance payments are less also on the 120, my 150 is a little high.