Oooh...which one?! Previa or Alhambra??

Lizbetty

Hi everyone, I'm needing a bit of advice as we're about to fork out on a car and we've never spent more than a couple of thousand til now.

We were after a seven seater, pref sliding doors, air con, tinted windows, wanted swivel seats but can't find one with em in our budget...diesel engine, manual. We have two to choose from but I'm not sure which'd be the best bet. Our budget was £6k, but you know how it goes..

The first is a private sale, a Seat Alhambra diesel 1.9TDi S (basic spec)115bhp, 02 plate, with a DVD in the ceiling and 6 CD changer (cost a grand each to fit 5 & 3 years ago respectively). The latter bits would be useful but I guess they're quite cheap to put in nowadays. The body work is mostly fab, one owner from new and they love the car. It's been well looked after and has had a new air con unit fitted, serviced, etc. They want £6800 inc the DVD player and might take £6500 but would take out the DVD player. Seem stuck at that price although book price is £6400 for a good condition private sale.. It's been valeted etc, has 74k miles on clock. Oh, the seats don't swivel and it doesn't have tinted windows.

The second one is a dealers Toyota Previa 01 plate (51), 2.0l diesel manual, looks pretty shabby with lots of scratches on paintwork, pitted alloys, but it's a top spec CDX and we did see it before they prettied it up. Cost is £7800. Even so, it has 91k on the clock, the seats looks scratched as if it's not been loved. Again, no swivel seats but has sat nav, electric sunroofs, tinted glass, plenty of space, and the book price is £9k....seems they hold their value too, unlike the Alhambra.

It's a huuuuge investment and I'm scared to death we'll end up regretting it if we rush into it. The Previa SEEMS the best bet cos of low depreciation and high spec, but the Alhambra is the one I'm leaning towards... Tho it's private she was a good saleswoman!!

What do you think? If anyone has experience of either, your input would be much welcomed!!!
TIA,
Luce

Miseryschild

My question is - Do you need air con or tinted windows? To me personally, they are just money wasters as I see no point in having them, especially the tinted windows.

~MC

Lizbetty

We have 2 kids, aged almost 3 and 15 months. They pull the sun shades off every time and always end up with bright red faces/unable to sleep in their carseats cos of the sun in their faces. We've spent many a miserable journey to the coast or the inlaws (who live a way away) with the kids being scarily sweaty and screaming. So yup, definitely a must from that point of view.

The cost of running air con does worry me a bit, but I think from the point of view of happy long journeys, then it's worth the bit extra.

harveybobbles

Lucyeff wrote: »

The cost of running air con does worry me a bit, but I think from the point of view of happy long journeys, then it's worth the bit extra.

It's no different having than windows/sunroofs open...

As for both cars -they are well over priced!!

51 plate Shalahmbraxy tdi's with circa 60,000 miles can be picked up for 5995 with decent spec.

Previa is roomier and probably more reliable.

Thunderbird_2

Lucyeff wrote: »

The cost of running air con does worry me a bit, but I think from the point of view of happy long journeys, then it's worth the bit extra.

Toyota will be my choice! You will never look back as it is unlikely to go wrong as much as Seat might do.

Aircondition running costs will not be that much if you used only on the motorway. Actually, if you drive 60 or 65 miles per hour with A/C on, it will be equivelent to doing 70 or 75 miles per hour without aircondition on!

Happy motoring!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I've been on a few long journies in a Previa, they are an extremely boring car, cheap interior, and ugly to boot.

I've also been in the Sharalaxhambra, and they're a cracking car - so that's what I'd go for.

jeannieblue

Can't beat a Toyota - but am concerned re the condition of it. Does it have service history? If the outside can tidy up and the workings of it have been serviced, it could be the way to go.

Personally, I'd have a shop round a bit first. Auto trader and the like and get an AA and/or RAC inspection of the vehicle.

Its alot of money and I think you should sit back a bit and see what else is about. SEAT prices for parts are, surprisingly, more than Toyota. Toyota's do hold their price well, but try and find a good one!

Lizbetty

Thanks for all your replies, it looks like the Toyota is winning... it does have full service history (every 10k miles). I hate to sound like a proper girl, but it is a rather boring green and also looks quite boring compared to the Alhambra, which is silver and isn't stunning but is slightly more cheerful looking.

I'm having to sell my lovely red Mazda 323f petrol, p reg 1.5l only 92k miles on the clock, which I love. It's just been through it's MOT and is perfect condition, the interior is perfect, it drives lovely, and looks sporty, it's cheap to run - it's my last bit of cred as the rest has totally gone since having children, and I'm in mourning big stylie. But I keep banging my kids heads when I'm putting them in it, and if I put the pushchair in, forget the shopping.

I do feel like the Previa might send me into baggy jogging bottoms and t shirts as it's so practical looking. But it seems like quite a bargain if it does drive well.

We were wanting swivelling seats so we could have picnics in the rain in it, but we can't find a model with them which is disappointing.

I know I should hang fire and look more, but now my mind's made up that I finally have to get rid of mine, I'm just wanting to get it done so I can go for day trips with the kids while they're little and enjoy the way there as well as fit their stuff in.

The Alhambra did seem a lovely drive and a little more fun, but I hear what you're saying about the Previa being the sensible and reliable choice...

We're off for a test drive shortly so I'll keep you posted. I'm hoping in the meantime someone comes on here and says 'SNAP UP THE ALHAMBRA AS THEY'RE FAB' but I doubt that 's gonna happen by the looks!!

Thanks again
Luce

Thunderbird_2

Hi

Have you considered Toyota Picnic? I know they have stopped producing them, but, there is a T reg one on autotrader around Yorkshire! It is deisel! Have a look, the price was around £2500., not bad savings for 2 years older!

I think I have recognised the Previa on the autotratder! It looks much better than Alhambra! Sharper eyes with cheeky rear lights!lol I must agree about the colour! But hey! It is a lovely poshy DARK green, not a light one!!lol

Good luck

AdrianHi

If the rather old and highish mileage Toyota Previa is under consideration at £7800 I think you should consider 2 to 3 year old circa 30K mile Mazda 5's which are in the 7400 to 8000 bracket:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MAZDA+MAZDA5/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-22-4294962053-4294967256/search.action
They have sliding doors and a bit more of a sporting character to them, might soften the blow of giving up your 323 a bit.
If you do look at Mazda 5's be aware that the 2.0D Sport model (143 bhp) with wider wheels is well know to have unresolved problems with excessive front tyre wear. Stick with the TS models like the 110bhp diesel.

Thunderbird_2

I think AdrianHi's advice is sound!
The black one looks great! Resale value should be ok and you will still be loyal to your 323! Keep it in the Mazda family!lol