|
Thanks for the feedback. HJ rates them but owners reviews here are mixed, What would you buy at this price point instead. I did suggest a Previa/Estima to Mrs FB, didn't go down well.
|
|
Does she really need something as big as a full blown van? Unless your children are truly enormous, could you not consider something Zafira/Verso sized, still masses of room and perhaps much more choice around than an old Galaxy? Verso 1.8 is good and will be far more reliable, for example. Also, remember fuel prices are on the way up again, so these things are not cheap to run.
|
|
She did think of an S-Max, headroom not enough for the in laws and kids, and she sells stuff at antique fairs. Space is paramount, Verso just isn't big enough, alteady looked. Doesn't like Zafira.
|
|
We looked at various S-Maxes some years ago and IMHO the 1.8 TDCi was the better drive. No idea why, expected it to be a slug but we preferred it to the 2.0 TDCi which was less refined and appeared no quicker. Did a deal on one only for the garage to ring me one day later to tell me they had made a mistake and wanted another £1500. Told them no and after another 3 days had passed they eventually decided I could have it for the agreed price. But by then I had lost all faith in the garage and walked away. Decided it was better (and cheaper) to hire a 7 seater as and when we needed one.
As for the Verso we found it truly appauling. 2.0 diesel was slow and unrefined, the normal row of rear seats was uncomfortable and the 3rd row tiny and very uncomfortable. Handling was wallowy in the extreme, wife thought it was possibly the worst car she had ever driven.
|
|
Going leftfield here so shoot me down if needs be - Mitusbishi Grandis... 2.4 auto??
|
|
|
|
|
Would you consider a large estate car? Something like the Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, etc? Big boots, good space inside for 5, decent handling and ride if you avoid the range-topping ones with the low profile tyres. Many come with either 2ltr petrol or diesel engines. A bit more difficult to park if they don't come with sensors, but like all cars, you get used to them. Fair enough if you need a true 7-seater if you need to take both kids and in-laws away for the day/holidays etc. Gone are the days when Granny and Grandad could act as child seats for the little mites as mine did for me and my sister when we were litt'uns!
The problem with older cars is always you don't know how well they've been looked after previously and how they were driven (lots of short trips/thrashed/left standing for 6 months, etc). This is obviously far more of a problem if you buy a diesel than a petrol, especially those with modern 3-lettered acronymn components that cost £££ to repair/replace if previously treated badly or from a make that didn't take reliability that seriously and cut costs in development (no names mentioned).
It may be worth considering a higher mileage newer car that has been regularly serviced at the (hopefully main) dealership selling it.
|
|
Engineer Andy, thanks for your thoughts. I have mentioned the estate route to Mrs FB, it's not a dead duck option. Unfortunately budget is not very flexible. I'd rather go cheaper, keep more in kitty for potential unexpected bills than borrow to spend more, to lose more, with no guarantee of better reliabilty.
|
|
What's a shame is that the Skoda Rapid (just thought of it) might've been a contender if it weren't so new - boot almost as big (550 lts) as the Octavia (both being hatchbacks, not saloons with old-style small-opening boots like my Mazda3's), decent space inside and cheap to buy compared to similar-sized cars. Again, it depends whether you need 5 or 7 seats.
I looked up the 'Cars for Sale' and couldn't get one under £5.5 at a dealer - probably in a couple of years there or a private sale now might get one. Not the best ride or interior quality, but with a low budget you can't expect opulence! Often used as taxis as I recall, so can't be that bad as they always go for value for money and decent amounts of space.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the feedback. HJ rates them but owners reviews here are mixed, What would you buy at this price point instead. I did suggest a Previa/Estima to Mrs FB, didn't go down well.
Previa is big but thirsty. My money would be in a Mazda 5, preferably a petrol 2.0 TS2 which does without the firmer suspension of the Sport. It's bigger than the Toyota Verso but smaller than a Galaxy and drives very well. If this isn't big enough I'd tell everyone else to get the bus.
The 1.8 struggles a bit when loaded up, the 2.0 diesel is basically the same PSA unit as the Galaxy but suffers the same modern diesel maladies and the 1.6 PSA diesel is a costly nightmare waiting to happen. The 2.0 petrol will break 35mpg on a run easy enough and rarely goes wrong. Auto Trader #DrivenByMe
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20160915779...7
Noticed a couple of S-max within budget with the Volvo T5 2.5 under the hood if you want to scare them into taking the bus in the future.
|
|
Antique fairs and buses? Hmmmm.......
Will look at a 5, middle seat of second seat looks narrow.
Grandis, do the seats fold into the floor? If not, that's a no no.
|
How about the previous gen Galaxy with VW's 1.9 PD diesel? You'll get the best of the best for your budget and there's no DPF to worry about or DMF if you buy the auto. Auto Trader #DrivenByMe
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20161118988...9
Auto Trader #DrivenByMe
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20161221076...5
Edited by SLO76 on 06/01/2017 at 11:39
|
|
For sheer space I've always fancied the Berlingo, but avoiding the diesel of doom 1.6 is difficult in any of those vehicles. The Tourneo looks incredibly useful too but again, I presume it's that dreaded 1.6 psa diesel? Tend to agree with Skidpan that its cheaper to hire a big vehicle whenever needed rather than drive one around every day. However a friend of mine drives a crewcab Vauxhall Vivaro/Traffic around and loves it. Might be worth checking out the smaller vans, but doubt you'll find a cherished one.
|
|
bazza, that's the problem with most vans, cars get looked after better, so the dreaded MPV is the favoured vehicle for Mrs FB.
SLO76, has to have seats folding into floor. Taking out 5 seats every time Mrs FB has to go to an antiques fair isn't going to happen. Seats would be taken out of car and put in driveway, no room in garage until stock loaded. Once stock is in car seats would then go in garage. On return the palava would be in reverse.
|
Not sure about the seating but how about a Kia Sedona 2.9 CRDi auto? Late 08 models sneak under the nightmare 225g/km tax band.
Big buses and you'll get one with sensible mileage for your budget. Auto Trader #DrivenByMe
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20161219070...8
|
|
SLO76, I despair!!!!!!
|
SLO76, I despair!!!!!!
Hey, it's a big ask. Pry those purse strings open a bit more and give us a chance!
Edited by SLO76 on 06/01/2017 at 20:14
|
|
SLO76, we have no issue with a KIA, apart from the seats being lift out. Mrs FB was exasperated you suggested it when she could quite clearly see from the advert the seats are lift out, hence the despair. Just spending more money (borrowing for us, not a case of loosening purse strings) is no guarantee of greater reliability. What we do know is it will lose us more money in capital than a cheaper car. We do realise our budget limits us and appreciate everyone's assistance.
Mrs FB has had a succession of Fords ever since she passed her test. Presently a tired petrol Mondeo estate, now approaching 250,000 miles. While our small trailer creates more space Mrs FB really wants to be rid of it to be down to one larger vehicle instead.
|
Fair enough, it's not exactly user friendly having to lift that third row of seats in and out unless they're for occasional use only but I think you're going to have to compromise on something if you want a Galaxy.
If you're limited to £4-£5k I'd forget the autobox and look for a good 1.8 diesel or 2.0 petrol manual and I'd forget the DPF equipped 2.0 diesel despite it being really your only auto option. On a tight budget you want to keep it as simple as possible. If you want an auto you need to spend more or take the risk of a high mileage 2.0 diesel or swallow the £500 road tax and thirst of a 2.3 petrol.
The big Toyota Previa is going to be a costly thing to run, it'll be lucky to get much past 25mpg and while they're pretty bulletproof parts are more costly than the big Ford and the Galaxy is a much nicer thing to drive.
We did look at them before buying the CRV but couldn't get a good deal on one at any Ford dealer we tried same with the Kuga. They were throwing Focus's away but no decent deals on the big stuff.
|
|
We have thought about a C4 Picasso, petrol, manual. Not as big as a Galaxy, but could be large enough. Concerned about reliability. Read the autos can be troublesome hence the thought of manual instead.
|
We have thought about a C4 Picasso, petrol, manual. Not as big as a Galaxy, but could be large enough. Concerned about reliability. Read the autos can be troublesome hence the thought of manual instead.
Wouldn't touch a Citroen with an autobox or one with the notorious 1.6 diesel the bulk of them come with. Petrol engines are ok but If you're prepared to go down in size like that then I'd try a Mazda 5, it'll be a far better bet. Auto Trader #DrivenByMe
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170107109...5
Edited by SLO76 on 08/01/2017 at 12:05
|
Wouldn't touch a Citroen with an autobox or one with the notorious 1.6 diesel the bulk of them come with.
Nor me, 1.6 Diesel of Doom, Sensodrive or whatever its called now automated manual gearbox, and last but not least the utterly pointless electric parking brake, a hat trick indeed.
The EPB they had the good sense to leave off the Berlingo, or at least the last one i drove had rear disc brakes but still had a proper handbrake, no doubt Bromp will know if that's changed...and i bet he didn't go for the auto either..:-)
|
|
Looked at a 5 yesterday, too small. :(
Berlingo is a good shout, Mrs FB will take some persuading on one of those.
|
Looked at a 5 yesterday, too small. :(
Berlingo is a good shout, Mrs FB will take some persuading on one of those.
Do kinda like the Berlingo. Loads of room, rides well, less gadgetry to go wrong and cheap to buy. I've sold a few Mk I's all 1.9 diesels and had not a moments bother from any of them. But petrol is hard work to sell on again despite the reputation the diesels have. My missus just laughed when I suggested one.
Much as I talk Citroen down I did also like the first gen Picasso, I even sourced one for the managements aunt a few years back and aside from a trip computer with a mind of its own it's largely been trouble free and very comfy but later gen has a lot more in the way of electronics to go wrong and the French don't gel well with electricity.
One thing I hate though is the French need to make things difficult. The battery in the MK I for example is located under the front passenger seat and necessitates removal of the b***** chair to replace the battery!!! Something that takes ten mins on other cars is a real pain in the ass on this. Called the local dealer when I couldn't find a lever to lift the seat in order to get at the battery and was told there wasn't one fitted to rhd cars.
Edited by SLO76 on 08/01/2017 at 16:10
|
|
|
Mazda5 is a great car, a family member has a 2.0 ts2 petrol which I often drive however the middle seat is small and uncomfortable. The two back seats are better than most mpvs but a pain to use regularly if people are also using the middle seats. Have you considered alternatives like a box trailer and a Mid sized car? Ssasayong (sp) made some huge and robust mpvs which might be worth looking at it you can find one and can cope with the styling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
