Anyone offer advice on a comfortable midi-MPV?
I need to get a car with three proper seats in the back (three point seatbelts) and more head / legroom. I'm 6'3" and am finding that since testing some of the midi-MPVs, I feel like I'm sat on the floor, squashing my back when I sit in a normal car.
Coming from a SAAB 9000, and with a heavy-handed wife, I'm looking for something solid and reliable but not too big (not ready to pilot an Espace yet).
Auto preferred, cruise control a real bonus (considering afterfit)
Currently looked at:
Scenic (no support from seat, flimsy bits)
Picasso (had one on holiday, developed pathological hate of pillars after taking the windy road from Pollensa to Soller, Majorca)
Toyota Picnic (too old, back seat not suitable for sitting on)
Toyota Corolla Verso (ideal, boot a bit small, too expensive)
Zafira (utilitarian, good seats, no 3-point on back seat centre - why?)
Almera Tino - current favourite, not too exciting though
The above represent my opinions and I apoligise if I offend anyone with them - I am open to suggestions if you disagree.
Any comments gratefully received.
Thanks again, Nigel.
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If you need 7 seats all with 3 point seat belts, then the Zafira does let itself down. However, why not ignore the centre of the middle row and use the (often) under used 2 rear seats which do have 3 point belts?
This is far more comfy as I always think the centre of 3 gets little space and comfort.
Don't Toyota now have an Avensis Verso to replace the aging Picnic? I don't know what it is like but an enquiry might be worth while.
Alternatively, how about the bigger of the two Rav4 models?
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Thanks for the replies.
Have dismissed the Premacy as it doesn't get rated too well and I found Mazda / Honda a bit light on the steering.
I need 5 seats with 3-point belts.
Avensis Verso is probably a bit too expensive and Rav4 a little too Rav for me.
Now considering purchasing a Scenic and getting the seat re-upholstered to my taste.
I need an auto, and wanted to go 'nearly new' but am finding that it's only about 1k difference to go new... (no imports, btw)
Again, comments recommended.
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"Have dismissed the Premacy as it doesn't get rated too well"
Interesting.
In this year's J D Power survey, it rates second to Toyota Picnic in MPV category.
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Thanks for the advice, John. I'll take it.
Any suggestions on a good auto in this region - should I plum for a Tino (if I can get one) or a Zafira?
Also, what about buying imports? The Tino is available at about 4k less (12,500 instead of 16,500) as an import or a 2 year old one has been offered a lot less. Would you bother, or is this more trouble than its worth?
Cheers
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If you want to import, go for the Zafira which is badged as an Opel. You can pay a little extra, approx £200 for Vauxhall badges although I know of one Euro dealer who will do this for free.
I've an imported Opel Zafira and compared it to my brothers Vauxhall model. Inside the drivers door pillar is a vin plate and both say manufacturer OPEL.
Have to disagree with HJ re Nissans. You can contact Nissan Customer Services \ Warranty Dept and ask them to include your imported Nissan's details on their database for no charge. No UK Nissan dealer should charge you for this as the vehicle has a pan Euro warranty. Would they expect a Nissan driver holidaying here from say Holland to pay up before any warranty repairs were carried out? (Probably would knowing our car trade!)
I've heard some Nissan dealers in the Midlands are charging £50 to register for warranty work. I think this is dubious and possibly illegal and suggest anyone asked to pay this informs the dealer they will report it to Trading Standards and the EU by contacting Lazaros.Tsoraklidis@cec.eu.int who is responsible for anti competitive practices re cars.
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HJ, I have been importing cars through my own company for a little while now. Many, many other people have imported cars themselves, via agents or big importing companies from EU dealers. I have never once heard of a new genuine EU certified car that has not;
got a certificate of conformity
has not got a proven date of first purchase
has not been pdi'd by the franchised Euro dealer.
If the car has been imported from outside the EU, then it will not have a CoC etc in which case as you say different rules apply.
However, we both know this is not the scenario we are talking about. UK nissan dealers are acting illegally (imho) by requiring a fee (often £50) to register an EU imported nissan for warranty repair. The pan European warranty removes the need to register any vehicle with the dealer for warranty work but it is suggested this is done to try and prevent sharp practices by UK dealers if one has an import.
What would we say if holidaying abroad with a UK sourced car within warranty which required a repair and the 'foreign' franchise dealer said 'pay £50 or equivalent in euros to validate the warranty, then I'll repair your car FOC'?
I know what everyone's reaction would be.
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Well, after a long hard look, including a drive of an Automatic Tino, we tried a T-reg Mercedes C200 Estate Auto.
What a glorious difference for the money. I know it's smaller, but it's comfortable, it goes and we can always hire a van if we need it.
Any comments on this one? May go back and buy it tomorrow.
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