I think that some manufacturers actually sell an insert for the boot which levels the floor - you will need to check the accessories guides...
Or, as said by OS, buy an older hatch where they had a decent designer in charge... my old Maxi has a flat loading bay which is also square and not covered in curves like the new stuff!!
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One other thing to bear in mind that if you choose to raise the floor as opposed to looking for a car with a lower lip is that the loading height will be higher... and lifting heavy loads even higher is not a good thing...
Edited by b308 on 08/06/2009 at 20:00
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and lifting heavy loads even higher is not a good thing...
>>
Lifting the stuff higher is infinitely better for me. Straight lift to an upright position then place in front and down taking all the work on the arms. The half lift leaves me crippled.
MD
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Fairenoughski Martin. Being that bit younger I haven't yet encountered that problem...
I find estates easier to load than taller vehicles for what it's worth.
( only kidding on the age thing, I seem to remember from previous posts that we are about the same model year ! )
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Or as said by OS buy an older hatch where they had a decent designer in charge... my old Maxi has a flat loading bay which is also square and not covered in curves like the new stuff!!
But how many NCAP stars does it have? If I had to get rear ended I would rather be in a modern car.
Edited by Old Navy on 08/06/2009 at 20:08
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Most estates aren't really that much longer than the hatch version. SWMBO loves estates and they are no more difficult to park.
Try the Fiat Croma as a cross between hatch and estate. Not many around and cheap as chips.
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Most estates aren't really that much longer than the hatch version. SWMBO loves estates and they are no more difficult to park.
In most cases they are easier, since you actually have less of an overhang at the back so can judge distances better. But you can always fit reversing sensors if you really can't judge distance.
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I find my estate much,much easier to reverse than my hatch.Much better visibility both at rear and sides.
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Most estates aren't really that much longer than the hatch version. SWMBO loves estates and they are no more difficult to park.
Easier I think as the window gives a better indication as to bumper position. Modern Saloons and Hatches are a nightmare.
MD
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But how many NCAP stars does it have?
It was a joke, ON! ;)
But the fact that we are even having this discussion proves just how badly cars are designed these days... I'm sure they could have come up with a flat hatch and kept it "styled" if they wanted to.
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So was mine b308, Maxis and NCAP dont compute, but is good design a flat floor or a protective steel reinforcment across the back of the car?
Edited by Old Navy on 09/06/2009 at 10:07
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No reason you cant do that and have a flat floor - most cars only have the same set up as the maxi but the floor on newer ones is lower - the strength is in the beam across the back and along the sides and then across the back of the back seats - any strength in the floor would be by way of "ribs" which wouldn't affect the floor being flat to the opening?
Edited by b308 on 09/06/2009 at 10:10
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You beat me to the edit, I was going to add that estates dont have a lip, but is there a test of their safety?
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As far as I know, yes... just thinking about it, does the Meriva or Zafira have a lip? I suspect if they do that one of the mini or ordinary sized MPVs (the car-based ones) probably suit the OP?!
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I'm pretty sure my Picasso had a flat loading area.
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Zafiras do not have a lip, same for Espace and Megan estate and Escort Estate. I think Jag do an insert for the saloon boot. But I think I would prefer to just buy the estate version everytime.
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Why, BB? The only advantage I can see for the estate over the MPV is fuel economy when driving fast... other than that many MPVs have much greater flexibility in the back and just as much space... After getting my Roomster, I'd take it any day over the estate versions of any supermini, and that was after 7 years of very satisfied Fabia Estate ownership...
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Not sure what you mean about "flexibility". A 5-seat MPV can still only carry 5 which ever way you cut it. And often the estate versions actually have longer boot length. I actually menat get an estate over a standard hatch which is what the OP was asking (flat load car).
I'm still struggling to see the appeal of a 5-seat MPV over a hatch/estate.
Now 7 seats is a whole new ball game and I love my Espace to bits.
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I'm still struggling to see the appeal of a 5-seat MPV over a hatch/estate. Now 7 seats is a whole new ball game and I love my Espace to bits.
See your point re estate over hatch and agree...
Re the above, most estates have "fixed" seats which although they can be folded, in most cases they don't come out, the first Fabia I had they did, but the last one they didn't (even though it was just the last of line version!). The Mini MPVs normally have removeable seats and a slightly higher roofline, whilst still having the length so gaining the appeal to those who need it... I know that I'd now pick the Roomie over the other supermini Estates, though I have to live with the looks! The best part with these cars (estates or mini-mpvs) is that they give you far more luggage space than the conventional supermini hatches (and most hatches in the next size up) but with only a slight increase in length over the hatch they are based on...
Surely the same could be said about why people like you buy the bigger MPVs as opposed to conventional estates?
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Octavia hatch with variable boot floor.
Dealer initially said it didn't exist for the saloon, then I told him which page of the accessories brochure to look at.
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b308
at the risk of deviation from OP...
I can see your point in having a huge boot if you need it. IMHO I have rarely seen such boots full. Indeed they are difficult to fill above the glass line as the loading gets heavy on lower down items and it becomes unstable. There is also potentailly a lot of stuff to fall ontop of rear seat passengers. I have used a dog gate in an estate Escort to ensure nothing comes forward and now have luggage nets in the Espace and Megan when carrying lots of stuff.
I went for larger MPV as we foster kids, so need 5 seats in the back (2 of our own and 3 extras from time to time). As my eldest is 15 we moved from Zafira to Espace to give everyone just a bit extra space, and the Grande version means we can still pack enough for a weeks holiday too.
Comparing the Zafira to say and Astra estate I bet the astra has more usuable loading space, although possibly slightly less cubic feet overall. Seats don't come out in either Zaffy or Astra, and both fold flat.
Hope that helps
BB
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Hi BB... in my case I needed a large boot but within a small overall area... the Roomster has a max of 535l below the window line which is also lower than the seat backs, I have to say that I looked at the Supermini Estates and also a C'eed estate (just in case it would fit in the garage - it wouldn't!) and the Roomster won all round on flexibility... and we do need the space! But I have to say that I was only looking at five seaters...
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