A friend is currently in need of a large MPV to replace what has turned out to be a money pit of a Chrysler Grand Voyager. His wife now refuses to drive it (has been left stranded with kids many times) so he has to find something to replace it with before they go on holiday in 2 weeks time.
Budget is limited to 5-6K so I sugested Hyundai Trajet. Found a local one - 2006 with 68K and a full History so still has balance of 5 year warranty til Aug 2011. Its a 2.0 CRDi Auto. Has leather and DVD screen to keep kids happy. Its up at 6.5K.
Given their run of bad luck they are keen on the balance of warranty, but are very dissinterested in cars so have asked me to assist. Is this a reasonable buy? When is cambelt change due - thinking of haggling oportunities here.
Is there anything else I could suggest as a suitable replacement for a grand voyager?
|
FiL has a 2004 diesel manual. He's done 90k+in it. Reasonably reliable, although it did need a complete gearbox rebuild last year (done under warranty). Sorry I don't know the cambelt change interval.
He describes it as unable to pull the skin of a rice pudding, I would describe it as adequate, although when he tows with it he is slowing down up all the hills. I can only imagine that the auto with this engine would sap even more power and therefore be a bit of a sluggard.
It fits 7, but annoyingly the legroom is quite limited in the middle row even with the seats pushed right back because the front seats are very heavily padded bulky armchair jobs.
It rides reasonably well and is OK refinement wise. It does feel cheap inside though.
He has had no issues with warranty claims, but does find servicing and parts very expensive...and you really need to keep up the service history with Hyundai to guarantee the warranty will be honoured without difficulties. He's done things like brake discs himself such has been the high parts cost.
FWIW, I think 6.5k is quite a lot, given that in 2004 you could buy the manual diesel for just over 13k brand new from Drive the Deal.
|
FWIW I think 6.5k is quite a lot given that in 2004 you could buy the manual diesel for just over 13k brand new from Drive the Deal.
>>
ANYTHING, cars or otherwise, that are advertised are too dear, given the current climate. I have acquaintances now trying to convince me that things have turned for the better re:- housing and I have other contacts, who like me, think that there is a further slide to come.
just a view.............MD
|
|
|
