Bit of a dilemma, I need to buy a mini MPV for occasional use of the seven seats, mostly it will be used as a family car. I have looked at the new Vauxhall Zafira, and the VW Touran, are there any others to consider, or does anyone own one of these?
I am looking for one that is about a couple of years old and diesel.
Having looked at nearly every one on the market, changing minds several times, we then bought a seven seater Merc estate. Volvo also did a seven seater 940/850/V70 but you'd only find a diesel V70. Plenty of Mercs about but expensive to fix if it goes wrong (don't even start me off.....).
For an MPV the Zafira is really hard to beat. The diesel is the GM/Fiat 1.9 which is tried and tested and rather good. Just make sure its badged DTi rather than DL or DT as these aren't common rail.
Let me tell you more, my budget is around 10-12K and the real sticking point is I currently run BMW 330d Touring 2002. It is just so hard to change from this to an MPV.
It all started when we had to go out on a Sunday with the Missus and kids, and we get a phonecall from me Mam asking for a weekly lift! A lift that may become more regular. So that is the reason behind the change, a need for occasional space rather than regular use.
I have heard about the 150ps 1.9CDTI Zafira (new shape) and the 140ps 2.0TDI Touran, but there's gonna be quite a step down from the driving experience I'm used to. So that is wher your help would be gratefully received.
Sorry to be so long winded, it's just that you all get a bit of background on the job!
Once again thank you in advance...
MPV... what am I thinking!!!!! Even Compact MPV won't roll off the tongue easily!
Originally posted by MisterSingh: Thanks for the help.
Let me tell you more, my budget is around 10-12K and the real sticking point is I currently run BMW 330d Touring 2002. It is just so hard to change from this to an MPV.
I have heard about the 150ps 1.9CDTI Zafira (new shape) and the 140ps 2.0TDI Touran, but there's gonna be quite a step down from the driving experience I'm used to. So that is wher your help would be gratefully received.
Greetings Mr Singh.
I have a 1.9TDi Touran, and yes it's super practical and the rear seats get used quite a bit, but its also super slow although it does drive well. You'll notice quite a step down in performance from the 330d even to the 2.0TDi, but that will probably be true of most cars after the beemer.
The Zafira is on a par with the Touran but you will struggle to get a new shape 150bhp one for £12k, these things hold their value pretty well and being a relatively new model, there aren't many around.
I would say the VW Touran. It is VERY solidly made, and is available with some pokey engines. Also, the Sport runs on the VW Golf GTI's suspension, so is reasonable in corners.
_________________________ "Forward", he cried, from the rear, and the front rank died. And the General sat, and the lines on the map moved from side to side.
I would keep the BMW and take out the luggage cover so when neccessary you could staple the extra passengers to the boot floor with an insustrial stapler
Just kidding. Isnt it a pain when passengers (who you are doing a favour) get in the way of the car you really want. If i had 12k to spend on a 7 seater I would probably go for a Zafira.
Out of interest, if you didnt sell the BMW how much could you afford to spend? if its only a couple of hundred Montego countryman it is (and a diesel it will be too) and then just use it when absoloutly neccessary and keep the BMW.
You've hit the nail on the head CJM. There should be a passenger tax to discourage SUV-buying. All car passengers must stump up £750 a year for occupying space in a motor car that could otherwise be a small, 2-seater sports model, thus making it unnecessarily heavy and polluting.
_________________________ "Forward", he cried, from the rear, and the front rank died. And the General sat, and the lines on the map moved from side to side.
But get a Peugeot 406 Estate as well. Should be able to get one for £2000 or under. And they sold quite a few in 7 seat form (2 seats in the boot that fold out of the floor, they face rearwards). The 406 was a nice to drive, comfortable interior with a good ride quality. Reliable as well.. or at least they can't be bad, thousands of French taxi drivers can't be wrong.
Only thing about estates with 7 seats is the seats in the boot tend not to be hugely comfortable. Best for children who will enjoy the novelty of looking out of the boot at people on long journeys.
Alternatively if you don't fancy the 406. There are loads of cheap Volvos going around.
Mr Singh, try a 2 year old, low-mileage Grand Voyager. It'll give you alot of the luxuries youre used to in the BMW, and be smooth, quiet and refined too, whilst offering 7 leather seats, automatic transmission & a good quality audio system - the Limited XS version even has a DVD player for the rear.
New theyre £35,000 but the depreciation is horriffic and therefore youll get a 20,000 mile immaculate one from a main Chrysler dealer for around 15,000. Well worth a shot, id say,
volvo 240 seven seater....unburstable, relatively classless and cool....or mark two espace.....both cheap as you like and you get to keep your beloved bmw...
Originally posted by Palmira: Mr Singh, try a 2 year old, low-mileage Grand Voyager. It'll give you alot of the luxuries youre used to in the BMW, and be smooth, quiet and refined too, whilst offering 7 leather seats, automatic transmission & a good quality audio system - the Limited XS version even has a DVD player for the rear.
New theyre £35,000 but the depreciation is horriffic and therefore youll get a 20,000 mile immaculate one from a main Chrysler dealer for around 15,000. Well worth a shot, id say,
Frightful unreliable American tat. Give it a wide berth. It just cost my mate 000's to get his through its first MOT.
Palmy, 15k is 3k over budget, don't you ever read other's posts?
I would not touch the Zafira with a barge pole. Several people here but the new model and it is dire and has the depreciation of a steam engine in free fall. My neighbour has a year old one and he was quoted £4K to change it for new one after a year.
The Chrysler is typical American rubbish and parts can be a nightmare.
If you need six seats go for a Multipla or a Honda FRV. If 5 seats go for a Berlingo or a Skoda Roomster.
Originally posted by Palmira: Mr Singh, try a 2 year old, low-mileage Grand Voyager. It'll give you alot of the luxuries youre used to in the BMW, and be smooth, quiet and refined too, whilst offering 7 leather seats, automatic transmission & a good quality audio system - the Limited XS version even has a DVD player for the rear.
New theyre £35,000 but the depreciation is horriffic and therefore youll get a 20,000 mile immaculate one from a main Chrysler dealer for around 15,000. Well worth a shot, id say,
Frightful unreliable American tat. Give it a wide berth. It just cost my mate 000's to get his through its first MOT.
Palmy, 15k is 3k over budget, don't you ever read other's posts?
This from someone who drives a Touran, probably the most pointless, soulless characterless box on the UK market, and with a tractor engine too?
Im not going to get personal here, but i think the Voyager is a fab vehicle. I had one (53 plate) and it did 154,000 miles & was still excellent. It had 2 parts replaced in that time, a suspension strut and a torque converter which was done under its 3 year unlimited mileage warranty.
Having lived in america and owned american cars, i can vouch most of them are reliable - the american public simply do not put up with unreliable goods or bad service.
Voyager is seen as an upmarket choice and is stylish for an MPV. Ok, so 15,000 is overbudget. In which case buy a 3 year old one for 12,000. Makes no difference.
Why on earth did you not buy a Golf instead of the Touran? They are a glass of water on wheels
to change it for new one after a year.
