Which MPV to choose

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

QUOTE

just look a bit odd  

= ugly  

[Keith Scarfe]

Just thought I'd add one not mentioned. When we needed to get a family car I went for a Merc B class. Not sure (doubt) you would get 3 seats in but might at a squeeze. I was really reluctant to get people (baby) carrier - I wanted to keep baby seat in Type R - Ok for a while but not for long term. Hated the usual ones mentioned above so went for the Merc. Missus agreed with me (this car was her choice) and loved B class it for looks. It is a bit more expensive than those above but really is a great car.

[Boxerman33]

X trail was good - I've had 5 or 6 but to be fair they were all company cars and I only have them for 6 months at a time. However I did have a choice and kept going back to them. If I was to buy my own I'd go for something 2004 / 2005 or so but top of the range with leather and sat nav. 2.2DCi is good, and more efficient than the new 2.0 engines they now use. Wipe clean seats - kid friendly. The load space is great and the back seats fold flat to form a plastic floor  - huge space. MPG is of course not as good as a car - probably mid 30's - 40 if you molly coddle it I expect. They're fairly quiet, and make good tow cars if you ever need to drag the kits around.

I'm not aware of any issues with them - they're very reliable. Point of interest - Cashcow and new x-Trail are on the same platform, although you'd find the new x-rail much bigger and more thirsty.

The new engine is far superior to the old 2.2DCi, more powerful and more economical, also the 2.2 has had major turbo failure issues, check out the Nissan forums  

I have the current X-Trail and think you may find the space in the back tight for 3 child seats, the Quashqai +2 may be worth a look though.

I recently sourced a Mazda 5 for my brothers family, excellent MPV and the sliding doors are a real godsend in carparks or in the City (he lives in London). Looks quite good in sports spec too

[Captain Colonial]

thanks guys - keep them thoughts coming - I am defo all ears on this one

I am sorry Cleggy, but that would be in violation of accepted forum protocol.

Standard WSCC forum protocol states that anyone who wants recommendations on tin tops will start a thread with a list of possible choices saying they are open-minded on choice, start a heated debate as to which vehicle will be most suitable, and then completely ignore said recommendations and buy something else; or name a vehicle they want, watch everyone say how rubbish they are, and then buy it anyway.

I'm sure a chairman will come along shortly and confirm this to you, quoting chapter and verse from the rulebook.

You might as well just tell us your preferred choice and that you put a deposit on it already.  

[Vice Chairman]

thanks guys - keep them thoughts coming - I am defo all ears on this one

I am sorry Cleggy, but that would be in violation of accepted forum protocol.

I'm sure a chairman will come along shortly and confirm this to you, quoting chapter and verse from the rulebook.

Actually - Nope

Carry on - I am enjoying this thread - it is promoting some worthy debate to help a member decide on a car for his family:p

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

What about a Galaxy TDCi ?

[Nomexnomad]

Cleggy, sorry to here about the C8.. I know you said its a bit out of your range but we have an S-Max Titanium and its very good, all seats are independent iosfix everywhere, multiple configs, storage under seats, floor and boot, electric everything (maybe a negative it does make you lazy..."come on lights come on its getting dark!!")

I managed to get hold of an 08 plate when it was a year old for £14999 with 22,000 which considering there about 22k new (minus the options mine has) its a hell of a saving, and lets face it the kids are gonna destroy it anyway!

The motor should be good for 300k too

[RichP]

X trail was good - I've had 5 or 6 but to be fair they were all company cars and I only have them for 6 months at a time. However I did have a choice and kept going back to them. If I was to buy my own I'd go for something 2004 / 2005 or so but top of the range with leather and sat nav. 2.2DCi is good, and more efficient than the new 2.0 engines they now use. Wipe clean seats - kid friendly. The load space is great and the back seats fold flat to form a plastic floor  - huge space. MPG is of course not as good as a car - probably mid 30's - 40 if you molly coddle it I expect. They're fairly quiet, and make good tow cars if you ever need to drag the kits around.

I'm not aware of any issues with them - they're very reliable. Point of interest - Cashcow and new x-Trail are on the same platform, although you'd find the new x-rail much bigger and more thirsty.

The new engine is far superior to the old 2.2DCi, more powerful and more economical, also the 2.2 has had major turbo failure issues, check out the Nissan forums <!--emo&  

I have the current X-Trail and think you may find the space in the back tight for 3 child seats, the Quashqai +2 may be worth a look though.

I recently sourced a Mazda 5 for my brothers family, excellent MPV and the sliding doors are a real godsend in carparks or in the City (he lives in London). Looks quite good in sports spec too

The Qashqai +2 's not been out long and will be well out of Cleggy's budget.

You're correct with respect to what the pieces of paper say about the 2.0 vs 2.2 DCi engines, but IMHO the real life experience does not always follow suit.

There were apparently turbo issues with the 2.2 in the Primera a few years back, but I think the X-Trail faired better. I'd be fairly confident that a car within budget (ie a few years old) would have already had this issue resolved under warranty if it had become a problem.

Claggy - how about a Volvo V70 estate with the extra 2 seats in the boot? Quiet, comfortable, D5 economy is pretty good. Not sure about servicing etc.

[Boxerman33]

Have you considered leasing, just leased a brand new Quashqai for the missus for £159 + VAT/month, the +2 version can be had for a tenner more. When you look at the 3 year depreciation even on a 2nd hand £10K car you'd be hard pushed to be better off buying.

[carpetstu]

What about a Galaxy TDCi ?

I hired one recently and was a superb drive and really economical too.

It would defiantly be one I was looking at if I wanted a mini bus  

2006 - 2007 models going for around 10k with fmsh and reasonable mileage.

[Buzz Billsberry]

For Me  Zafira Honda CRV. They're not pretty but I know 4 poeple with Zafira and a 5 people with CRV and they swear by them always have good re-sales values and at least with the Zafira you can GSi it wilth wheels and a body kit so you don't look a complete 'lost the will to live,married with kids and I don't care about my appearence,by all my clothes from asda' type person...

Buzz

[carpetstu]

so you don't look a complete 'lost the will to live,married with kids and I don't care about my appearence,by all my clothes from asda' type person...

Buzz

           

You owe me a new keyboard Buzz.    

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

had a look at a few earlier

X-trail is out - not big enough

Verso looks ok

CRV was always in the running as I have borrowed one over the last few weeks and does most things we need - apart from the very stupid side pivotting rear door

Mazda 5 - the one I looked at did not have three proper seats in the rear so unless that is an option this vehicle is out

Cashcow plus 2 is to much dosh

SMax and Galaxy I think the mileage and age for the price might be an issue - I will investigate

Thanks folks - keep them ideas rolling in  

[RichP]

Make up the price vs budget shortfall by selling tickets

[Flappa]

I swaped onto car allowance scheme at work earlier this year and had a real struggle to settle on a car I liked. In the end I bought a Zafira 1.9 TDi (150) Auto (with tiptronic) in the 'Design' spec from Motorpoint in Derby. Exactly 1 year old with 15K miles for £10.5K. Driven it for about 7 mths and 10K miles and really like it.

Servicing costs are reasonable, spares are easily available at reasonable money and it averages around 42mpg.

Nuff said