Another recommend me a car thread - MPV

[TamSV]

It's time to get Mrs T a new car. I have less than no interest in the things and the thought of trailing round garages looking at them horrifies me more than I can say. Even worse, it probably needs to be an MPV so it's at the most dull end of boring.

So why don't you lot tell me what's good and I'll just go and buy one?

The main requirement is we need to get 4 kids in it. Two in forward facing baby seats and two in booster seats. The only adult in the car will likely be the driver so we can put one in the front passenger seat but you really need 3 proper seats in the back to get 3 car seats in so most family cars are out.

It also needs a decent sized boot to get a double buggy in.

Max budget is £8-9k.

Economy and reliability will score higher than driving thrills.

The only idea I had that vaguely interested me was a Land Rover Discovery but that has been rejected out of hand.

All other recommendations appreciated.

[Mark_h]

We've got an old Renault Scenic. It's like the tardis. 4x car seats + driver + boot and they are cheap as chips. Made of plastic and tin-foil but good n-cap ratings etc. Just keep some spare ignition coils in one of the many storage pockets.

Look for individually adjustable rear seats then you can stagger the rears which makes multiple car seats easier. Be wary of rear-facing 7 seaters as not only do you loose boot space for buggies etc but I'm not sure the n-cap extends into the boot based seats.

[Bibio]

i have a ford grand c-max with a family pack and its great at what i does. very roomy with a huge boot can be quickly turned into a 7 seater. only downside to the one i have is the engine which is a 1.6 petrol and only gets 30mpg but i have heard the diesel is much better.

lovely to drive and munches up miles with ease.

[maviczap]

I like my Zafira for its practicality, but less for its build quality, super big boot and genius rear seats that fold completely flat, to convert it from 7 seater to 5. Big access to rear seats, makes buckling little ones in a doddle.

I wouldn't buy a diesel again, to many problems with the EGR valve and unlike the petrol ones it can't be blanked off, maybe the new ones are better.

I'd like to try a Mazda 8, again a petrol model, as my boss had a diesel mazda and no end of problems doing short journey's messing up the electronic engine management sensors

[Tomor]

We have an S-MAX, Very roomy, can move the rear seats back and forward. Canto comment on the ability to take car seats as we dont have any Diesel give good MPG and very easy to get in and drive long distances (easy 300 miles without a stop)

[widepants]

watch out for the 06 to 61 plate Zafira .The A pillar is so massive it makes a brilliant blind spot for you.I found myself leaning across the passengar seat to see the roads on long right handers

[yorkie_chris]

Scabby old vito travelliner or transit 7 seater

Reliability, nah, economy, LOL, however it's easy to whip the seats out to go to trackdays with the bike in back...

Originally Posted by Mark_h

but I'm not sure the n-cap extends into the boot based seats.

He didn't say whose kids they are...

VW T4

[TamSV]

A trackday van eh? Now I'm getting interested.

Mrs TamSV is a registered childminder so not all the kids are ours. However, according to our H&S policy, none of them are expendable.

My mum got a VW touran= absoulute beast but doesnt last long . Spent £4000 on new things . And other parts keep going . ****e engine . Too expensive . On other hand my uncle has a ford connect high roof with extra seats . Very fast with remapp. He been to france and lot says its brill on fuel and everything . All my family moving to fords as parts are cheaper + won van of year for like 7 years running. And better quality now. Very cheap.