- This topic has 71 replies, 36 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by hammyuk.
-
7 seaters …
-
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years ago
Firstly apologies to all of you who answered my what estate thread a few months ago as I did stuff all about it.
As it turns out that looks to have been a good thing. For some domestic reasons relating to an elderly and immobile relative we have decided we ought to be getting an MPV or similar.
What I need…
Ability to carry 3 adults including driver (one of the passengers is very immobile and inflexible) and 2 children who are still in bulky car seats comfortably including longer journies with one or both children (6&4) in the rear most seats. (These don’t fit together in a mk3 Mondeo comfortably so big estate is not an option here).
I’d like sliding doors at the back ideally.
I’d like to drop row 3 of seats flat into the floor for 90% of my mileage and putting bikes in the back (but they would get used weekly).
I’d like to be able to fold/drop seats to wedge a bike in diagonally when it’s just me.
The access to front passenger and/or mid row outer seat needs to be good with not too big a step up/not too high seat.
I’m going to be doing 15000 or so miles in it a year so no rattly cans.
My philosophy here is if it’s going to be dull to be drive is going to need to be refined and practical as possible.
Inspire me as to what to look at for a head over heart solution.
CaptainFlashheartFree MemberPosted 7 years agoMy sister has just picked up a Citroën SnoozeFest* that fits the bill, bar the sliding doors. Seems pretty well put together, but being French, the satnav is wobbly at best, and it’s hardly an interesting place to be.
*C4 Picasso.
nuttysquirrelFree MemberPosted 7 years agoIf you haven’t already, try driving a plush Vito or Viano – I think you’d be surprised how un-van like they can be. Mine’s tuned and quick too and honestly feels more like a car (and mine’s a shabby 2011 Kombi type too with only six seats).
Otherwise I was impressed with Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen van derivatives. Big and practical.
nuttysquirrelFree MemberPosted 7 years agoOh and the Vito is rear wheel drive, which can be fun if you put rubbish tyres on (albeit predictable still)
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoCfh thanks.
Is the rear row in those decently usable on a long (3hour+) journey?
I’m reconciled to it being dull. It’s to improve an ageing relative’s quality of life and in particular so they can spend more time with their grandchildren and we can take them to visit their extended family 3 hours away/take them away with us without ending up in two cars or being split in half as a family.
TreksterFull MemberPosted 7 years agoTouran…..
Owned one for 5 yrs and 75k most. 2ltr/140 diesel can be fun to chuck around(some on here may not agree)
Used for biking, could get 3 bikes inside with everyone’s gear. Used to ferry 4 grandkids around. Used for caravan towing. If and when MrsT feels like downsizing from our Sorrento we are likely to get another 😆 She has arthritis btw and we are unlikely to return to a “normal” car due to her mobility issues.
Big brother, the Sharan or the Seat version?matt_outandaboutFull MemberPosted 7 years agoSliding doors and full size 7 seater? Seat/Vw shalambra….
Fwiw, I have liked the move from Touran to Galaxy. Outrageous amounts of leg room and storage, comfy, cruises the miles on motorway and a peasant enough place to be. Ours is the bigger engine (it wheezes with the 1.8, the 2.0 has been great to have when loaded up with kids, canoes and bikes). Ours is also Ghia/Titanium spec so also has nice toys and seats.
The extra space over a compact 7seater is all in the rear – legroom in rows 2+3, boot is 50cm longer than the Touran.
We have done near 50k miles in ours in two years, now at 120k overall. So far it’s cost a wheel bearing and new thermostat, over tyres and servicing. It had just had clutch and exhaust when we bought it.nuttysquirrelFree MemberPosted 7 years agoThe seats are great. I was riding in some taxi Vitos and Vianos too in Madeira and they are so comfortable like mine but obviously much plusher overall. We’ve travelled across Europe in ours and I’ve done it in a oner from Central Scotland through Britain to East Switzerland. It wasn’t much less comfortable than a very comfortable Volvo.
CaptainFlashheartFree MemberPosted 7 years agoIs the rear row in those decently usable on a long (3hour+) journey?
Depends on the size of the passenger. They’re not as good as the ones in the boot of a XC90, but better than those in a Nissan X-Trail or Discovery Sport for example.
(Looked at a lot of different 7 seaters reasonably recently! Bought a XC90. Would be ideal for your needs, bar the height is 3. The Citroën is nice and low. )
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoSorry budget £10-14k preferably lower half of that.
Vans almost certainly not an option.
1. Work probably won’t be happy (needs to be used for client meetings/professional business travel)
2. Most I’ve driven are a big climb up into the body that my relative probably won’t manage.
3. Economy and refinement are never as good in a van and my suspicion is they aren’t designed to the same level of occupant safety
4. Speed limits – I stick to the limits so losing 10mph all over the place is a pain in the arse on long dual carriageway trips (and I do a lot of them)daviekFull MemberPosted 7 years agoWe have had a VW Sharan for the past 4 years due to adding hooligan number 4 to the family and I really like it for what can only be described as a bus. You can get 3 big and bulky kids seats in the middle row which isn’t possible in lots of other mpvs that we tried at the time of buying, although you only want 2 its more an indication of size.
When I have to drive somewhere with my bike I fold down one of the middle row of seats and remove the bikes front wheel and it goes in vertically no problem and the daughters 20″ islabike fits in without dropping any of the middle seats.
The seats are quite high up but only you can be the judge of what’s too high and I couldn’t live without sliding rear doors anymore!
Worth a look I’d saymatt_outandaboutFull MemberPosted 7 years agoIs the rear row in those decently usable on a long (3hour+) journey
In a full size Alhambra/sharah/Galaxy they are nearly full size seats, and when you pop middle row forward a click or two, more legroom in rear row than Touran/Zafira\C4 Middle row….
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoI didn’t know the big VAG ones had gone sliding door. Bet they’re out of budget but will check them out.
If I could get everything into a touran sized thing properly that could be tempting for running cost but worry a bit cramped out back.
Anyone had a Zafira tourer?
My instincts if there’s any uncertainty is towards go big over small and use it as a van that’s not a van much of the time.
dantsw13Full MemberPosted 7 years agoI have a 7 seater 4×4, but if old infirm passengers will be regular, they can be high to climb into. Other than that, my Volvo XC90 would be great.
plumslikerocksFree MemberPosted 7 years ago3rd row of seats in a Mazda 5 aren’t a bad size for kids. Bugger all boot space with them up though. You do get sliding doors….
plumslikerocksFree MemberPosted 7 years agoAnd the Mazda is actually ok to drive, too. You’d get latest shape for your budget too.
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoThanks all I see hours and hours of auto trader trawling in my future….
Anything else greatly received. 😀
funkrodentFull MemberPosted 7 years agoSteer clear of the Zafira. End of.
If you’re going down the people carrier route it’s worth going big. The Galaxy is a superb motor. Drives like a car, is only a tiny bit longer than a Mondeo estate and I’ve sat comfortably in the rearmost seats (I’m 6’4″). Would recommend one without hesitation and will almost certainly be getting my second one soon. The Sharan/Alhambra is meant to be great as well. If I remember correctly the newer models have an integrated child booster seat in the back. I’d avoid French because… why take the risk..
kimbersFull MemberPosted 7 years agoGot one of the pre tourer zafiras on the 10 grand deal
It’s been absolutely fine, no sliding door but 2 years and it’s still been problem keen free, it’s not exactly exciting and the rear seats are only OK for short legs on long journeys, but it’s been great value, highly functional (is a great bike wagon too).
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoSteer clear of the Zafira. End of.
Including the new type ? I had a brief ride in one and it seemed quite nice as a passenger (but it was literally days old and ultra high specced).
hammyukFree MemberPosted 7 years agoCaddy Maxi Life ticks every box.
7 full size seats, twin sliding doors, estate car drive, available in DSG,
Big boot – even bigger with the rear bench slid out in one.
Floor pan is low too so no awkward step up.
There’s pics of mine on a for sale thread somewhere.
Provisionally sold atm BUT I’ve yet to be paid so …SuiFree MemberPosted 7 years agoI was in a uber plush Vito a few weeks back, was very impressed with how it drove and the interior was lovely and very quite! LOADS of room, and for an immobile relative probably the only real answer i would say.
SundayjumperFull MemberPosted 7 years ago“2. Most I’ve driven are a big climb up into the body that my relative probably won’t manage.
3. Economy and refinement are never as good in a van and my suspicion is they aren’t designed to the same level of occupant safety
4. Speed limits – I stick to the limits so losing 10mph all over the place is a pain in the arse on long dual carriageway trips (and I do a lot of them)“3 – My ancient T4 does 45mpg, probably not as good as an estate, but better than an SUV.
4- That only applies to vans, a minibus (Caravelle, Viano) has the same speed limits as a car.2 – I once had a Frontera, with a 2″ lift and large tyres. When giving my wife’s great aunt a lift one time we had to fetch her a step to get in & out 😀
khaniFree MemberPosted 7 years agoThe new Doblo looks ok, comes in a seven seat version and easy to get in and out of, you just step in rather than stepping up or dropping down, the rear sliding doors are huge and leave a wide opening, we’ve got the earlier version and our elderly relatives don’t have any problems getting in and out even with mobility issues, and when the seats are down its huge,
You’d probably get a new one with seven seats for 14k if you look around and haggle..oldmanmtbFree MemberPosted 7 years agoLast of the mitsubushi grandis with the VAG diesal, bullet proof and drive really well suprising boot space with all seats in place (really a six seater) has proper seats in third row – stopped making them in 2010
daheddFree MemberPosted 7 years agoI’d definitely recommend the new Zafira Tourer. We had a 2litre diesel SRI version, lovely car, great for kids & bikes. Had no issues driving from Morayshire all the way to the south of France. 2 adults, 1 6ft tall teen & 2 youngsters. Handled itself very well, pretty nippy too.
I say we had one because it got written off after some dumb Bint on a motorbike came round a corner on the wrong side of the road & went head first into it. Safety features worked a treat.
Now driving a Ford Galaxy. Huge wagon. So much room it’s just daft. Slower,automatic & more boring to drive but it was cheaper & the wife loves it. Note that the Galaxies usually cheaper than the S Max even though it’s bigger. It’s not as fashionable apparently.
Avoid at all costs a Picasso. 2 folk I know have them & can’t wait to bin them. Constant electrical issues.
LadyGresleyFree MemberPosted 7 years agoAnother vote for the VW Caddy Maxi – my 95 year old mum can get in it, and it’s got loads of space.
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoZafira tourer is out I think. We won’t get a walker or wheel chair in the boot with row 3 in place so best guess means no Mazda 5, Touran or other mid size. Also how close are those rear seats to the rear window??? How the heck would any one survive even a modest rear ending?
The Caddy Maxi wasnt something i had thought of. The taxi one I went in a while back was a bit of a nail. It seems to tick all the relative lugging boxes but based on limited passenger experience of them my concern would be it’s still ultimately a van mechanically and structurally. Maybe I need to go and try one but my fear is it would suck at the waft along in tranquility at 50-70 that is 80% of my driving. It has to do this sort of thing well as I can spend six hours+ on the road for work in a day. I’m prepared to be convinced otherwise so try if you like!
My experience of the Caravelle (dads 2004 one) is despite all its fanciness it still doesn’t do refinement anywhere near equivalent to a vehicle designed as a car from the ground up (my Mondeo is older with twice the mileage and it’s still smoother and more comfy). I find it hard to believe a caddy would bridge that gap better. But I’m prepared to find otherwise.
What’s the floor height like in a Viano (I agree with whoever posted above it does seem pretty close to car refinement on taxi passenger experience anyway)? Big step up?
porter_jamieFull MemberPosted 7 years agoi have a viano which has 7 seats. its a 3.0 auto and is so much better than the t4 it replaced its not even funny. it’s so quiet and refined. i dont think its a big step up at all, its nothing like a transit for example. vitos and viano are 100% twin side loading doors. the beauty of the viano is i can fit the second rowforwards or backwards as per a taxi – this makes getting in much much easier, so at least you can try either. if you are local to essex feel free to come and try mine
porter_jamieFull MemberPosted 7 years agooh, and 50 to 70 mph wafting is exactly the sweet spot for my viano.
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years ago^^^ thanks for the offer but we’re in Hampshire. I hadn’t thought about the taxi layout. That might bee good. Exit stage left to auto trader.. .
PePPeRFull MemberPosted 7 years agoKia Sedonas are great old vans, the later 2.2 is a much more economical engine, but the 2.9 is grunty and effortless.
ScamperFree MemberPosted 7 years agoHaving looked into this in great length myself, go for maximum fire power on the size front, if it’s a proper car you want. Forget your S Max or C4 Picasso. Or touran. Even the latest Galaxy I think has been downsized. The Seat Alhambra will have both kids and the 3rd adult in the second row comfortably. Not quite as good to drive as an s max in terms of feeling like a small car or going round corners, but is still very refined with the best version of the VAG 2.0 I’ve driven yet. Build quality is leagues ahead of my previous Passat. Only down sides is fuel economy could be better and the poor turning circle.
SundayjumperFull MemberPosted 7 years agoYou seem to be looking for a car that is the size of a van (full 7 seater + boot space for a wheel chair etc), while still being a car just like your Mondeo.
This might be tricky.
hammyukFree MemberPosted 7 years agoThe Caddy will sit at 75, give 45+ with the cruise on and be under 3k rpm
It is seamless with the DSG fitted.
OP – whereabouts are you?
Welcome to try mine if only to see if it suitsgarage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoYou seem to be looking for a car that is the size of a van (full 7 seater + boot space for a wheel chair etc), while still being a car just like your Mondeo
To clarify because I know what you’re getting at…
I don’t care if it’s the SIZE of a van and I don’t care if it’s not as sharp to drive as a car.
I do care if it has terrible road and engine noise and slams and bangs about like a lightly loaded panel van because I still have to do 15000 miles on it a year on my own.
If anyone knows where I could all the moon’s of Jupiter on a stick that’d be cool too. 😆
garage-dwellerFull MemberPosted 7 years agoToo late to edit above.
My wife would have preferred a mid size if feasible. Personally I’m happy with the extra size of a Galaxy sized thing but I would have happily shrunk a little from that if it would have done the job.
I think I do need to look at the Caddy because it seems so good on the practical level.
The topic ‘7 seaters …’ is closed to new replies.
