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Saved for a van but my daughter has just got a 85% scholarship to a private school to do her A levels. Thats knocked 6k out of the pot. I don't want to dip into other savings or get a loan so...Large car for family of 5 with always piles of stuff, 7Kish. Currently thinking s max? Nothing fills me with much enthusiasm as I was looking forward to a bit of van life again.
Try getting one with automatic gear as manual gear is so yesterday ... 
No real help on the car but well done to your daughter!
XC90? Fits a lot of stuff inside. Just getting fid of ours after 13 years!
Bribe the school to tell your daughter the offer was in error.
Then offer to console her by going for fish & chips at the seaside in Daddy's new murdered out T5.
we bought a Mondeo estate 2012 1.6 tdci, 65 mpg, £30 tax for a lot less than your budget, you could do worse
Generic 'You should get a Berlingo, because that's what I've got' answer.
Reasonably economical, tons of space, mechanically bombproof, surprisingly not awful to drive if you get a Mk3, etc. etc.
I always thought the Berlingo/Partner etc style of van seems a bit less of a tragic family wagon than the likes of an S Max, but that's just me. Ford probably a little bit nicer to drive on account of being a Ford.
I've got a 06 Berlingo multi for my work run about, kills me on long rides. Need more boot with girls aged 2,9 and 16! S max is a boring boring thing but offers all the practical yawn fest we need for long journeys and kids day to day.
I've had a few XC90's but wouldn't recommend one as a biffaround. Big, practical and really comfy. Also, expensive to run (20's mpg on a D5 auto) and hard to find a good one at a reasonable price.
Xc90's at the 7k age are starting to get a bit long in the tooth. Very expensive when they go wrong. I love mine however it's newer than that.
Why not get a crew cab van like a vivaro / trafic?
OK, it is what I've got, but it's bloody awesome for family use and biking.
oops
Wife doesn't want a propoer van.
MsD has just taken charge of a Fiat Doblo for £3'875.
6yrs old, 55k on the clock - ex-motobility vehicle and was adapted for wheelchair carrying. Basically a huge load area now in the rear for bikes & camping kit, especially with the wheelchair straps for securing the bikes!
Unadapted ones were going for 6-7k.
5 seats, loads of room in the back, plenty of creature comforts, more practical than the naysayers would have you believe - anything muddy, bulky, bike shaped, dog shaped etc goes in the back without a moments though of any upholstery...
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My wife's/family car is a VW Touran, our second one. Just done the Alps and back last week in it, and I have to say it's bob on as a family motor. Dull as dishwater but does what it says on the packet.
5 seats, loads of room in the back, plenty of creature comforts, more practical than the naysayers would have you believe - anything muddy, bulky, bike shaped, dog shaped etc goes in the back without a moments though of any upholstery...
You forgot to say - terrifying brakes though when giving it some beans and it just doesn't feel as if it is going to stop.
You forgot to say - terrifying brakes though when giving it some beans and it just doesn't feel as if it is going to stop.
I've never driven a Hilux, so can't comment on the brakes. The brakes on my Navara stop you remarkably quickly though
We've got a Vw Touran up for sale if you're interested. Excellent runner, and very practical as Andy says. Only selling as a van is in the offing (sorry)
PM me at robdot28639atgmaildotcom if interested
We have an xc90 it's been fantastic. We get 30 mpg on variety of driving (I'm tight so light with throttle!) and its done 3x skiing trips. Amazing how much stuff it holds. I would say on that budget if you have a good garage/Volvo specialist nearby maybe ok. Ours is a 06 and just under 100k miles. We looked at both smax and xc90 and decided on '90 as it seemed to have better reputation for longevity. Having said all that I still get in it every day and think I should grow a beard. And well done to your daughter.
Your daughter's education is transitory.
So just get a Transit. 🙂
Had a S Max for 5 years now. Get a titanium. Recommend cruise control..dull as dishwater. But is very comfy.
Dragging my feet to look at some cars today! cheers all.
I always thought the Berlingo/Partner etc style of van seems a bit less of a tragic family wagon than the likes of an S Max, but that's just me.
Yep, just you. The S Max would be a far better choice.
Have a look at a Seat Exeo OP. An Audi for Seat money.
http://www.addleecarsales.com/
Only one choice, only one spec, only one colour. Don't be put off by the look of the place though!
Just picked ours up - fourth or fifth ex taxi we have had and all have been brilliant if you don't mind high mileage. And a Galaxy is pretty much a van in any case if necessary.
VW Caddy Max-Life
mate has a mazda 5, its bland but the sliding doors are brilliant. (i think the NEW smax has sliding doors?)
but if it was me i'd get the s-max hands down, as internally i think its bigger and more kit especially if you get the titanium.
Plenty of vans for £7k, no need to give up the dream.
A T5 is no less of a van than the others, its just got a few more trinkets on it.