Family Vehicles

ckc123

Can anyone recommend a family vehicle - we are looking for one with space for 2 adults , 2 kids in car seats (buggies, etc) and a large dog ....
Anyone have any experience with an Espace or know anything about their re-sale value? HOw about 4 wheel drives?
Thanks.

KoNiT

we just purchased a Scenic which is perfect for 2-3 kids & buggies but no room no room for dogs

Espaces do hold their value well enough & prices will retain now points are out for seatbelt. They're a nice machine, maybe overkill for ya



on the 4x4's side of your Q, we tested the one's below, IMHO they're too small for you.
Note that the SUV's below are narrower than MPV's

Honda CRV - lovely machine, look at the newer model post 2001 (I think), only problem is its pricey

Subaru Forester - niiice Bring one for a test drive preferably the turbo model, some people consider it ugly, but with 170bhp (?) who cares! not great on fuel econ.

Landrover Freelander - nice looker, no boot Our buggy would only fit on its edge, & add shopping on top of this?! I was really disapointed with this, If the damn machine was 10" longer it would be a contender in my book.

Suzuki Grand Vitara - same as freelander


What would you think of the Toyota Landcruiser? very spacious 4x4, but its a bit of a guzzler.

Blitzkrieger

volvo xc90 - but there's a huge waiting list and it'll depreciate slowly.

TBH - I'd go for something like a Mazda 626 hatchback or estate and leave rover at home

ToxicPaddy

Why not go for an estate car rather than a people carrier, you have seating for 5 people, so should have no probs getting 2 kids car seats in the back seat, and then a huge boot, big enough to fit a pram, shopping and because its an estate, you'd have no probs fitting the dog in there too..

If you were lucky enough to pick up a diesel then it would be easy enough on the pocket and one well maintained will last years.. something like an avensis or vw passat estate, the VW's and Toyotas always hold their value.. Or you could go for a 1 or 2 year old mercedes, possible a C220 diesel or something along those lines. You would pick them up a little cheaper as the new model of them is out but still manage to get good trade in value in a year or 2..

Tox

Chimaera

A mid-sized estate is probably your best bet - something like a Mondeo/Passat/Avensis - Mondeo has a vast boot (bigger than a Mercedes S-Class!) and good diesels now. Also quite a sporty drive and very safe. Passat is old now, and Avensis is dull.

MPV's are large and thirsty, and have pathetic luggage space with 7 seats fitted. With 5 seats, they don't really offer any more than a conventional estate.

4x4's are NOT cars - they are large heavy trucks. Fuel economy will be eye watering at best, they cause vast amounts of damage to other vehicles in accidents, they handle poorly compared to cars. They are only good for going off-road and towing large loads frequently. Of the vehicles mentioned already, the smallest weighs about 1600kg (CRV) which is about 150kg more than a Mondeo estate. The Volvo XC90 weighs about 2 tonnes.

ToxicPaddy

Originally posted by Chimaera
.......The Volvo XC90 weighs about 2 tonnes.

And costs about €90k...