2 Adults, 3 kids and a dog... What MPV?

Access

I am looking for advice from the MPV owners out there...

Currently have a large family estate (2001), but need to upgrade as its getting tight now.

Like i say, 2 Adults, 3 kids and a dog... with enough decent boot space.

Prefer Diesel and i will probably head to NI or UK and import to save a few quid as I have previously bought the estate in the UK.

Looking for something around a 2003 to 2006 model.

I have been looking on Carzone for ideas and im swinging towards the Renault Espace, but i also like the Opel Zafira, Scenic and Ford Galaxy.... but am open to other ideas as well.

Can the MPV owners out there let me know what they think?

Thanks for any advice you may give!

Henry Ford III

For that load size bigger is better. Diesel preferably.

Anan1

Are even big MPVs much larget than the likes of a E-Class Mercedes estate or a V70?

prospect

Multipla

Anan1

Actually, the Multipla would be perfect. It's the coolest MPV of them all, too. There's even one in the New York Museum of Modern Art.:)

cjt156

Second, strike that, third the Multipla; fantastic car if you can stomach the looks.
And there's no way a Scenic or Zafira will give you the space of a EClass, V70 or Mondeo estate; they're all HUUUGE!

If you prefer the MPV then maybe the S-Max or Galaxy is an option - but I still think boot space is better in the 3 estates above. Steer well clear of the Chrysler Voyager if you're going for one of the bigger buses - 2 star NCAP rating!!

Lite sleepeR

Honda Frvsame idea as thr Fiat with Japanesse Build Quality

keefg

Ford Transit Minibus....the 80's one with the bullnose and square headlights.

Mate's fater-in-law has one and it does the biz alright, loadza room.

peasant

The Zafira ...boooooring as it is ....actually is a very good package when it comes to utilisation of space.

Far bigger boot then the Multipla for example.

In the medium size MPV sector (below Espace / Caravelle / Voyager) it still is the benchmark to beat.

Tabnabs

Honda FRV was very well reviewed in the IT recently, but said it may be hard to track down in Ireland.

m_stan

more of a mini-mpv than a real one, but we recently got a Ford Focus C-Max and it's a super car. Got the LX petrol version - next time it'll be the Diesel with some of the extras.

galwaytt

I just sold our 07 Galaxy, and bought a not-too common MPV which has turned out to be brilliant - an 02 Mazda MPV. 2.0 TurboD, privacy glass, sliding rear doors, enormous boot. On the school run etc, it's doing about 36mpg. D

Being a Mazda, I don't anticipate needing to fix it.............:D

bazz26

Anan1 wrote:

Are even big MPVs much larget than the likes of a E-Class Mercedes estate or a V70?

Not larger but taller and maybe easier to get kids and their usual bagage in and out of.

To the OP since you also have a dog, then your going to need boot space too. The thing with smallish MPVs is that you either use the seats and loose the luggage space or you loose a row of seats for lugage.

Something like the new Citroen Picasso, Renault Grand Scenic, Espace Toyota Previa or Ford Galaxy.

Henry Ford III

2 adults, 3 kids and a dog will be too tight to fit into any medium mpv surely?

peasant

Henry Ford III wrote:

2 adults, 3 kids and a dog will be too tight to fit into any medium mpv surely?

I'd say that very much depends on how often ALL of them (and their gear) need to be in the car at the same time.

If that's only the case for holidays and Sunday outings, the smaller "medium" car might be the better option as a daily driver and you can upgrade for the full "holiday assault" with a roofbox or even a small trailer.

MrPudding

Yeah. I bought a new Mazda 5 a couple of months ago. Very happy with it. It is a UK model so it has Sat NAV, climate, 2l diesel and a load of other stuff not available to the saps in Ireland. Very good car.

MrP

Access

prospect wrote:

Multipla

Ah... No! Id like an MPV not a shed! ha ha! (Just my opinion as i was sat behind one at the lights today!)

Access

peasant wrote:

I'd say that very much depends on how often ALL of them (and their gear) need to be in the car at the same time.

If that's only the case for holidays and Sunday outings, the smaller "medium" car might be the better option as a daily driver and you can upgrade for the full "holiday assault" with a roofbox or even a small trailer.

You're right there... the missus will mainly be using it for school runs (one child and the other two are not in school yet), nipping to the shops and the odd outing here and there... the dog wouldn't be traveling in it much except for the odd run down to Cork to the parents place every now and again. (just included him for sizing the boot) but we do have a double buggy that will constantly need to be in the boot. (fecking thing!)

Access

galwaytt wrote:

I just sold our 07 Galaxy, and bought a not-too common MPV which has turned out to be brilliant - an 02 Mazda MPV. 2.0 TurboD, privacy glass, sliding rear doors, enormous boot. On the school run etc, it's doing about 36mpg. D

Being a Mazda, I don't anticipate needing to fix it.............:D

Can i ask what was wrong with the Galaxy that you sold it.

Also... 36mpg? Ouch!

peasant

Access wrote:

You're right there... the missus will mainly be using it for school runs (one child and the other two are not in school yet), nipping to the shops and the odd outing here and there... the dog wouldn't be traveling in it much except for the odd run down to Cork to the parents place every now and again. (just included him for sizing the boot) but we do have a double buggy that will constantly need to be in the boot. (fecking thing!)

I'd say the deciding issue is going to be how double buggy and dog will fit in.
I'd still suggest that you take the whole kit and kaboodle along to a test fit in a Zafira and then compare everything else that you may be interested in to that later on.

Take notes and measurement ...piccies if possible, they will come in handy.

The all out spacial assault of course is to go for a VW Caravelle ...that would easily handle of your kit and the parents on top of it all ...question is, would herself fancy driving one of these every day?

colm_mcm

is that not a transporter, peasant?

(they're different ya know!)

peasant

afaik from the T5 on, there no longer is a passenger/full window version of the "Transporter"

colm_mcm

Maybe it's minibus conversions I've seen

Rob67

I'm on my second Zafira (05) great car only crib is the position of the handbrake (have to reach down to use it) and the service intervals can be dear: 63000 kms involves the timing belt and the water pump, some Opel garages can charge as much as €700 for it, but it can be done for a LOT cheaper by a good few non Opel garages. I'd still recommend the Zafira though, as it has proven to be a reliable car for me. I ship my three teens and two dogs around in it with no problems and the two extra seats have been a help on many a day. You will lose the boot space with the two extra seats up but we don't use them as much as we used to. If you do decide to go for one, make sure that it has the net barrier with it for stopping the dogs jumping over the back seats.

Good luck in your search!

regards,
Rob

nialler

If you can find one I would highly recommend a Honda Odyssee, my sister has 2 of them in the states and they are absolutely fantastic, sat nav, auto closing side doors, comfortable as bejaysis sits 7 massive massive mpv/van.


Must be a european thing but no slidey doors and it's looks different from the US model but here goes.


http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=4637&pageid=1

Access

Thanks for all the information so far.

I appreciate it as i want to get my selection right as MPVs don't come cheap and i want to get the best value for money.

peasant wrote:

I'd say the deciding issue is going to be how double buggy and dog will fit in.
I'd still suggest that you take the whole kit and kaboodle along to a test fit in a Zafira and then compare everything else that you may be interested in to that later on.

Take notes and measurement ...piccies if possible, they will come in handy.

The all out spacial assault of course is to go for a VW Caravelle ...that would easily handle of your kit and the parents on top of it all ...question is, would herself fancy driving one of these every day?

Thanks for the info... i think thats what i will do... might call into a few opel dealers early next week and bring the kids too!

As for the VW caravelle, i love my wife and all, but I cant see her parking that without writing it off!

Rob67 wrote:

I'm on my second Zafira (05) great car only crib is the position of the handbrake (have to reach down to use it) and the service intervals can be dear.

Thanks again for the info, nice to hear the view of someone thats has one and the pros and cons... i will be calling into a few opel dealers next week and will keep your info in mind.


Does anyone on here have a Renault Scenic or Espace and if so, what are they like on diesel and space?

Access

nialler wrote:

If you can find one I would highly recommend a Honda Odyssee, my sister has 2 of them in the states and they are absolutely fantastic, sat nav, auto closing side doors, comfortable as bejaysis sits 7 massive massive mpv/van.


Must be a european thing but no slidey doors and it's looks different from the US model but here goes.

Thanks Nialler, I had that on my list to look at but scrubbed it off as it comes with a 2.4 petrol!!! and even its 2.2 and 2.4 diesel engines have the worst MPG. So that was a no go.

Henry Ford III

I maintain a Zafira isn't big enough for 3 kids, 2 adults, a dog and luggage.

It's also a realtively poor vehicle to drive. Use the 3rd row of seats and there's no luggage room, and the heads of the rearmost passengers are inches from the rear glass.

S-Max is the class leader. A good drivers machine with a lot more room.

Or go for a full sized traditional mpv. Plenty about. Beware of safety issues with some, notably Chrysler.

CrowdedHouse

I'd say have a look at a Honda CRV,very roomy.

Henry Ford III

Same comments apply to a CRV/Multipla/FRV.

Not big enough for OP's needs.

parsi

Wherever you go to test make sure you bring the car seats as well.

We have a 307sw and it fits three carseats in the back - one booster, one booster with back and one fullsize carseat (this is permanently buckled in - a replacement booster would have issues buckling in). The boot has plenty room.

We had a 04 Scenic and it threw up a few electical issues.

bushy...

Maybe something like this Merc

ninty9er

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=750314

Best MPV I've come across. In comparison to the Zafira, Galaxy and Oddyssey anyway. The leather is wipable for kiddie spillages and the dog hairs won't have as much to stick to. While the boot ain't masssive with all 8 seats in, when the rear 3 are out you'll get multiple double buggies and golf clubs and dogs in there.

The Odyssey is a little bigger in the US than here, but that's true of most MPVs there. My aunt has one and got our 5 suitcases in the boot without taking the 3rd row out. That said the 3rd row is the real 3 seater, the middle won't realistically hold more than 2.

edit:
The Huyndai Trajet is definitely worth a look too though
Trajet

or the Kia Sedona

Access

Henry Ford III wrote:

I maintain a Zafira isn't big enough for 3 kids, 2 adults, a dog and luggage.

It's also a realtively poor vehicle to drive. Use the 3rd row of seats and there's no luggage room, and the heads of the rearmost passengers are inches from the rear glass.

S-Max is the class leader. A good drivers machine with a lot more room.

Or go for a full sized traditional mpv. Plenty about. Beware of safety issues with some, notably Chrysler.

I dont know about that... test driving a Zafira later today. Will let ye know how i get on and more importantly if it suits my needs!

Dingatron

Henry Ford III wrote:

I maintain a Zafira isn't big enough for 3 kids, 2 adults, a dog and luggage.

It's also a relatively poor vehicle to drive. Use the 3rd row of seats and there's no luggage room, and the heads of the rearmost passengers are inches from the rear glass.

S-Max is the class leader. A good drivers machine with a lot more room.

Or go for a full sized traditional mpv. Plenty about. Beware of safety issues with some, notably Chrysler.

We've a 01 Zafira as well and have to say its a good car with plenty of space. The seat combination allows you to use one or two of the third row seats which give you amble room for 3 kids and a dog. Have done the same with ours on occasion and there's not much I haven't managed to fit in it. I'd definitely go for a diesel as the 1.6 petrol is not great from what I was told when we were researching it. The handbrake is annoying but wouldn't be a deal breaker imo. I'd have no problem getting another one anyway.

RobAMerc

I have driven the last model Zafira - its a truck.

The Grand Scenic is a much nicer place to be as a passenger or driver.
Its also got a useable boot even with the rearmost seats up, but its big.

Get a warranty though.

S-Max is the measure of all of them though, particularly if your the type who enjoys your driving. My brother has the 2.5Turbo one - silly car but fun and practical.

Access

Well, Test drove a 05 grand scenic and a 06 Zafira today and have to say, considering all factors, it looks like the zafira is the one for us.

Now all that need to be decided is weather to go for the 1.9 diesel model or the 1.6 petrol model (petrol model is approx €2000 cheaper)

Any Ideas?

carpainter

I'd say the petrol engined model would be hard on juice pulling that load around, it's a big car. I'm currently looking at a Ford C-Max myself (we've got two kids, no dog!) and I'm probably going to go for the 1.6 diesel option, it's €2000 more as well but it'll be a lot easier to sell on when the time comes and the diesel will help with residuals.

DonJose

When I lived abroad I owned a VW Sharan 1.8 Petrol, nice car to drive. Last month while in London I rented a Ford Galaxy 1.9 Diesel (old model), excellent car. Great mileage, you can change the seating arrangements easily and each seat is individual and reclines, great for long trips. I'm buying one early next year.