What's the best 7 seater MPV?

Stevie Dakota

And why? A mate is looking for one, Grand Scenic, Zafira? Any others worth considering? Assume sub €35K new.

Zube

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Assume sub €35K new.

I think the S-Max is best, but you'll only get an entry level one at that money. [Edit: why?]

Having driven a bunch of them, the S-Max is the nicest to drive.

Had a Multipla previously, also not bad to drive as a diesel, but getting old now. Also a bit fragile, a big car based on a smaller model, suspension bits prone to go on back road pot holes.

macnab

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

And why? A mate is looking for one, Grand Scenic, Zafira? Any others worth considering? Assume sub €35K new.

IMO the Grand Scenic is a no go area unless you have a parts and labour warranty and you dont mind using a 5 seater replacement car while your Scenic is in for repairs. In the long run I spent €9000 on a 97 Toyota Previa 8 seater and cant fault it, I spent the money I saved on an M5 for me:D

Stevie Dakota

macnab wrote: »

IMO the Grand Scenic is a no go area unless you have a parts and labour warranty and you dont mind using a 5 seater replacement car while your Scenic is in for repairs. In the long run I spent €9000 on a 97 Toyota Previa 8 seater and cant fault it, I spent the money I saved on an M5 for me:D

Did you own a Scenic, did it give you problems? Or is this just more Renault bashing nonsense. I know of three people who own/have owned Scenics, and they have not had any major problems, and as a people carrier they would highly recommend them.

Henry Ford III

Avoid a Scenic like the plague. They will, break your heart, bust your wallet, and will still be worthless.

Stevie Dakota

Yawn.

jaggiebunnet

I just bought a 2nd hand verso. I tried the galaxy and thought it was great but in the end it was just too big, I don't need all 7 seats right now just 3 in them middle and with teh back 2 down i have loads of boot room.

my bro in law had the opel and he thought it was rubbish. I wouldn't buy the scenic because of previous renault problems I had, but I still think it looked good and I would get it over an opel anyday.

the smax would be likle the galaxy i imagine only a bit smaller...still too expensive for me but if you have the cash....I would be very tempted. The citreon is supposed to be very good too but never got a chance to drive one. Give them a go - they are all very reliable i would imagine, in the end i went toyota because you know what to expect with it - oh and the mazda is another one i looked at very similar to verso.

Guy:Incognito

We had a 00 Scenic and upgraded to an 05 Grand Scenic. The missus loves it . Have to say I find it a nice drive and very comfortable.When it comes time to change again it'll be for another one.

Neither had an issues although the rear drivers side wheel arch was crashed into on both by gob****es. (thanks to the 2nd person btw for hitting it in the car park at the KCR and driving off, much appreciated)

Only other one I;ve had experience of for more than a look and a test drive was a Zafira that I had as a hire car for a few days when we used the opelk 3 day test drive thing (current model) . Theres wasnt anything we liked about it and only used it on the Friday. It sat in the garden till I brought it back on the monday,

BnA

I have spent a good bit of time looking into this for the last 6 months or so and after an awful lot of toing and froing and iffing and anding we have decided to go with the S-Max.

The main reasons we went with it was..

In my opinion, it is the best looking People Carrier available.
It is a fine car to drive.
I read a lot of Internet reviews etc and the S-Max comes out on top of it's class in an awful lot of them.

Some of the near competitors and the reason we didn't go with them was...
Renault Grande Scenic - Depreciation and I would have worries about reliability. But they are great value.
Mazda 5 - I loved the sliding doors but I read about a good few problems with fuel consumption, excessive Tyre Wear and electrical problems
VW Touran - Model is getting dated now.
Zafira - Booooooring

The main difference between the Galaxy and the S-Max (according to a Ford Salesman I asked) is the back 2 seats in the Galaxy would hold 2 adults, but in the S-Max they are for kids only. But that suits us fine.

The LX (entry level) diesel S-Max at current prices in Ireland is €35k (plus delivery etc)

I plan to go to the UK this weekend and pick up a 07 Zetec (Mid-range) Model for about £13 to £14k sterling. After I have registered it (after 1st July) it will cost about €24k in total.

crosstownk

Have a look at the Citroën C4 Picasso 7 seater. Well spec'd and a nice car to drive. I've driven the 5 seater version and previously owned a Zafira. The 1.6HDi is frugal enough. I'd favour the C4 in all aspects except one - the Zafira seat folding set up is much easier to use.

Damien360

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Avoid a Scenic like the plague. They will, break your heart, bust your wallet, and will still be worthless.

+1

I had an 05 Scenic (not the grand scenic) for a year and it did all of the above.

1. Ran at 15mpg for the first 2 months I had it and the garage just questioned all my calculations before finally giving up and replacing the lamda sensor. Best around town of 26mpg. It is a heavy car for a 1.4 engine.

2. Lost a fortune in depreciation when getting rid of it a 2 years later. Bought a toyota avensis and it was the best decision I made. Not much use to your friend if he wants a seven seater though.

The S-max is a nice car for 7 seats but try to get a zetec spec at the very least. Nicer cabin and extras compare favourably with those in the Grand Scenic.

granturismo

We have a C4 Picasso, 1.6l diesel, mid range spec which probably has an otr tag of €31500. Its about 6 months old and my only gripe is, I dont drive it too often and find my left leg is slightly uncomfortable because of the high seat position. We hired a 1.8l petrol Corolla Verso on hols and it had a far better driving position for me, but as regards space for the front passenger, mid row and boot space the C4 won. If I drove the C4 every day I'm sure I'd get used to the driving position.

I just sat in a Mazda 5 and thought it was too small.

I really liked the Smax and and preferred the Mitsubishi Grandis but price was a deciding factor so we went with the C4. Plus it wasnt my car so I didnt have the deciding vote. Dont know what the prices of these are now.

Of those I drove I cant fault the C4, if the Smax or the Grandis are not sub 35k.

niceirishfella

Zube wrote: »

I think the S-Max is best, but you'll only get an entry level one at that money. [Edit: why?]

Having driven a bunch of them, the S-Max is the nicest to drive.

Had a Multipla previously, also not bad to drive as a diesel, but getting old now. Also a bit fragile, a big car based on a smaller model, suspension bits prone to go on back road pot holes.

+1 on the ford........parts and servicing are reasonable. Nice interior too.

ninty9er

This thread is almost 5 months old. I assume the OP has a car by now.

Damien360

ninty9er wrote: »

This thread is almost 5 months old. I assume the OP has a car by now.

never even noticed. If it is a Renault then it should be giving trouble by now.

Livie

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Did you own a Scenic, did it give you problems? Or is this just more Renault bashing nonsense. I know of three people who own/have owned Scenics, and they have not had any major problems, and as a people carrier they would highly recommend them.

Hi,
I have a renault scenic (5 seater).. space-wise this car is fantastic huge boot, cubbies everywhere,, however that's where it ends... never again.. endless problems... i'd be here all night listing them...

-Chris-

Hi Livie,

Welcome to boards. Please read the Charter before posting again and please don't bump old threads.