€25k to spend on MPV - help with suggestions?

Top Dog

Sister in law is looking to change her car for something more family/practical. She's asked me for an opinion on alternatives since I've been over to the UK a few times, but so far the list isn't that long. I also have no expierence of MPV's so don't know whats worth looking at, and also what to avoid. She's already been offered/looked at a 2008 C4 Grand Picasso Exclusive for €25k, but she seems luke warm at best about it.

So the criteria

Up to 25k to spend
Must have 7 seats (2 adults, 2 kids and an au-pair to ferry about)
Diesel for low tax
Preferrably no more than 2 years old

I was thinking something like a 1.8 TDCi Ford Galaxy might suit her needs, but like I said I've no expierence in this class of cars so I don't know if its any good?

Final question for now - is there much savings to be made by looking at the UK with this search criteria or is there similar available in Ireland?

Cheers in advance for any replies.

Stevie Dakota

If she is lukewarm about the 2008 C4 Grand Picasso Exclusive she will be hard to please as that is probably the best of them, voted best MPV by Whatcar since launch I think. The Galaxy is good but very big, and will be more expensive than the C4. S-Max is the same size a the Galaxy but not as tall.

Other to consider are -
Ford S-Max
Toyota Verso
Kia Carens

robtri

if it was me I would take a look at the zafira...
nice spec this one, 2008 zafira 1.9CDTI Design spec...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Zafira/1.9-Cdti/200840190252042/advert?channel=CARS

Zube

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

If she is lukewarm about the 2008 C4 Grand Picasso Exclusive she will be hard to please as that is probably the best of them, voted best MPV by Whatcar since launch I think.

I bought an S-Max rather than a Picasso, as I think it's a better drive. Here's a nice one.

Henry Ford III

robtri wrote: »

if it was me I would take a look at the zafira...
nice spec this one, 2008 zafira 1.9CDTI Design spec...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Zafira/1.9-Cdti/200840190252042/advert?channel=CARS

Too small I'd suggest. Rear seats are inches from the back window. I wouldn't be happy sitting in them. No boot either when 7 up.

A full size mpv is needed. Galaxy or similar.

Stevie Dakota

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Too small I'd suggest. Rear seats are inches from the back window. I wouldn't be happy sitting in them. No boot either when 7 up.

A full size mpv is needed. Galaxy or similar.

+1. A colleague dumped his as it was far too compromised as a 7 seater.

GERMAN ROCKS

peugeot 807
renault espace

Zube

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

peugeot 807

Ancient. Way off the pace.

renault espace

Very dull drive.

Drummerboy08

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1299836

I'd bet the above could be bought for 25k. Bare in mind, it will be taxed by the engine size, not emmisions. You'll need a 08 for it to have low tax.

Drummerboy08

Zube wrote: »

Ancient. Way off the pace.



Very dull drive.

The 807 and C8 (posted above) do exactly what they say on the tin. Loads of space, and a decent engine. They may be old, but they are still one of the biggest MPV's around.

Zube

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

They may be old, but they are still one of the biggest MPV's comfiest vans around.

Fixed that for you.

Top Dog

Cheers for all the replies.

I've put a few of them to her as suggestions, and her responses are below

Ford C-Max - not big enough
Ford S-Max - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Ford Galaxy - too big, more like a bus!
Vauxhall Zafira - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 - can't afford the insurance or the road tax (€1050 p.a)
Hyundai Tucson - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one. Tax is €630 per annum
Kia Carens - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one either. Tax is €447 per annum

Only thing that has me confused by her (which I must look into now) is her mentioning €1050 for road tax on the Santa Fe - are the emmissions really that high on them? Also not sure where she's getting the idea that insurance would be prohibitive - she's a mid-30's married woman, clean licence, country address. Dunno. Will have to look into it as I said.

Any more opinions please fire em up.

unkel

Top Dog wrote: »

Must have 7 seats (2 adults, 2 kids and an au-pair to ferry about)

2+2+1 = 5, no? Or is the au-pair from Houston, TX?

I'm with Stevie Dakota on this one. If she doesn't like the C4 Picasso, she ain't gonna like any other 7 seat MPV. If she only needs 5 seats, would she consider an estate, or even a large hatchback?

Top Dog

unkel wrote: »

2+2+1 = 5, no? Or is the au-pair from Houston, TX?

Maths are correct, but reasoning just a little bit off.

Both kids are still pretty small which means very bulky child seats. If it were another 12 months down the road then it probably wouldn't be such a problem as the kids would have progressed to less bulky seats and an adult could sit reasonably comfortably between them.

I have suggested an estate to her alright, and now she's mulling over that option and trying to see if there'd be the necessary space in the middle for an adult.

BnA

We have a 2 litre TDCI S-Max and I couldn't praise it highly enough.

It is a great car to drive. Great power out of the 140bhp engine.

Very good on space inside. When are you realistically going to be carrying 5+ adults. The two seats in the boot are very decent for kids. And even with them up, you are still left with some luggage space behind them. You could go the whole hog and go for the Galaxy, but it is a good few grand dearer and a bit bigger.

Drummerboy08

Top Dog wrote: »

Cheers for all the replies.

I've put a few of them to her as suggestions, and her responses are below

Ford C-Max - not big enough
Ford S-Max - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Ford Galaxy - too big, more like a bus!
Vauxhall Zafira - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 - can't afford the insurance or the road tax (€1050 p.a)
Hyundai Tucson - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one. Tax is €630 per annum
Kia Carens - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one either. Tax is €447 per annum

Only thing that has me confused by her (which I must look into now) is her mentioning €1050 for road tax on the Santa Fe - are the emmissions really that high on them? Also not sure where she's getting the idea that insurance would be prohibitive - she's a mid-30's married woman, clean licence, country address. Dunno. Will have to look into it as I said.

Any more opinions please fire em up.

I just want to make sure you know that the emmisions based tax rates only apply to vehicles registered in January 08 or after. A two year old vehicle will be taxed by the old, cc based rates.

Top Dog

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I just want to make sure you know that the emmisions based tax rates only apply to vehicles registered in January 08 or after. A two year old vehicle will be taxed by the old, cc based rates.

Thanks for that, but yes, well aware of it. Thus my confusion over a Santa Fe being over €1k to tax. Must have serious emmissions even though its only a 2.2.

Lex Luthor

Top Dog wrote: »

Cheers for all the replies.

I've put a few of them to her as suggestions, and her responses are below

Ford C-Max - not big enough
Ford S-Max - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Ford Galaxy - too big, more like a bus!
Vauxhall Zafira - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 - can't afford the insurance or the road tax (€1050 p.a)
Hyundai Tucson - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one. Tax is €630 per annum
Kia Carens - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one either. Tax is €447 per annum

Only thing that has me confused by her (which I must look into now) is her mentioning €1050 for road tax on the Santa Fe - are the emmissions really that high on them? Also not sure where she's getting the idea that insurance would be prohibitive - she's a mid-30's married woman, clean licence, country address. Dunno. Will have to look into it as I said.

Any more opinions please fire em up.

We have a Verso and I can sit between the 2 kids in the 2nd row of seats comfortabley with their car seat boosters in. The middle seat is fully independent to the others so will tilt & slide. I thinbk with the SMax which is bigger you should have no problem getting an adult in the 2nd row aswell

Top Dog

Lex Luthor wrote: »

We have a Verso and I can sit between the 2 kids in the 2nd row of seats comfortabley

Corolla or Avensis?

ninty9er

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Santa-Fe/Fe-2.2-A/200920192760576/advert?channel=CARS

Tax - €823

ronanv

Top Dog wrote: »

Cheers for all the replies.

I've put a few of them to her as suggestions, and her responses are below

Ford C-Max - not big enough
Ford S-Max - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Ford Galaxy - too big, more like a bus!
Vauxhall Zafira - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 - can't afford the insurance or the road tax (€1050 p.a)
Hyundai Tucson - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one. Tax is €630 per annum
Kia Carens - they are 2 litre - not sure about how I feel about this one either. Tax is €447 per annum

Only thing that has me confused by her (which I must look into now) is her mentioning €1050 for road tax on the Santa Fe - are the emmissions really that high on them? Also not sure where she's getting the idea that insurance would be prohibitive - she's a mid-30's married woman, clean licence, country address. Dunno. Will have to look into it as I said.

Any more opinions please fire em up.

2008 onward santa fe is €630 to tax, pre 2008 is €823 i think. €1050 is the automatic version. im changing 2005 1.4 petrol scenic to 2007 santa fe - insurance increase if it was brand new was quoted at €110 (on my wifes insurance - mid 30's etc) and i presume this will be lower again for an 07. the extra spent on road tax can be saved by getting a good deal as can be had now for second hand ones. look up "reader reviews" for santa fe on www.whatcar.com - very positive. then look up reader reviews (terrible) for citreon picasso as against main review (excellent) - i.e. road test on a new car doesnt always reflect peoples experiences once they buy and drive them.

ronanv

ronanv wrote: »

2008 onward santa fe is €630 to tax, pre 2008 is €823 i think. €1050 is the automatic version. im changing 2005 1.4 petrol scenic to 2007 santa fe - insurance increase if it was brand new was quoted at €110 (on my wifes insurance - mid 30's etc) and i presume this will be lower again for an 07. the extra spent on road tax can be saved by getting a good deal as can be had now for second hand ones. look up "reader reviews" for santa fe on www.whatcar.com - very positive. then look up reader reviews (terrible) for citreon picasso as against main review (excellent) - i.e. road test on a new car doesnt always reflect peoples experiences once they buy and drive them.

oh, and i meant to add, no spare tyre in s-max or galaxy as far as im aware!!! and maybe others too.

J.R.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/2.0F-S-0/200847190964392/advert?channel=CARS

Would she consider a Volvo V70 estate.....are also available in 7 seater.

Prestigious, safe family estate for kids gear etc.... with plenty of room for kids gear etc

If you are spending €25k on a car I'd be looking at ads for €27k - €28k.....should get the discount with no trade in...very few expensive cars selling......you're in a great haggling position.

Top Dog

Cheers for all the replies and suggestions folks.

Afraid she's after abandoning the whole idea now. Her original plan was to get the MPV for herself and get her Au Pair insured on her old car for the school run/shopping/etc during the day while she's out at work. But after seeing the insurance quotes for that plan she's decided to hold on to her own car a while longer and save herself the expense. Think her insurance company quoted her €1800 to insure her old car with the Au Pair named, and that wouldn't include the insurance for herself on the new car.

Scottie99

I'll be picking up a Citroen Grand Picasso 2008 later this year for my wife. All in all around €17k and this model the road tax is €156 a year.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=CITROEN&min_pr=75&source=0&model=C4+GRAND+PICASSO&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=&mileage=&postcode=dd2+1tw&variant=1.6&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=2&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=46&ukcarsearch_full.y=11&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=5&distance=357&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200922335010635

Lex Luthor

Top Dog wrote: »

Corolla or Avensis?

its the Corolla

Zube

Top Dog wrote: »

Ford S-Max - can't fit an adult into the 3rd row of seats, only suitable for 7 - 10 year olds
Ford Galaxy - too big, more like a bus!

This is the silliest thing I've seen today.

Stevie Dakota

Scottie99 wrote: »

I'll be picking up a Citroen Grand Picasso 2008 later this year for my wife. All in all around €17k and this model the road tax is €156 a year.[/url]

I was looking at doing the same, however the owners reviews on whatcar.co.uk will force me to re-consider, some real horror stories there.

Zube

Top Dog wrote: »

Think her insurance company quoted her €1800 to insure her old car with the Au Pair named, and that wouldn't include the insurance for herself on the new car.

If she was trying to insure a second car in her own name, she'd start from zero NCB on one of the cars.

If the Au Pair was going to be the main driver of her old car, then just naming her might not do it.