Peugeot 5008 or Opel Zafira?

gramlab

Wife wants something with the option of 7 seats. With the 2 kids in the back at the moment there is not really enough room for anyone else. Had a look at whats available and it looks like a new or nearly new 1.7 zafira or the 5008. Both are around the same price range. 5008 is a lovely looking car but reliability is always an issue especially with a new model, while the zafira is probably better in that respect but bland as hell.

Any ideas or alternatives?

GERMAN ROCKS

peugeot. much fresher design. opel should have a new zafira in the next year or two meaning the current one will be dated and become worthless

Padraig Mor

5008 is a far more practical design - you will find it very hard to get 3 kids in the middle row of the Zafira if that will be an issue. I doubt reliability would be a major problem - the 5008 is based on the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso which has been around for a while now. I have certainly heard murmurings about Zafira reliability though!

useless

nearly new S-Max, Corolla Verso, Scenic?
older Discovery 3 or XC90?

alias no.9

I'm in a similar situation albeit with a slightly lower budget. Other options from my research to date but with no decision made yet, heres my 2c...

C4 Grand Picasso - roomey, 3 individual seats in the middle row (important if you want to keep the rearmost seats for occasional use and carry 3 passengers/child seats or to allow access to the rearmost seats with 2 childseats permanently fitted), fiddley flaps that fold in and out to form the flat floor as the rearmost seats go up and down. I assume the 5008 will be much the same.
Renault Grand Scenic - Much the same as the Picasso except for the fiddley flaps, would be worried about reliability based moreso on the Megane it is based on than any particular Scenic stories I've heard.
Honda FRV - 2 rows of 3 individual seats means you always keep the large boot, rare as hens teeth and pricey, diesel models even rarer.
Mazda 5 - sliding doors are great if you need to lift rear facing car seats in and out, but middle seat in second row is not a full size seat. Best drivers car of this lot.
Corrolla Verso - Couldn't bring myself to even sit in one, an MPV is bad enough but a Corrolla MPV is for those who have lost all interest in driving except as a utility.

I'd have an FRV in the morning for the practicality but failing that it would be a Mazda 5 both for the sliding doors and the handling.

gramlab

Drove a new zafira last week and it felt like I was driving a used car for some reason. Just doesn't feel new. The peugeot was lovely to drive and comfy as hell. Seat arrangements and movement options were good as well.

Didn't really consider the Mazda, might give it a look

Zubeneschamali

gramlab wrote: »

Any ideas or alternatives?

I needed room for 3 kids and a dog, so I had to go bigger and get an S-Max.

Downside, it's expensive. Upside, it drives better than any of its rivals that I've tried. Nothing's gone wrong in 2 years, either.

gramlab

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I needed room for 3 kids and a dog, so I had to go bigger and get an S-Max.

Downside, it's expensive. Upside, it drives better than any of its rivals that I've tried. Nothing's gone wrong in 2 years, either.

Heard good things about it alright, and about the galaxy but wasn't looking to spend that much

Yakuza

There are good deals around on the Qashqai+2 at the moment (facelift not due out on +2 for another while yet). I ended up going for one about a month ago. Decent-looking (more SUV than minibus), decent-sized boot with the rearmost seats down (they're only good for kids, but that suits me fine). I got the one with the comfort pack (cruise control, 6-disc CD, dual climate control and folding mirrors) for around 25-26k cash. I nearly went for a new (2010 model year) SMAX (looking at around 36k cash for the titanium) but couldn't stretch to it.

As well as the QQ, I looked at the Grand Scenic (same engine as the QQ), the 5008, C4 Grand Picasso and a few second-hand XC90s as well (although I ruled out the XC90 as my budget would only stretch to something from the UK with north of 60000 miles on it, and I decided against taking a punt). I didn't like the look of the Zafira and the single bench seat in the middle row was very impractical for the mix of booster / child seat and rock-a-tot that I'll be needing soon. In the end I went for the new car with a 3-year warranty and the better (perceived) reliability (ruling out the French cars!) so ended up with the Nissan. In my opinion, it's best looking of the new cars that I could afford and the high seating is great for not having to bend double when trying to buckle the nippers into their car seats

If I win the lotto, one of the cars I get will be an R-Design XC90 with all the trimmings

Scottie99

We've had our Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6Hdi Vtr+ EGS for a while now. Very impressed!!:D

Zubeneschamali

Yakuza wrote: »

I looked at the Grand Scenic (same engine as the QQ)... better (perceived) reliability (ruling out the French cars!)

I see a slight flaw in your logic

Yakuza

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I see a slight flaw in your logic

Hehe, I know that they have the same engine, but in terms of electrics and wiring (lights, displays, window regulators) etc, I'm told the Japanese cars are still streets ahead of French ones (and I did say "perceived" ).