MPV with sliding doors for growing family

censuspro

Looking for second hand MPV with sliding doors, e.g. Chrysler, Peugeot, Ford, Citroen.

Does anyone have any recommendations or owned an MPV in the past? Any ideas what tax and insurance is going to be like?

Mr Benevolent

Why sliding doors only? Do your kids have a phobia of proper doors? What's your budget? Petrol or diesel? How much mileage do you do?

Ardennes1944

budget would help. that mazda mpv is quite nice looking

censuspro

Budget btw €5-€8K
Mileage less than 10,000 miles per year
Preferably diesel

Bodhan

The Mazda 5 is an excellent car with sliding doors and a kind of 7 seat layout, more like 6 seat really but it's a fine car if you can get one as they weren't too popular.

Sliding doors are the real problem here, there weren't many cars made with them.

Going Forward

censuspro wrote: »

Looking for second hand MPV with sliding doors, e.g. Chrysler, Peugeot, Ford, Citroen.

Does anyone have any recommendations or owned an MPV in the past? Any ideas what tax and insurance is going to be like?

Sliding doors can slice fingers off very nicely. Care must be taken.

Marlow

Quite a limited amount of brands, you've listed.

Anyhow, have a look at VW Caravelle, which is depending on configuration a 7 to 9 seater and still will give you loads of space in the boot.

If that's too big, you might want to check out the VW Caddy Life. The Touran and the Caddy are based on the same basis chassis, but the Caddy has sliding doors instead of regular doors and also seems to be quite popular as Taxi lately.

With a bit luck or if you buy from new, you'll even be able to get it as a double slider.

/M

E39MSport

Toyota Previa/Estima (edit: avoid early petrol hybrids)

censuspro

OP here: The Toyota Previa is an option. Found one here for 11K. Would you say I could get this or something similar for €8K.

E39MSport

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2622368



2003 2.0 D4D with 90k for 6750. Pricey.
Seller might (is) be a private dealer too.

Marlow

Another one would be the Toyota Granvia.

/M

garbanzo

Mazda 5 works for us. Did a run from Dublin to Waterford and back earlier today with five of us. Only issue I would have is that she's a little heavy on the juice. 1.8 petrol version.

bazz26

Pointless spending money on a diesel car if you are driving less than 10k miles a year. You will end up buying an older car with more mileage on it just to save a small few cent at the pump. Buying a petrol will mean you get more car for your money.

Mazda 5 is one of the few sliding door options out there:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201142205075209
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201132203883375

Marlow

bazz26 wrote: »

Pointless spending money on a diesel car if you are driving less than 10k miles a year. You will end up buying an older car with more mileage on it just to save a small few cent at the pump. Buying a petrol will mean you get more car for your money.

+1 on that. The reason a lot of people have problems with diesel cars, is because they only drive them short distance, like inner city.

Diesels are for big milage, long hauls. They are not suitable for the average city commute. Sure, big mpg is tempting, but that doesn't help you when you spend the money on garage bills and the car is with the mechanic half the time.

With modern diesels it's even worse. All the issues people have with clogged up DPF, etc. come from driving them in the cities on short trips exclusively.

Please do a bit of research before you pin yourself down on MPG figures etc. and decide what engine you go with.

/M

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

Pointless spending money on a diesel car if you are driving less than 10k miles a year. You will end up buying an older car with more mileage on it just to save a small few cent at the pump. Buying a petrol will mean you get more car for your money.

Mazda 5 is one of the few sliding door options out there:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201142205075209
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201132203883375

9 times out of 10 I would agree with you Bazz about petrol being better than diesel but not here. A diesel is definitely preferable in an MPV for the torque over a weedy petrol engine. I mean how many petrol Ford S-Max's do you see?

Even though the diesel is more expensive and more could go wrong definitely worth it imo. Should hold it's value better too.

EPM

166man wrote: »

9 times out of 10 I would agree with you Bazz about petrol being better than diesel but not here. A diesel is definitely preferable in an MPV for the torque over a weedy petrol engine. I mean how many petrol Ford S-Max's do you see?

Even though the diesel is more expensive and more could go wrong definitely worth it imo. Should hold it's value better too.

Well to be fair a petrol engine in what are essentially load luggers is always a bad idea as it will be too economical. A diesel Mazda 5 is a major no no as if it hasn't been properly looked after its a time bomb. Even if it has it's not worth the risk.

But small, short journeys will have an adverse affect on diesel. Also, they are not that much more economical when not properly warmed up, certainly not more economical to justify the extra expense when buying.

Marlow

EPM wrote: »

Well to be fair a petrol engine in what are essentially load luggers is always a bad idea as it will be too economical. A diesel Mazda 5 is a major no no as if it hasn't been properly looked after its a time bomb. Even if it has it's not worth the risk.

That's why for short trips, a load lugger with a petrol engine, that has a large enough displacement should be exactly what is needed.

VW has 2.5 and 2.8 petrol options in the Caravelle (The 2.0 would work too hard for that size MPV). Even the Previa came with pretty potent petrol engines. The only problem you run into there again, that if the car is from before mid '07, it'll be in the more expensive tax bands.

/M

Drummerboy08

Citroen C8 may be an option.

I've always liked them, but I'm wary of a French car with electronic sliding doors!

166man

EPM wrote: »

Well to be fair a petrol engine in what are essentially load luggers is always a bad idea as it will be too economical. A diesel Mazda 5 is a major no no as if it hasn't been properly looked after its a time bomb. Even if it has it's not worth the risk.

But small, short journeys will have an adverse affect on diesel. Also, they are not that much more economical when not properly warmed up, certainly not more economical to justify the extra expense when buying.

Completely agree on the Mazda I have heard some shocking stories about those engines. However I was thinking more about something like a 2.0 petrol Ford Galaxy compared to the 2.0 diesel. Wouldn't touch a petrol in that case. Can you imagine how bad the fuel economy of a Galaxy petrol would be?!

Marlow

166man wrote: »

However I was thinking more about something like a 2.0 petrol Ford Galaxy compared to the 2.0 diesel. Wouldn't touch a petrol in that case. Can you imagine how bad the fuel economy of a Galaxy petrol would be?!

The 2.3 petrols in the Ford Galaxy were rock solid. But that's not an option here, as it has no sliding doors.

Also, it's overall economy at less than 10k/year you need to look at. Not fuel economy alone.

/M

EPM

166man wrote: »

Completely agree on the Mazda I have heard some shocking stories about those engines. However I was thinking more about something like a 2.0 petrol Ford Galaxy compared to the 2.0 diesel. Wouldn't touch a petrol in that case. Can you imagine how bad the fuel economy of a Galaxy petrol would be?!

There are 1.8t Sharans/Alhambras about which might suit. The diesel galaxy, while slightly more economical about town, will not like short spins and cost more to buy. Working it out the petrol might be a cheaper longer term option.

Sliding doors are useful, but if the OP can live with conventional ones there is a lot more choice.

Zubeneschamali

I ran a Kangoo for a couple of years. Sliding doors, cheap to run, massive boot. Ugly as sin, of course, but, hey.

Tea 1000

Going Forward wrote: »

Sliding doors can slice fingers off very nicely. Care must be taken.

How?

Lex Luthor

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I ran a Kangoo for a couple of years. Sliding doors, cheap to run, massive boot. Ugly as sin, of course, but, hey.

or the Citroen Berling Multispace

E39MSport

Tea 1000 wrote: »

How?

Same as any door I suppose but the sliding doors (especially older ones) are closed with a fair old whack. More snapped off than sliced I'd say.

One point with manual sliding doors is that they can need a fair bit of force if not maintained properly and can be difficult for little ones to use.

BostonB

Confab wrote: »

Why sliding doors only? Do your kids have a phobia of proper doors?...

Because they take less space to open.

BostonB

E39MSport wrote: »

Same as any door I suppose but the sliding doors (especially older ones) are closed with a fair old whack. More snapped off than sliced I'd say.

One point with manual sliding doors is that they can need a fair bit of force if not maintained properly and can be difficult for little ones to use.

Other than scare scaremongering are there any facts to back that up. (don't some have electric doors?)

That would probably be a good thing.

E39MSport

What scaremongering ? :rolleyes:

Chillax. it was an answer to your question.
Few post BH heads today.

Mine below has a fair momentum when it closes - certainly enough to cause injury.

Yes, some do have electronic sliding doors as per above.

unkel

166man wrote: »

A diesel is definitely preferable in an MPV for the torque over a weedy petrol engine. I mean how many petrol Ford S-Max's do you see?

You don't see many because:

1. Motor tax on a modern diesel is much cheaper than on a petrol
2. You save a fortune on fuel when you buy a diesel
3. The man in the pub says diesel is the way to go, everybody buys diesel now
4. Diesel cars hold their value better

95% of people do not look beyond any of these points...

BostonB

E39MSport wrote: »

What scaremongering ? :rolleyes:

Chillax. it was an answer to your question.
Few post BH heads today.

Mine below has a fair momentum when it closes - certainly enough to cause injury.
....

Have you ever heard of some ones fingers getting chopped off?

You'd think it would be reflected in accident stats somewhere even on commerical vans etc. The electric ones seem to have some sensor that stops it if there's fingers, but it doesn't seem free from error going by the web. Perhaps theres some stats on swing vs manual door accidents?

I couldn't find much on a quick Google.

alias no.9

EPM wrote: »

A diesel Mazda 5 is a major no no as if it hasn't been properly looked after its a time bomb.

Is the Diesel the Ford/PSA TDCi/HDi lump (given the 5 is based on the Focus platform and a close cousin of the c-max) or does it have the dreaded Mazda lump from the 6?

SuperGrover

We have a 2007 1.8 petrol Mazda 5.

Can't fault it. Nice yoke.

Short runs mostly.

BostonB

166man wrote: »

... A diesel is definitely preferable in an MPV for the torque over a weedy petrol engine.....

Weedy? This enough torque?

Engine Size
2522 cc
Cylinders
5
0-60 mph
7.4 secs
Top Speed
143 mph
Power Output
216 bhp
Valves
20
Torque
324 Nm 239 lb-ft

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/ford/s-max/estate-2006/33975/

The engines range was overhauled in mid-2010 and has three versions of the 2.0 TDCI, ranging from 115 bhp to 163 bhp. However, the real surprise is the 2.0 Ecoboost petrol. It has 203 bhp, similar torque (pulling power) to the diesel and manages 35 mpg. For the first time ever, a petrol engine actually makes sense in a large MPV.

http://fwd.channel5.com/cars/large-mpv/ford-s-max

166man

BostonB wrote: »

Weedy? This enough torque?



http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/ford/s-max/estate-2006/33975/





http://fwd.channel5.com/cars/large-mpv/ford-s-max

Can't argue with those statistics you're right , but I'm talking about a 1.8 n/a petrol engine compared to the diesel. Surely diesel is better in most MPV's though?

BostonB

We have a petrol 1.6 MPV, we do very little mileage, and the petrol was much cheaper with vastly less mileage and much better condition than all the diesels I l looked at. I expect to take the hit on resale. It has enough poke for the driving we do. Most of the diesels had high miles, and I'd expect them to need things likes shocks, clutches, etc much sooner than the petrol with less miles.

Marlow

166man wrote: »

Can't argue with those statistics you're right , but I'm talking about a 1.8 n/a petrol engine compared to the diesel. Surely diesel is better in most MPV's though?

Not if you do short trips and low milage.

/M

censuspro

censuspro wrote: »

OP here: The Toyota Previa is an option. Found one here for 11K. Would you say I could get this or something similar for €8K.

Thanks for all the replies, I didn't know that diesel engines are potentially a problem if your doing short distances. The reason I leaned towards diesel is because I'm driving a 1.4 diesel Peugeot 206 at the moment and it runs on a spit.

Also wondering what posters thoughts are on this Voyager?

Bodhan

censuspro wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, I didn't know that diesel engines are potentially a problem if your doing short distances. The reason I leaned towards diesel is because I'm driving a 1.4 diesel Peugeot 206 at the moment and it runs on a spit.

Also wondering what posters thoughts are on this Voyager?

For some weird reason I love them, if it had swivel seats in it I'd buy it for that money. That said I have no idea how reliable they are

bazz26

I'd rather buy something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201144205390323

Those Voyagers are poorly built and have a very bad safety rating.

Going Forward

BostonB wrote: »

Have you ever heard of some ones fingers getting chopped off?

You'd think it would be reflected in accident stats somewhere even on commerical vans etc. The electric ones seem to have some sensor that stops it if there's fingers, but it doesn't seem free from error going by the web. Perhaps theres some stats on swing vs manual door accidents?

I couldn't find much on a quick Google.

Not chopped off, but injuries are common enough.
The problem is that there is more potential to have accidents with sliding doors - what happens is that because there is no hinged side pillar from which the door usually hangs you have a "dangerous area" where a door can accidentally be slammed across someone s hand unwittingly left there.
Also you have another potential danger at the edge of door which has the roller mechanism.

Electric version s can be prone to jamming etc.

166man

censuspro wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, I didn't know that diesel engines are potentially a problem if your doing short distances. The reason I leaned towards diesel is because I'm driving a 1.4 diesel Peugeot 206 at the moment and it runs on a spit.

Also wondering what posters thoughts are on this Voyager?

That Voyager looks like it has many more miles than 50k to be honest and it's as basic as a model can get, nothing on it. Wouldn't touch a manual in one of those either,another thing to go wrong. That being said a friend's parents have a 2004 3.3 full spec Voyager and it's actually really nice place to be. Great seats and comfort although it drinks petrol.

That being said never heard them complain about it's reliability.

E39MSport

The Voyagers are poo.