nice looking 7 seater car

boi

Hello,
hope for some suggestions.

We recently have our 3rd baby.oldest is 4 yrs. currently drive toyota prius and looking for a 7 seater car. The thing is I dont like the commonly recomended ones like zafira or galaxy simply becoz of their looks. Can anyone recommend a better looking one thats safe and decent price(not overly expensive).I dont like MPV look-looks like boxes to me.

our budget is less than £15K(live in uk).

looked at hyundai santa fe but dont know much about it or any other car.

important features:
safety.
reliability.
looks.
7 seater-to carry 3 children in car seats,all under 5yrs at present.

thanks in advance.

chiefwiggum

VOLVO XC90... lovely looking car with good safety features..pretty sure you can get it in 7 seater version

chiefwiggum

thought so...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/XC90/2.5-T-SE/213227287716570/advert?channel=CARS

166man

Mazda 5 is a nice looking car alright if you want to go down the MPV route however if you are looking for a 4x4 then something like a Volvo XC90 would easily meet all your requirements. Plenty around with good spec for 15k.:)

Chriscl1

Disco

Andrew33

S-Max, better looking than any 4X4 with the added benefit of much much lower running costs.

bazz26

The Ford S-Max is what I would consider good looking as MPVs go. They handle like a car too for all those daddy's suffering from a mid like crisis.

Marcusm

Seeing as you ention the Santa Fe, you seem to ike SUVs. How about the daddy! If it's not your style, modify the search.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201152438764819/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/12000/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/price-to/16000/model/discovery/make/land_rover/radius/1501/postcode/se14tx/page/2?logcode=p

mickdw

Would a 7 seater E Class be an option? Different to the usual people carriers anyway. Many available for all budgets yet many are not aware of the 7 seat option.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201151437036386/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/body-type/estate/model/e_class/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/ml12da/radius/1501/page/9/keywords/7_seat?logcode=p

but43r

mickdw wrote: »

Would a 7 seater E Class be an option? Different to the usual people carriers anyway. Many available for all budgets yet many are not aware of the 7 seat option.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201151437036386/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/body-type/estate/model/e_class/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/ml12da/radius/1501/page/9/keywords/7_seat?logcode=p

That's what I'd be going for. Class looking thing

Bishop_Donal

Hyundai Santa Fe seems to have some problems with Flywheel / clutch. Think there are quite some discussions on other boards. Might be worth taking a read of some of these before you decide.

I think (but am not sure) that the relevant parts were modified around 2010, so if you are buying post 2010 might not be relevant?

colm_mcm

Automatic Santa Fe would be a good option, they have leather and bigger wheels.

Yakuza

Qashqai+2 is not a bad car (I've owned one for almost 2 years), for £15K in the UK you would probably be abled to get a decent spec 2 year old one. The rear seats are really only for kids, though. It's a decent looking car (I, like you, don't like the minivan look), but if I could have afforded an XC90, I'd have gone for that.

In terms of your seating requirement, I had an 8-year old in a booster, a 3 year old in a full car seat and a baby (in the middle) in a rock-a-tot. All that fit without any issues.

crosstownk

Citroën C4 Grand Picasso?

si_guru

There are 5 of you and you need 7 seats?

Most "7" seaters are 6.5 seaters in fact. Many MPV's won't allow access to row 3 if you have 2 child seats in the outer seats of row 2 (all 6.5 seaters will need you to do this).

Generally the bigger they are the more easy they are to use as 7 seaters.... If I was in the UK I would have a Caravelle. Seats 9 and takes 9 peoples' luggage too!

Saab Ed

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2SNw07GMfs/TVQHelz7JwI/AAAAAAAABIY/ywAXtQjCMTs/s1600/Mercedes_600_Pullman.jpg

E39MSport

A thing of beauty

heate

The e class is well a class act but not a seven seater I would count the rear seats as occasional seats and not suitable for day in day out use.
An xc90 is perfect relatively stylish alternative as mentioned get into a low ish mileage D5 auto 2007/08.

Theboinkmaster

would an audi q7 from UK be beyond budget?

166man

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

would an audi q7 from UK be beyond budget?

The OP wants a good looking SUV and you suggest an Audi Q7??

Gophur

Q7 are a magnificent machine.

mickdw

True, the seats are not ideal in the e class however i would rate them above the rear seats in some of the smaller 7 sweaters such as zafira etc. The e class seats are well inboard in all directions.

stimpson

MPV is the way to go as they have been designed for families. The Verso hasn't been mentioned yet. 3 individual seats in the back which will each take a child seat. 2 pop up seats in the back which can be folded flat with one hand and a panoramic glass roof on the 2010 model. 2.0 diesel with 6 speed manual is the one to go for. Plenty of space for 2+3 but a little bit of a squeeze when the rear row is in use (we only use ours occasionally). And it's shorter than the competition so easier to park and still drives like a car.

Our other short listed MPV was the C4 Grand Picasso. Far funkier than the Verso, but much bigger on the outside and the inside. At the end of the day it came down to practacality over funkiness and trade in value (Toyota dealer offered me 3k more for the Avensis) and the fact that I couldn't justify spending all that money on a French car.

The best bit of advice I can give you is to test drive your shortlists. Arrive up with family in tow and fit all the child seats and put buggies in the boot and go for a 1/2 hour spin. We were amazed how many cars got crossed off our list when we tried to put a buggy in the boot!

166man

Gophur wrote: »

Q7 are a magnificent machine.

Care to elaborate?:p

boi

Thanks everyone for reply and wonderful suggestions. As much as I would love the Merc e-class I dont think it will fit our purpose as I think we will need to use it more than that.
We went out to look at cars today and actually think ford s-max is not bad even though it is an MPV and I usually dont like the look.so we now have it in our shortlist.
XC90 looks good even though most I havent found many in our price range.
One car dealer told us qashqai +2 only means bigger boot and not 7 seater but seems to be recomended here?
we also saw a renault scenic and citroen picasso but like most people have said already, very little boot space(more like none) when all 7 seats in use.

oh dear, still confused:-)

heate

The best way to sort an XC90 is go to Volvo UK website an search fr used ones! Around 50k miles 06-08 can be had with a Volvo used warranty and some peace of mind (device history good tyres etc) for £15k
There easy to sell on and the safest SUV to throw the kids into

Yawlboy

We have 4 kids and have been running a Land Rover Discovery 3 for 6 years now. They are the only SUV we found with a usable boot with all 7 seats in use. We can fit a double buggy, weekly shop or our Labrador in the boot. We did look at an XC90 but found the ride to be rubbish compared to the Disco.

My UK based father in law has a Citroen C-Crosser (Auto, SatNav, Leather etc) which he got for £20k as a six month old demo model and all 6 of us and him have fitted in it with luggage.

Hope this helps
YB

paddydriver

OSI wrote: »

Now, this is quite possibly an urban myth of suchs, but I know it would be on my mind when picking a car to transport my kids in, but isn't the XC90 the only SUV that was designed to withstand it's own weight on the roof?

Yep, can fit a fair amount into those big roof boxes:D - could consider taking the 2nd car too.

All jokes aside - would recommend an S-Max, we have one a few years now and very happy. 2.0 TDCI and commonly 500 miles+ from a tank of diesel - big tank though! €90 to fill.

Friend had an XC90 and he swore never again, was far too heavy on the juice and fairly sure it was a diesel too.

BigEejit

A work colleague has a XC90 and while he loves it, he says it is extremely heavy on diesel.

Another colleague with 3 kids but planning on more got a 7 seat discovery 2 and swears by it.

E39MSport

Yawlboy wrote: »

We have 4 kids and have been running a Land Rover Discovery 3 for 6 years now. They are the only SUV we found with a usable boot with all 7 seats in use. We can fit a double buggy, weekly shop or our Labrador in the boot. We did look at an XC90 but found the ride to be rubbish compared to the Disco.

My UK based father in law has a Citroen C-Crosser (Auto, SatNav, Leather etc) which he got for £20k as a six month old demo model and all 6 of us and him have fitted in it with luggage.

Hope this helps
YB

Have you been in an Amazon?

Yawlboy

To be honest the prices of Amazons and GL Mercedes are a bit too steep for me but they do have a fair bit of space also.

boi

Had a look around.So far what I liked in our price range is ford s-max or toyota verso.Is there any specs we should go for? the toyota dealer had a verso 1.6 petrol and 2.0 diesel. the s-max mentioned titanium and vetec.what do people think?we plan to test drive verso over the weekend when other half off work.

stimpson

boi wrote: »

Had a look around.So far what I liked in our price range is ford s-max or toyota verso.Is there any specs we should go for? the toyota dealer had a verso 1.6 petrol and 2.0 diesel. the s-max mentioned titanium and vetec.what do people think?we plan to test drive verso over the weekend when other half off work.

What year is the Verso? The post 2010 (2009 in UK I think) diesel has the engine and 6 speed box form the new Avensis. I think the older 2.0 diesel has the earlier crappy 5 speed box and should be avoided. If you're not doing the miles for a diesel, avoid the 1.6 petrol and go for the 1.8 - a neighbour has a 1.6 petrol and he says it's woefully underpowered..

The trim levels in the UK are different too (i.e. more generous) but I'm not 100% sure on them so I can really help you there.

boi

here is the 2.0 verso(2010)
http://www.drivebenfield.com/approved-used-vehicles/yg10gud/vehicle-type/cars/make/toyota/model/verso

what about the s-max,what engine size,petrol or diesel should i look out for?

Matt Simis

Middle ages guys with classes driving an MPV beyond their means are a pet peeve of mine. The worst thing you can meet on the roads and frighteningly common too.

stimpson

boi wrote: »

here is the 2.0 verso(2010)
http://www.drivebenfield.com/approved-used-vehicles/yg10gud/vehicle-type/cars/make/toyota/model/verso

what about the s-max,what engine size,petrol or diesel should i look out for?

Yeah - that's the new one. Looks like the lower speced trim level. Mine has glass roof, cruise and dual zone aircon and a few other bits and bobs. It might be worth looking for a mid spec if you can get one in budget. It has a glass roof if you have 3 kids. It's never any fun sitting in the middle! And it has tray tables and a second airconditioned glove box.

Make sure you fit all the child seats and put buggies in the boot. If you have an older child that takes a booster rather than a full child seat, I believe there is a narrower booster seat that you can get in Halfords - There was a thread on the UK toyota owners club about it before.

That stereo has bluetooth phone and audio but it's a bit clunky (especially if you have more than one phone). I'm on the lookout for a satnav unit from a UK T-Spirit model. It's the one thing I dislike about the car.

I have to say, I love my Verso, as it's designed around a family. Not the most exciting car in the world, but that's kind of the point. It's functional, comfortable and massively practical.

Can't help you with the S-Max. I really don't like Fords styling so I didn't stay too long in the showroom. It seems to be a fair bit bigger than the Verso, so if space is more important then it's the one to go for. I prefer the size of the Verso as it's easier to park, but each to their own.

stimpson

Matt Simis wrote: »

Middle ages guys with classes driving an MPV beyond their means are a pet peeve of mine. The worst thing you can meet on the roads and frighteningly common too.

F*ck you - I'm still in my 30's

sweetie

what about this car?

E39MSport

Matt Simis wrote: »

Middle ages guys with classes driving an MPV beyond their means are a pet peeve of mine. The worst thing you can meet on the roads and frighteningly common too.

Old and Grumpy Matt. Next thing you'll be sat behind the wheel of an L322 RR

boi

Thanks guys.
Stimpson,do you mind telling me what specs to look out for?I am trying to engage car broker and they are asking me what specs I want so that they can search and negotiate price for me nationwide.

stimpson

boi wrote: »

Thanks guys.
Stimpson,do you mind telling me what specs to look out for?I am trying to engage car broker and they are asking me what specs I want so that they can search and negotiate price for me nationwide.

The specs in Ireland are different - eg. the mid spec here has panoramic glass roof, dual zone climate and cruise as standard. I did drive a T-Spirit in the UK and it's pretty similar, except it has the satnav and a reversing camera, however looking at the new price on toyota.co.uk it does seem to be a lot pricier compared to the TR spec.

If your budget can stretch to it I'd go for a T-spirit. Otherwise I'd settle for a TR, add reversing sensors and I'd look for Dual Zone aircon if it's an option on the TR.

As for Petrol or Diesel, you need to tell us more about what type of driving you do and how many miles you do in a year.

lastlaugh

I'd love a Toyota Previa.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Previa/7-SEAT-S/201138204525375/advert?channel=CARS

The old Estimas are cool looking too.

166man

lastlaugh wrote: »

I'd love a Toyota Previa.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Previa/7-SEAT-S/201138204525375/advert?channel=CARS

The old Estimas are cool looking too.

Jeez that seller must having a great old dream looking for nearly €11k for that Previa!:eek:

E39MSport

lastlaugh wrote: »

I'd love a Toyota Previa.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Previa/7-SEAT-S/201138204525375/advert?channel=CARS

The old Estimas are cool looking too.

Most of the old Estys are rough.

There's a few AWD ones for sale on donedeal and seems owners aren't even aware that they are awd or at least they dont mention it in the adds.