Suggestions for cheap, comfy, reliable, mid sized diesel mpv's ? 2004-2008 age range

Jellicoe

A relative of mine is looking for a cheap, comfy, reliable, medium sized mpv. He'd like a tidy one, with less than 100,000 miles on it, in roughly 2004-2008 age bracket. Not too big, not too small.

Looks/image not important. In fact he prefers something low key.

I was thinking maybe Citroen Xara Picasso, and Kia Carens ?

Would these be worth a shot, and any other suggestions ?


I know the Scenic would also fit the bill, but I've heard the reliability is very poor.

George Dalton

Does he need 7 seats?

Jellicoe

No, 5 seat would be fine, but if it comes with 7 so be it, as the extra bootspace will be handy for him.

George Dalton

Focus C-Max would be my choice.

Jellicoe

Thanks for that, I suggested a Zafira or C-Max, but he's had a few fords and opels lately so fancies a change I believe. Don't think he likes Toyota either, he's the non conformist type.

bugler

Maybe he could take a look at a Seat Altea / altea xl.

Pottler

Picasso is comfy, nice enough to drive and pretty reliable and not dear.

Jellicoe

Pottler wrote: »

Picasso is comfy, nice enough to drive and pretty reliable and not dear.

I'm thinking this might be the best option for him, whats the boot size like on them ? The Scenic's boot for example is smaller than you would think.

Pottler

Jellicoe wrote: »

I'm thinking this might be the best option for him, whats the boot size like on them ? The Scenic's boot for example is smaller than you would think.

Good big boot on the picasso and a very relaxing drive. Even the petrol ones are economical and very very tough - I sold one we had (03)there with 470k km on the clock and it had nothing changed except consumables.(1.6 petrol):) Missus loved it, I was sick of looking at it, no other reason for selling it.

Jellicoe

What kind of mpg would you get on the petrol and the diesel ones ?

Is the 1.6 diesel or the 2.0 diesel the best engine ?

Pottler

Jellicoe wrote: »

What kind of mpg would you get on the petrol and the diesel ones ?

Is the 1.6 diesel or the 2.0 diesel the best engine ?

I'd prefer the 2.0 diesel and I don't do mpg:D They use fuel, much like every other car/van uses fuel. I'd care more about them not breaking down as if they use feck all fuel but break every week, they're still a dear vehicle. Never even looked at what mpg anything I ever drive does - bit of a blind spot with me. When the little light comes on I put some more in!

Jellicoe

Apparently the 2.0 hdi is the one to go for.
Better MPG, no DMF, no DPF shyte.

The UK seem to have the best selection for sale, it was/is the UK's best selling MPV

You can get a very clean tidy lightly used 05 there with 70k miles and FSH for £ 2,500. Most of the Irish ones have been left looking like a pigsty inside.

166man

Pottler wrote: »

Good big boot on the picasso and a very relaxing drive. Even the petrol ones are economical and very very tough - I sold one we had (03)there with 470k km on the clock and it had nothing changed except consumables.(1.6 petrol) Missus loved it, I was sick of looking at it, no other reason for selling it.

:eek: Impressive though! 50k km a year?

Pottler

166man wrote: »

:eek: Impressive though! 50k km a year?

I sold it to a local lad and it's still flying round the place. Drivers seat totally worn out is the only real giveaway of the miles and I think he put a seat from a scrapped car into it there. Engine never even burned a drop of oil either. Same clutch too!

Zubeneschamali

George Dalton wrote: »

Focus C-Max would be my choice.

The C-Max is only a four-and-a-half seater. Fine if you only use four seats.

Jellicoe

Thanks for the help folks

Looks like the verdict is the Citroen Xara Picasso then, 2.0 HDI

Mycroft H

The 1.6HDI isn't a bad engine either. It's reliable once looked after.

Jellicoe

I'd say so, just trying to avoid the DMF and DPF scam.

Mycroft H

Some of the later 2.0HDI's have dual mass flywheels. As far as I know the last model Citroens to come without the DMF was the Xantia/Xsara in the early 2000's. I would imagine they have diesel particulate filters too, to pass the European emissions regulations

VINCWM

Whatever you do don't get a French manufactured car. Absolute horrible reliability. Stick to the German or Japanese makes!

Jellicoe

I find these days reliability has little to do with the make anymore, its the model choice that far is more important when it comes to reliability.

I love people who run down certain car makes, they make them nice and cheap for the rest of us, while they pay top dollar for their prefered 'reliable' plastic badge on the front.

Mycroft H

VINCWM wrote: »

Whatever you do don't get a French manufactured car. Absolute horrible reliability. Stick to the German or Japanese makes!

Yes, because the 2.0TDI VW engine never had injector problems. Or the 1.4 MK4 golf never burnt a drop of oil.

I could go on.

dgt

VINCWM wrote: »

Whatever you do don't get a French manufactured car. Absolute horrible reliability. Stick to the German or Japanese makes!

Apart from the electrical issue I find my French car to be extremely reliable. Starts on the button every time

Now if you had said riddled with electrical issues....