Recommend a reliable MPV/People Carrier

AK333

I am hoping to sell my 09 Chevrolet Lacetti hatchback and I want to buy a 5 door people carrier/MPV. Between 2005 and 2007 and I was looking at a Citroen Xsara Picasso or a Seat but I really haven't a clue. I used to have a Mitsubishi Space Star which I loved, so something of that size.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated.

bazz26

Do you need 5 or 7 seats? For a 5 seater have a look at the Ford C-Max or 7 seater then something the Mazda 5 or Toyota Corolla Verso.

AK333

Thanks for that Bazz but I should have mentioned in my post that price was also an issue. I only need a 5 seater, so not a Verso or Mazda 5. I was looking at the cheaper end of the market, Daewoo Tacuma, Citroen Picasso, Seat. Anybody heard any good/bad about these makes?

Chuck Stone

Honda FR-V
2006
Petrol 1.7
93,000 Kilometres
1 owner
Full Service History
€7,500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4206268

bazz26

AK333 wrote: »

Thanks for that Bazz but I should have mentioned in my post that price was also an issue. I only need a 5 seater, so not a Verso or Mazda 5. I was looking at the cheaper end of the market, Daewoo Tacuma, Citroen Picasso, Seat. Anybody heard any good/bad about these makes?

You will need to tell us your budget as you can pick up a similar year Ford C-Max or Scenic in the same years as 2005 - 2007 Picasso, Altea, etc.

I'd choose the C-Max over that lot.

AK333

Thanks Bazz, I am looking under 5k - want to sell mine and maybe have a little left over. Not the best time of the year to be selling but was hoping to get sorted by the new year, I think I have mine competitively priced, but its a tough time to be buying / selling cars. I bought the lacetti in haste and though its a fine car its too small for my needs. I appreciate your input.

repsol

A friend of mine drives an old Seat Alhambra with massive miles on it and its still going strong.He swears by it.

AK333

Thanks Repsol, I had a look at them but they are 7 seaters I think and I really only need a 5 seater. I'm wondering if the picasso is a good buy or are citroens a problematic make?

Barry Barry

05' Fiat Multipla 1.6,
113k miles,
NCT until 2015
€3500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4324199



07' Opel Meriva 1.4,
Design model so has some nice extras,
69k miles,
NCT until June 2013 + Tax until February 2013,
€5500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4036680



I'll also second the Honda FR-V Chuch Stone posted, my sister has one 3 years this January and has had no problems with it - just basic servicing.

repsol

AK333 wrote: »

Thanks Repsol, I had a look at them but they are 7 seaters I think and I really only need a 5 seater. I'm wondering if the picasso is a good buy or are citroens a problematic make?

I personally would not touch a French car as I think they are unreliable and horrible to drive

bazz26

The Alhambra is a full size 7 seater and there is still strong money on them.

€5k will get you something like these:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/C-Max/NEW-NCT/31713543691900450/


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/SEAT/Altea/1.6-5DR/31513504866098830/

Nissan Tino:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Almera-Tino/1.8-5DR/29413493455755510/

Barry Barry

AK333 wrote: »

Thanks Repsol, I had a look at them but they are 7 seaters I think and I really only need a 5 seater. I'm wondering if the picasso is a good buy or are citroens a problematic make?

Every car has its flaws, be it a BMW, Audi, Ford or a Citroen.

A Picasso can be a good buy if its looked after properly and the same can be said for every car.

If you don't know much about cars bring a mechanic to see the car when your going to view it. If he/she says the car is good and your happy with it - then its a good buy

The_Honeybadger

I have a 2006 Picasso 1.6 petrol, it's the nicer spec with all the extras, tinted rear windows alloys and air con etc. only had it a year and no problems so far. I bought it in a main dealers with warrenty, so paid a bit more than I would have on donedeal, needed it in a hurry as baby no 3 was on the way and my old car was totally inadequate. It's not a great drive but that's not what I bought it for. It has three full seats across the back, loads of space in the boot and is reasonably economical for a 1.6 petrol (38mpg). They are cheap enough too. Can't say a bad word about it so far, but I'd take the Honda frv any day over it all the same. I'm nearing diesel mileage at about 20000km a year and this is likely to go up so ill probably change it in the next year or so for an s-max or c4 grand as i could use the extra space as well. Only problem is ill lose my shirt on it if I try to trade it in, if you're going for a petrol one be prepared to drive it until it dies as I'd imagine they'd be hard to shift. They are also a bit plasticky and the interior is ugly, but I guess people don't buy em to be stylish. All around its a good value mini MVP and I'd recommend it.

Word of warning about the c-max and altea above, they don't have three proper full seats across the back, the middle one is much narrower. If you need to get three child seats across the back you will struggle, it's a squeeze even in the Picasso to get the seat belt buckles clipped in with three proper seats.

AK333

Thanks everyone, its great to get knowledgeable comments. I like the look of the Opel Meriva and the Fiat but don't know much about them. I'll sell mine first and see what's available then but at least I know there are a few makes/models that would suit my needs. I won't be rushing into buying another car as quick as I did the lacetti, I'll do my research this time!

RidleyRider

Would a Zafira be a crazy suggestion?

stimpson

AK333 wrote: »

I only need a 5 seater, so not a Verso or Mazda 5.

The Verso comes in a 5 seater too. In fairness the 7 seaters rear seats fold into the floor and you have no boot to speak of when they are in use. I have the newer model, but the neighbor has an 05 and he says it never missed a beat and all it got was servicing. He said it was a bit heavy on petrol but it would be with the 1.6 engine. 2.0D4D is the one to go for.

If you've got an older child who doesn't need a seat with head protection, this booster seat is fairly narrow and tapered and will sort the middle seat problem:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_714407_langId_-1_categoryId_212579

Zubeneschamali

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd choose the C-Max over that lot.

It doesn't have 5 seats though, just 4 and a half.

As a party trick, you can change the seating so that it's a full 4 seater with no boot!