Best new people carrier on market

John Kelly of

NEW CAR
Hi guys I have an open mind on this.
Family of 6.
Live in Dublin so lots of short journeys.
Don't mind the looks of a car so much as long as it's reliable and has a little power as up till now we've had a Trajet 2004 which accelarates like a snail.
Any advice on what to buy or not buy would be great thanks

ba_barabus

Fiat Multipla or Honda FRV?

ba_barabus

I could be mistaken but I don't think any manufacturers sell a 6 seater any more.

John Kelly of

my bad I just fixed thread title etc.

ba_barabus

With a family of 6 I'd imagine you'll be going for one of the larger type MPV's of which there are now only a few left on the market. I'd be aiming towards a Chrysler Voyager (space for passengers and luggage) or the new VW Sharan.

They really aren't as popular as they were. The normal 7 seaters like Scenics are really a 5 seater with space for 2 extra very small kids or luggage. I doubt they would suffice.

Drummerboy08

Ford Galaxy is the daddy IMO. Especially if you're buying new.

listermint

Ford Galaxy for me,

If i had to buy a people carrier it would be top of my list, having driven a few i quite like them.

Stallingrad

Seat Alhambra would be a fine bus.

ba_barabus

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Ford Galaxy is the daddy IMO. Especially if you're buying new.

My sisters family has found them fine with 5 kids but if you have the rear most seats up which you will do with a family of 6 there is very little boot space left.

A great car make no mistake but I think OP needs a FULL FAT MPV.

Drummerboy08

The Voyager is poor at best. Yes it has loads of room but its a poor build and has a piss poor resale value.

The Galaxy actually isnt a whole lot smaller inside either.

ba_barabus

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

The Voyager is poor at best. Yes it has loads of room but its a poor build and has a piss poor resale value.

OP's choices are limited given most brands no longer supply large MPV's which could take 6 plus luggage. That's the only reason I'd recommend it. I agree with your points.

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

The Galaxy actually isnt a whole lot smaller inside either.

I've never had a complaint with space in the new Galaxy but I do think it's smaller than the Voyager with all seats in use. It doesn't have nearly as much space in the boot or as much shoulder room.

I do think OP needs to give more info. If all 6 are never in the car together or are nearly fully grown up I'd consider advising a wider range of cars. Even a budget would be nice. Does it have to be new OP?

MrDerp

Volvo XC90 is always an option as a 7 seater that doesn't look like a 7 seater.

With a new model (long overdue) coming in 2015, I don't know whether you'd want to wait for that though.

Marcusm

The old Grand Voyager was a complete dog; the new one is a lot better. How many have been sold, how easy it is to get a test drive not to mind a new order and how much it'll depreciate are all reasons why I'd look at a European equivalent. If you want lots of room, a Merc Viano (not Vito) can be very spacious (ESP in XLB version).

Noccy_Mondy

I'd be suggesting the Galaxy too I know that they can be pricey new, but imo they are the best people carrier out there atm, looks wise anyway. A colleague has one, a 2008 Ghia, looks very good! I'm aware that they don't make the ghia spec anymore, but they look well in any other high-ish spec. Now that I have all that typed I just see that the op doesn't care about looks, anyway, as said before, once the rear most seats are in use, boot space isn't in all that much supply...

Zubeneschamali

If there's only 6 of you in a new Galaxy, you can fold one rear seat flat, and have a big boot.

stonecipher

I would highly recommend a Toyota Prius Plus 7 Seater,
wonderful car, very economical, well made, low tax.

There is another thread about the prius in general in motors.

listermint

stonecipher wrote: »

I would highly recommend a Toyota Prius Plus 7 Seater,
wonderful car, very economical, well made, low tax.

There is another thread about the prius in general in motors.

These cant be remotely as big as a galaxy?

ba_barabus

listermint wrote: »

These cant be remotely as big as a galaxy?

They're not.

John Kelly of

ba_barabus wrote: »

I do think OP needs to give more info. If all 6 are never in the car together or are nearly fully grown up I'd consider advising a wider range of cars. Even a budget would be nice. Does it have to be new OP?

All 6 would be in the car on weekends and the oldest is 11 years old. We would rarely have to put luggage in, mabye 3 or 4 times a year.

listermint

Well OP, id go out and take some test drives all kids included. Start with the Galaxy and work from there. Build wise i think its one of the best on the market and definitely the best looking.

ba_barabus

John Kelly of wrote: »

All 6 would be in the car on weekends and the oldest is 11 years old. We would rarely have to put luggage in, mabye 3 or 4 times a year.

Do you all ever head away for a long drive during the year? I'm thinking of holidays and the like. How much money do you plan on spending?

At the minute we could recommend anything from a Scenic or Galaxy all the way up to a Discovery. A budget and as much info as possible would help otherwise we will just be shooting in the dark with random suggestions. Any cars you don't want?

John Kelly of

I just checked and it starts at 38k which is a little higher than I had contemplated but I'm not ruling it out I suppose.

John Kelly of

I looked at the Scenic online and thought it looked good value but I heard that French cars are troublesome is that true?

ba_barabus

John Kelly of wrote: »

I looked at the Scenic online and thought it looked good value but I heard that French cars are troublesome is that true?

They're far better than they were. If you are considering a Scenic than look at a newly launched C4 Picasso. I'd consider a pre reg Galaxy above all however.

John Kelly of

ba_barabus wrote: »

Do you all ever head away for a long drive during the year? I'm thinking of holidays and the like. How much money do you plan on spending?

At the minute we could recommend anything from a Scenic or Galaxy all the way up to a Discovery. A budget and as much info as possible would help otherwise we will just be shooting in the dark with random suggestions. Any cars you don't want?

Twice a year we would drive to Waterford or Kerry maybee for holidays. Was hoping to spend less than 30k initially but if something is worth it for more we could go higher.

John Kelly of

I see the Grand Picaso starts at 27k, what does pre-reg mean?

ba_barabus

John Kelly of wrote: »

I see the Grand Picaso starts at 27k, what does pre-reg mean?

A car registered by the dealer. You can basically get a new car with no miles for a saving of at least 1000. You just won't be the first owner

Henry Ford III

S Max drives better than any of them. It's not small either.

John Kelly of

S-max looks good thanks.

ninty9er

Alhambra/Sharan is much more practical than the Galaxy. Sliding doors and bigger load space. The Galaxy must be due replacement soon.

Zubeneschamali

Henry Ford III wrote: »

S Max drives better than any of them. It's not small either.

Yes, the S-Max is best to drive (I have an 08 myself), but the third row of seats is small. Nor is it cheap.

Zubeneschamali

ninty9er wrote: »

Alhambra/Sharan is much more practical than the Galaxy. Sliding doors and bigger load space.

VW Ireland have dropped the Sharan already.

mfceiling

The new c4 picasso is a lovely looking wagon.

Got a great review in the sunday times a few weeks ago.

www.citroen.ie/new-cars/car-range/citroen-grand-c4-picasso/#/new-cars/car-range/citroen-grand-c4-picasso/

ninty9er

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

VW Ireland have dropped the Sharan already.

VW = Seat and there are plenty of 132 Alhambras about

Moneymaker

ba_barabus wrote: »

They're far better than they were. If you are considering a Scenic than look at a newly launched C4 Picasso. I'd consider a pre reg Galaxy above all however.

I only see the Picasso with a 1.6?

That'd be desperate performance wise no?

If you can get a better engine i'd be very keen on it, handsome for what it is.

You can't go wrong with a Galaxy though. Get the 2 litre though.

Zubeneschamali

ninty9er wrote: »

VW = Seat

Sit in a Leon, then in a similarly engined Golf. There is an obvious reason the Seat costs thousands less: it's cheap inside.

Markcheese

Is the espace still around ?? How would something like a passenger scudo/dispatch price out ... Taxi men seem to like them and they drive like a car rather than a van...

listermint

OP why does it have to be brand new ?

There are some great second hand units available in the UK

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310159287126/sort/default/usedcars/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/galaxy/ni-only/on/page/1/make/ford/radius/1500/maximum-age/up_to_2_years_old/postcode/rg20td?logcode=p

colm_mcm

OP I'd stick with full size 7 seaters and not 7 seat version of 5 seaters if you know what I mean

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

OP I'd stick with full size 7 seaters and not 7 seat version of 5 seaters if you know what I mean

Couldn't agree more.

ninty9er

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Sit in a Leon, then in a similarly engined Golf. There is an obvious reason the Seat costs thousands less: it's cheap inside.

Drive an Alhambra, drive a Galaxy, then come back to me. Alhambra beats the 6 year old Ford unit in space, comfort and power in manual or automatic, with better standard spec and less fuss.

Zubeneschamali

ninty9er wrote: »

Alhambra beats the 6 year old Ford unit in space, comfort and power in manual or automatic, with better standard spec and less fuss.

I'll take a closer look when it's time to replace our S-Max, but squinting at the spec sheets, no, it isn't more powerful. You can match it with the Galaxy 115 or 140 hp, but you can have a 160 or 203 bhp Galaxy if you want.

Size: yes, its an inch or two longer and wider, but lower than the Galaxy and 30kg heavier. The interior folding arrangement in the Seat is a good copy of Ford's.

But: the reviews I've seen have said it is dull to drive next to the Ford, so probably not for me.

ninty9er

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I'll take a closer look when it's time to replace our S-Max, but squinting at the spec sheets, no, it isn't more powerful. You can match it with the Galaxy 115 or 140 hp, but you can have a 160 or 203 bhp Galaxy if you want.

Size: yes, its an inch or two longer and wider, but lower than the Galaxy and 30kg heavier. The interior folding arrangement in the Seat is a good copy of Ford's.

But: the reviews I've seen have said it is dull to drive next to the Ford, so probably not for me.

Like I say, drive it, don't leave it to reviews. I've driven both cars, both manual and auto, the Galaxy is a mare compares to the Alhambra, then again, it's a newer design.

John Kelly of

thanks guys
Alhambra and Galaxy are above 38k while Grand Picasso is starting at 27k
Why is there such a big difference in price?

http://www.seat.ie/content/medialib/seat/ie/downloads/product_guide/ALHAMBRA_Product_Guide/_jcr_content/renditions/rendition_0.file/alhambra-product-guide-01012013.pdf

http://www.citroenoffers.ie/pdf/citroen-price-list.pdf

http://www.ford.ie/Cars/Galaxy