7 seater for everyday commuter on motorway

Kilmurray

I am currently driving 04 SEAT Alhambra. I commute daily on motorway over 150 miles. It takes me a little over 2 hours on motorway in total. Currently, I am getting about 43 mpg with diesel turbo engine. I am looking for a newer 7 seater which should be in same size as Alhambra as I have 4 big kids.

What I am looking for are

*reasonable repair bills on service and maintenance
*low tax hence after 2008
*high fuel efficiency 43mph+

***don't mind about boot space as I gave up on that long time ago with 4 kids. we use roofbox

I don't want another SEAT and not sure about Ford Galaxy either. Any suggestions?

Cogsy88

What sort of price range?

Guy:Incognito

To be the same size you have the Galaxy, Espace, 807/C8 (up to 2010) , Trajet (up to 07 I think) Chrysler Voyager. Few things that might be import jobs like Honda Odyessy.

Kilmurray

Cogsy88;

up to 15000

incognito;

I am aware of these cars. What I want to know is how they perform over years time and high mileage.

I am not sure about Hunydai Trajet or Ford. Correct me if I am wrong.

I would like to make a right choice on a family car as we all are limited with resources these days.

HeidiHeidi

My sister has a Citroen C-something. Huge yoke, she's very happy with it.

Sorry, can't give you any more details than that, maybe someone else can.

Cogsy88

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

My sister has a Citroen C-something. Huge yoke, she's very happy with it.

Sorry, can't give you any more details than that, maybe someone else can.

One of these.
http://www.carsireland.ie/county/dublin/citroen/c4-grand-picasso/detail.php?ad_id=988677&r=s.php%3Fm%3D16%26o%3D2204%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26g%3D0

Kilmurray

What are possible mechanical troubles with Citron C4? Alhambra was great until it started to go wrong and repair bills have been quite high. Most year I spent over 1000 euro for last 3-4 years. Current mileage is 197K + miles.

Guy:Incognito

A c4 Picasso is not a full sized mpv the way the Alhambra and the others are. It and the like of the grand scenic, Zafira etc have much smaller seats in the boot ( and a middle row you'll only really get 2 car seats in) that are only really useful for occasional use.

Garzorico

I have an imported 00 Toyota estima 8 seater. 2.4L petrol automatic. Drive is grand on motorways. Very comfy. Huge amount of space, 4 kids. Have it 3 yrs not a days trouble. Drinks the fuel though.

JJJJNR

4 big kids plus adults? Something like a vw T5 pass/8 seater.

Guy:Incognito

JJJJNR wrote: »

4 big kids plus adults? Something like a vw T5 pass/8 seater.

Assuming no polygamy and just a standard couple plus the 4 kids then 6 seats and a standard full size 7 seat mpv is all that's needed

Those transporters are savage money.

gctest50

galaxy be grand - sit all day at 150 without that feeling of impending doom about it


you might be able to use this as a launchpad for more research :

http://www.motormum.com

JJJJNR

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Assuming no polygamy and just a standard couple plus the 4 kids then 6 seats and a standard full size 7 seat mpv is all that's needed

Those transporters are savage money.

Yeah suppose something like a hyundai santa fe might be better.

bazz26

Ford Galaxy:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Galaxy/AUTOMATIC-2.0/37113823677314460/

Establishment gets mixed reviews though.

crosstownk

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

A c4 Picasso is not a full sized mpv It and the like of the grand scenic, Zafira etc have much smaller seats in the boot ( and a middle row you'll only really get 2 car seats in) that are only really useful for occasional use.

Yes, the back row in a C4 Grand Picasso are probably more suitable for occasional use but the middle row has 3 independent seats and can easily accommodate 3 child seats. Each seat partially reclines and move forward and rearward independent of the other two. It's not a bench seat unlike the Zafira.

I'm driving a Citroen C4 Picasso (1.6HDi 115 BHP) at the moment and it's very capable at motorway speeds.

bbam

We have a C4GP as well. Manual gearbox and from memory is ~130/140 model.
Very comfortable to drive long distances. Have been down through France a number f times.

Very good on motorway, not as bad in cross wind as other mpv I've driven.

logie101

VW Caravelle...

Expensive but they hold their money.

Mycroft H

They are not renowned for their fuel efficiency though.

kupus

why not get everything fixed on the Seat, It has 197k so of course it needs stuff to be replaced. there is a golf sitting outside the door that has OVER 300k but at least I know everything that has been replaced.

Put it this way why spend 15000 when you can spend just 2-3 getting seat right and you can drive it for another 5 years for hassle free motoring

traco

Have you a second car?

It sounds like you're using the Seat to go to work daily so maybe looking at a smaller cheaper commuter car might be an option and keep the Seat or change it but with less of a concern on the mpg??

Pedro K

Kilmurray wrote: »

I am currently driving 04 SEAT Alhambra. I commute daily on motorway over 150 miles. It takes me a little over 2 hours on motorway in total. Currently, I am getting about 43 mpg with diesel turbo engine. I am looking for a newer 7 seater which should be in same size as Alhambra as I have 4 big kids.

What I am looking for are

*reasonable repair bills on service and maintenance
*low tax hence after 2008
*high fuel efficiency 43mph+

***don't mind about boot space as I gave up on that long time ago with 4 kids. we use roofbox

I don't want another SEAT and not sure about Ford Galaxy either. Any suggestions?

If you want >43mpg then maybe a bigger bootspace and no roof top box is something you might consider. Those boxes will put a serious dent in your fuel economy.

Greyfoot

I`d get this

Put aside tax fer 3yrs, and I`d put the remaining money on red.

Seriously she`ll be grand, reliable donkey with good boost.
Look out for loose wobbling gear selector and ask about clutch history.
Don`t rest your foot on clutch and arm on lever as they tire out quickly this way, otherwise they`ll last.
Regarding recent service ask for suspension changes,close to that mark full 4 corners needs refreshment to prevent tyre eating.

Comfy, spacey, roof racks, good mpg,full heater and stereo, electric, cheap cheerful machine for a lot less money without paying top dollar for what it is.

Part prices are laughable compared to Ford and others.

Kilmurray

traco- Both of us commute
pedro- I don't carry roofbox everyday. People talking about bootspace regarding carrying stuff and holiday etc. that's when we use roof box. I specifically said not looking for bigger boot
kupus- "everything fixed up" is not an option any more. If that is something I considered, I would have asked whether it is better to fix it up or replace it? as heading

I appreciate everyone's time to respond my query. But please stay relevant to the topic.

Thanks

Guy:Incognito

Ot but With one of the rearmost seats taken out, seeing as you only need 6 seats there's be as much boot space if not more than what's in a roof box.

Kilmurray

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Ot but With one of the rearmost seats taken out, seeing as you only need 6 seats there's be as much boot space if not more than what's in a roof box.

Yes I actually carry only 5 seats on everyday commute as sometime I pick older kid up from school and all.

kupus

Kilmurray wrote: »

kupus- "everything fixed up" is not an option any more. If that is something I considered, I would have asked whether it is better to fix it up or replace it? as heading

Fair enough your money your life.
What about this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-grandis-2-0-di-d-intense/5945490

Just fyi citroen c8, puegot 807, and lancia ulyess all are based on the same platform so parts should be readily available.
Grandis is the nicest of all carriers imo.

Guy:Incognito

kupus wrote: »

Fair enough your money your life.
What about this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-grandis-2-0-di-d-intense/5945490

Just fyi citroen c8, puegot 807, and lancia ulyess all are based on the same platform so parts should be readily available.
Grandis is the nicest of all carriers imo.

Fiat Ulyesse isn't available post 05.

Greyfoot

That Mitsu has the same interior almost as the Sedona and if I am correct 2l petrol 4g63 offspring engine will be pig on juice.

Kilmurray

Greyfoot wrote: »

That Mitsu has the same interior almost as the Sedona and if I am correct 2l petrol 4g63 offspring engine will be pig on juice.

I agree. I would not consider 2L petrol. Current one is 1.9 Tdi which is good for long commute. My OH is driving 1.4L petrol and getting 48-50MPG still quite high on petrol and monthly commute expenses. (Don't want to talk about public transport, just not available)

Greyfoot

Seriously though, those Sedonas are well built yokes, we have two of them here, different gen. both being good. Later models much refined, interior and exterior too. These can be had for little money with loads of extras,SRS airbag all around, good steering feedback, solid brakes etc.You have to live with an almost 3l engine but if you load it up it still pulls fairly well on boost. Keep the oils changed and they go on and on. Being a KIA in the 7 seater line means no crappy car, trust me, working with korean and french cars daily,some Hyundai and KIA passenger cars are rubbish indeed but which company built only perfect machines?

My boss had an automatic as well before, he said it was better overall and produced better mpg actually.

traco

Personally I'd go for a Galaxy but don't think it'll meet your mpg, price and tax targets. The only experience I have of minivans is in the US so not much I can add

Kilmurray

Greyfoot wrote: »

Seriously though, those Sedonas are well built yokes, we have two of them here, different gen. both being good. Later models much refined, interior and exterior too. These can be had for little money with loads of extras,SRS airbag all around, good steering feedback, solid brakes etc.You have to live with an almost 3l engine but if you load it up it still pulls fairly well on boost. Keep the oils changed and they go on and on. Being a KIA in the 7 seater line means no crappy car, trust me, working with korean and french cars daily,some Hyundai and KIA passenger cars are rubbish indeed but which company built only perfect machines?

My boss had an automatic as well before, he said it was better overall and produced better mpg actually.

I would consider the motor if I don't have to drive long distance everyday but I do. I can't go crazy on big engine size. What MPG can you get from second hand Sedona?

Bigus

It might be worth considering how soon the biggest big kid will be driving their own car or is that a long way off? or will the replacement MPV be redundant sooner than you think, which might have a bearing on the choice you make now.

Greyfoot

Kilmurray wrote: »

I would consider the motor if I don't have to drive long distance everyday but I do. I can't go crazy on big engine size. What MPG can you get from second hand Sedona?

To be honest with you I am only driving urban, so cant really comment on mpg other than good compared to what it is. I get around 30 urban.

ninty9er

Could probably negotiate heavily on that price. Not a very sought after car.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/R-Class/R320-CDI/43613935222759380/advert?channel=CARS