older people carrier

queueeye

Hi lads, i'm in the market for an older (2002- 2005) people carrier, or something decent of the same age that will take 2 booster seats and a baby seat across the back. It will be used as a second car for school runs etc maybe 150 miles per week. Any recommendations welcome, thanks in advance.

colm_mcm

Does it need to be 7 seater?

How much are you spending?

queueeye

No. Around 3 grand.

colm_mcm

For that money I'd be looking at a Corolla Verso.
They are 7 seats but the rear 2 fold into the floor.
They have 3 individual middle row seats, so great for child seats as they all slide independently of each other.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-verso-7-seater/8257382

You'll get plenty French stuff for that money, but I wouldn't be a big fan of Scenics/picassos etc

queueeye

Thanks, I'm an old school toyota fan myself and not mad about french stuff but i heard the 02 03 scenics up to the facelift model in 04 were reasonably trouble free and had fairly good spec.

colm_mcm

They're a very old design now though (1996)

queueeye

Point taken, looks wouldn't be terribly important and at that kind of money if i get a few years out of it i'll gladly take scrap money.

colm_mcm

There's more to it than looks though. There's safety. The scenic got 4 stars in 1996, which was good then. The Verso got 5 stars 8 years later under a tougher test.





Side impact particularly has moved on a lot since the 90s
http://youtu.be/Vq0Tu59UPaI

bazz26

Honda Stream is worth looking at too:

oinkely

For what it's worth, we have a 1,4 petrol scenic from 2002. Great car, if you don't mind a dull and boring drive. Fits a baby seat, a regular booster and a high back booster across the 3 back seats. The middle seat is a bit narrow, so a bit tight getting the belts plugged in sometimes. Cavernous boot, we generally have the wheels for the baby car seat and a phil and teds thing in there, and you'll still squeeze a bit of shopping in there too.

Heavy on petrol, but all it does is short local trips so to be expected. Survives on neglect very well. Very reliable, one coil pack, a battery and a set of brake pads in 8 years. Regular maintenace (once a year sevice).

Comfy place to sit, half leather, arm rest, leccy windows in front and back, twin sunroofs, 16" alloys and aircon that needs gassing!

I think about changing it every so often as it is quite slow but really, we will keep it until it passes on to the scrappy.

queueeye

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Stream is worth looking at too:

Second hand parts would be scarce though wouldn't they.

queueeye

Verso looks good value at that but is it the same engine as an 06 avensis? Buddy of mine has one on its second engine, both extremely fond of oil!

Moonbeam

The old Galaxies are meant to be great.

queueeye

Hi again folks, I know I said I'm not mad about French cars but what are peoples opinions on an 04 Citroen xsara Picasso. I'm tempted by the economy of the 1.6 Diesel engine. Are there any issues I should look out for? Private sale and the money is very right. Thanks in advance.

vienne86

Moonbeam wrote: »

The old Galaxies are meant to be great.

The Galaxy is a very big bus. A lot of people swear by the SMax though.

colm_mcm

The S-Max is both wider and longer than the original Galaxy.

colm_mcm

queueeye wrote: »

Hi again folks, I know I said I'm not mad about French cars but what are peoples opinions on an 04 Citroen xsara Picasso. I'm tempted by the economy of the 1.6 Diesel engine. Are there any issues I should look out for? Private sale and the money is very right. Thanks in advance.

This engine can be quite troublesome unless its religiously maintained (who's gonna maintain an 11 year old citroen?)
I'd stick with petrol given your mileage.

queueeye

colm_mcm wrote: »

This engine can be quite troublesome unless its religiously maintained (who's gonna maintain an 11 year old citroen?)
I'd stick with petrol given your mileage.

Thanks Colm, would a c max diesel be a better option? I'd prefer to stick with diesel if I can.

colm_mcm

If you're doing 7500 miles a year, you're just taking on unnecessary risk and will probably pay more to buy the car in the first place.

bazz26

With doing such low mileage why is fuel economy such a deciding factor? Will you actually be saving any money by going diesel, given that you will be giving the car such little use?

Most 10+ year old diesel cars at this stage will have a fair amount of miles on them too. Anything decent will cost decent money and the only diesel I'd probably look at in that age would something with the VAG 1.9 TDi as they tend to be the least complex and most reliable.

queueeye

It's just that I've always driven diesels, carina, corolla and passat. Maybe I got spoiled cos they were all so reliable, just change oil and filters and off you go. Hence the diesel obsession.

bazz26

Would an estate suit you? Opens up extra choices to you.

queueeye

bazz26 wrote: »

Would an estate suit you? Opens up extra choices to you.

Absolutely. Anything that'll take 2 boosters and a baby seat across the back seat. Something reliable that I'll get a few years out of.

dersawazzie

We have a 05 grand scenic 1.5 dci for a year and a half. Thankfully we haven't had any major issues just your regular service and a few niggles. I was warned before that they are a nightmare, not sure if it's a urban myth or not but we are delighted with it. Cubby holes everywhere, seats move every which way, and back two fold away to make a great boot. The diesel engine is nothing spectacular economy wise but 40 MPG on average is good enough for us. Really comfortable to drive and the kids have enough space in there so that they aren't able to box the heads off each other. Good luck with your purchase pal.