Which cars to avoid - Looking to buy a 7 seater

TestLink

I am looking to buy a used 7 seater - atleast 2009, less than 60000 miles. I had been looking at donedeal etc for a couple of months now and no luck yet! Prefer to buy it from a dealer rather than private.

I have used a Renault Grand Scenic before and it had some problems with break / onboard computer etc. But driving experience was ok.

1. Should I avoid buying some 7 seater makes / models. Please advice?

2. Is there considerable fuel consumption between an automatic and manual 7 seater?

3. On what mileage should I change the timing belt?

4. What is the cheapest NEW 7 seater available in the market?

Appreciate any replies.

NIMAN

1) Hard to say whether there are some you should avoid. Perhaps you might consider things like likely mpg, cost to tax, possible resale value, cost to service, cost of spare parts etc when deciding which make to go for? Go for a more obscure make and you might find it hard to sell on in future, costlier to fix etc

2) Auto's will generally always return less mpg than a manual

3) Again depends on the make, the owners anual should tell you.

4) Sorry can't say for sure, but I'd guess it'll be an obscure make like a Ssangyong Rodius or something.

In terms of your 2009/2010 model, I'd say the cheapest ones might be the likes of Opel Zafira or Citroen C4 Picasso, as these were in plentiful supply and used prices might be lower as a result.

monseiur

I guess I'm not exactly answering your question directly but my brother was in a similar situation to you last year and on my advice he bought a VW Caravelle and he's very happy with it. It can seat 8 comfortably with loads of room in the back for luggage, shopping etc.
The engine is 1.9 TDI (they're also available in 2.0 & 2.5) short wheel base & long w. b., very light on diesel and almost as economical as a car to run, and being a VW very reliable.
Another option is the VW Caddy Maxi Life, they're available with 7 seats, the newer models have a 1.6 TDI engine
For what's it's worth I'd advice to avoid Renault & Citroen like the plague ! you'll pay a little extra for a Ford, Opel or VW but in the long term it's money well spent
M.

bazz26

Why the 60k miles limitation? You will find it hard going to find a 6 year old diesel with less than 60k miles on it and if you do I'd examine the service history in detail.

listermint

Go with the SMax, they look good , drive well and are plenty reliable.

Hold their value quite well. bad for buyers though

And if im honest id go to the UK, the spec is better and they tend to be serviced more regularly on the button.

something like this for example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501290533155/sort/default/postcode/rg20td/model/s-max/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/make/ford/radius/1500/usedcars/page/1/maximum-age/up_to_6_years_old/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p

This has a great colour

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501170236015/sort/default/postcode/rg20td/model/s-max/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/make/ford/radius/1500/usedcars/page/1/maximum-age/up_to_6_years_old/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p

Search results..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/ford/s-max/postcode/rg20td/radius/1500/sort/default/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/maximum-age/up_to_6_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles


Yes you will have to VRT it and NCT it. but tbh ive done it 3 times and id go back for sure. More Choice, Better Choices. very little saving in monetary value these days so be aware of that.

TestLink

bazz26 wrote: »

Why the 60k miles limitation? You will find it hard going to find a 6 year old diesel with less than 60k miles on it and if you do I'd examine the service history in detail.

I dont mind diesel or petrol. I heard that if it has run more than 60 k miles you have to change the timing belt and all. Dont know if it is true!

How is the maintenance difference between a Petrol and Diesel car. Eventhough diesel is cheaper, if you would lose money via maintenance that is no good!

bazz26

Lol, timing belt change interval depends on the particular make/model and is not a dirty word or something that should be avoided. In most cases it's a straight forward enough job and not hugely expensive. Avoiding cars because they may need a timing belt change at some stage is like avoiding cars that may need tyres or brake pads changed at some point too.

You will struggle to find a 2009 petrol 7 seater, most post 2007 versions were sold here as diesel only.

alias no.9

ITguru wrote: »

I dont mind diesel or petrol. I heard that if it has run more than 60 k miles you have to change the timing belt and all. Dont know if it is true!

How is the maintenance difference between a Petrol and Diesel car. Eventhough diesel is cheaper, if you would lose money via maintenance that is no good!

A car with 55k miles would need a timing belt change in 5k miles in that casw where as one with 65k miles should run for another 55k miles until the next one, as always, look for documented evidence that it was change and verify with the garage if possible.

pcardin

alias no.9 wrote: »

A car with 55k miles would need a timing belt change in 5k miles in that casw where as one with 65k miles should run for another 55k miles until the next one, as always, look for documented evidence that it was change and verify with the garage if possible.

lol. that's only assuming it has been replaced at 60k. Lot of owners over run this interval.

alias no.9

pcardin wrote: »

lol. that's only assuming it has been replaced at 60k. Lot of owners over run this interval.

Agreed, always look for evidence. It may have been changed to schedule or maybe not but it almost certainly has not been changed ahead of schedule.

NIMAN

OP

I always ask this question, but do you actually need a 7 seater?
I know loads of people with 1 child and a people carrier. I don't know how they figured out at 2 adults + 1 child = 7 seats needed. How much junk can a child bring with them?

I have 3 kids and have a 6 seater FRV, and yet to use the spare seat. But its always there on the off-chance a grandparent wants to come along somewhere.

_Brian

We had a Zafera for 4 years, 1.6 petrol, nice enough car, 36-40 mpg. Biggest draw back was raising and lowering the rear seats, its a total pain having to slide the middle row of seats forward each time..

Changed to an '08 Citroen C4 grand Picasso. 1.6 diesel. 50MPG average driving. Probably the most comfortable car I've ever driven on long journies.
Definitely 5-6k cheaper than similar sized MPV's and I'd say over the 4 years of ownership we've not come near that on repairs above servicing. Traded it in just last week and depreciation worked out to €2.5k per year of ownership. I would say though that from 160k KM's onwards it lost its nice tight feel in driving, and started to feel a bit worn. We traded with 195K km's on the clock. If we were low milage drivers I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Our friends bought an '08 S-max and had some serious repair bills, injectors, dual mass fly wheel and then gearbox.

With the change of schools with the kids we can manage without the 7 seater and have bought a 2010 Mondeo, it will be a big change from the cavernous feeling in the C4 GP.

christy02

monseiur wrote: »

I guess I'm not exactly answering your question directly but my brother was in a similar situation to you last year and on my advice he bought a VW Caravelle and he's very happy with it. It can seat 8 comfortably with loads of room in the back for luggage, shopping etc.
The engine is 1.9 TDI (they're also available in 2.0 & 2.5) short wheel base & long w. b., very light on diesel and almost as economical as a car to run, and being a VW very reliable.
Another option is the VW Caddy Maxi Life, they're available with 7 seats, the newer models have a 1.6 TDI engine
For what's it's worth I'd advice to avoid Renault & Citroen like the plague ! you'll pay a little extra for a Ford, Opel or VW but in the long term it's money well spent
M.

Why is the VW suddenly ultra reliable? VW have problems depending on the engine that is in them. Also dmf's can be soft.
Don't be fooled by perception that VW are bullet proof.

+1 on the frv if you don't need 7 seats and 6 will suffice.

Corolla verso as well. Both far more reliable than a VW.

Also the Citroen uses same engine as the ford. So avoiding one and not the other makes no sense.

TestLink

I can only find Citroen Grand Picasso 4 (Automatic) and Open Safira for the price range I am looking for. I prefer Citroen though.

Any one got any bad experience with Citroen Grand Picasso 4?

_Brian

We had one up to last week, ha it for four and a half years.

Overall a great Car for the money, ours was a manuall vtr top of the range model.

One thing I found was that once the milage got close to 200k km's it started to feel aged and loose.

We had no electrical problems and other than clutch and flywheel no major mechanical issues.

When we bought it was maybe €5-7k cheaper than other similar sized MPVs and no way did it cost near that in maintaince.

Traded it on and the depreciation was about €2k per year lost, not bad at all.
Ours was 120bhp 1.6d model and did 50mpg all day long.

So my only concern would be expecting huge milage. If we were low milage drivers I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

jca

The Caddy life TDI with the dsg gearbox would be nice if you can get one in your price range. Don't touch the caravelle they're like a tank to drive and shockingly underpowered especially the 1.9 TDI 105 bhp doesn't make much impact on a vehicle the weight of a small apartment!!!

TestLink

Thanks Brian and jca

How would you compare Renault Grand Scenic 2 and Citroen Grand Piccasso 4 Automatic?

bazz26

The auto box in the C4 is rubbish by all accounts.

jca

ITguru wrote: »

Thanks Brian and jca

How would you compare Renault Grand Scenic 2 and Citroen Grand Piccasso 4 Automatic?

I wouldn't touch either of them tbh.

TestLink

Ya, lots of my friends told me tha same. So holding off for now and not hurrying! I was told to go for 7 seaters from Volvo, Ford, Toyota, Nissan & Mazda. Not sure whether I could afford some of these makes now.

sweetie

Not much love for the frenchies in here. I bought a peugot 5008 in 11, really happy with it so far, a nicer looking (imo) version of the citreon c4 picasso mentioned above.

SmithySeller

bazz26 wrote: »

Why the 60k miles limitation? You will find it hard going to find a 6 year old diesel with less than 60k miles on it and if you do I'd examine the service history in detail.

Does this still hold true given over the last 6 years its been mostly diesels that have been sold?
Fleet cars of yesteryear, definitely yes, but given the Irish have fallen in love with their Diesels, majority of cars are Diesel regardless

bazz26

You should be examining any used car's service history irrespective of what the odometer says.

SmithySeller

bazz26 wrote: »

The auto box in the C4 is rubbish by all accounts.

What's wrong with it? My missus absolutely loves it. Its not a drivers car, its an MPV, I get that, but why is it rubbish? Is it less reliable perhaps?

My missus loves the auto-box in the 5008 that is...

mhackett102

Volkswagen's are of that better quality and have a much higher resale value compared to their competitors.
Ford's are also good too but if anything small happens them then its very expensive to repair, I know myself from having a Ford Galaxy in the family and I have a Ford Mondeo myself now!

SmithySeller

sweetie wrote: »

Not much love for the frenchies in here. I bought a peugot 5008 in 11, really happy with it so far, a nicer looking (imo) version of the citreon c4 picasso mentioned above.

Well I have zero brand loyalty.

Most reliable car I had was a Peugeot 406 Coupe
Most unreliable 'by far' VW Passat

I recently bought a Megane as a stop gap runaround - dodgy windows big time but fun to drive.

Bought the missus a 5008 auto, says she'll never go back to manual.

forgodssake

+1 for c4 grand Picasso.

mhackett102

A lot of the newest French cars dont sound too bad by the latest reviews for them.

Sister has a 2006 Peugeot 206cc, fun car to drive and she's in love with it. Down side is that the windows are very dodgy, whenever it goes for a car wash the interior gets soaked, even after we try pull the windows up physically!

Regarding seven-seaters, the Peugeot 5008 is a great car and does have plenty of room in it, especially the boot when the back two seats fold into the ground. Aunt had one and she said she would love to have one again only that she doesnt need a car that big again.

SmithySeller

mhackett102 wrote: »

by the latest reviews for them.

I'll tell you one thing, I read every review under the son about most MPV's and whilst using them a small amount, my God you have to take them with a large pinch of salt, they write some amount of sh!te, from contradictory to plain out wrong information.