Recommend me a compact MPV

hamsterboy

Hi All
I have realised that there may not be too much life left in my beloved (yes ....beloved) 2004 Scenic.
She has served me very well , only needing one engine replacement :eek:, but now it's time to move on.
Ok criteria:
* Diesel
* Roomy, folding back seats....I'm a drummer, this ain't for kiddies
* Decent spec and nice to drive
* circa €12000
* post 2008

So far I really like the look of this
I know the simplist solution here is a van but really don't wanna do that.
So have at it, learned wise brethren.........

walus

I've FRV with 1.8 petrol. Very practical car. Cannot recommend enough. I was collecting a tumble dryer one day thinking it might not fit. Folded the back seats put the dryer in and... it could still take a washing machine, plasma screen and more. Yet the footprint of a car matches the one of a hatchback. It drives like a regular hatchback too - which is a big plus in this category of cars.

hamsterboy

I love the way the FRV looks, not at all like a regular compact MPV.... How is the 1.8 for fuel economy?

HB

walus

Mine is an automatic so this together with a petrol engine does not make a very fuel efficient machine. I must say that fuel economy is its weakest point. The mileage we do is small 12-14k km per year so fuel economy is not that important. Especially that the car is very reliable - not other cost outside of regular servicing (brakes, tyres, oils).

hamsterboy

Some other musings
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/c-max/used-2011-ford-c-max-c-max-active-dublin-fpa-134114226446090090?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/c-max/used-2008-ford-c-max-1-6-tdci-zet-waterford-fpa-51614021579468130?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/kuga/used-2008-ford-kuga-zetec-2-0-td-dublin-fpa-126114211652402710?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mazda/mazda5/used-2008-mazda-mazda5-5-2-0-d-7-wexford-fpa-125214206397109340?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mitsubishi/grandis/used-2008-mitsubishi-grandis-2-0-meath-fpa-201502230092542?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/meriva/used-2010-opel-meriva-1-3-cdti-dublin-fpa-107314169287746580?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/scenic/used-2009-renault-scenic-ph3-offaly-fpa-201445228303351?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/scenic/used-2009-renault-scenic-conquest-kerry-fpa-134414225490812620?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_AD_IN_VEHICLE_COMPARE

Liking the Fords

HB

walus

I looked at all the options for MPV about 18 months ago and FRV came out as a winner in my case. Scenic was the only other alternative but once I went around the roundabout in it and almost fell off the seat it was never going to be the one.

kaahooters

would an estate not suit better?

hamsterboy

Doubtful. Some of the gear is pretty big...as in tall...

kaahooters

ah, fair nuff so. what about a skoda roomster?

hamsterboy

Afraid the Rooster would be also be in the small side.... Nice car though. Was talking to the FRV seller and I'll pop down to athlone during the week to have a look and a drive. Wish I knew more bout cars but will try bring someone who does.......

colm_mcm

How about an altea xl?

walus

hamsterboy wrote: »

Afraid the Rooster would be also be in the small side.... Nice car though. Was talking to the FRV seller and I'll pop down to athlone during the week to have a look and a drive. Wish I knew more bout cars but will try bring someone who does.......

If it's diesel then it is an import. Make sure there is a service history with it if it's petrol then most likely an Irish car. Petrols are generally trouble free. Diesels had issues with cracked exhaust manifold, dual mass flywheels and clutches. Good luck.

bazz26

Ford C-Max:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/C-Max/C-MAX/134114226446090090/

walus

In my opinion another option worth looking at is VW Touran. You should be able to find one with 1.9 tdi motor. It is probably even more spacious than FRV and there is a good number of them around.

vienne86

I sold a Ford Grand C-Max at the start of the year. Great car for carrying stuff, and sliding doors made packing it a doddle. Also with seats folded, the storage space was completely flat, so you could slide things in/out. It was a lovely car to drive, but I found it slightly under powered, so changed to a Kia Carens, which I love too.

hamsterboy

bazz26 that's creepy. Emailed the dealer about that very car yesterday. Nice motor. Looking at some 2011 Scenics too. Haven't found one with my beloved panoramic roof as yet. Do like it on my current

hamsterboy

Grand Scenic might be a tad too big really.

NIMAN

Another happy owner of a Honda FR-V here too. Great bus.

I admit that the 1.8 petrol isn't great for fuel economy, but again ours doesn't do big miles and a lot of short runs, so petrol suits us better. I'd say we are getting maybe high 30s mpg with careful driving.

Road tax also high.

But the plus points far outweigh the negatives for me.

1) Reliable and well built, quality interior
2) Relatively compact size considering it can seat 6 adults.
3) Easier to park than some bigger 7 seaters.
4) Even with 6 seated there is still plenty of boot space. In 7 seaters with 7 people in, there is often no luggage space at all.
5) The rear passengers aren't a few inches from a rear-end collision like many 7 seaters.

hamsterboy

They are a great car but I'm thinking I wanna buy from a dealer and there are no used diesel FRVs about in dealers

NIMAN

I wouldn't be afraid to buy private if you hire a good mechanic for €80 or €100 to give the car a good inspection.

In fact the AA do it for €199 I think and it comes with some sort of guarantee too. And it can take up to 3hrs to do the inspection, including driving the car.

hamsterboy

Hmmmmmmm,
Could a new challenger have entered the battle?
Not sure it'd be big enough though.....
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volvo/v50/used-2010-volvo-v50-1-6-d-drive-s-waterford-fpa-61114052820506990

HB

bazz26

Ford Mondeo:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Mondeo/2.0-TDCI/813256714984730/

Saab 9-3:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/1.9-TID/134514225385304380/

Citroen C5:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5/NEW-1.6/126814193307945760/

Renault Laguna:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Laguna/3-TOURER/60314053325117080/

Dinging

NIMAN wrote: »

I wouldn't be afraid to buy private if you hire a good mechanic for €80 or €100 to give the car a good inspection.

In fact the AA do it for €199 I think and it comes with some sort of guarantee too. And it can take up to 3hrs to do the inspection, including driving the car.

Careful now using AA, see this persons experience, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057340797 there is no guarantee with the AA and their Ts&Cs will cover them for any comeback.

Idbatterim

the 1.7L FRV isnt bad to tax even on the old system, E544...

NIMAN

hamsterboy wrote: »

Hmmmmmmm,
Could a new challenger have entered the battle?
Not sure it'd be big enough though.....
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volvo/v50/used-2010-volvo-v50-1-6-d-drive-s-waterford-fpa-61114052820506990

HB

Those S40/V50 are meant to be tight enough for space inside.

hamsterboy

Yeah had a look at one in town yesterday and yeah, they're big but not that big.
Something I hadn't considered was a 3008
Top spec one here
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/3008/used-2010-peugeot-3008-sv-1-6-hdi-cork-fpa-130414216670843510

HB

walus

NIMAN wrote: »

Those S40/V50 are meant to be tight enough for space inside.

I agree with that. Plus I've seen a good number of them on a tow trucks as these 1.6 diesels are far from reliable.

AMKC

What about a Citroen C4 Picasso or a Mazda 5. The Peugeot 3008 that you mention is a nice car too and has a very classy interior.

hamsterboy

Citroën maybe. Like the new styles
Looked at the Mazda and yeah sliding doors would be handy at gigs but they ain't well specced (least the ones I looked at)

SmithySeller

Not mad about the nose on the 3008 (although face lifted model is nice), but inside, pictures don't do it justice, its very nice indeed. But I'm guessing its similar size to a Qashqai, so maybe consider it also.

SmithySeller

By the way, although it might be out of your price range, the newer Zafira Tourer (released in 2012) in SE spec up is a fine car and nice to drive. I very nearly bought one, lots of space too.

walus

Came back from shopping at Ikea yesterday. My little FRV managed to bring back: 2 seat sofa, side board, two big bookcases, a rug, hat rack plus lots of smaller items and there was room for more. I could not believe how much I was able to squeeze into it. Super car!

hamsterboy

That's pretty impressive.
Think I have it narrowed down to a FRV, Scenic or 3008.
Some very well specced 3008 models about, the SV Allure would be the dream..... maybe not for my budges though

HB

walus

Was able to test it on fuel consumption: at 120-130 kph 9.4l/100km, at 140-150 kph 11.2l/100km. These tested over 500 kilometers for each reading. It's aerodynamics are not much better than a decent size fridge and with over 1.5t of weight and autobox it likes its drink I suppose.

hamsterboy

The more I look at this the more I'm liking it, just concerned it may be a tad too small
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/yeti/used-2010-skoda-yeti-experience-2-wexford-fpa-148814257486126440

walus

hamsterboy wrote: »

The more I look at this the more I'm liking it, just concerned it may be a tad too small
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/yeti/used-2010-skoda-yeti-experience-2-wexford-fpa-148814257486126440

Wouldn't you be better of to get an estate instead? Mondeo or Passat?

hamsterboy

I did consider an estate but really need height in the back. Lotta gear :-D

walus

I'll check the height in my FRV but I do not think it would be much more than a big estate.

hamsterboy

Hello all.
Well after lots of musings (and measuring) I have relented. I can admit when I have been wrong and now I'm ready to say it......I'm looking at estates.....so any thoughts again would be fantastic.
I guess after driving the Scenic for so long I was trapped in the MPV mind-set but estates are just as roomy and practical and you won't feel like you're taking a library around a roundabout. Will be nice to see driving as a pleasure instead of a chore.
Thinking something nice and comfy still, prob German.
So here's what I'm liking so far
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9tdi-elegance-estate/8860917
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-2-0-tdi-highline-140ps/9006848
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v50-1-6-d-se-luxury-se-lux/9001706
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-bmw-520-diesel-estate-nct-2-16/9028429

HB

colm_mcm

Of those I'd reluctantly take the octavia. Would have my reservations about the colour and which version of the 1.9 was under the bonnet

The V50 and the 5 would concern me with regards to potential surprise jobs needing doing.

hamsterboy

Back again
Since I last posted I had myself convinced that I was gonna get a 520d Touring and nothing was gonna stop me......well until it was pointed out that what I'd be buying could be a potential ticking time bomb (now infamous timing chain problem)
No 525s in my price range so now a new front-runner has come to the fore....

The Mazda 6 Touring
http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1242453&r=saved-ads.php%3Fg%3D0

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1184436&r=saved-ads.php%3Fg%3D0%26z%3D1

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1221217&r=saved-ads.php%3Fg%3D0%26z%3D1

Anyone ever own one. Have to say I did overlook them but they look great, are nice to drive apparently and have more than enough space for what I need, plus a 2.2 engine in some that is crazy low on emissions

HB