Santa Fe circa '06 ish... ?

amy1plus2

We need a 7 seater - currently have an 04 Corolla saloon 1.4, has nct. We're hoping to get approx. 2500 Euro for it (according to most used car sites, this is a guide price) and put approx another 2k cash and buy a 7 seater. We were thinking of the Santa Fe, we've seen a few for in and around our budget amd then some that are significantly higher in price. Any thoughts or advice please is greatly appreciated - both quite clueless when it comes to motors... Thanks in advance.

_Brian

Some models had serious engine trouble. Friends of ours had one that blew two engines and cost a fortune. They got rid.
I'm not sure if it's confined to certain years or what though.

amy1plus2

Thanks Brian - I know we're very limited with our budget but we have absolutely no other options for expanding it and we need a 7 seater... Any other suggestions are welcome, thanks

_Brian

We had a C4 Grand Picasso for a few years.
It was very dependable until the mileage got up a bit and then needed a few quid spent to keep it right. However the lower purchase cost covered this.

50+ mpg all the time and without exception the most roomy and comfortable car I've driven.

colm_mcm

Unless you need the jeepyness of a Santa Fe, a regular 7 seater would make much more sense. Especially paying a grand a year tax on a 4 grand (and falling) car.

Immy

My sister has had some problems with an 07 one.

Also when the 2 back seats are up it has no boot, we couldn't even fit a stroller in

Gael23

I wouldn't be so sure about getting €2500 for a 12 year old Corolla to start with. I think you would pick up an MPV for less than a Santa Fe

Irish Steve

Local garage to me had a 07 Santa Fe in last week with a sick engine, huge lump out of one of the pistons, there are no oversize pistons available for repair, so engine is scrap, and second hand engines from breakers are the wrong side of €2K, and there are then the labour charges, as well as making sure the replacement has good timing belts etc, so to all intents, this 07 is scrap, which is worrying. Seems that the days of being able to rebuild an engine for a reasonable price are gone, as the spares to do so are not available for them.

Gael23

Theres 2007 Opel Zafiras going on carzone for about €4k. If your lucky you will get €2k for the Corolla on a private sale.Your going to have to push your budget a small bit either way.

amy1plus2

Thanks all, some really good suggestions. Think we will give the santa fe a rethink so...

_Brian

We had a Zaferia for a while. Nice car and not much bother.

However the deal breaker is that to raise the last two seats the middle row needs to be moved forward. This means unbuckling child seats that are strapped in. Mightn't sound like a big thing but if you have a child strapped in and want to raise the rear seats it's a pain, add in a wet day and it's just a whole heap of bother. Alternatively the C4GP the rearmost seats can be raised instantly with one quick pull.

Gael23

A C4 picasso would be good but you'd be lucky to find one for the money.

colm_mcm

And if you did find one for the money, you probably wouldn't be very lucky

amy1plus2

Thanks everyone - think we have a car sourced - It's an 06 Volkswagen Touran - the guy is taking our car and 1500 cash. There's over a year nct on it and full service history. Any thoughts?

grogi

amy1plus2 wrote: »

Thanks everyone - think we have a car sourced - It's an 06 Volkswagen Touran - the guy is taking our car and 1500 cash. There's over a year nct on it and full service history. Any thoughts?

Make sure it is an Irish car...

PukkaStukka

It's a shame about the Santa Fé 2.2D. A mate of mine had one till it gave trouble and then failed spectacularly.

First problems were fun and games with DPF regeneration as the DPF glowed like is was trying to melt down. After a huge amount spent putting the car right, it lasted another bit till being driven at modest speed along the M1 when the engine started rattling, rumbling and smoking and went down on power.

After a strip down, the full extent of the carnage became clear. The crankshaft and main bearings were worn and this, allegedly, is a by-product of oil contaminated with diesel as a result of worn bores allowing diesel into the sump during the DPF regeneration process. The car had been regularly serviced, driven properly, and received the same TLC after the above DPF meltdown. According to the guy doing the job, these engines - again allegedly - have form for this. As in the case of Irish Steve's post, a rebuild wasn't viable nor was the procurement of a suitable replacement motor.

It's an awful shame as yet another beautiful and eminently fixable car was scrapped due to economics and poor design.

colm_mcm

grogi wrote: »

Make sure it is an Irish car...

Why?

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Why?

Imagine insuring ten year old Japanese import...