7 Seater -Petrol

glic83

Right I've read through the various threads involving MPV's. Currently driving a 1.6 Ford focus petrol. Wife is due our 3rd child so looking to make the change to MPV. Car is used on short journeys for school and work. I estimate about 100km a week tops, maybe a long trip here and there but not enough to warrant a diesel IMHO.


I will have about 5k tops (sale of current car & savings) and here's what I've been looking at.
Need to be able to put an infant seat,child seat and a hb booster seat. The extra seats would be handy at times and when not in use gives a decent boot.

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.6 petrol. Seems to be a solid car based on recommendations in various threads. They seem to hold their value, a 07 seems to be around 4500 - 5000 euro from what I've seen so far.

Honda FRV -here doesn't seem to be too many of these around at the moment. Don't know how these are for fuel. 6 seats and good size boot, not sure on mpg.

Mazda 5 - sliding doors would be handy , 2nd row middle seat looks very narrow, not sure if this would take a child seat/booster seat. How are people finding these to run/maintain?

Opel Zafira doesn't seem to be too well received on boards.

Haven't seen much about the petrol Renault Grand Scenic, looks like the back of the rear seats just fold down and would take up a good bit of the boot even when not in use. There doesn't seem to be many petrols on done deal, mostly diesel.

C4 grand Picasso - lots of diesels for sale but not many petrols again. Back seats seem to fold into floor when not in use which would be handy for the boot.

If any owners would be kind enough to give their honest feedback good or bad on any of the above mentioned cars it would be greatly appreciated. Also open to other suggestions if not listed above.

robtri

glic83 wrote: »

Right I've read through the various threads involving MPV's. Currently driving a 1.6 Ford focus petrol. Wife is due our 3rd child so looking to make the change to MPV. Car is used on short journeys for school and work. I estimate about 100km a week tops, maybe a long trip here and there but not enough to warrant a diesel IMHO.


I will have about 5k tops (sale of current car & savings) and here's what I've been looking at.
Need to be able to put an infant seat,child seat and a hb booster seat. The extra seats would be handy at times and when not in use gives a decent boot.

Toyota Corolla Verso 1.6 petrol. Seems to be a solid car based on recommendations in various threads. They seem to hold their value, a 07 seems to be around 4500 - 5000 euro from what I've seen so far.

Honda FRV -here doesn't seem to be too many of these around at the moment. Don't know how these are for fuel. 6 seats and good size boot, not sure on mpg.

Mazda 5 - sliding doors would be handy , 2nd row middle seat looks very narrow, not sure if this would take a child seat/booster seat. How are people finding these to run/maintain?

Opel Zafira doesn't seem to be too well received on boards.

Haven't seen much about the petrol Renault Grand Scenic, looks like the back of the rear seats just fold down and would take up a good bit of the boot even when not in use. There doesn't seem to be many petrols on done deal, mostly diesel.

C4 grand Picasso - lots of diesels for sale but not many petrols again. Back seats seem to fold into floor when not in use which would be handy for the boot.

If any owners would be kind enough to give their honest feedback good or bad on any of the above mentioned cars it would be greatly appreciated. Also open to other suggestions if not listed above.

on my third Zafira.... and love them, all petrol, current one is the 1.8... would highly recommend that engine over the 1.6... much better

dont get the basic trim either.... it sucks... but the higher trims can be nice..

easy to maintain... parts are cheap

one issue that is common is the wiring loom on the rear door breaking a wire or two, but a bit of solder and patience sorts it.

glic83

How is it on fuel Robtri? And how does the 3 seats work out in the back, I thought I read somewhere that Opel don't recommend​ putting a child seat into the middle of the second row?

glic83

Another which I hadn't really thought about is the VW Touran 1.6 petrol.

Irish Steve

Grand Scenic, my daughter has a 07 version, the back row of seats folds flat into the floor of the boot, and leaves good space to put stuff into, and if needed, one or both can be opened up separately from the back door. They've not had it long, just moved up to the 7 seater from a 5 seat older model, and the 1.6 petrol is a better performer than the 1.4 that they had, though the 1.4 is not an issue.

I looked at the Zafira a while back, and what put me off them was that you have to mess about with the middle row of seats to be able to get the back row up or down.

Grand Picasso also has separate fold flat seats, but petrol versions are rare.

both the Renault and Citroen 7 seaters don't have a spare wheel as standard (it can be added to the Renault, not sure about the Citroen), and I'm not convinced about the foam puncture repair option with the damage that I've seen on occasions from back roads, so factor that into the considerations, a puncture out of hours can mean having to leave the vehicle on the side of the road while a replacement tyre is sourced.

glic83

Irish Steve wrote: »

Grand Scenic, my daughter has a 07 version, the back row of seats folds flat into the floor of the boot, and leaves good space to put stuff into, and if needed, one or both can be opened up separately from the back door. They've not had it long, just moved up to the 7 seater from a 5 seat older model, and the 1.6 petrol is a better performer than the 1.4 that they had, though the 1.4 is not an issue.

I looked at the Zafira a while back, and what put me off them was that you have to mess about with the middle row of seats to be able to get the back row up or down.

Grand Picasso also has separate fold flat seats, but petrol versions are rare.

both the Renault and Citroen 7 seaters don't have a spare wheel as standard (it can be added to the Renault, not sure about the Citroen), and I'm not convinced about the foam puncture repair option with the damage that I've seen on occasions from back roads, so factor that into the considerations, a puncture out of hours can mean having to leave the vehicle on the side of the road while a replacement tyre is sourced.

Yeah the Zafira seems to be a bench type seat, where as most other of the mentioned cars have 3 seats.

Didn't know that about the spare in the Renault , that's a bit of a disaster isn't it.

Anyone have the petrol Touran?

grogi

glic83 wrote: »

Didn't know that about the spare in the Renault , that's a bit of a disaster isn't it.

In 7-seaters the spare is typically optional and mounted UNDER the car. There isn't enough space inside to carry one around.

glic83

grogi wrote: »

In 7-seaters the spare is typically optional and mounted UNDER the car. There isn't enough space inside to carry one around.

Same kinda set up as a van?

grogi

glic83 wrote: »

Same kinda set up as a van?

M7roadrunner

The oh is on her second Zafira,an 06 Zafira B, and has it the last 6ish years.
It is a 1.6 petrol and is adequate for our needs (she is a childminder).
I have driven it with 7 adults on board and it's very underpowered for that but it's not too bad with kids filling the seats.
There is a 105hp and a 115hp version, hers is the 105hp.
There are only 2 isofix points on the seats, on the outside of the middle row. In our experience you will struggle to get two seats and a booster in the middle row as it's not wide enough.
With all seats up the boot is very small, we just about get a small buggy in there, very little room for anything else.
It averages 8.1ltrs per 100kms, mostly school runs,short trips stop start driving.
In the time we have had it I have put the following into it,
A rocker cover, where a valve blocked causing idle and running problems,
1 cat.& 1 coilpack,known fault, coil fails and petrol floods the cat. causing it to crack,
2 reconditioned rear calipers, handbrake cable, front and rear brake discs and pads x2,
Both rear light lenses have been changed due to condensation,
1 wheel bearing and 1 frost plug along with the usual service items incl timing belts kits.
We also have the issue with the window not working on the rear drivers door due to broken wiring that I still have to address.
Not really too bad for 6 years driving.
My sister has a 1.7 diesel version and does similar mileage/driving, and hers spends most of the time in the garage, she says she regrets ever buying the money pit.

glic83

Cheers for all the feedback so far. We haven't test drove anything yet, suppose my wife's preference would be Corolla Verso, then either the Mazda 5 or FRV.

Can anyone confirm if the Mazda is actually able to take 3 seats in the 2nd row, doesn't look like it based on pictures, which means you are using the 3rd row and loosing most of the boot is that is the case.

NIMAN

The middle seat of the middle row in a mazda 5 is a very narrow seat, I had a look at them when buying my frv


It's basically a 6 seater , the middle seat is like a table for the middle row!

Edit: in fairness, the sliding door cancels out this negative. A real plus point for the mazda. Don't know why most mpv don't have them.

boardsuser1

Bought a Ford Galaxy last week, granted it's diesel, but i'm sure the petrol version is available.

Fantastic for space.

I was considering the Zafira but they hit the headlines a few times for randomly catching fire so i said no way.

The Galaxy is a fantastic piece of machinery.

glic83

KC161 wrote: »

Bought a Ford Galaxy last week, granted it's diesel, but i'm sure the petrol version is available.

Fantastic for space.

I was considering the Zafira but they hit the headlines a few times for randomly catching fire so i said no way.

The Galaxy is a fantastic piece of machinery.

Galaxy is expensive though and over my budget, anything that is in my budget is well down the years or the mileage is massive.

Like the sliding doors on the Mazda 5 , Pitty about the middle seat

boardsuser1

glic83 wrote: »

Galaxy is expensive though and over my budget, anything that is in my budget is well down the years or the mileage is massive.

Like the sliding doors on the Mazda 5 , Pitty about the middle seat

Cost me €20k for a 131 (June 2013) Reg.

Expensive yes, but i'm glad i got it.

Seen the Mazda 5 a neighbour has, they look impressive on the outside especially with that sliding door.

Are they based on the Galaxy?

Mitsubishi Spacewagon still around??? they were 7 seater petrol.

SCOOP 64

KC161 wrote: »

Bought a Ford Galaxy last week, granted it's diesel, but i'm sure the petrol version is available.

Fantastic for space.

I was considering the Zafira but they hit the headlines a few times for randomly catching fire so i said no way.

The Galaxy is a fantastic piece of machinery.

Zafira fire problem has been adressed now with recall, with fan/resistor replacement.
The verso seems smaller then the zafira on inside.

boardsuser1

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

Zafira fire problem has been adressed now with recall, with fan/resistor replacement.
The verso seems smaller then the zafira on inside.

Spotted a 08 verso for sale in a local dealership today, apparently interested parties run when they hear the cost of the tax (€750). She's Petrol.

Was that the reason for the fires? Didn't realise.

The Nissan Qashqai are also a 7 seater, but as I discovered, the back seats are tiny

SCOOP 64

KC161 wrote: »

Spotted a 08 verso for sale in a local dealership today, apparently interested parties run when they hear the cost of the tax (€750). She's Petrol.

Was that the reason for the fires? Didn't realise.

The Nissan Qashqai are also a 7 seater, but as I discovered, the back seats are tiny

Fan resistor burning out, my one as had 2 recalls, new fan, new resistor(updated), new pollen filter, all free of charge of course, this has sorted the problem, you are given a certificate when done so if your looking at one ask if recall done and ask for cert,or you can ring Opel with reg number and they will tell you, think its 2006 to 2009 models.
This is my second Zafira, only replace coil pack.
this one ive had 7yrs.

glic83

KC161 wrote: »

Cost me ?20k for a 131 (June 2013) Reg.

Expensive yes, but i'm glad i got it.

Seen the Mazda 5 a neighbour has, they look impressive on the outside especially with that sliding door.

Are they based on the Galaxy?

Mitsubishi Spacewagon still around??? they were 7 seater petrol.

Spacewagon were 2L petrol from what I've seen, 2003 is the newest I can see on donedeal,
another reason I'm trying to stay 07/08 is the insurance, some companies won't insure a car older than 10 years.

While the Zafira might seem bigger I think it's the layout of the seats in the corolla that makes the difference, the 3 seats v the bench style in the Zafira.

techie

My wife has a 08 Mazda 5 Petrol for almost 3 years now, great car, lots of space and really versatile with the seats.
The middle row middle seat is small but as someone already said the sliding doors make up for that
We have had no trouble with ours since we got it except for maintenance items.
Ours just ticked over 200k km and is not burning oil and still starts perfectly every morning.