7 seater advice

2013Lara

OK so my Zafira has just died. Hated every minute of driving it! In the market for a new one. Budget of 16k (cash). Would like something as new as possible. Space is important so three full seats in the middle row, not a bench. I made a massive mistake buying the zafira. Any suggestions on what to go for? Citroen grand picasso, peugeot 5008 are two I was looking at. Would I be better going for an older Ford or volkswagen as opposed to a younger citroen/peugeot? I don't want to make the same mistake I made when buying the zafira (crap mileage from a crap dealer, my own fault). I do lots of school drops and runs and short trips if that helps. We're in Wicklow.

colm_mcm

DO you want 7 seats and an actual boot?

2013Lara

colm_mcm wrote: »

DO you want 7 seats and an actual boot?

Once I've space for a buggy I'm happy!

colm_mcm

Do you have space for a buggy in the Zafira?

2013Lara

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do you have space for a buggy in the Zafira?

Yep, tiny space but enough to hold the buggy folded.

10 Carrolls

We went from a zafira to a Touran and then to a 2012 5008 last May, 5008 is by far the best of the three, loads of space, 3 full seats in the 2ND row, and plenty of space in the back 2 as well. It's way more comfortable, economical, just a really good nice car.

2013Lara

10 Carrolls wrote: »

We went from a zafira to a Touran and then to a 2012 5008 last May, 5008 is by far the best of the three, loads of space, 3 full seats in the 2ND row, and plenty of space in the back 2 as well. It's way more comfortable, economical, just a really good nice car.

Thanks for that!

Wildsurfer

I think we need to know what didn't you like about Zafira? Did it just give a lot of trouble mechanically or is it that type of car you don't like? Also not to sound like a Waterford politician but how many children do you have/intend to have?

2013Lara

Wildsurfer wrote: »

I think we need to know what didn't you like about Zafira? Did it just give a lot of trouble mechanically or is it that type of car you don't like? Also not to sound like a Waterford politician but how many children do you have/intend to have?

I have three and mind a couple more so always using most of the seats! I think it was just that zafira in particular really, I shouldn't have bought it. Has given me lots of trouble. I did hate the bench in the middle, would like three separate seats.

James Bond Junior

I know you're looking for suggestions but friends with buggies went for mini suvs lately and they are beyond useless. One has a hyundai Ix35 and it is tiny. Another has a nissan duke and it is microscopic when buggies are involved. So steer clear of the above.

I'm a teacher and the most poplular car collecting kids where I work is the ford s max. I'd say 3 out of every 5 people carriers pulling up are an s max. I recommended one to a neighbour with 3 under 5 and it seems to be a great fit for them.

colm_mcm

The bench seat in the Zafira is unusual, it's very rare to have a modern 7 seater with a bench seat. Awful system. Flex 7 was Revolutionary in 1999, but everyone else quickly bettered it but GM stuck to their guns.

kerten

2013Lara wrote: »

I have three and mind a couple more so always using most of the seats! I think it was just that zafira in particular really, I shouldn't have bought it. Has given me lots of trouble. I did hate the bench in the middle, would like three separate seats.

Sounds like you need one of ford smax/galaxy, vw sharan, seat alhambra with continuous use of 3rd row.

kippy

Have three kids. 6,3 and a few months old.
Have a Renault Grand Scenic since March this year. 5 years old.
Plenty space in the second row for the kids, leaving a massive, easily accessible boot for buggies etc etc. On the occasion where we need to use the two seats in the boot (pickup sharing etc) we would also still have limited space for a folded up buggy.
Find the car very roomy although the seats in the boot wouldnt be for adults generally.

Whenever I need to all the seats in the back can come out and you end up with a decent sized "van".
Ticks all the boxes for me. It's also a decent drive.

Mintoe

2013Lara wrote: »

OK so my Zafira has just died. Hated every minute of driving it! In the market for a new one. Budget of 16k (cash). Would like something as new as possible. Space is important so three full seats in the middle row, not a bench. I made a massive mistake buying the zafira. Any suggestions on what to go for? Citroen grand picasso, peugeot 5008 are two I was looking at. Would I be better going for an older Ford or volkswagen as opposed to a younger citroen/peugeot? I don't want to make the same mistake I made when buying the zafira (crap mileage from a crap dealer, my own fault). I do lots of school drops and runs and short trips if that helps. We're in Wicklow.

Be careful of the dealer you may buy from, make sure they’re reputable as lots of damaged (cat c & d) 7 seaters coming in from uk and being repaired cheaply here and sold onto unsuspecting families, it’s a disgusting practice but it’s more common than you might think. Run a Motorcheck report and get engineers report before parting with any money

Stoner

The 5008 has three separate seats in the middle row

BnB

We had a 07 S-Max for 8 years. We bought it in 08 and only got rid of it last January. We have 5 kids and over those 8 years they kicked the living crap out of it continuously. We also live out the country so it is not going on the best of roads. In 8 years it never missed a beat. I couldn't say enough good things about it. We had the 2 liter 138 bhp model which was great to drive. Lots and lots of power in it. The big difference I noticed with it compared to friends Cirteons and Renaults in particular was the build quality. It is a big strong vehicle.

If I was buying a 7 seater in the morning - Especially in the price range you are looking at, I wouldn't even look at anything else.

Consey

Just got a €2,100 quote to replace the diesel injectors in the 1.6 HDi engine of our 2011 5008. 120k on the clock. A common fault apparently. Before this I would have recommended the car highly.

screamer

I'm looking myself at the moment and I think smax galaxy Sharon or Alhambra are the best makes. With 2 litre or higher engines. Can't imagine a people carrier laden to the ground and a 1.6 litre engine..... Seems dangerously underpowered to me.

2013Lara

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/5008-Active-II-1.6-Hdi-5dr---Only-13K-miles-7-Seater--Air-Con-Alloy-Wheels-Cruise-Control--Front-fog-Lights/3119655864993796373

Thoughts??? It's a UK import. Spotless and lovely to drive. 1 year full warranty and I think gowan motors have a good name? Have had a motorcheck on it and all good.

kerten

2013Lara wrote: »

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/5008-Active-II-1.6-Hdi-5dr---Only-13K-miles-7-Seater--Air-Con-Alloy-Wheels-Cruise-Control--Front-fog-Lights/3119655864993796373

Thoughts??? It's a UK import. Spotless and lovely to drive. 1 year full warranty and I think gowan motors have a good name? Have had a motorcheck on it and all good.

Not familiar with 5008 in particular but usual checks applies:

1) Pay or ask for a HPI/Cartell/Motorcheck for UK backgorund check(Dealer should have it already)
2) Ask copy of service records (there should be 3-4 services due to age even mileage is low) and verify if they are real with dealers in service records.
3) Pay someone to do a pre-purchase inspection of the car. It cost me 150 euro from one of engineers listed in http://www.iaea-online.org/ recently but it is acceptable when you are spending more than 10 grand on a car.

Specific concerns with this particular car due to very low mileage in 4 years are clocking and Diesel particulate filter issues in the horizon. 1 and 2 above should shed some light on mileage while pre-purchase inspection should cover DPF issues to some extent.

Stallingrad

Consey wrote: »

Just got a €2,100 quote to replace the diesel injectors in the 1.6 HDi engine of our 2011 5008. 120k on the clock. A common fault apparently. Before this I would have recommended the car highly.

Christ. That would probably negate any savings you may have made by buying diesel.