I need advice on a 7 seater

FrankC21

Budget around €15k, Automatic, top spec, reliable(can eat plenty of miles minimum of 2000km per month) plenty of space can fit 4-5 grown adults plus 2 toddlers.

Thinking of:

*Toyota(mpv)

*Mercedes (estate)

I am open to other suggestions? I will plan on keeping it for a long run 5+ years. I am not sure whether hybrid or diesel? Need your knowledge on this one.

User1998

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/32348403

Honda Freed is a good compact budget hybrid option

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/31516063

Or a VW Tiguan which is a bit more premium and roomier inside.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/32468258

Toyota Estima Hybrid. One of the smoothest and most relaxing cars I have driven

There are also cheaper French alternatives which will get you up to a 2015 car within budget but I wouldn’t know much about them or their reliability

FrankC21

Hi thanks,

No more french cars for me i have renault's 1.5 dci engine, an amazing engine very economical but french cars are a pain to diy service. Replacing a cabin filter is awful.

Honda freed, it's a hybrid, does the battery needs replacing?

Volkswagen touran, petrol? Will it still suit my mileage, and automatic gearbox reliable?

Toyota, i don't like the 2 seats in the middle has to be 3 seats in the middle.EDIT: Sorry i didn't realise that's a seven seater 3 seats in the back

Should I avoid diesel now :(

BorneTobyWilde

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-galaxy-titatium-x/32018747

Galaxy would be the best in class.

Hard to go wrong

fits

No. Not at your budget and mileage.

BorneTobyWilde

Find a Galaxy with good spec, leather, 2.0 diesel

FrankC21

What the?

BorneTobyWilde

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg_V8tDjvvY

..

bazz26

I'd stay well away from any Ford of that vintage with the powershift automatic gearbox. They have a habbit of failing and cost big money to put right, best avoided imo.

2000km per month is about 24000km per year so a hybrid or diesel would suit but it would depend on what type of driving that is. If it's mostly city driving/short journeys then a hybrid would be more suited. If it's mostly longer distance driving then a diesel will be more frugal.

Regarding Japanese imports, I'd be very careful buying any model that was never previously sold in the EU. Parts can be hard to find and there was a thread on here recently where a guy had great difficulty trying to find a replacement windscreen for a Honda Streem. Even his insurance company were not much help to him and all they would do is compensate him for the max cost of a replacement on his policy. That still left him with the job of trying to find one. If you do decide to go Japanse import then make sure it was a model that is the same as was sold in Europe.

You really need something like a Seat Alhambra or VW Sharan to fit 4 to 5 adults and 2 toddlers compfortably, they are not cheap though especially in automatic.

FrankC21

Any particular year, Automatic model of vw and seat I should go for. I will be using it for work aswell drogheda to dublin and back.

I am looking at a Touran seems alright and fits the budget.

BorneTobyWilde

Galaxy manual is a good drive, if you're worried about auto box.

FrankC21

I guess I've got better options with manual in terms of budget and reliability.

Staplor

I have a Touran and love it, decent to drive, amazing for 3 kids, ok when I need to use one of the boot seats.

No boot when using two boot seats.

This weekend I did a long trip with the family and grandad, one kid in the boot, with the seat popped up and suitcases beside him.

All 5 rear are isofix on mine, but if you need luggage or buggies with 7 people you will need bigger. Or a roof box.

gomamochi1

At a similar impasse had a Zafira 7 seater years ago and moved to a VW T5 shuttle as we have 4 growing kids and 2 adults however we are thinking of shifting on the VW as its a bit of a dose manually driving basically a van like a bus for all the drop offs and collections etc. Interested in the Citroen c4 grand picasso which hasn't been mentioned as yet though small rear fold away seats like the zafira. Automatic gear box 1.6 tdi low nox and low vrt if importing from the uk though! MPG reported around 70 miles per gallon! Bit better than the 35mpg I am getting out of the VW!

bazz26

OP mentioned earlier he didn't want another French car. Also importing from GB these days now means added VAT and customs duty on top of VRT because of Brexit.

monseiur

As you plan to keep vehicle for 5+ years and now toddlers will be growing, consider a lowish mileage VW Caravelle, diesel engine of course. They're not cheap to buy, but make up for it in the long run. Loads of them well over 20 years old used a camper vans etc. which speaks for itself.

FrankC21

Thanks for the suggestion but that's too much money, if its really that hard to look for a decent automatic 7 seater for my budget, I'd probably switch to a manual I have more to choose from for my budget,

Looking at a Toyota verso, reliable diesel engine but if the 2 back seats are up, will there be enough space for buggies I have a roof box.

Staplor

I test drove a Verso, didn't like it at all. Also on the one I drove, and on my sisters, they have a storage flap in the floor, which means you can't/shouldn't have a car seat support leg on top of them.

Unless you go for something big, you will not get the buggy in, it's a choice of flip up seats or buggy. With one seat flipped up you might squeeze in a regular buggy, not a travel system.

bazz26

OP, if you can go manual then it gives you more choice.

VW Sharan:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/132-vw-sharan2-0-tdi-s-bluemotion-new-nct-2024/32022944

Seat Alhambra:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2014-seat-alhambra-2-0-tdi-115hp-7seater-s-5dr/32503775

Ford Galaxy:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-galaxy-zetec-2-0-tdci-140ps-4dr/32172018

horse7

Up your budget get a jogger.

FrankC21

Is it worth it? I am thinking about it but the engine is it any good?

FrankC21

We bought a honda stream 1.8 i-vtec car will be using by my mrs and will be our family car if we're going away on a road trip.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119940391#Comment_119940391

Nice, what year? Very reliable car

FrankC21

2009 rsz 1.8 i-vtec pulls quite nice, apart from exterior damage scratch and dent, the engine - no bangs or rattles, auto transmission is solid.

Unfortunately, rear damper is leaking but found a second hand one from salvage so it's sorted.

saajyz

Hi @FrankC21 , do you mind me asking how is your Honda Stream so far...? I am also looking to buy a 7 seater and in the same situation as you were before buying the Stream..after reading this forum and the posts I am also thinking of getting a Homda Stream, so would like to know from you...how has it been since you bought it last year? Does the boot accommodate a buggy with 7 seats up? How is the hybrid system? etc..?

Thanks.

mojesius

We have a 2012 merc 7 seater estate, diesel automatic. Great car but once you have the boot seats down, the boot won't hold a lot (maybe some bags/small bike etc.), they are more like 'jump seats' and don't have isofix. We only use them if we have extra kids in the car or adults need the back. The boot seats are really only comfortable for up to 10 year olds. The kids love the novelty but I wouldn't put a young toddler in them.

Have you thought about an older xtrail or outlander?

RINO87

Would be interested in hearing people's thoughts on the outlander 7 seater also.

Lorddrakul

You'll get the last of the Peugeot 5008 MPV style 7-seaters for this, around 2016.

I spent an afternoon with the family in a dealer's lot, and tried 6 different 7 seaters, from Galaxies to Versos and Qashqai +2, etc.

The best, by far, for versatility and room was the 5008.

We got a 2012 1.6 HDI electronic gearbox - full auto or full manual, and sport mode.

It's now nearing 300,000 kms, with only one major issue, and a few minor ones.

We had wear and tear stuff like injectors at 230,000km, but the alternator drive belt tensioner went once without warning, but the second time I copped and had it replaced. Apart from that it's been great.

Spec wise, you'll get decent last model specs including HUD and picture roof.

The next model, the more SUV looking one is not near as good cabin wise.

Just my 2c.