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Original poster

Cars - does anyone have either a Verso, Scenic, Touran, Mazda 5 or Focus C Max?

92 replies

WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 18:30

And what do you think of them?

Dh is due a new company car soon and is looking (probably) at either the VW Touran or a Scenic - he would prefer the Grand Scenic but with the emissions policy he might have to stick with the standard one. He's also been musing over the Verso, Mazda 5 or Focus C Max.

He's got to try and narrow his choice down before we think about getting some test drives, so would be interested to hear your thoughts on recent models of these cars. We had a look at the Verso today and it seems really claustrophobic inside - is it really as bad as it seemed in the showroom? And what about the spare wheel problem on the Touran?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 18:54

I know it's boring, and there's no row potential involved, but I really would be interested to hear views on some of these cars

OP posts:
albosmum · 08/01/2006 18:57

dh does stuff at work with cars (thats vague) and says he would choose between the focus c-max or mazda 5

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 18:59

Any particular reasons, albosmum?

OP posts:
Caribbeanqueen · 08/01/2006 19:13

We have a Touran and think it's great. It's the 5-seater. We have had it a year and a half now and no problems at all. Would definitely recommend it.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 19:14

OK, so I'm boring the pants off you with this question but hey, I'm going to keep bumping it until someone answers me ...

OP posts:
Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 19:14

x-posts, cq, thanks.

OP posts:
albosmum · 08/01/2006 19:17

he did say but i kind of switch off when he talks about work things but just for you i will ask again
Mazda 5 because the whole new generation of mazdas are fantastic and good value
you will get very little spec on your vw
the focus c-max is the best in class last time he looked and if you have the diesel it is the best

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 19:34

Thanks for that - he has to have the diesel so that's interesting to know.

OP posts:
BearintheBigBlueHouse · 08/01/2006 22:01

We have a Verso which we love - not claustrophobic at all - in fact I get a bit agoraphobic in it after having a PT Cruiser with privacy glass. The built in DVD screens in the headrests are great on long journeys. Ride is great - better than the Touran I thought. C-Max isn't really a compact MPV, only having 5 seats

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 22:09

He's unsure about whether to go for the 5 or 7 seats - we had an Alhambra, which we both really liked, but then couldn't get another when he changed cars last time and ended up with a Picasso. I think he'd quite like to go back towards the bigger end of the market, but is unsure really as to whether it's a good move or not! I don't really know why he's interested in the C-Max; he likes cars with good use of space, so maybe that's the reason.

The Verso we sat in today seemed to have a lot of headroom, but the top/front of the car seemed to come down a long way before the windscreen started, if you see what I mean. Plus the windows seemed quite narrow - maybe it's just because we're used to vast expanses of glass in the Picasso! Obviously driving it would be a lot different to sitting in the showroom, but certainly our initial thoughts were that it seemed claustrophobic. Interesting that you feel the opposite, BITBBH. We did try a Verso 4 years ago when we ended up with the Scenic, and I actually preferred the Verso then, but it seems ever so different now.

OP posts:
Janh · 08/01/2006 22:14

Which Verso though, WWB? Corolla or Avensis?

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 08/01/2006 22:16

Toyota's reason for the raked (read small) windows is safety - if you're in a crash there's less glass flying around/less chance of getting flung out. The Multipla for example has huge windows and I'm sure Fiat have an equally good safety reason for that.

We went for the Verso cause we need 4/5 seats but like the versatility of having an extra 2. The Touran has a bigger boot when you're just using 5 of the 7 tho'. I also thought the Verso was more stylish than the boxy Touran, but to admit that would be like choosing a car for its colour

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 22:16

The Corolla - sorry.

OP posts:
BearintheBigBlueHouse · 08/01/2006 22:17

sorry - ours is the Corolla Verso - the Avensis Verso is the major league people carrier of the fleet

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/01/2006 22:18

Ah, but we'll probably be picking it by colour too - dd wants a pink one, although has grudgingly said that she'd settle for a shiny red one if she has to

I quite liked the boxy look of the Touran ... that'll be the boring old fart in me showing through ...

OP posts:
BearintheBigBlueHouse · 08/01/2006 22:41

if you like boxy you go for it - we were with friends today who bought one and they love it.

Our local VW garage shafted us royally on a golf we had once, so we were already a little anti - and the Toyota lady dropped her sandwich to take me out on a test-drive when I turned up unannounced. But have to admit if its a 5/7 seater you want there's very little between the two, so it's really down to which you prefer being in.

Katherine · 09/01/2006 09:48

probably not much help but....
we recently went shopping for an MPV. We loved the SEAT and very nearly got it but the dealer was asking too much. I like the shape of the scenic but the back seats virtually touched the boot and looked very flimsy. We did like the look of the touran but in the end we went for a ford galaxy as it had better spec and lower miles for the money. Really impressed with the galaxy so far. Loads of space. Feels huge inside and loads of features. Rear seats are proper seats but there is still room to get a wheelchair (or buggy) in when they are up so much more boot space than the renault.

Good look. Isn't choosing such a headache!

Enid · 09/01/2006 09:51

I really like the Touran but its expensive.

The Scenic dcI also looks nice.

Focus C Max too narrow for three car seats in the back if thats what you need.

can't remember how many kids you have?

Enid · 09/01/2006 09:51

ford galaxy very popular round here with mum friends

allyco · 09/01/2006 10:57

I'm waiting to test drive a Mazda5 (hurry up Mazda!) and have heard they are v good?

Original poster
WigWamBam · 09/01/2006 11:03

Enid, the Alhambra that we had is the same as the Galaxy (apart from the badge and the price tag!) and we loved it - would have another like a shot if we still could.

We've only got the one dd but we ferry people around a lot and dh very often has three or four people travelling to site with him, so he'd like to go back to a 7 seater of some sort again, although he's looking at 5 seaters as well purely from a money point of view.

The Touran is expensive - it would cost us more than any of the others, but it felt very nice, and the 1,9 diesel engine is meant to be one of the best. I just wondered what people who have these cars really think of them - that's more important than what the brochures say.

OP posts:
Wordsmith · 09/01/2006 11:05

www - I'm sure you can get a row out of this if you tried hard enough. Ask about 4WDs....

Original poster
WigWamBam · 09/01/2006 11:07

You know, you're probably right

OP posts:
Enid · 09/01/2006 11:11

i really want a touran

Enid · 09/01/2006 11:12

dh also due for new company car but refuses to get mpv

his best offer is bmw estate which I think will not fit 3 car seats in back

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