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info on MPV cars please.

121 replies

psychomum5 · 01/06/2006 13:12

I am wanting some MPV info please. Our toyota previa got written off last week (have another thread on that), and we are now looking for another car.
I really want another previa but they are proving very hard to find, so am now needing to look for other MPV's. Problem is I don't actually know any of the names of the other makes to look any up on the PCBlush.

Hoping you lovely ladies can help me. :)

Car needs to be big enough for 5 kiddies and holiday luggage as we going on hols in 3wks! I know that vauxhall safira's are out,and we know that cos that is what the insurance co. have kindly supplied. We can't even get a weeks shopping in when we all insideShock!

So.......do you have an MPV, what type is it, and is it any good??

Thankyou lots.

OP posts:
JanH · 01/06/2006 15:55

The only other MPV with as much space for luggage as the Previa is the Chrysler Grand Voyager, psycho - unless you go for an actual minibus - all the others are like a scaled-up version of the Zafira with space for about 3 carrier bags behind the 3rd row.

\link{http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/list.aspx?family_id=MPV&x=24&y=8\Parkers list of all the people carriers there are} (well nearly!)

JanH · 01/06/2006 15:57

\link{http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/review.aspx?model_id=392\Kia Sedona} might be good - not sure how much luggage space it has though.

nicnack2 · 01/06/2006 16:01

vw touran either 5 or 7 seats. i have the 7 seat one and the seat fold flat leaving a huge boot space. if you were filling all 7 seats then you would nee roof box. insurance is very cheap and its low on tax disel model

psychomum5 · 01/06/2006 16:03

thankyou lots janh. am getting frustrated at lack of me knowing what to go for and just feeling so bloddy odd i can't type proepely either:(

links are a great way for me to get to where I need:)

OP posts:
psychomum5 · 01/06/2006 16:05

janh just gone thro the parkers link....you are a genious. they are all thereGrin.

nicknack....hadn't actually thought as far as how much the insurance and tax would beBlush. that shopuld also be a factor really cos DH will ask!!!

OP posts:
JanH · 01/06/2006 16:15

\link{http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/gallery/?img=1&model_id=283&category=Boot/load%20space\Galaxy's luggage space} - Shock - would be same for Sharon & Alhambra, similar for Espace, a bit bigger for 807 & C8.

If you click on Gallery for each model there is usually a range of pics and some actually have "boot/load space" as a category so you can see what it's like with the 3rd row up.

MrsBadgerAvecUneVoiture · 01/06/2006 16:22

also worth looking at the Mercedes V-class (new version's called the Viano) - has 8 seats if you go for the long body length and seems pretty spacious.
Agree the Caravelle is the only way to go for 9 though.

jenkel · 01/06/2006 17:23

We have a Chrysler Grand Voyager, love it, reasonable boot space with all seats up, but only a 7 seater, electric sliding doors and electric boot which I love.

psychomum5 · 01/06/2006 17:54

would looooove a chrysler grand voyager, but they are a real hardship to find around here right now:(

OP posts:
JanH · 01/06/2006 20:02

psycho, Toyota also have the \link{http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=TOWNACE&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bb7+2ag&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH\Townace} and \link{http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=TOWNACE&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bb7+2ag&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH\Liteace} which are not as upmarket as the Previa but just as long (maybe narrower though).

Any use?

We used to have a \link{http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=SPACE+CRUISER&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bb7+2ag&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH\Space Cruiser} very like the one at the top, but F reg (89) and increasingly unreliable - we were v Sad when it had to be retired.

\link{http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=TOYOTA&model=SPACE+CRUISER&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bb7+2ag&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=24&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200621100141274\This one} looks like a good deal - no idea where it is though (24 miles from here!)

notanotter · 01/06/2006 20:09

we are selling grand voyager in favour of vw shuttle or mercedes viano i think....vw very pricey though ...merc seemed reasonable value/???

psychomum5 · 02/06/2006 01:10

janh you are a star....you have worked so hard finding all these for me:)

typed in our postcode tho and they all over 200miles from us:(

we are in bournemouth!

notanotter.....a friend has a shuttle (she got it 2 days ago!). she only has 6seats in hers tho, so still not big enough.

chrysler seems to be DH's dream car now, with a PS2 no less!!! I just want one I will feel safe driving again, and one that is seen too, seeing as the last tow cars i have been written off in both other parties claimed they didn't see me.... can't understand that at all. specially in a huge great white BUS (or at least, friends say that our previa is buslikeGrin)Angry!

OP posts:
ernest · 02/06/2006 08:22

peugeot 807, can get it as 7 individual seats or as an 8 seater with bench seat for 3 at rear.

basically same car as citroen c8, absolutely fantastic car, had great price and really fab accessories, better than lot of cars even almost double the price - recently considered volvo xc90, which is basically twice the price & you get better int he peugeot.

we're about to get a new car & I can't find better than the peugeot, even going up & looking at bmw/merc/volvo. very comfy & spacious & Dare I say it, practical

FioFio · 02/06/2006 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted

JanH · 02/06/2006 11:38

psycho, if you do go for a Voyager don't get one of the early ones (97-01) - they did very badly in safety tests. The new model is OK.

NappiesGalore · 02/06/2006 17:30

no time to read other posts so apologies if im repeating anything.

dp and i have just been on sim search. our findings inc.:

sliding back doors are good - improved access to back seats and less room needed in car park spots.

the Chrysler Voyager w/ stow and go seats is a good option - v swish and the seats are really innovative and convenient. safety of earlier models was appaling but this new one passes all crash tests in USA, so looks like theyve fixed the prob.

we went for the VW Caravelle - loads of room for stuff, flexible seating configurations, table inside, option of inbuilt child seats... they seem to hold their value quite well too.

Reneault Espace was another we thought about, and look great for big families. apparently renault cars dont last quite so well as some other makers, so check out and second hand cars well and beware of losing a lot of value if buying new.

i have the Volvo XC90 now, which is cool enough, but the back 2 seats are really only occasional seats and really only for kids. or people with no legs.

thats it. knowledge on the subject shared. good luck.

notanotter · 02/06/2006 21:01

thanks nappies ( did you like caravelle?)
psychomum5 - I have 5 children and may have 1 more so we are looking for 8 seaters.
VW seem to be the best there are hundreds ( well a dozen) of possibilities but its a minefield i explored vw in loads of diff countries and seem to find different possibilities in each.I saw a lovely metallic green thing at our local hospital - ot was 8 seats and i am certain it said transporter but dont seem to find the same with 8 seats here!

mumo75 · 02/06/2006 21:25

new caravelle now only have 6 or 7 seats slightly older ones had up to 9 seats i am selling my 8 seater caravelle if you are interested??Wink

hub2dee · 02/06/2006 21:45
RachelPross · 02/06/2006 22:08

VW Touran does a 7 seater version, got a 5 seater...v nice

JanH · 02/06/2006 23:14

Maybe you huge families should consider \link{http://www.best4vans.co.uk/vandetails-169.html\Ford Transit Tourneo 9 seater} - someone on here has one, think it might be QE. It is a minibus though, not a car.

A family I know with 6 kids, all grownup now, had one when they were all little. (Nowadays they have about 8 cars instead!)

bluebear · 02/06/2006 23:18

I've just bought a multipla - picking it up tomorrow - but love it so far (well test drive was good, and 6 seats are all proper sized)
Hated the scenic (test drove it) - which surprised me as my current car is a Clio.

JanH · 02/06/2006 23:22

Or there's always the \link{http://www.vehiclesource.ltd.uk/cb_main.php?c=1&n=001001003&p=1561\17 seater} in case you fancy a few more children...Wink

notanotter · 03/06/2006 00:51

anyone like mercedes viano?

KristinaM · 03/06/2006 01:02

oh bluebear, you will love the multipla. we got one just before Christmas after arrival of child #3. Its so easy to get kids in and out of and just like a normal car ( rather than a minibus) to drive. i can get a big double buggy in the boot. the kids love it as they are so high up and the windows are so big , they have great visibility

gush gush Grin