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Original poster

Best occasional 7 seater?

34 replies

musicinspring1 · 22/05/2015 10:54

I'm getting brain ache looking at all of the different options on a tight budget. Currently drive a Zafira but it's dying a death and I fancy a change anyway. Have 3 Young DC and only occasionally use the 2 extra seats but like them there as an option.
Have considered ....
Hyundai sante fe
Seat alambrha
Nissan Quashkai +2 (sp?)
Landrover Discovery (think too £££)
Budget £6000 ideally. Could go up to £8000

Any ideas???? Thanks!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 22/05/2015 11:00

I love my Ford SMax.

JugglingLife · 22/05/2015 11:02

VW Touran is great too, ours has been very reliable.

Original poster
musicinspring1 · 22/05/2015 11:06

Thanks, I'll have a look at both.. Smile

OP posts:
StorminNorman · 27/05/2015 14:25

1994 Toyota Land Cruiser

missorinoco · 01/06/2015 17:00

Bump.
In a similar position. What did you get?

I like the sound of the 1994 Land Cruiser, but suspect I could be looking for a while.

bigbuttons · 01/06/2015 17:02

I love my Zafira. When it eventually dies I will replace it with another

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 05/06/2015 13:14

We looked at a Qashqai +2. Have you seen how small those rear seats are? There is no footwell with them. They'll only do for very small children.

We almost bought a Mazda 5, but in the end we got a 2011 Grand C-Max and we love it.

thingamajig · 05/06/2015 13:18

We have a Toyota Verso. Used to have a Zafira and I think its an improvement.

Lancelottie · 05/06/2015 13:19

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso was good, as all three middle seats are proper seats IYSWIM (no squashed middle child as they get bigger).

Littlepic · 05/06/2015 13:21

Volvo XC90. I love ours but it is very big!

Mutley77 · 05/06/2015 13:26

We have a Santa Fe and I love it - doesn't feel that big to drive and the 2 "extra" seats are perfectly big enough - I have sat in one for a journey.

What is a pain - but I think this is the same for many - is that I kind of need to plan in advance if I need the seats as I usually take my mountain buggy around in the boot for DD and it won't fit with the extra 2 seats in use (although will sit next to one of them so can use 1 extra). You can fit an umbrella fold behind the seats but I hate my umbrella fold buggy!

Oh and also I am not sure how easily it would fit 3 car seats across the middle, have you tried? My DC are quite spaced out so the oldest was out of a car seat by the time the youngest was born but the middle row isn't hugely roomy.

missorinoco · 08/06/2015 21:03

I went for a Grand C Max -it sounded like a good compromise between a full on 7 seater and a small MPV.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 08/06/2015 21:07

Mitsubishi Outlander, really good on mileage as well

Mellifera · 08/06/2015 21:10

We have a 13 year old Zafira and will replace it with a new one, eventually hopefully not before next year or the year after

GollyGumdrops · 08/06/2015 21:20

I love our Mazda CX9. It's very roomy, even in the back seats.

mnistooaddictive · 08/06/2015 21:25

I have a grande c-max and I love it!

Sidge · 08/06/2015 21:29

I love my S-Max. I'm on my second and will be getting my third this summer.

Rockdoctor · 15/06/2015 14:23

I think you've ruled it out but don't touch a second hand Discovery. Ours is approaching 100k miles and the running costs are obscene - think >£2k per year just on maintenance/replacement parts. We will be changing it as soon as we can!

evelynj · 13/08/2015 21:30

Just to say this is what I'm after too - reviews are mixed for the best ones but I test drove a Citroen grand Picasso today & loved it. Going to try the c max & s max & Zafira in the next day or two. I'm in a golf at the mo with 2 dc but thinking of childminding soon so should be prepared.

HolidayHeidi · 13/08/2015 21:32

Volvo XC90. It will last forever so don't be put off by higher age/mileage.

poocatcherchampion · 13/08/2015 21:33

We've got a galaxy but think that is probably bigger than you require.

I would choose an smax or verso in your shoes, possibly a grand c max

evelynj · 14/08/2015 15:08

Yes Galaxy bigger than we need & I'm concerned about getting used to driving something bigger. Volvo is great (fil has one) but out of our budget sadly. Had a look at smax & cmax today & going to do some more test drives tomorrow. Think I love the grand Picasso-need to see one with panoramic roof!

AuditAngel · 14/08/2015 15:14

I have a Grand Picasso which I love. I had a Santa Fe for a weekend when mine was in the garage and the fuel economy was eye-wateringly poor. To drive from Twickenham to Bournemouth and back was over £40.

I had a Zafira for a few days while previous car in for accident repairs, was surprised to find I liked it, but the Grand Picasso seats are better for 3 in car seats in middle row.

I don't like the back row in my car, not enough room for me, but was impressed by the rearmost row in a Verso, but the one I test drove was a dog.

momb · 14/08/2015 15:14

We had the Citroen Grand Picasso and it was fine. really economical. Now we have teens/preteens the back seats are just too small for long journeys through. Great for occasional use but not for every day....

piddlemakesmegiggle · 14/08/2015 15:29

Just changed from Citroen Picasso to Renault Grand Scenic - absolutely superb and plenty of space

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