7 seat's

[Johnk]

Thinking of getting something a little bigger in the new year around march, Looking around at the moment to see what's out there will not be new or anything be a few year's old , anyone have 1 of them and if so what do they think of it , was looking at the renault scenic and opel zafira someone also said there was a nice kia out there all help and comments wanted thanks

[Muad_dib77]

someone also said there was a nice kia out there all help and comments wanted thanks

No there isn't..If you find out who said it give em a schlap to the back of the head please.

Kia is the devil! I've driven two different Kias and I'll say this..they're just marginally better than walking in the rain...

Mate of mine has a sorento..that he bought from new..never has anything but hassle with it..everything works, intermiddently..seems to have one of those.."I'm being taken to the garage for a warrenty repair" sensors so stuff works right after it's been handed over and stops working immediately after being handed back.. Don't do it!

Drove a Zafira once..alright...seems a bit tight on space for some reason..(even if I was also driving it)

Have driven 2 galaxys... One was TDI the other Petrol..both surprisingly nice...for "vans" like...

If I had to..I'd pick a Galaxy.. but you'd really have to twist my arm all the same..

[colm_mcm]

I would put 7 seaters into 3 distinct groups.

5+2
7 Seaters
7 Seaters with a boot.

5&2, you're looking Opel Zafira, Toyota Corolla Verso, Mazda5, Renault Grand Scenic, Volkswagen Touran

7 Seaters: Toyota Avensis Verso, Ford S Max, Alhambra/Sharan/Galaxy, Mitsubishi Grandis,

7 Seaters with a boot: Toyota Avensis Verso, Toyota Previa, Renault Espace,

I assume you're gonna be looking at the 5&2 type of MPVs, if you have 3(?) kids and occasionally need to bring friends/relatives along with you. A full 7 seater can be a dose to park and not as nice to drive as a smaller MPV.

Of the smaller ones, the Zafira and Verso would stand out for me, I'd ignore the Touran as the 7 seat models have very badly designed rear seats, spec tends to be very basic and the 1.6 is the 8 valve unit from the 90's. Also the 7 seat models don't get a spare wheel.

The Verso has the best seating arrangement of any of the small MPV's, unlike the Touran or the Zafira, you can fold or unfold the rearmost seats without having to slide the middle row forward (The Zafira has a bench seat in the middle - this means getting everyone out of the middle row seats if you want to add a passenger to the back, or even to stow away the rear seats if you want to put some shopping in the back) Unfortunately the Verso holds its money quite well, so you'll get a Zafira for less.
The new shape Zafira is quite nice, pity the seating system hasn't changed from the original model.
Mazda5 is very similar to the Verso except it has sliding side doors and the middle seat in the middle row is tiny, so it's opnly a 6 seater really.

Kia do an MPV called the Carens, which was initially a 6 seater (3 rows of 2) MPV, the current one is a 7 seater, and it comes with a sweet 2.0 CRDI engine, I wouldn't ignore it, especially if they're going cheap.

[Johnk]

Thank's for all that info Colm, Didn't think that there was such a choice out there will have to go looking around so. Renault Espace a little big I would think as Elaine will more than likely be Driving it most of the time, Was told that the older ford think the 02 down that the seat's were better than the new 1, The Verso might be 1 i will take a look at depending on how much they are , Do you know if they all have the 3 point belt system in them as if not It's a no go as I would not but the kid's into a wrap around the waist belt As a know a couple, child is in a wheel chair now due to her having one of them on her and broke her back in the crash she was only 5 at the time .

[colm_mcm]

Most of the newer 7 seaters will have 3 point belts, but I'm pretty sure the early old shape Zafiras have a lap belt in the middle, newer ones have 3 point alright.
The other thing I forgot to say about the Corolla Verso is that they're wider inside than an Avensis Verso or a Previa, the middle row seats are very wide, and because they slide individually, when it's in 5 seat mode it's massive in the back


If you're looking at Galaxy sized cars, then deffo look at the Mitsubishi Grandis. Early ones were 2.4 petrol - these are a non runner for most people. the 2.0 DI-D diesel engine is actually the 2.0 common rail 140bhp Volkswagen engine and 6 speed box. they're plenty quick, very well specced (most Instyle specs will have cruise, parking sensors, dual climate, alloys and fogs, 8 airbags, rear privacy glass, CD changer etc) they don't seem to make big money second hand as they're not that well known.

[Johnk]

Was on the NI sites looking for something but every time i go into finding out what the vrt would be it keeps saying no car of that type can be found ? as i am filling in all the field's bar the top 1 as i do not know what goes in there It says*** please enter a statistical code*** anyone know

[CJ]

John, play around with the number of doors on the VRT form, try 4, 5 or 6.

CJ

[colm_mcm]

I know a guy with a 2005 Corolla Verso 2.0 D-4D. It only has 63000km on it and it's not an import. It's also the top Sol spec. I know the car from when I was with Toyota and it's a cracker. He's selling it in the new year. He'd be fairly realistic on price.

The 2.0 diesel engine is very rare on the Verso, they changed to a 2204cc diesel, after that barely any were sold due to the high tax.

Can pass on your details if you like.


Re the VRT, you need to get the body type and number of doors correct. Some MPVs are classed as estates and remember they're all 5 door not 4.
NI is a waste of time as every Paddy is looking for a bargain up there - driving prices up. you need to go to East England to get the cheaper stuff.

[Johnk]

Sure send me on the details depends on the money he is looking for it

[colm_mcm]

I'd say early teens, John. Will say it to him anyway.