Thanks for all the responses so far....if i may respond to a couple;
The Multipla, however good it may be, was disregarded early on due to it's width. The car is for SWMBO and I've just about managed to coax her out of the Yaris but she'd never agree to something as wide as a transit - ironically, she actually likes the look of the (mk1) Multipla!
I should've really phrased "3 full size rear seats" more as "3 equal sized rear seats" - basically we don't want the person sitting in the middle to be too uncomfortable as it may very often be an adult.
The Picasso (in 2.0 HDi Desire/SX/Exclusive guise) is certainly a frontrunner.....
Thanks again.
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I'll second the Picasso. I'm on my second, the first (2.0HDi SX)did 120K in 4 years and never faltered. The current (1.6HDi 110BHP Exclusive) is less then 5 months old but has 14K on the clock already, again no problems whatsoever. Lots of car for the money too.
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I had a Picasso diesel as a hire car in France and thought it an ideal family holdall. Due to Citroen's sensible pricing in the UK there are plenty about and great value used. Conventional mechanicals that can be looked after by an independent.
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Chad
Have you made your decision?
I am looking at going down the same route, probably 1.6HDi 90 Desire.
I would be interested in your comments.
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pmh (was peter)
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pmh, in reply to your query, I can only comment on Scenics as I have had 3 of them. The thread below may give some info
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=25...6
In reply to the point mentioned about MPVs being useless and estates are better, I beg to disagree. Totally.
You will either like MPVs or dislike them. You will either see and recognise their uses and flexibility or you won't. Being a family man with kids, doing holiday trips, school runs etc etc I see the point of them and would thoroughly recommend them.
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Hi Chad,
We didn't widely test, but chose a new Zafira 1.8 Design a few years ago, on recommendation. It was fantastic, we loved it, and only changed recently because it was leased and we fancied a saloon car once our elder son son left home.
It was such a surprise to get in it. It's very high up, very smooth to drive, very comfortable, and very nicely finished. Or was. Ours was one of the old ones, which, frankly, I prefer the look of, inside and out. I am not sure the present ones are so luxurious.
Ours, in three years, suffered only very minor problems. It had a squeaking thing from both front doors, and those had to be fixed from time to time. They would be fine for about six months and then squeak again. It was always repaired under guarantee, with a smile and at no cost. But the squeaking was loud - loud enough to make locals ooh la la us as we went through Trouville on our last holiday. It was something to do with the doors, not anything scary like brakes or suspension.
Other than that it was lovely. It was the first car our son wasn't car sick in. I think that is because the leg room and visibility in the back is so generous.
A few Boxing Days ago a taxi rammed it up the rear at traffic lights. The Zafira suffered a small dent in the rear bumper. The taxi (a Skoda) had no bonnet left. I would have no hesitation in putting my most cherished small children in the very back row of seats, having seen how strong the Zafira is in a crash.
You will know what you like when you see it. When we lost the Zafira we did try a Scenic - the ads were on all the time. But although it looked fab, it sounded like a sewing machine. That said, my brother hires them a lot and says you have to drive them for a few days to fall in love with them.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Ali
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Does the Touran really have the best handling in its class? I thought that was the C-Max, built on the Focus platform reknowned for handling, whereas the Touran is based on the Golf, which... is not?
Personally I find this entire segment utterly pointless and you'd be better off with a Passat than a Touran. MPV's are all well and good if you need to carry 6 or 7 people but if they only seat the same as a proper car, err why?
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Dont know about the C-MAx not driven one so cant say. The Trouan does handle very very well for the type of vehicle it is. Its actually quite fun to chuck it about.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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if i may add my tuppence?, the missus runs a mk1 megane scenic and we've taken 5 adults in immense comfort over 400 miles on a round trip from home to weymouth and back with no complaints, i'm 6 ft myself and have no problem in the back, the only complaint i have is the lack of speed and handling compared to an estate car but the comfort and space does make up for it where the family is concerned, and as for those who say mpv's are pointless, well, we thought so to until we actually tried one and now the missus wont go back.
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forgot to add, personally i'd go for the price, i dont trust vauxhalls and renaults dont live long and prosperous lives in my experience. anything jap or german in my opinion is sure to be a winner though i'd suggest test driving as many as you can to get your own feel. good luck.
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wish i could edit old posts. i meant to say i'd have the touran if you can get one for the price.
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A colleague is just going through exactly the same. He currently has a Multipla which was great when he had more kids at home than he has now, but the lease is ending and he needs something similar, but not something which needs to carry 6.
He has considered the usual supects previously mentioned. He tried a C max, but despite HJ's rave review there was plenty about it he didn't like.
He is now closing in on something which hasn't been mentioned yet - a Golf Plus.
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We're on our 2nd Scenic, the first being a 1998 and the latest a 2005 Grand Scenic.
SWMBO loves driving them & kids love being in them. Although not my main car, I tend to drive the Scenic on longer family trips and did the first 25k on the 1998 version commuting into London (200 miles per day - 3/4 days a week).
Must report that we've had no problems with either of the cars (or an earlier Laguna) and have so far covered a collective 170k miles with Rennies.
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IanS
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You won't get a golf plus in his price range - too new.
I've got a touran, great car (but I would say that). To get a touran in your price range, it would need to be 5 seat 1.6FSI petrol. Both features make Tourans harder for dealers to sell, so reduce the price.
Concur with TVM's comments, unless you load it up, the touran drives like a mk5 golf, especially with a 2.0 engine.
Joe
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"Must report that we've had no problems with either of the cars (or an earlier Laguna) and have so far covered a collective 170k miles with Rennies."
Must change your eating habits ;-)
Isn't the Vauxhall built in Germany? I've heard mostly positive things about the Zafira. And of course it has the brilliant Flex 7 seating arrangement. Not sure if that's on all models though.
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My wife absolutely swears by her PT Cruiser.
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My wife absolutely swears by her PT Cruiser.
I say rude things when I see them as well.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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>> My wife absolutely swears by her PT Cruiser. I say rude things when I see them as well. ------------------------------ TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
and they say that cabaret is dying in Britain !!!!
well, I walked into that one and deserved it.
Back on topic, my wife finds her PT Cruiser to be absolutly everything that she needs in a mini MPV, while reatining some individuality. If you've never test driven one, I can highly recommend it - especially the higher specced, diesel versions.
MTC
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Another vote for the Picasso, as a former owner.
None of these cars are really about handling, but in the footprint of a hatch/saloon/estate they are bigger inside and offer more flexibility.
And the Picasso certainly wins on the value front. I bouoght new with a good (at the time) discount, and was amazed how well it held it's price when I sold it 2 years later, certainly held its price better than the 2-year old Porsche I sold the other week ...
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Does the Touran really have the best handling in its class? I thought that was the C-Max, built on the Focus platform reknowned for handling, whereas the Touran is based on the Golf, which... is not? Personally I find this entire segment utterly pointless and you'd be better off with a Passat than a Touran. MPV's are all well and good if you need to carry 6 or 7 people but if they only seat the same as a proper car, err why?
We run both a Xantia estate and a Berlingo. Horses for courses.
The Xantia handles better, is faster and cruises more quietly. I can easily lift the families bikes onto the roof rack. It has aircon and does 44mpg however I drive.
The Berlingo carries the same load (both easily swallow a family of four and camping kit for three weeks). It's slower and noisier at speed, but pegged at 68mph/3000rpm it's utterly relaxed and point to point times are closer than you'd think.
Tons more space inside, particularly with all the cubbies in the roof. Sat higher the kids have better visibility, floor is flat and it has three proper seats in the back. Sliding doors are easier for kids and would have been a real boon when kids had to be strapped into kiddie seats. Mileage varies hugely with speed and load.
Asked which car to take on a journey the kids always vote for the Berlingo - even to S of France where a/c might swing the vote for the Xant.
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Sounds good! I just bought a 03 plate one yesterday,pick it up monday..I've always had a thing for Renault 4's..This seems like the modern day equivalent.50MPG,group 3 insurance,very cheap parts,and as rugged as they come.Can't wait!
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