Mini MPV 20k

Dub13

I have to get myself a 7 seater as the family is getting bigger,I don't need a small bus so I am looking at the Mini MPV market.I have not made up my mind which car I will be going for so I am looking for feedback from anybody who has/had any Mini MPV.I will have 20k to spend but I will not be buying on till the new year.

So far I like the Zafira and from what I hear its the best in this class,I also have a soft spot for the Peugeot 307.Any feedback would be much appreciated,Thanks.

Dub13

andyeire

How many kids would you have in the car.I had a Grand Scenic for about 6 months and it didnt work out for me .Car was great but seating arrangement was crap.

I have 2 kids in car seats and 2 older ones eldest is 14 and is almost 'full size'.The only seats that have isofix are the outside two on the secound row.Even seats that need the belts to fix them are only recommended for these seats.

When the child seats are in the car the middle seat was only suitable for 7 yo and even then not much room for her.You also can not tip seats for acess to last row so only way for oldest to get in was thru the boot .We had to have one seat down so he could get in in comfort.

And even then he had very little leg room.Also all the air bags stop at secound row so it is like having to choose least favourite child to sit in the last row.:eek:

I did look at the Zafira an di thought it would suffer the same problems.I decided on a Honda Odyssey (jap import) because it has a proper pair of seats in the third row .And is still not a van.

Dub13

Hi thanks for the reply.

I have 3 kids 4 or under,the prob we have now is that the 3 of them are still in car seats ( 4 year old in a booster)and we will not be able to fit 3 baby seats in the back of the current car.We are getting by for the moment because the new born can be in his car seat in the front of the car,but this entails Mrs Dub13 climbing between 2 car seats when we are all going out together.

What I also need to conceder is that in the life span of this car we will be having another child so I will need a 7 seater big time.A few things are putting me off getting a bigger MPV,the tax for one thing on big cars is huge and I don't drive to much as I do lot of driving in work so its hard for me to justify getting a big car seems as it will mostly be just a run around (I mainly use a motorbike to get to work).Also I fear that if I go for a diesel Mrs Dub13 (or maybe more likely me) will at some stage put petrol in the car.

But as I have said nothing is set in stone and I an open to ideas.

TomMc

Dub13 wrote:

I have to get myself a 7 seater as the family is getting bigger,I don't need a small bus so I am looking at the Mini MPV market.I have not made up my mind which car I will be going for so I am looking for feedback from anybody who has/had any Mini MPV.I will have 20k to spend but I will not be buying on till the new year.

So far I like the Zafira and from what I hear its the best in this class,I also have a soft spot for the Peugeot 307.Any feedback would be much appreciated,Thanks.

Dub13

Honda FRV (6 Seater - 3 + 3) ?

Dub13

TomMc wrote:

Honda FRV (6 Seater - 3 + 3) ?

The thing is I am a over 6ft so i don't think 3 in the front would be comfortable,also I am not sure how safe it would be.

JHMEG

The centre front seat in the FRV can be slid back and forth. It doesn't have to be in line with the 2 main front seats. The seating on the whole is quite flexible.

It's also quite wide so I don't think 3 baby seats in the back row would be a problem.

y3rman

I bought a Honda Stream which is deceptively spacious and a comfortable 7 seater with a 1.7 engine. I bought a jap import and am very pleased with it. Kids love it too.

andyeire

I was runing a 95 Estima and the Grand scenic was to replace it .But that didnt work out.

I sold the Scenic and with the proceeds bought an MX5 and Honda Odyssey.

The road tax on the Odyssey is a pain but the cost of owning a Renault for six months was an even bigger pain , i took quite a hit on it.

If the big car is manly for weekend stuff an older car would not be that bad i got a 99 for 9.5k, 2.3 petrol auto all bells and whistles, clean with BIMTA mileage of 80k kms.

Henry Ford III

The trouble is that if you need 7 seats in something like a Zafira, your luggage space will be close to zero.

The rear set of seats is virtually beside the back window. I'd have serious safety issues about having anyone seated back there.

I'd advise going for the bigger class of MPV.

bazz26

The new Toyota Corolla Verso has 7 seats as standard. It is available in 1.6 litre but the 2.0 D4-D is much better though more expensive:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=385760

I was in one recently and they are extremely practical, but the 1.6 litre is underpowered especially if the car is full with people or lugage.

The Honda FRV is also another option but it only has 6 seats. Here is one but the photos will not load:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=399754

Also have a look at the Honda Stream, most are Jap imports but they have 7 seats and are within your budget:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=536051

Another one is the VW Touran but standard equipment is pretty basic:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=553996
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=442668

Opel Zafira:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=418338

Fiat Multipla is very practical once you can get over the exterior looks:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=435410
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=464163

Black Sky

What kind of child seats have you got?
Had a Zafira on a 3 day test drive a while back. From what I remember the middle row of seats is a shelf, so it all slides back or forwards.
One of the child seats I have (from M&P's) has the seatbelt gripped/locked at the top rear at both sides. So if I wanted to get into or out of the back row, I had to open these two clips, slide seats out, slide seats back and then lock them again. Major pain.. but peculiar to the seat I had and the Zafira. With a split middle row not a problem......

Dub13

Thanks for all the replies,I have a lot to ponder over but as I have said I am not in a mad rush.

Black Sky wrote:

What kind of child seats have you got?
Had a Zafira on a 3 day test drive a while back. From what I remember the middle row of seats is a shelf, so it all slides back or forwards.

I am not sure,I know one is only a booster seat but I will have to ask the boss what the other two are.It is something I will need to conceder thanks.

colm_mcm

Corolla Verso will have 3 individually sliding and reclining seats in the middle row. much better for child seats than the Zafira. Also worth noting that on the Opel, access to the rear is very limited if you have a child seat (or child!)in any the middle row

gyppo

Well, (donning my anti-flak gear), what about a Multipla?:D

colm_mcm

Multipla and FR-V very similar. I was quite impressed with it. people laughed at me when I had one.