Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Andy H on 25 August 2014, 14:25:55
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Since my stepdaughter gave birth last Christmas she has been talking about getting a cheap Seat Alhambra. Following another arrival 3 weeks ago :) we now have to take 2 cars everywhere.
The discussions about Zaffys and Orlandos are interesting but I think I need to be looking at one of the larger MPVs if we are all going to fit in one vehicle (along with 2 pushchairs and all the other stuff that seems to be essential for a modern child).
What experiences do people have of the Alhambra (or VW Sharan / Ford Galaxy)
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Is that a pool of oil by the side of it? ;D
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That is quite an unfortunately positioned photo ;D
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Mrs VXL runs a 2003/4 Seat Alhambara 1.9 TDi 130 SE. Really likes it as well.
The PD 1.9 units are pretty robust and the 130 fitted to hers does propel it along very well considering the size and weight of vehicle. It's far quicker than the Omega 2.2DTi estate she had previously and the SE suspension is a little lower and stiffer so it handles relatively well.
Much bigger than Zafira's etc but you do have to remove the seats if you want to use it in 'van' mode as they don't fold into the floor and they are cumbersome and heavy to get out and store.
Build quality is very VW, trim pretty robust but door handles suffer the same fate as facelift Omega ones and the catches on the seats (to fold them flat) tend to loose their plastic cap. The N/S light cluster on the tailgate seems to warp and fill with water which in turn blows fuses that control other items - I just sealed ours up with some silicone sealant.
If you look at a 130 (or any one with a six speed box) do check the box is tight and all gears can be selected easily. Note that the tyres on these have to be Extra Load / Reinforced due to the weight carrying ability. The spare wheel (full size but steel rather than alloy) is held in place by a pulley system which feels very fragile, I slapped a load of grease on the steel cable in the hope that it keeps it corrosion at bay.
Overall we really like it, it tends to spend most of the time in five seat mode with a dog cage in the boot area and still has space for shopping. You can rearrange the centre row of seats by taking the middle one out and moving the outer ones in. I find the seats quite hard but this is probably more to do with the design of them being an SE model.
I notice a lot of MPV's seem to run winter tyres so I presume being front wheel drive and having a higher centre of gravity they are probably a bit more of a handful in snow than a car.
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My Dad uses a Kia Sedona for work (often folk's last but one journey ::)) Only draw back with the seating is that, unlike a Zafira, the seats don't fold down into the floor, you have to remove them and so you need somewhere to stow them when not in use. Loads of room in the back though ..... his even has DVD players for the middle row occupants.
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
It's a vauxhall. ;D
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My Dad uses a Kia Sedona for work (often folk's last but one journey ::)) Only draw back with the seating is that, unlike a Zafira, the seats don't fold down into the floor, you have to remove them and so you need somewhere to stow them when not in use. Loads of room in the back though ..... his even has DVD players for the middle row occupants.
Not very robust though, and parts are stupidly expensive (given how cheaply made they are) :-\
Oh, and not very economical either...
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
It's a vauxhall. ;D Renault van
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
It's a vauxhall. ;D Renault van
which is built in Luton, by Vauxhall ::)
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Interesting.
Anything in the back would be out of sight when parked and it would probably be quite good for the holiday trips we are hoping to make. I wouldn't be allowed into most council tips/recycling centres (not sure about our nearest) and there is no denying that 'it looks like a van' ;D
I wonder what the seats are like for long journeys? (most of hours are around 5 hours / 250 miles)
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My Dad uses a Kia Sedona for work (often folk's last but one journey ::)) Only draw back with the seating is that, unlike a Zafira, the seats don't fold down into the floor, you have to remove them and so you need somewhere to stow them when not in use. Loads of room in the back though ..... his even has DVD players for the middle row occupants.
The original Alhambra is the same in that you have to lift heavy seats out and store them somewhere, the upside is that folded seats are not taking up space under the floor so you do have a 'van with windows' when the seats are out.
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
It's a vauxhall. ;D Renault van
which is built in Luton, by Vauxhall ::)
With Renault parts.....
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....
Not very robust though, and parts are stupidly expensive (given how cheaply made they are) :-\
Point taken, but he's not had any serious problems with his.
Oh, and not very economical either...
Cheaper to run than a V6 Granada :y
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Here do...
Perfect, cheap 6 seat mumsy bus with sensible, easy access doors and a stupidly big boot (http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/vauxhall/vivaro/2006-vauxhall-vivaro-2900-d-c-swb-1-9cdti-100ps-doublecab-2-9t-no-vat-diesel-leckwith-vfpa-8ac90287474388f8014749561e3d3f0d/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/vauxhall/model/vivaro) :y
Woooah tacky plastic city or what!
It's a vauxhall. ;D Renault van
which is built in Luton, by Vauxhall ::)
With Renault parts.....
Renault have made some seriously underrated vehicles over the years IMO. In the 1980s I new a few people who had cars with Renault 3 litre V6 engines in that they seemed very pleased with. I was only interested in motorbikes at the time though so I didn't pay too much attention.
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Wouldnt a family pack of condoms been cheaper :-X :-X ;D :D :y
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Wouldnt a family pack of condoms been cheaper :-X :-X ;D :D :y
;D ;D ;D ;D
What about something like this @ £2500 :y
link (http://trucks.autotrader.co.uk/used-trucks/vanhool/daf/1989-van-hool-daf-diesel-bradford-tfpa-8ad086bc4767a5af0147826cb60250fb/bodytype/bus)
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Get a Voyager, plenty big enough. :D
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had a t reg sharan 110 bhp one but it had been messed with and it went like split shit so I got rid to save my licence but it was a good car,ive had a zafira and I hated it with a passion I couldn't get out of it without slamming the door I reaaly hated that car so much I swapped it for a p reg sharan unroadtested just to get shut and this sharan is a sack of shit,everything is wrong with it electrics are goosed and turbo puts it into limp mode quite often but its only a stop gap to keep me on the road and im tempted to buy a newer one but its a shame they don't have slideing doors,voyagers are high insurance,merc v class are crap but the layout is good tbh if I had the money I don't know what id get cos modern cars are crap
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Defo need something larger than Zafira class - its OK for occasional use of rear set of seats, but not day-to-day.
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Wouldnt a family pack of condoms been cheaper :-X :-X ;D :D :y
;D ;D ;D ;D
What about something like this @ £2500 :y
link (http://trucks.autotrader.co.uk/used-trucks/vanhool/daf/1989-van-hool-daf-diesel-bradford-tfpa-8ad086bc4767a5af0147826cb60250fb/bodytype/bus)
Very droll ;D
I should add that my stepdaughter is 28 with several years no claims, son in law is older but only passed his test last year.
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Wouldnt a family pack of condoms been cheaper :-X :-X ;D :D :y
;D ;D ;D ;D
What about something like this @ £2500 :y
link (http://trucks.autotrader.co.uk/used-trucks/vanhool/daf/1989-van-hool-daf-diesel-bradford-tfpa-8ad086bc4767a5af0147826cb60250fb/bodytype/bus)
Very droll ;D
I should add that my stepdaughter is 28 with several years no claims, son in law is older but only passed his test last year.
And about 8mpg too :o good camper project though :y
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I have had 2 x Ford Galaxy's and they are excellent at people moving - one even had 4 wheel drive which was brilliant in snow! All 7 seats are comfortable as they are proper seats, the seats that are able to fold into the floor feel too thin and I think they have sacrificed comfort for practicality. Some Galaxy's have built in booster.child seats which are handy, also add a roof box and you have a great car for family holidays.
Darren
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Have you thought about one of these, bigger than the average 7 seat, but not too big;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401241266846/sort/default/advert-type/Classified/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/usedcars/model/807/postcode/dl179bb/radius/1500/page/1/make/peugeot?logcode=p
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Fragile :-\
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Fragile :-\
I ran an older version(fiat Ulysses but same car) for 8 years and 100k plus miles with only routine servicing and belts,sold it to a customer of mine who still has it and running well,milage at about 180k now :y
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Fragile :-\
In what way?............. A friend of mine, with a large family, bought one about 5 years ago, ex mobility and has been fine, frequently running from East to West at the weekend...... :) :)
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Fragile :-\
French ;D
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Fragile :-\
French ;D
As a family we have had a number of different Peugeot cars over many years, back in the day, and found them totally reliable......... :y :y even the little 205 1.9 GTI............. :D :D :D
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I know two people who ran them as cabs, briefly, and never again :-\ trim and electrics being the main bug bares iirc...
If you want a multi seater with proper seats and luggage space then could do alot worse than a Ford Transit Tourneo... comfy seats including two isofix, reasonable boot, easy to drive/park, similar mpg to a Sharamblaxy... not the best quality trim, but does exactly what it says on the tin :y
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Tempting as the (older) Voyager/Grand Voyager might be, I wouldn't put my family in one... their crash test results make a Metro look quite sturdy :o
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i've had jap imports and have another any day, best is toyota hiace super custom 7/8 seater 1kz engine best that 3 ltr diesel same as baby landcruiser they do make newer type the toyota regius but make sure 1kz engine not the 1.9 or 2.4 best ios older type as said better driving and turns verey easily great for long trips and almost all come with extras and also cheap to service and easier than newer regius the vehicles are insulated ect and plenty room
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
Is that easy to do?
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
Is that easy to do?
Most places should be able to :)
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
How do they fail? Is it terminal or is a DIY rebuild feasible?
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
How do they fail? Is it terminal or is a DIY rebuild feasible?
Best not to encourage them to fail in the first place. ;)
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
How do they fail? Is it terminal or is a DIY rebuild feasible?
Best not to encourage them to fail in the first place. ;)
Where's the fun in that?
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The Alhambras seem pretty good but check them over carefully, once they get to the 10 year old stage the body work and rot on them seems to accelerate pretty rapidly.
There not a very inspiring drive but the PD engines are nice and strong.
Seen a few popped gearboxes on them so listen and check carefully.
And if high mileage check clutch operation as its an evil job to do
Same box as the 1.9 audi a4s? I know chipping beyond about 170bhp quickly munches the gearbox on those ::)
How do they fail? Is it terminal or is a DIY rebuild feasible?
Dunno, I know the guy just put in a reconned box, and rechipped it to lower (150 rings a bell)