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[stuart30]

Im toying with the idea of buying a 7 seater as a second car (Omega would be kept for work ect).

Has anyone experiences of 7 seaters....been looking at reviews for Toyota previa (seem to hold there money well),Nissan Serena (apparently noisy cabin and sluggish).

Cant really think of any other proper 7 seaters except vauxhall Zafira (too bloody expensive) so really any ideas or experiences would be welcome,oh and as its going to be a second car something around 1997/1998 would be fine.

My bank has very kindly agreed to refund all my bank charges so going to have some spare cash soon.....just received first cheque for £494 just waiting for the other two banks to pay out and they should be around £1500 each,not bad for 15 minutes of letter writing and a visit to local county court.

[ragtopcav]

What do you want? MPV or estate with dicky seats?

MPV screams Ford Galaxy [sorry but they're actually an OK vehicle]; the estate Volvo V70 or a late 850 with boot seats - sadly the volvo will be available with a punchy 2.4 turbo with just shy of 200 horses and a bucket full of torque that will make the meega a bit second rate.

[stuart30]

What do you want? MPV or estate with dicky seats?

MPV screams Ford Galaxy [sorry but they're actually an OK vehicle]; the estate Volvo V70 or a late 850 with boot seats - sadly the volvo will be available with a punchy 2.4 turbo with just shy of 200 horses and a bucket full of torque that will make the meega a bit second rate.

Not interested in an estate as Ive been there....would need to be an MPV.

I"ll have a look round and see what i can find out about the Galaxy...

[Admin]

Actually I have to agree...

The Ford Galaxy (especially higher specced models) has excellent reviews.
Toyota Previa is... a Toyota so will be good, and generally reliable. I know someone who has a diesel one. Had it for years, tough and very reliable.

This is a good site for real owner reviews of cars. http://www.carsurvey.org

[Jay w]

having owned one for 2 years and done 50,000 miles in one i would strongly recommend the Zafira.

Yes they are dear, but early ones are still holding their money even after the Zafira B model has come out.

The engine to look for is the 1.8, best compromise of performance and economy.

Good driving position, handles well, will carry seven easily, seays fold flat so are not the hassle that the Galaxy/Sharan seats are

[Timbuk]

having owned one for 2 years and done 50,000 miles in one i would strongly recommend the Zafira.

Yes they are dear, but early ones are still holding their money even after the Zafira B model has come out.

The engine to look for is the 1.8, best compromise of performance and economy.

Good driving position, handles well, will carry seven easily, seats fold flat so are not the hassle that the Galaxy/Sharan seats are

Correct, they are such a pain

[Markjay]

I have a 97 Previa from new, best MPV IMO...

Firstly, mine seats 8 (it has a bench in the middle instead of two separate seats), I know of no other MPV that has this configuration - for some reason they are all 7 seaters in this range. But you may not need the 8 seats anyway so not sure if this is relevant to you.

Secondly, it has a unique flat-4 engine (See Alfarsud and Subaro...) which is located under the front seats leaving more space inside - this is the only MPV in this range where you still have room for luggage behind the rear seats even with all 7/8 seats open. But keep in mind that the 2000 onwards models are a little smaller than the older 91-99 models.

Thirdly, as said, it is a Toyota... in the 10 years we own it nothing ever went wrong with it - all it need was routine servicing. Oh, and we did the clutch and brake discs once.

The downsides....:


No DYI... the engine is right under the front seats and not accessible, even relatively small jobs such as changing the spark plugs are an engine-out job, and therefore can not be really done on the drive (remember the engine comes-out from underneath the car...

Then there is Toyota dealer pricing.... in London it's 95 per hour, I think that only Plumbers and Brain Surgeons charge more... and Toyota official work times are also ridiculous, like 1.25 hour for changing brake fluid (realistically 30 minutes job on the drive, 10 minutes at a properly-equipped garage..)


On another note, there are also Japanese imports - the Lucida and Emina - they are generally better equipped with toys such split aircon (rear/front) and dual sunroofs, this is OK but the Lucida is narrower than the standard Previa.

[Timbuk]

I have a 97 Previa from new, best MPV IMO...

Firstly, mine seats 8 (it has a bench in the middle instead of two separate seats), I know of no other MPV that has this configuration - for some reason they are all 7 seaters in this range. But you may not need the 8 seats anyway so not sure if this is relevant to you.

Secondly, it has a unique flat-4 engine (See Alfarsud and Subaro...) which is located under the front seats leaving more space inside - this is the only MPV in this range where you still have room for luggage behind the rear seats even with all 7/8 seats open. But keep in mind that the 2000 onwards models are a little smaller than the older 91-99 models.

Thirdly, as said, it is a Toyota... in the 10 years we own it nothing ever went wrong with it - all it need was routine servicing. Oh, and we did the clutch and brake discs once.

The downsides....:


No DYI... the engine is right under the front seats and not accessible, even relatively small jobs such as changing the spark plugs are an engine-out job, and therefore can not be really done on the drive (remember the engine comes-out from underneath the car...

Then there is Toyota dealer pricing.... in London it's 95 per hour, I think that only Plumbers and Brain Surgeons charge more... and Toyota official work times are also ridiculous, like 1.25 hour for changing brake fluid (realistically 30 minutes job on the drive, 10 minutes at a properly-equipped garage..)


On another note, there are also Japanese imports - the Lucida and Emina - they are generally better equipped with toys such split aircon (rear/front) and dual sunroofs, this is OK but the Lucida is narrower than the standard Previa.

This would be my choice, as you say they are better equipped, also they are diesel and usually come with low mileage.

I would not buy a Galaxy or a Sharan, I would go for the Alhambra, same car but cheaper, ( if you don't mind the Seat badge )

[Darth Loo-knee]

My sister had a V8 Land Rover Discovery with LPG that had seven seats... that would be the seven seater for me, Mrs and Kids safe, not gonna come worse off with much

[Timbuk]

My sister had a V8 Land Rover Discovery with LPG that had seven seats... that would be the seven seater for me, Mrs and Kids safe, not gonna come worse off with much

At least you can fold the seats out the way in a Disco but not forward facing though and then where do you put any luggage with the seats folded down  :question

[Darth Loo-knee]

My sister had a V8 Land Rover Discovery with LPG that had seven seats... that would be the seven seater for me, Mrs and Kids safe, not gonna come worse off with much

At least you can fold the seats out the way in a Disco but not forward facing though and then where do you put any luggage with the seats folded down  :question

You climb up the ladder on the back door and put it onto the roof rack

You Foreigners

[Timbuk]

My sister had a V8 Land Rover Discovery with LPG that had seven seats... that would be the seven seater for me, Mrs and Kids safe, not gonna come worse off with much

At least you can fold the seats out the way in a Disco but not forward facing though and then where do you put any luggage with the seats folded down  :question

You climb up the ladder on the back door and put it onto the roof rack

You Foreigners

Too much hard work Wish they still made something like the Renault Savannah or the Pug 505 estate. Three rows of forward facing seats and a good size boot

[Martin_1962]

Get a rear seatr conversion on an estate!

[Dave]

Depends who is going to sit in boot seats as my kids call them,The smaller MPV like the Scenic and Zafira the seat are ok for kids but to small for adults.My Dad has just bought a Grand Espace and gone for the 6 seat set up and its like a limo inside.

[Chopsdad]

I hire a lot for work and squeeze in 7 adults.

All new of course but the last few have been:

Vw Sharan - roomy and drove ok but clutch was a stiff old bitch, all the same I was told  :-/, it felt like a converted van to me.

Vx Zafira - rear seats a little cramped but enough room for 7 and drove like a car, both petrol and diesel varaints were ok.

Renalt Megane Scenic - rear passenger heads fit against back window, no good for anyone over 10 imo

Ford Galaxy - took this out last week 2.0 Zetec TDCI - loads of room, comfy and went like a rocket.  Best fun I've had for ages and it handled well, returning 40mpg too.

So in order of choice: 1 Ford, 2 Vx, 3 Sharan and there is no 4