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Jan 29, 2014 20:03:40 GMT
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Mrs H has finally passed her UK driving test (held a Kiwi one for years, but left it too late to get a UK one as a straight swap), and is now after a car. The budget is about £2.5K - £3.5K, so the current shortlist is looking like an early Mazda 5, a low mileage Zafira A or a high mileage Zafira B. Any thoughts, especially what to watch out for with either of those, or perhaps some other sensible suggestions? The six or seven seater aspect is pretty crucial. My genuinely sincere suggestion of a modern Fiat Multipla (I think the design of the pre-facelift one is extremely cool) was not considered helpful, as she hates how it looks, but the blander facelifted one didn't create as much revulsion.
Apologies for the non retro content - my other suggestions (such as a Volvo 245 with the 7 seater kit, or a matching Amazon, for his & hers) were not hugely appreciated.
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Jan 29, 2014 21:19:12 GMT
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Zafira B should be well within your budget.Loses out on non flat fold middle seats -which touran and verso have.Problem is best engine reliabilty is 1.6 with 105bhp (later vvti 115bhp not as good) Fiat Multipla is just a clown of a car - your kids will rather walk than suffer humiliation of being dropped off to school in a noddy car.Imho  Zafira Design/SRI/Elite -ones to go for -and 150bhp diesel has some thump.Ultra rare Panoramic roof is awesome and makes Zafira unique amongst mpvs Rear reverse is rubbish on Zafira -the worst of any hatch i have driven.Other than that it is a brilliant and affordable mpv.The 3rd seats are still better than many 2+2 coupes Chrysler Voyager mpv are fab value and even swb is 7 seats-with loaaads of kit - but engines not the best and it is bulky |
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Jan 29, 2014 23:40:06 GMT
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The seats in the Zafira don't fold flat but its better than that as the front lifts vertical and you push the lot forward locking in place making a bulkhead type affair like a van has which is really useful.
I had the 2.2 Elegance Zafira A absolutely cracking car I couldn't fault it as it just took everything I threw at it from drag racing to track days even the odd trip to school with the kids.
Grand Scenic was something else we looked at, as was a Delica but there quite heavy on fuel and a bit older than we wanted, true MPV's are bargain prices due to there abundance at the minute.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,000
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We are on our second Sedona, it to bits, the side sliding doors are really good for loading into, the mk1 has two captains chairs in the middle which the kids loved, early ones swivel also but the rear bench would be a bit cramped for 3 adults, luxury for 2 though
Engines are the kv6 rover lump or a merc derived diesel, on a run I could just clear 40 to the gallon, but the auto is a lot thirstier, poor turning circle but you soon get used to it, good owners forums do info too
Ttfn Glenn
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Jan 30, 2014 10:15:31 GMT
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Mate had two new Renault Espace (MKII & MKIII) and rated them highly. Personally I like the MKI Espace (all MKI,II&III have galvanized chassis frame with plastic outer panels made by Matra. MKIV had by Renault and steel panels). Ford Galaxy, VW Sharon & Seat Alhambra diesels (VW lump) are another option. Peugeot 806/807, Citroen Synergie and Fiat Ulysee are all the same model - just different badges. For those who want a modified Espace -  Paul H |
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monty
Part of things
Posts: 66 
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Jan 30, 2014 10:38:05 GMT
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Sent from my toaster using a waffle iron
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,840
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Jan 30, 2014 11:17:17 GMT
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Don't get a modern Vauxhall (post 94), they're bloody dire. Build quality is shocking, reliability is shocking, drive is shocking. They really don't have any redeeming features at all.
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Jan 30, 2014 12:02:46 GMT
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The Mazda 5's look great value, if you can find one that hasn been a Taxi a Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy are bout the most practical MPV you can get. Don't get a modern Vauxhall (post 94), they're bloody dire. Build quality is shocking, reliability is shocking, drive is shocking. They really don't have any redeeming features at all. Lol, I was just about to post "don't buy a Zafira B" and you kinda already have. My mate had a Zaf B, which was curse word - replaced it with another one (current), it's a 150bhp Cdti Sri, clutch & flywheel went in october (£800) and now the greabox has just gone. At least it has done big miles... oh wait.. no it's a 2006 with 1 previous owner, FSH & 65k on the clock. Guy in my office has a Vectra B/C (53 plate) and he seems to think it's a good car, thats also had the clutch/fly replaced & then the gearbox & most of the suspension & calipers - done 100k. Also the seats, as they have worn out. I told my mate if he buys another Vauxhall I will punch him in the face. |
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Last Edit: Jan 30, 2014 12:04:30 GMT by joem83
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Jan 30, 2014 12:07:38 GMT
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Just to add, Volvo V70 - sure they did a 7 seater. Cant go wrong with them tbh.
(Which is what my mate is replacing his Zaf with lol)
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Jan 30, 2014 19:37:31 GMT
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Honda FRV has one of the best interiors of an MPV -but 6 seats .307SW 7 seats forward facing -think this was only conventional estate to do so - better than dopey rear facing of 406 ( personally i would avoid any rear facing estate).And 307 has cool panoramic roof
Mitsubishi Grandis is another nice one
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Last Edit: Jan 30, 2014 19:40:38 GMT by tali100
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Jan 30, 2014 19:52:24 GMT
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I forgot about the FRV, very clever cars!
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Jan 30, 2014 20:07:45 GMT
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Cheers chaps!
Espace / Voyager sized buses are a tad too large tbh, as is a V70. Didn't know the 406 had a 7 seat option, but sadly Mrs H hates Peugeots due to some bad experiences with her parent's old 405 back in NZ. Also, rear facing third row isn't ideal for our intended use, otherwise I'd be after a Volvo 145 or 245 7 seater...! Really needs to be Zafira / Scenic etc sized, as Mrs H doesn't fancy driving something huge - her last car was a Lupo.
Interesting comments about the Zafiras & Vauxhalls in general. Is the Mazda 5, or the Ford equivalent any better behaved? The used car review sites don't seem hugely helpful on these things. Not massively keen on a VW, but the Touran is a possibility. Most of the ones within budget that I've found on a quick search seem to be very leggy though.
TBH, I find modern car systems rather intimidating, as they are so much more complicated than what I'm used to (i.e. stuff that's older than me), so any tips on what to watch out for / warning signs would also be appreciated, as I'm more familiar with checking for stuff like rust! Thinking of which - is that an issue on any of these sorts of cars yet?
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Last Edit: Jan 30, 2014 20:10:55 GMT by Paul H
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lilbob
Part of things
Posts: 419
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Jan 30, 2014 20:14:06 GMT
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+1 for the galaxy/sharan/Alhambra swmbo has a tdi galaxy and the only problems we have had in nearly 6 years have been the wiper motor died as the linkage started to seize(common fault) and the duel mass flywheel the wiper motor cost £200 couldn't find a second hand one vw dealers are the cheaper than frauds for spares
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monty
Part of things
Posts: 66
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Jan 30, 2014 22:12:22 GMT
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Have you seen the video footage of a rear end shunt crash test on one of these mpv's with rear seats right at the back?
Poor quality footage but frightening none the less
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Sent from my toaster using a waffle iron
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Jan 30, 2014 22:12:31 GMT
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Get a vr6!sharan I had one for doing the kids football and was great
Also a rare manual too ,great fun nippy and all seats in back can be removed so it doubles as a van too when needs must lol
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