Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: OOMV6 on 21 May 2012, 16:48:44
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Need a little assistance in the people mover market.
I have around 4k, max 5k to spend. I need a minimum 6 seater, ideally the larger style rather then the Grand Scenic and Zafira Style. There are so many out there, of which some are one of the same with a different badge.
So I'm looking for some guidance on what might be good for the money. It needs to be diesel and one with as low mileage as possible. Toys are nice, but my good lady would prefer to pay for a slightly newer, or less mileage car, and go without some of the gadgets.
Any experiences / opinions welcome.
Btw, the Omega is staying. This car will replace a 2009 Skoda Fabia
TIA
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I use a big VW Transporter taxi from time to time - I had some visitors recently and it picked 7 of them with luggage from Gatwick no problem. The driver who I have known for years paid about £6k for it - think it was an 06 with 150000 miles - incredible piece of kit
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i think when i change i might just go for the grand voyager :y
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i think when i change i might just go for the grand voyager :y
Chrysler parts not a bit pricey?
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i think when i change i might just go for the grand voyager :y
Chrysler parts not a bit pricey?
Not to mention the rest of the car is one of the worst on UK roads. Think it has one of the worse NCAP ratings too :o
Options either an Estate with pair of seats in the boot, or a people carrier. Been in a few Ford S-Max's when using taxi's in London, quite comfy, loads of room. Trouble is with 7 people in either of those, leaves zero boot space :(
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On my second Alhambra. Seem glued together pretty well. Few minor issues to watch out for but I've never suffered from them. Only big expense i had on the first one was the turbo went pop but then it was a 115 bhp lump remaped to around 150. I've got a 130 now. What ever you do get a manual box one. The 115 was auto and it was pants.
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Toyota Previa every time.
I've got an old K reg petrol auto. Never failed an mot. THE most reliable car I've ever owned.
It's going back on the road on June 1st while I sort out the niggles on the Omega.
I don't think I'll ever sell it.
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i think when i change i might just go for the grand voyager :y
Chrysler parts not a bit pricey?
Not to mention the rest of the car is one of the worst on UK roads. Think it has one of the worse NCAP ratings too :o
Options either an Estate with pair of seats in the boot, or a people carrier. Been in a few Ford S-Max's when using taxi's in London, quite comfy, loads of room. Trouble is with 7 people in either of those, leaves zero boot space :(
Think we have resigned ourselves to the fact it'll have to be people carrier. We will be 6 on board, and for hols an estate with midget seats in the back just won't give enough room. Don't really want to get into the the roofbox game either.
On my second Alhambra. Seem glued together pretty well. Few minor issues to watch out for but I've never suffered from them. Only big expense i had on the first one was the turbo went pop but then it was a 115 bhp lump remaped to around 150. I've got a 130 now. What ever you do get a manual box one. The 115 was auto and it was pants.
Thanks Doz. Had looked at the Seat. Would be manual for us so maybe that's an option. The Seat is the same car as ....Galaxy?? and VW??
Toyota Previa every time.
I've got an old K reg petrol auto. Never failed an mot. THE most reliable car I've ever owned.
It's going back on the road on June 1st while I sort out the niggles on the Omega.
I don't think I'll ever sell it.
Hadn't thought of those. Will take a look.
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Just make sure the cooling system has been well maintained :y
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FWIW,
I fix a lot of pople carriers out here,#
Vw very rarely get problems odd balljoint,brakes and exhaust seem to be the most common,
engines unburstable as long as oil and filtr changed regularly, 2.4 na or 2.5tdi, drive very well indeed!!
citroens, massive electrical probs also clutches and dmfs, interiors not long lasting,ignition switches routinely break,
peugots almost the same as above(same company)good old badge engineering+
ford galaxy, not to many problems (older style)new ones dmf again and electrics)
seat alhambra seem to be ok ish but not to many of them around but as its the same as galaxy sharan, virtually shouldnt be to many different probs?
the 1.9tdi seems to be either very good or very bad(head gaskets and oil leaks) so a bit of a mixed bag there,
I very nearly bought a vw 2.5tdi 7 seater multivan, damn good value!! cracking to drive easy to work on, reliable, and economical, out of all this is the one i would buy!!
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If your not fussed about the badge and can stand driving around with a bag over your head so nobody recognizes you :D :D
A Kia Sedona :y :y
Well kitted out
Very big inside
Old style Merc diesel engines
Not as bad as you would think to drive in a rolly polly sort of way and pretty cheep too :y
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If your not fussed about the badge and can stand driving around with a bag over your head so nobody recognizes you :D :D
A Kia Sedona :y :y
Well kitted out
Very big inside
Old style Merc diesel engines
Not as bad as you would think to drive in a rolly polly sort of way and pretty cheep too :y
yep not bad but avoid the big diesels they have a habit of breaking the fuel pump innards, you dont know about it till you have the filter changed then it wont draw fuel, only cure is a new pump! and the 2.7 cambelt is damned hard to do!!
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Avoid the Voyager, there big but they are truely pants to drive, thirsty and cost a small fortune to fix.
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Avoid the Voyager, there big but they are truely pants to drive, thirsty and cost a small fortune to fix.
got too agree with that one ...only driven on once they are crap..... :y
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No one has yet mentioned the espace ,(must be cos its a renault) ,but if its going to be 6 up most of the time its the only mpv that works! if you want to take luggage as well ,the grand espace has enough length for seven and their luggage , but 3.0 v6 is a pig to work on 2.0 is underpowered so that leaves 2.2dci go for a low mileage with history and you would be ok, very comfy , quiet and with privelidge spec lots of toys 150 bhp and doesnt wallow about. worth a look.
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I'd probably go for a Ford Tourneo (posh Transit) as first choice.
I've had an '07' Sharan 2.0 TDI which was actually quite nice to drive, went well enough, which would probably be second choice.
If running costs weren't to be considered I would happily have a Grand Voyager 3.3, one of the 2006/2007 models. Yes, it is expensive, but I think they do eat miles very well and have nice novel touches like the electrically operated side and rear tailgate.
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Thanks for the responses chaps. Looked up the Kia option. Doesn't seem to exist in Germany. We have a Kia Carnival, which appears to have enough bad reviews to keep me away. Does the UK have the Carnival, or maybe the Sedona is the UK version? Maybe it's actually the same car, different name. Haven't looked close enough TBH.
Voyager. Thks for the points on that. Had thought as much, but confirmations are always handy.
So, preference towards the Alhambra/Galaxy then it seems.
What about the Hyundai Trajet? Any good?
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No one has yet mentioned the espace ,(must be cos its a renault) ,but if its going to be 6 up most of the time its the only mpv that works! if you want to take luggage as well ,the grand espace has enough length for seven and their luggage , but 3.0 v6 is a pig to work on 2.0 is underpowered so that leaves 2.2dci go for a low mileage with history and you would be ok, very comfy , quiet and with privelidge spec lots of toys 150 bhp and doesnt wallow about. worth a look.
Yeah, thought of the Espace. Gonna be 3/4 in the car around 75% of the time. 6 at weekends holidays. Hence the need for the luggage space. Certainly the 2.2D is probably the one to go for. Don't have a problem with brands. Quite like the quirky french stuff. ;) :y
I'd probably go for a Ford Tourneo (posh Transit) as first choice.
I've had an '07' Sharan 2.0 TDI which was actually quite nice to drive, went well enough, which would probably be second choice.
If running costs weren't to be considered I would happily have a Grand Voyager 3.3, one of the 2006/2007 models. Yes, it is expensive, but I think they do eat miles very well and have nice novel touches like the electrically operated side and rear tailgate.
Hadn't thought of Tourneo actually. Sharan, looking into it.
Cheers
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The pre-2006 Galaxy, Sharan and Alhambra are basically the same cars with different badges. IIRC the Sharan and Alhambra have a spare wheel and the Galaxy doesn't. :o :o
That might sway it if you are travelling long distances.
It is something I'm looking into at the moment as economical transport to Ukraine with my stuff. So I would be interested to know how you get on.
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The pre-2006 Galaxy, Sharan and Alhambra are basically the same cars with different badges. IIRC the Sharan and Alhambra have a spare wheel and the Galaxy doesn't. :o :o
That might sway it if you are travelling long distances.
It is something I'm looking into at the moment as economical transport to Ukraine with my stuff. So I would be interested to know how you get on.
Will keep you posted as and when things move on this. Soon, it'll have to be. Just cleaned up the Fabia for the photo session.
The real test is in the summer. 450km to Calais, onwards from Dover to Bristol or thereabouts. Local driving for a week. Then across to Harwich to get the boat to Hook of Holland, then 800km to Denmark. Return here is 1000km. Should be a good test.
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Dont forget the vito/ viano's,a well serviced one will last for years and years
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Dont forget the vito/ viano's,a well serviced one will last for years and years
Yeah, looked up the Vito reviews on German websites. Not good, the slightly older ones anyway. In fact, it is the regarded by some as the only Merc that really should not carry a Merc badge. I had one some years ago. Not a pleasant experience, but I do realise that it hadn't been taken care of by the previous owner(s). That said I have driven the newer models and it was very nice to drive, so the jury is out on that at the moment.
Vaneo, don't know but worth checking
Cheers for that reminder
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Possibly around or over you top price, and don't laugh, but I had a Citroen C4 Grande Picasso for 3 and 1/2 years and loved it, 1.6 diesel more that capable and towards 50 MPG.....like others though, with 7 seats very little luggage room, in 5 seat mode, loads of room. Miss Vamps used to like the rear seats up, middle down, said it was like a Limo..... :)
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Possibly around or over you top price, and don't laugh, but I had a Citroen C4 Grande Picasso for 3 and 1/2 years and loved it, 1.6 diesel more that capable and towards 50 MPG.....like others though, with 7 seats very little luggage room, in 5 seat mode, loads of room. Miss Vamps used to like the rear seats up, middle down, said it was like a Limo..... :)
Good thought. Will check it out. As said before, I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
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If you really need a people carrier, I agree stay away from the Zafira. I've got one and it's great for what it is, drives nice enough, the seat set up is really practical, and it has been doing 40k a year with only minor problems, but it is definitely not a true 7 seater. The rear seats are only any good for kids and even then you have absolutely zero luggage space.
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
Never owned one, perhaps? ;)
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I had a Grand Voyager for 3 years - 60k miles. Brilliant car. Would seriously think about buying another - based on real first hand long term experince of use.
good points - bags of room. Marshal 4x12 cab, & 6 passengers? - no prob. Easy keeping up with trafffic & charging up Welsh hills with family & friends inside & 2 bikes on roof. Had to get into the habit of driving with lights on all the time 'cos other drivers didn't expect you to come up so quick. No prob getting 40mpg - and with 7 on board that's equivalent to 280mpg :). Make you feel like you're going on holiday, even if you're just going to the shops.
bad points - not enough damping against sway. rough sounding diesel forces you to keep the cd player on loud. get power doors unless you want shoulder / rotator cuff injuries. advise getting power tailgate also.
K
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I have had 2 x V6 Ford Galaxy and both have been outstanding - current one is a 04 plate and has all the kit you can need, intergrated child seats, climate control, DVD player, 7 full size fully adjustable seatbelts and you can move all the seats forward to create a big boot - and it also has a spare wheel under the rear of the car (same as the seat and the vw). It also has tiptronic 5 speed auto box and it has only covered 40000 miles so far with nothing needed apart from servicing and tyres.
My friend has a Renault Espace 3.0 diesel - it is a great car in terms of the kit and features but the engine is it's weak point, 3 x head gasket failure and 2 x turbo problems.
HtH Darren
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
I think he was just being polite Andy, not sure he actually meant it. ;D ;D :y
I use a big VW Transporter taxi from time to time - I had some visitors recently and it picked 7 of them with luggage from Gatwick no problem. The driver who I have known for years paid about £6k for it - think it was an 06 with 150000 miles - incredible piece of kit
I have an unhealthy yearning for one of these, especially the Sportline Kombi. As I've said before, I don't need one, I just want one. :y
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I have had 2 x V6 Ford Galaxy and both have been outstanding - current one is a 04 plate and has all the kit you can need, intergrated child seats, climate control, DVD player, 7 full size fully adjustable seatbelts and you can move all the seats forward to create a big boot - and it also has a spare wheel under the rear of the car (same as the seat and the vw). It also has tiptronic 5 speed auto box and it has only covered 40000 miles so far with nothing needed apart from servicing and tyres.
My friend has a Renault Espace 3.0 diesel - it is a great car in terms of the kit and features but the engine is it's weak point, 3 x head gasket failure and 2 x turbo problems.
HtH Darren
Yes, I got this wrong as all pre-2006 have spare wheels, the post 2006 update Galaxy doesn't and the post 2010 update for the Sharan and Alhambra don't either.
We have gone in the last 20 years from full size spares to space saver and now many cars have no spare at all. In the last 20 years I have averaged at least 1 puncture per year! So this seems like madness to me.
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I have had 2 x V6 Ford Galaxy and both have been outstanding - current one is a 04 plate and has all the kit you can need, intergrated child seats, climate control, DVD player, 7 full size fully adjustable seatbelts and you can move all the seats forward to create a big boot - and it also has a spare wheel under the rear of the car (same as the seat and the vw). It also has tiptronic 5 speed auto box and it has only covered 40000 miles so far with nothing needed apart from servicing and tyres.
My friend has a Renault Espace 3.0 diesel - it is a great car in terms of the kit and features but the engine is it's weak point, 3 x head gasket failure and 2 x turbo problems.
HtH Darren
Yes, I got this wrong as all pre-2006 have spare wheels, the post 2006 update Galaxy doesn't and the post 2010 update for the Sharan and Alhambra don't either.
We have gone in the last 20 years from full size spares to space saver and now many cars have no spare at all. In the last 20 years I have averaged at least 1 puncture per year! So this seems like madness to me.
Wow. That's shite. I can only remember having 2 punctures ever since I've had a license (1988)
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I had a Grand Voyager for 3 years - 60k miles. Brilliant car. Would seriously think about buying another - based on real first hand long term experince of use.
good points - bags of room. Marshal 4x12 cab, & 6 passengers? - no prob. Easy keeping up with trafffic & charging up Welsh hills with family & friends inside & 2 bikes on roof. Had to get into the habit of driving with lights on all the time 'cos other drivers didn't expect you to come up so quick. No prob getting 40mpg - and with 7 on board that's equivalent to 280mpg :). Make you feel like you're going on holiday, even if you're just going to the shops.
bad points - not enough damping against sway. rough sounding diesel forces you to keep the cd player on loud. get power doors unless you want shoulder / rotator cuff injuries. advise getting power tailgate also.
K
Thks for that, but Voyager is one that has been written off my list. My sister-in-law had one - nice enough drive, went well and all that. My main issue being, as you mentioned, the sway. When I want that sensation I'll take a ferry. :y
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I have had 2 x V6 Ford Galaxy and both have been outstanding - current one is a 04 plate and has all the kit you can need, intergrated child seats, climate control, DVD player, 7 full size fully adjustable seatbelts and you can move all the seats forward to create a big boot - and it also has a spare wheel under the rear of the car (same as the seat and the vw). It also has tiptronic 5 speed auto box and it has only covered 40000 miles so far with nothing needed apart from servicing and tyres.
My friend has a Renault Espace 3.0 diesel - it is a great car in terms of the kit and features but the engine is it's weak point, 3 x head gasket failure and 2 x turbo problems.
HtH Darren
Cheers. Galaxy is up there near the top of the list. :y
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
Never owned one, perhaps? ;)
Jesters :y
Thought it might provoke a reaction. But it wasn't the (only) reason I said it. It's true. Lagana, R5 Turbo, Peugeot 205 (bit rattlely, admittedly), Citroen Berlingo (for work), Citroen Zsara Picasso all been fine. I do at this stage have to point out that some of these were not my choice but were the car for the lady of the house. Just the expected maintenance, never spend a cent more than I would have done with any other car. Much less than some I'd say. Except the R5 - brother put it on its roof. :( Oh, and the Picasso stood up very well to having a car ram it up the rear at around 70kmh.
Anyway, with all the manufacturers joining forces, sharing chassis, engines, god knows what else, who the hell knows what "nationality" a car is?
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Anyone have any useful ( :y ) comments on the Peugeot 807, with the 2.2 HDI engine? Going to look at one tomorrow. 2004 model.
Oh yes, it's French. Said it for ya. ;)
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
Never owned one, perhaps? ;)
Jesters :y
Thought it might provoke a reaction. But it wasn't the (only) reason I said it. It's true. Lagana, R5 Turbo, Peugeot 205 (bit rattlely, admittedly), Citroen Berlingo (for work), Citroen Zsara Picasso all been fine. I do at this stage have to point out that some of these were not my choice but were the car for the lady of the house. Just the expected maintenance, never spend a cent more than I would have done with any other car. Much less than some I'd say. Except the R5 - brother put it on its roof. :( Oh, and the Picasso stood up very well to having a car ram it up the rear at around 70kmh.
Anyway, with all the manufacturers joining forces, sharing chassis, engines, god knows what else, who the hell knows what "nationality" a car is?
I've only just noticed the comments re my 'why?'
Perhaps I should've put a bit more ie
Why don't you hate French cars? If you don't.......... you should! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;D
If I had to have a French car, it would be a Citroen ID19 or SM ;) ;) ;)
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..... I am not one of those "I hate french cars" people.
Cheers
Why? ??? ??? ::) ;)
Never owned one, perhaps? ;)
Jesters :y
Thought it might provoke a reaction. But it wasn't the (only) reason I said it. It's true. Lagana, R5 Turbo, Peugeot 205 (bit rattlely, admittedly), Citroen Berlingo (for work), Citroen Zsara Picasso all been fine. I do at this stage have to point out that some of these were not my choice but were the car for the lady of the house. Just the expected maintenance, never spend a cent more than I would have done with any other car. Much less than some I'd say. Except the R5 - brother put it on its roof. :( Oh, and the Picasso stood up very well to having a car ram it up the rear at around 70kmh.
Anyway, with all the manufacturers joining forces, sharing chassis, engines, god knows what else, who the hell knows what "nationality" a car is?
I've only just noticed the comments re my 'why?'
Perhaps I should've put a bit more ie
Why don't you hate French cars? If you don't.......... you should! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;D
If I had to have a French car, it would be a Citroen ID19 or SM ;) ;) ;)
Just a few months ago, I sold an ID20. Nice car, but just a little too much work to restore than I was prepared to do
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It is something I'm looking into at the moment as economical transport to Ukraine with my stuff. So I would be interested to know how you get on.
All done. Got a satisfactory deal.
Test drove a 2004 Peugeot 807, 2.2 HDi today. The seller (independent dealer) has not has time to prepare or even advertise the car.
He will do a full service, change brakes all round, put on new battery and put it through the test. It has some scratches on the bodywork both sides and also on the colour coded wing mirrors.
Now comes the interesting part at the time. I said I have no money but do have a white Skoda Fabia estate which is a 2008 model (not 2009 as previously mentioned). In fact it was manufactured in 2007 but only registered a year later. All the extras, FSH, set of winter tyres, summers on alloys, test til next April.
Hmmm. Dealer was reasonably generous after looking up the guide price for the Fabia, but there was still € 1000 I would still need to pay. Knowing that he had not had to prepare the 807 and telling him not to bother doing anything with the scratches (which he previously said he would polish but not respray), managed to push him down to the Fabia + € 250 for the 807. I will also get a 30% discount on the cambelt change which is due in 20K km.
Will be ready mid next week. So we'll see .........
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Good luck, I hope you have got a good one as they have not got a good reliability record.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/peugeot/807-2003/ (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/peugeot/807-2003/)
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=66663 (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=66663)
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Yeah, I was aware of such reviews, but equally aware of so many other reviews where the majority of people were happy. The one main thing that came out of the reviews I read what drivers being a little disappointed with the MPG. The car will be doing a minimum of 100km per day, then end of July off for the UK / Denmark trip previously mentioned.
I am also more than aware that the interior build quality will not be up the the standard of the Skoda (wow, couldn't say that a few years ago, could you), but we'll see.
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If your not fussed about the badge and can stand driving around with a bag over your head so nobody recognizes you :D :D
A Kia Sedona :y :y
Well kitted out
Very big inside
Old style Merc diesel engines
Not as bad as you would think to drive in a rolly polly sort of way and pretty cheep too :y
Shyte on fuel (for a diesel), middle row of seats is two single seats, back row is a three seater bench with a 50/50 split-WTF. Not much of a boot either... Guaranteed for 100k or seven years, just don't expect much more than that from it.
My money would be on an old shape(pre facelift) Ford Tourneo. 9 seats cheap to maintain, alot more reliable than newer ones, 30+ mpg and no congestion charge :y
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Oh well ::) good luck and don't forget you breakdown cover :y
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Oh well ::) good luck and don't forget you breakdown cover :y
:y
Indeed. Funny thing this breakdown cover game. Always have it. Pay around € 95 per year for European cover which gives all the normal benefits you'd expect including repatriation for myself, partner + kids (6 of us) + repatriaton of car, if it hasn't been written off.
The last time I needed any road side assistance was 1999 with alternator failure on the autoroute in France, near Dijon. Always worth having though whatever car you have - one tow of the motorway would cost more than the years cover.
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Indeed :y or £750 to get towed from Preston to deepest Sussex :'(
Although technically the water leak wasn't exactly a mechanical failure ::) more of a driver one
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If your not fussed about the badge and can stand driving around with a bag over your head so nobody recognizes you :D :D
A Kia Sedona :y :y
Well kitted out
Very big inside
Old style Merc diesel engines
Not as bad as you would think to drive in a rolly polly sort of way and pretty cheep too :y
we had one 05 plate good spec auto diesel for what we paid compared to others it was excellent value wifey loved it not bad to drive a/c was very good rear row of seat can get 3 on but not adults middle seats were good singles i would have another one of i did not have the omega..was wifeys favourite car. did have a 7 seater discovery enjoyed that more :y but loads of room in the kia well except boot