People Carrier

[gharbud]

Due to starting a family i am looking at selling my merc vito for a people carrier, does anybody have any advice on ones which all seats go down and have good enough room for gear etc?. not looking for anything brand new, budget of around 2.5k Thanks

[DazzyD]

I'm not the driver so I'm not very vehicle minded and, as such, can't answer any technical questions. But I do know that, in the past, we've used a Ford Galaxy and a Seat Alhambra and they've both been perfectly capable of carrying the kit for a decent (not huge!) sized rig. The Alhambra was getting past it and costiing too much to repair so my driver has since bought a new people carrier (is MPV the correct term? ) but I couldn't tell you what kind it is!

[djdave01]

ive been using a Ford Galaxy for 5 years without any issue.

My standard kit fits in the boot, behind the middle seats. On the odd occasion I need a larger system, I take the middle seats out.

Its getting past its best now (15 years old) but i'll be buying another one once its dead.

Dave

[Creature]

Can recomend the Seat Alhambra 1.9tdi - brought mine for £750.00 2 years back with 166800 and just under 30000 miles later still good as I brought it. Its cambelt is due at 200000 miles - so engine will have full service then so far both MOTs I had done with it were 100% and no adviseries

Shes averaging mid 40s to a gallon at a steady 60mph and if im in a real gental mood with the foot peddle Ive had it giving 49.9 MPG

The seats come out in a few mins and can fit loads in there, in fact in Sept got a full 2 gantry truss stage rig and 48 lights in there as well as me cd cases mixer and decks

Shes had nothing done to it except normal servicing.

OK the galaxy and Sharan can out accelerate the Seat and has a better top speed but the Seat has better fuel economy

[DJ Jules]

I can second the votes for Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan, but I'll also mention Chrysler Voyagers (older shape up to 2004) and the new shape Ford Galaxy (probably out of budget atm though as they didn't come in until 2006).

The Voyagers are cavernous vehicles. The downside is the parts are expensive (though you're probably used to that with a Merc ) and the economy isn't amazing.

The new shape Ford Galaxy's carry an incredible amount of kit and the seats can be pushed forwards and backwards to make more space and also drop into the floor so you don't have to mess about with taking them in and out. I can comfortably carry my rig in ours and my wife and two children as well Economy is also on a par with the older shape (40mpg around town, 50+ on motorways) and we've got the performance from the 2 litre diesel leaves the older 1.9 models standing. 0-60 is sub 10secs (not bad for a big car!)

Just a thought, but have you looked at a Crew cab Mercedes Vito as an option?

Julian

[Retrodisco]

Due to starting a family i am looking at selling my merc vito for a people carrier, does anybody have any advice on ones which all seats go down and have good enough room for gear etc?. not looking for anything brand new, budget of around 2.5k Thanks

I went the other way, people carrier to a Vito, the van is far easier to load in my opinion.

[DJDC]

I had a zafira but out grew it, then had a Kia Sedona, and more recently a Peugeot 807, these stopped been produced in around 2008, my 56 plate went for £4k trade at the start of the year. All seats were separate so very flexible. I've gone up a size again and have a expert tepee. and

[Andy Collins]

I've got a diesel 05 plate Galaxy and like others - my whole kit fits in the back with only the 2 rear seats taken out and the middle 3 lifted. It costs me an average of 11p a mile to run. (£70 = 600 miles)

I had a new (62 plate) last year which has the added benefit of the seats fold flat - however the fuel consumption was much higher, I was only getting 400 miles out of a £70 full tank.

I've had no major problems, the older galaxy (diesel) do have an issue with the clutch though - as they have the Dual Mass Flywheel which is a costly £600 to replace. I've just had to replace mine, however I can't complain as its done 107,000 miles on the original clutch.

[yourdj]

Zafira if you dont need LOADS of space. Perfect as the seats slide forward, acting as a strong barrier.

Excellent motor. i have two Zafiras and an astra estate. LOL.

[DJColsie]

I second the Zafira. Can fit full rig with two subs in easily. Not the best driving but cheap to fix and insure.

Plus they will still let you in the tip with it which they won't do with a van.