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? :confused: ) 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 :D) 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 :D 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.

[yourdj]

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.

When you say not the best driving are you resfering to the quality or economy?
I have a 2005 mk2 design and its one of the easiest and comfortable rides i have ever had, so a thumbs up on that aspect from me :)

Its as easy as the Insignia I hired in Ireland, although my girlfriends 2007 mk2 life astra is not very great so it may depend on the model??

[DJColsie]

When you say not the best driving are you resfering to the quality or economy?
I have a 2005 mk2 design and its one of the easiest and comfortable rides i have ever had, so a thumbs up on that aspect from me :)

Its as easy as the Insignia I hired in Ireland, although my girlfriends 2007 mk2 life astra is not very great so it may depend on the model??

My main criticism is the view out the front which is restricted by the really thick pillars at the front which create large blind spots but otherwise it is great.

[ian8limelight]

I'm now on my second Zafira and would certainly recommend it for ease of seat movement and loading/unloading. No blind spots that I am aware of but would certainly recommend the 1.7 Eco diesel range.

[mattydj50]

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.

I can third the Zafira. Mine has done almost 150,000 miles (not by me!) and is still going well. And I too can get into the tip!!

[welby]

My vote is the Zafira.

I have a Zafira Petrol 1.8 SRI and to be honest it's not that economical to run so I am looking to upgrade to the new eco diesel version where fuel economy is much better!

[yourdj]

My vote is the Zafira.

I have a Zafira Petrol 1.8 SRI and to be honest it's not that economical to run so I am looking to upgrade to the new eco diesel version where fuel economy is much better!

Do what i have done and get a 2Litre CDTI and then stick one of these on the back :p

16285

[katman]

Do what i have done and get a 2Litre CDTI and then stick one of these on the back :p

16285

Sales Rep Inside :confused::confused:

[yourdj]

Sales Rep Inside :confused::confused:

:lol:

The CDTI is really fast actually even full of gear - would not want anything more nippy than that.

[katman]

20 years ago I was station engineer for an RSL ( which coincidently I am next month :)) and one of the DJ's ran a competition.

"On the back of a Ford Escort, what do the letters RSi stand for?"

I went into the studio and told him it stood for Repetitive Strain Injury because they were all driven by :Censored:

He told me to leave the studio..... well at least that's how I interpreted the expletive laden reply. How was I to know *his* Escort RSi was parked outside ;);)

[mattydj50]

:lol:

The CDTI is really fast actually even full of gear - would not want anything more nippy than that.

Mine's a 1.9 CDTi. The only thing with the diesel is, if you only use it on short journeys (work is only 5 or 7 miles away for me) make sure you give it a good thrash every now and again to keep the filters cleared out. I sometimes do a 15 mile round trip on the motorway on the way home.

[teenypops]

I have a 2012 Zafira Tourer 2.0 Diesel Eco Flex and all I can say is wow, what a work horse and very economical.

[Excalibur]

Mine's a 1.9 CDTi. The only thing with the diesel is, if you only use it on short journeys (work is only 5 or 7 miles away for me) make sure you give it a good thrash every now and again to keep the filters cleared out. I sometimes do a 15 mile round trip on the motorway on the way home.

Modern diesels benefit from a good thrash down the motorway now and again. Pootling about all the time soots them up very quickly.

[DJ Jules]

Modern diesels benefit from a good thrash down the motorway now and again. Pootling about all the time soots them up very quickly.

Anyone who has followed me down the Bristol ring road when I have put my foot down will be able to vouch for that :D

[Rikki's MobileDisco]

I also use a Zafira and the seating is perfect.
I have a 1.8 petrol though and find it a bit gutsy on fuel but it is a work horse