Looking to buy a 7 seater next month around a 53 plate,any advice on what is reliable?

Question

Looking to buy a 7 seater next month around a 53 plate,any advice on what is reliable?

Answer 1

There are plenty of 7 seat cars on the market but depending on the size of the vehicle you require will depend on the market you choose as with the budget you have set yourself.

For 'smaller' 7 seat's you can buy a Volvo V70 Estate with optional rear seats but these are designed for children and are rear facing taking up a large chunk of the boot. A 53 plate V70 will set you back about £6500-£8000.

Also the Vauxhall Zafira as mentioned above, however an adult can be cramped into the boot but it is not advisable. These really are children seats. The Zafira also loses huge boot space when rear most seats are up. A 53 plated Zafira will set you back around £4750-£5500.

Renault's Grand Scenic has a similar 7 seat pattern to the Zafira which is the size of a medium sized estate (as is the Zafira) and rear most seats only really suitable for children and losing the boot can be frustrating. A 53 Plate will cost £5000-£5750.

Larger offerings come from the Seat Alhambra/Volkswagen Sharan/Ford Galaxy. All very similer with identical chassis, body and basic mechanicals. Although pick of the breed is the VW for refinement, equipment and build quality, the Seat Alhambra is a shadow of the VW Sharan using VW parts just a fair bit cheaper. The Galaxy uses Ford technology which is proven and popular which translates to value for money in insurance, repairs and general running costs. These three on 53 plate can set you back anywhere between £4450-£7995 for your desired 53 plate.

The most popular 7 seater car/mpv however is Renaults Espace. Great engines, great design and a lot of driving flair that makes the Espace a great used buy. 53 plates can cost anywhere from £4500 for the basic spec models upto £6750 for high spec models with proven 2.2DCi engine.

There are others available but these are by far the best 7 Seater family cars on the market in the era.

Hoipe you find some use in this information? Good luck.

Answer 2

Most of the 7 seater vehicles are the same, coming from the same factory. Just buy the one with the badge you prefer.

Answer 3

VW,FORD,PEUGEOT all use the same engines and running gear,just different badge on the front! Could try a Merc Vito,they are pretty reliable for passenger work.

Answer 4

Someone I work with recently bought a Hyundai trajet. He did alot of research on it - we work for the AA and RAC and found that we dont get called out to them very often. Not saying they never breakdown though. Also you have the added bonus of a LONG manufactures guarantee.  He previously had a Kia 7 seater (cant remember the name) and it didnt last very long.

Answer 5

Vauxhall Zafira. I'm no fan of Vauxhalls, but for 7 seats in a cleverly designed package, they're hard to beat: Small enough to be easy to park & pretty economical, 7 proper seats. I hired one once, very pleased.

I drive a Nissan Terrano LWB 7 seater, fantastic car, but do you need 4wd & low range gears, big tyres & less to the gallon? Probably not..

For something more stylish, the Renault Espace is still the best in the business.

VW Sharan, Ford Galaxy, Seat Alhambra all the same vehicle - pretty popular, so - so reliability (Neighbour's 03 reg Galaxy TDi just blown a turbo to the tune of £1500)

Merc Vito is a van & it shows.