7 seater under £10,000

[Richiepg25]

Any recommendations on a 7 seater under £10,000.
Was thinking ford S max any one have any experience with these, been in a few that where taxis and they always felt decent enough.

[MikeM6]

If you just want cheap transport, a Vauxhall Zafira will be peanuts to buy and has 7 seats, but if you want something a little more interesting, something like an old Mercedes E500 might have an extra pair of seats in the back.

SMax is decent enough.from my limited experience of one, but as with most Fords, the auto gearboxes are a bit naff so u would look for a manual. Preferably with the 2.5t engine.

[Richiepg25]

Never even thought of the Zafira, suppose the horror stories from years ago of them catching fire put me off, I wounder if the newer ones are better, suppose they have to be.

[jimPH]

Grand scenic looks pretty cool.

X-Trail looks OK too.

[WelshRich]

I had an S-Max for about four years and it was great for what it was, drove well for a “Dad Van” but if you really need seven seats be aware that the rearmost two pop-up seats are pretty cramped…

(The turning circle took some getting used to as well)

[itz_baseline]

Renault Grand Scenic, Mercedes ML and Mitsubishi Shogun would be on my short list to look at depending on if you want more people carrier or 4x4.

[ZX10R NIN]

The S Max is the pick but the Galaxy is better value & has more space:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...

Leftfield.

Mercedes R Class:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106033...

[Richiepg25]

I will be needing something to ferry around 2 toddlers and grandparents, no need for 4x4, i dont why i didn't think of a galaxy, The R class wasn't even on the radar either
, looks good.

[donkmeister]

Richiepg25 said:

I will be needing something to ferry around 2 toddlers and grandparents, no need for 4x4, i dont why i didn't think of a galaxy, The R class wasn't even on the radar either
, looks good.

It's basically an ML that has had its stilts confiscated; the engines and transmissions were shared with other models including the ML, E-class and S-class. So despite being relatively uncommon most of the oily bits shouldn't be in short supply.

(As an aside, I've seen a genuine R63. It had unfamiliar plates that could have been from the Channel Islands, but it was parked up outside a Screwfix and sure enough it sounded like a 6.2 when it started up. Mad thing.)

[Welshbeef]

Galaxy is nice - however we’ve had/got 2 Smax original shape and new shape (only 1 at a time).

Testing the Galaxy over the Smax it has notably more roll - NOTABLY. This is why we went for a second Smax over a Galaxy. We are a family of 5 so 5 seats used all the time and reasonably often back two seats are used.

[rallycross]

At this budget the Smax is by far the best to drive and best all rounder:

If you need loads of space then Galaxy has 10 cm higher rear head room and are always cheaper to buy used as most are used as cabs when new ( smax usually Privately owned).

Sharan/Alhambra from 2013 a great drive and has sliding door but costs much more .

[moorx]

My OH has a 2010 Mazda5 (Furano) which is very comfortable to travel in and is one of the nicest looking MPVs in my opinion.

We didn't buy it as a people carrier, we bought it for transporting our four dogs, but we have carried passengers on occasion.

[AlasdairMc]

Nissan Elgrand. You’ll import a spotless example from Japan for well under budget, with a 3.5l v6. 4x4 optional too.

[magpie215]

AlasdairMc said:

Nissan Elgrand. You’ll import a spotless example from Japan for well under budget, with a 3.5l v6. 4x4 optional too.

Agreed I've just put a deposit down on a Honda Stepwagon.

Immaculate condition and low mileage

[WolfAir]

AlasdairMc said:

Nissan Elgrand. You’ll import a spotless example from Japan for well under budget, with a 3.5l v6. 4x4 optional too.

it seems like fate, i am currently looking at these myself, cant seem to decided on either e51 or e52, recliner seats, 3.5 v6. both look epic with a few choice mods.
do you have one?

[AmitG]

Alternative choice: Toyota Prius+. Basically a 7-seat version of the Prius. Popular with Uber/minicab drivers. Not much fun to drive, but it has a funky dash, lots of room inside, end will never go wrong even if you abuse it.

And it was an official UK model (not a grey import), so no issue with dealer backup.

[wolfie1978]

I would advise you stay as far away from a Mercedes r class as you cen get

[Emily's dad]

moorx said:

My OH has a 2010 Mazda5 (Furano) which is very comfortable to travel in and is one of the nicest looking MPVs in my opinion.

We didn't buy it as a people carrier, we bought it for transporting our four dogs, but we have carried passengers on occasion.

We had a Mazda 5 for 10 years, never gave us a moments grief.
If we ever needed an MPV again, it would be on the list.

[Richiepg25]

Yea i think I will avoid the Mercedes. The mazda seems to fit the bill, would do me rightly, alot are 1.6 diesel, any one any experience with these

[ZX10R NIN]

They're good cars space/interior wise but you do have to work the 1.6d (due to the weight & low torque output) so you don't tend to get the greatest fuel figures real world.