I might need a people carrier type thing…
Discussion
It's looking increasingly likely that Mrs geeks mother will be moving in with us in the new year. With that in mind when discussing what needs to be done in preparation for this with Mrs geeks one thing that came up is transport. Long story short I need to be able to stow two shopping scooters plus two women, myself, 3 small dogs and associated shopping etc in one trip in one vehicle. This sadly sounds like it's time to go looking at people carriers, I just can't see a way around it even a big estate is likely not big enough. So far the the only thing that tips my fancy is the Zafira VXR (quiet at the back 
) while the Zafira gets a (sometimes unfair) kicking on PH I can't see anything else close to it on practicality terms with enough power to make it entertaining when out on my own. That said power isn't everything and sometimes you just want a car to do what it does well with minimal fuss and generally not give it much thought beyond standard servicing and a yearly wash to coincide with the MOT. With that in mind, what does the PH collective think? I really have no idea where to start with a car like this. Budget is around about £5k. Also worth noting I am going to put this off to as late as possible so any purchase will probably end up being next year...
) while the Zafira gets a (sometimes unfair) kicking on PH I can't see anything else close to it on practicality terms with enough power to make it entertaining when out on my own. That said power isn't everything and sometimes you just want a car to do what it does well with minimal fuss and generally not give it much thought beyond standard servicing and a yearly wash to coincide with the MOT. With that in mind, what does the PH collective think? I really have no idea where to start with a car like this. Budget is around about £5k. Also worth noting I am going to put this off to as late as possible so any purchase will probably end up being next year...Edited by geeks on Wednesday 21st September 16:35
fathomfive said:
Ford S-Max 2.5T?
Is this the detuned 5 pot from the Focus? Pistonheader101 said:
Will you need a ramp for those shopping scooters? Disability access vans might be easier to load imo
Each one is about 30-40kg so I can lift them easily enough, flat entry would make this easier of course. If needs be I could make a ramp for when we have to transport one of the full size ones but this will be the exception rather than the rule. I'd like to avoid a van type vehicle if I can as I will still need to travel for work and I am not sure how well they fit in things like multi-storey car parks and also a lot of customer car parks will barely take a normal sized car let alone a van sized one.2002-2007 Nissan Elgrand - your budget should get you into an early but clean example, which will swallow everything you have described with ease.
3.5 V6, 240bhp, Rear or AWD, Auto, proper Japanese built reliability with all the toys and trimmings and a fairly low flat/level load bed with the rear most seats swung up. Same engine as the Nissan Murano and 350Z - servicing an absolute doddle.
Height wise they are 1.92m, so access into pretty much all car parks is no issues & classed as a regular MPV on ferries etc. Seats can be re-arranged (or indeed removed if needed) and used as a van for tip runs, furniture pick up etc.
Downsides.....well, the looks are marmite.....there are a number of quirks surrounding JDM only.....and they are quite thirsty, but that just depends how many miles you are doing. Zafira won't return much more round town anyway.
If remotely interested (many arn't) then get over to Elgrand Owners Club Great forum.
What I would say is that a Vauxhall Zafira of that vintage could turn into a money pit fairly quickly....do read up on the forums before forking out.
3.5 V6, 240bhp, Rear or AWD, Auto, proper Japanese built reliability with all the toys and trimmings and a fairly low flat/level load bed with the rear most seats swung up. Same engine as the Nissan Murano and 350Z - servicing an absolute doddle.
Height wise they are 1.92m, so access into pretty much all car parks is no issues & classed as a regular MPV on ferries etc. Seats can be re-arranged (or indeed removed if needed) and used as a van for tip runs, furniture pick up etc.
Downsides.....well, the looks are marmite.....there are a number of quirks surrounding JDM only.....and they are quite thirsty, but that just depends how many miles you are doing. Zafira won't return much more round town anyway.
If remotely interested (many arn't) then get over to Elgrand Owners Club Great forum.
What I would say is that a Vauxhall Zafira of that vintage could turn into a money pit fairly quickly....do read up on the forums before forking out.
Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 21st September 17:31
I am not sure you need a people carrier, just a lot of easy access boot space. Would you really need seven seats? I have always considered the Zafira a handy way of transporting lots of people but still quite compact compared with the boot space in a large estate which can come in some more interesting sporty variants. Some of the bigger SUVs have pretty huge boots too.
geeks said:
It's looking increasingly likely that Mrs geeks mother will be moving in with us in the new year. With that in mind when discussing what needs to be done in preparation for this with Mrs geeks one thing that came up is transport. Long story short I need to be able to stow two shopping scooters plus two women, myself, 3 small dogs and associated shopping etc in one trip in one vehicle. This sadly sounds like it's time to go looking at people carriers, I just can't see a way around it even a big estate is likely not big enough. So far the the only thing that tips my fancy is the Zafira VXR (quiet at the back ) while the Zafira gets a (sometimes unfair) kicking on PH I can't see anything else close to it on practicality terms with enough power to make it entertaining when out on my own. That said power isn't everything and sometimes you just want a car to do what it does well with minimal fuss and generally not give it much thought beyond standard servicing and a yearly wash to coincide with the MOT. With that in mind, what does the PH collective think? I really have no idea where to start with a car like this. Budget is around about £5k. Also worth noting I am going to put this off to as late as possible so any purchase will probably end up being next year...
1.6T Ford Galaxy:) while the Zafira gets a (sometimes unfair) kicking on PH I can't see anything else close to it on practicality terms with enough power to make it entertaining when out on my own. That said power isn't everything and sometimes you just want a car to do what it does well with minimal fuss and generally not give it much thought beyond standard servicing and a yearly wash to coincide with the MOT. With that in mind, what does the PH collective think? I really have no idea where to start with a car like this. Budget is around about £5k. Also worth noting I am going to put this off to as late as possible so any purchase will probably end up being next year...Edited by geeks on Wednesday 21st September 16:35
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209059...
2.3 Ghia:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208018...
Hyundai i800 which are 1925mm high:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204094278575?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255712487679?hash=item3...
magpie215 said:
I noticed the Elgrand mentioned above.....if JDM is on the radar have a look at the Honda Stepwagon.
The 2L k20 petrol is the one to get. Not as thirsty as an Elgrand but it is smaller.
The versatility in the seating is very good and it has a really low load lip so perfect for my dog. Fuel wise it's early 30s average so far, my commute is 30 miles each way on a roads.
Honda Freed is another smaller option with a 1.5 engine.
Please ignore the weeds!
Edited by Normodog on Wednesday 21st September 18:54
I would go full size MPV like Galaxy, Sharan, Alhambra or a van based one. I have a C4 Grand Picasso and as good as it is it's still pretty compact relatively in footprint and has zero boot when all seats in use.
I would also forget fun with these sorts of cars. The reality is when used as intended you aint hooning anywhere. If on the off chance you are on your own then just going it anyway and enjoy the hilarity if it but there's no need imo to chase the best handling MPV.
I would also forget fun with these sorts of cars. The reality is when used as intended you aint hooning anywhere. If on the off chance you are on your own then just going it anyway and enjoy the hilarity if it but there's no need imo to chase the best handling MPV.
Edited by edc on Wednesday 21st September 20:40
geeks said:
Is this the detuned 5 pot from the Focus?
Well it's 217bhp instead of 225 so I suppose it is detuned a tad.Plus the S-Max is built on the Mondeo chassis so it handles well. A friend has a lower-output version and she loves driving it. The only downside is the absence of sliding doors.
I'm in a somewhat similar position with my father-in-law at the moment so I'm going to give it to you straight here.
This does depend on how mobile the parent/in-law is, but personally, I would forget performance and handling. It's not what the primary need case is. People with mobility issues don't enjoy being jolted around by firmer suspension or spirited road manners. If your MIL is anything like my FIL, the perception issues associated with his condition mean that if you accelerate too hard or take a corner too fast the person gets an attack of the dizzies and has to be taken home. Sedate and soft is The Way.
A Zafira VXR is an uncomfortable (literally) compromise between performance and practicality, based on a car which wasn't terribly well-thought out to begin with. Actually, having driven both, the Meriva VXR is actually the better-resolved car of the two, in my opinion. But there's a reason this idea didn't catch on, and we didn't see things like Citroen Picasso VTS or Honda Stream Type R riding high in the sales charts. As a concept, it's just trying too hard to tick too many boxes, and ends up satisfying virtually none. It's not a 9 or a 10 in any area.
I'm just about managing with a large(ish) SUV but it's still impractical in a few significant ways. And if I was looking to replace my car right now, with this in mind, I would look at full MPVs. Off the top of my head I'd look at Mazda 5, Chrysler Voyager or Grand Voyager, Toyota Verso or Ford Galaxy or S-Max. Maybe a Citroen Picasso or Grand Picasso.
If you feel the need and it's possible, you could always consider getting a second or weekend car for your own amusement.
This does depend on how mobile the parent/in-law is, but personally, I would forget performance and handling. It's not what the primary need case is. People with mobility issues don't enjoy being jolted around by firmer suspension or spirited road manners. If your MIL is anything like my FIL, the perception issues associated with his condition mean that if you accelerate too hard or take a corner too fast the person gets an attack of the dizzies and has to be taken home. Sedate and soft is The Way.
A Zafira VXR is an uncomfortable (literally) compromise between performance and practicality, based on a car which wasn't terribly well-thought out to begin with. Actually, having driven both, the Meriva VXR is actually the better-resolved car of the two, in my opinion. But there's a reason this idea didn't catch on, and we didn't see things like Citroen Picasso VTS or Honda Stream Type R riding high in the sales charts. As a concept, it's just trying too hard to tick too many boxes, and ends up satisfying virtually none. It's not a 9 or a 10 in any area.
I'm just about managing with a large(ish) SUV but it's still impractical in a few significant ways. And if I was looking to replace my car right now, with this in mind, I would look at full MPVs. Off the top of my head I'd look at Mazda 5, Chrysler Voyager or Grand Voyager, Toyota Verso or Ford Galaxy or S-Max. Maybe a Citroen Picasso or Grand Picasso.
If you feel the need and it's possible, you could always consider getting a second or weekend car for your own amusement.
FA57REN said:
geeks said:
Is this the detuned 5 pot from the Focus?
Well it's 217bhp instead of 225 so I suppose it is detuned a tad.Plus the S-Max is built on the Mondeo chassis so it handles well. A friend has a lower-output version and she loves driving it. The only downside is the absence of sliding doors.
I was going to suggest maybe a Ford Tourneo Custom but the cheapest on AT right now is double your budget.
For me, it would be the Zafira VXR. I appreciate the post above about someone feigning (or not) a dizzy spell if they perceive your driving to be a bit spirited but at the end of the day, you need to get some fun out of it when you're driving it alone and are making the sacrifice of having to buy something to accommodate their needs anyway.
Oddball idea but there's a Zafira GSi on AT for under £3k with an LPG conversion. It's less obviously angry than the VXR and, according to Google, only 0.2 slower to 60. Obviously, there's the interior to consider when driving around but it's a thought for a cheaper car and cheaper fuel. Cheaper tax too, I'd imagine.
For me, it would be the Zafira VXR. I appreciate the post above about someone feigning (or not) a dizzy spell if they perceive your driving to be a bit spirited but at the end of the day, you need to get some fun out of it when you're driving it alone and are making the sacrifice of having to buy something to accommodate their needs anyway.
Oddball idea but there's a Zafira GSi on AT for under £3k with an LPG conversion. It's less obviously angry than the VXR and, according to Google, only 0.2 slower to 60. Obviously, there's the interior to consider when driving around but it's a thought for a cheaper car and cheaper fuel. Cheaper tax too, I'd imagine.
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