6-7 seater options for 2k

[iacabu]

I've never spent any time looking at cars to fit these requirements but my brother is looking to replace his Discovery 2 V8 with something a little cheaper to run on longer trips. Trouble is he has 4 kids and is on a pretty tight budget.

Doesn't need to be a large car as they don't all go out together as often anymore due to the kids getting a bit older, but there will still be occasions where 6 seats are needed.

Requirements are:

- £2000 budget
- Reasonable fuel costs (bearing in mind the 15mpg max he has had for the last few years!)
- Reliable
- 6 seats min

The latest car he is looking at is a Honda FRV 2.2 i-cdti

There's the obvious MPVs like a Zafira, is he going to get a banger, or are there relatively clean cars out there for this budget?

[9000rpm]

Volvo V70 D5 7 seat version ?

[nd0000]

Ford S-Max is probably worth a look at that budget.

[LordHaveMurci]

Ford Galaxy?

S-Max probably more expensive.

[itz_baseline]

Mercedes ML might be worth a look. ‘Reliable’ at this price point means doing some research and buying one you are confident has been looked after.

[Bannock]

Peugeot 307SW.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109117...

[Ian Geary]

The Mazda 5 is a 6 seater with smaller 7th seat.

Based on the mk2 focus estate I think. The 2.0 petrol engine is similar to the ford duratec one of the era.

£2k will get an early one. They have the sliding side doors and see to hold their own in the small /medium mpv market.

[wiliferus]

9000rpm said:

Volvo V70 D5 7 seat version ?

I have one of these. Great car. However, any car with the rear facing boot seats are only suitable for small kids, as in, under about 8.
Also bear in mind, without exception, they moan about going backwards.

I’d be looking for a Galaxy for that budget.

[cavey76]

Anecdotal but i have the FRV. Its been relegated to our about town/2nd car and is brilliant at it. If you are looking at 2.2s then its pre DPF i believe.

The seating is super clever and can create a flat load space for dump runs. The missus likes the high rise gear stick and it still feels very solid.

We’ve kinda wanted it to die for a while to treat ourselves to a new(er) Disco but its charm is that with a £150 service once a year it still keeps running. Ours is on 107k miles now.

[ZX10R NIN]

You'll get a nice 1.8 Zafira Elite for that budget & the running costs are sensible too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109147...

Design

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...

Mazda5 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110268...

Honda Stream SE Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...

Grand Scenic

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109057...

[iacabu]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Some great suggestions.

He's still on the FRV at the moment so we'll see what's available once the disco has sold

[Hackney]

Seat Alhambra (isn't that the one that platform shared with the Galaxy?)

[iacabu]

wiliferus said:

9000rpm said:

Volvo V70 D5 7 seat version ?

I have one of these. Great car. However, any car with the rear facing boot seats are only suitable for small kids, as in, under about 8.
Also bear in mind, without exception, they moan about going backwards.

I’d be looking for a Galaxy for that budget.

He's opened up the budget a little to 3.5 - 4k.

He's quite keen on an e280cdi or E320 cdi, the 7 seat versions.
He's yet to see one in person but relatively happy that it will be adequate for what they need. 2 of the kids are under 8 anyway.

[ZX10R NIN]

iacabu said:

He's opened up the budget a little to 3.5 - 4k.

He's quite keen on an e280cdi or E320 cdi, the 7 seat versions.
He's yet to see one in person but relatively happy that it will be adequate for what they need. 2 of the kids are under 8 anyway.

Even at 4k he'll struggle to find a seven seat E Class:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110309...

Galaxy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

Hyundai Santa Fe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106113...

S Max Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

4007 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...

SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...

[LayZ]

I have a 7 seat W211 and would recommend but like every luxury car that is now cheap he is likely to need to spend some money. I like the look of this one - it has airmatic air suspension which is quite unusual on non-V8 ones. I would buy cheap with big miles and spend a grand getting it up to scratch, they are all old now and most have some deferred maintenance issues.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021110191...

Edited by LayZ on Sunday 7th November 22:16

[iacabu]

LayZ said:

I have a 7 seat W211 and would recommend but like every luxury car that is now cheap he is likely to need to spend some money. I like the look of this one - it has airmatic air suspension which is quite unusual on non-V8 ones. I would buy cheap with big miles and spend a grand getting it up to scratch, they are all old now and most have some deferred maintenance issues.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021110191...

Edited by LayZ on Sunday 7th November 22:16

He very nearly pulled the trigger on a lovely e280cdi today but decided against spending 3x budget so as to leave some cash for a bork fund.

Budget is now anywhere up 5k or so if it was for the right car.

Options seem to include:

E280/320 cdi
Discovery 3
XC90

He was considering a zafira vxr but concerned about mods and previous ownership

Basically he'd like something interesting, whether that's a bit of pace or character.
Saw a very nice S-max but it's a compromise on everything. Not the most spacious (although fine), not the quickest, not the most economical.

Do those options require brave pills? Any other suggestions with new budget in mind?

[ZX10R NIN]

iacabu said:

He very nearly pulled the trigger on a lovely e280cdi today but decided against spending 3x budget so as to leave some cash for a bork fund.

Budget is now anywhere up 5k or so if it was for the right car.

Options seem to include:

E280/320 cdi
Discovery 3
XC90

He was considering a zafira vxr but concerned about mods and previous ownership

Basically he'd like something interesting, whether that's a bit of pace or character.
Saw a very nice S-max but it's a compromise on everything. Not the most spacious (although fine), not the quickest, not the most economical.

Do those options require brave pills? Any other suggestions with new budget in mind?

Subaru Tribeca SE7 rare to find these in 7 seater spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111149...

I'm guessing they haven't got tha car in stock yet hence no photos.

[iacabu]

ZX10R NIN said:

Subaru Tribeca SE7 rare to find these in 7 seater spec:

I can't say I've ever seen one of those before... Probably a good thing as it isn't a looker!
Interesting option though

[ZX10R NIN]

iacabu said:

I can't say I've ever seen one of those before... Probably a good thing as it isn't a looker!
Interesting option though

No looks aren't it's strongest suit but they're a very good car I had a family member who had one (SE5) for 5 years no issues, they now have an Infiniti QX70 which is another car that's not a looker.

[ZX10R NIN]

Talking of cars with challenging looks, there's always the R Class.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110228...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108166...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...