Big booty - Page 1 - Car Buying

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Author

Discussion

Original Poster

12,687 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

I think my options here are limited but would love to know what I've missed.

Requirements,

Reliability! This is to drive people and kit for events around the country. The kit is bulky, think trophies and medals, merch, exhibition type stands etc. People may be 6 or 7. It can't break down.

Comfort. Some of the 6 or 7 may be kids. They'll moan. A lot.

Modest economy, it's likely a diesel, range is important too.

18-22k.

Van derivatives in this zone, the Renault/ Vauxhall stuff not overly comfy, unless you tell me different. Transit wet belt is a no. Transporter variants a possibility? Vito, most are imports lying through their teeth about miles. Dots the brief though with the known 2.1d.

Big SUVs, do any of the 3.0+ LR models have really good storage space when all 7 seats are out? Or is it Merc GL territory? Appreciate reliable and land rover a challenge, but the 3.0 seems to be a reasonable shot. XC90? Too many problems?

What have I missed? What would you buy?

RizzoTheRat

27,942 posts

214 months

Thursday 19th February

I think you're going to struggle. Other than massive SUVs most 7 seaters have a rubbish boot. Might be worth looking at some imports like the Alphard or Oddesy as these kind of minivans are popular in Japan and the US but rare in Europe.

Is a 7 seat MPV and a trailer an option?

Belle427

11,226 posts

255 months

Thursday 19th February

I would personally avoid anything JLR if reliability is your main concern.
Vito sounds like the most obvious choice if it is big enough, Transporters are ok but expensive and you need to avoid certain bi turbo models as they had engine issues, have a cult following though.
Something Jap may be an option, not sure on the reliability of the Elgrands etc but the large petrol engines are probably too expensive to run.

Stegel

2,058 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th February

I have a 2015 Merc GL (X166) diesel, bought when it was two and now on 92k miles. It’s been pretty reliable - an EGR valve and an O2 sensor are the only repairs it has needed.

Five up, the boot is enormous, but in seven seat mode the boot space is poor, really, relative to the number of people it can carry, probably less than a Golf hatchback. The rearmost seats pop up individually so if you can manage with 6 seats the L shaped space around the one rear row seat would hold a fair amount. Alternatively use a roof box - it’s already the size of a small house so the added wind resistance isn’t noticeable.

DaveyBoyWonder

3,513 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th February

6 or 7 people AND bulky stuff is van territory. Transporter kombi with the double passenger seat up front will give you a massive load area but still only 6 seats. Go for a Shuttle/Caravelle setup for more seats but a Shuttle has a triple as the 3rd row so then you're into removing one of the middle seats to shove your gear. Caravelle has is only a 7 seater as they all have 2 singles up front so still short on storage (think they're all SWB too).

No SUV or people carrier in the 7 seat configuration is going to give much in the way of boot space and the SUV especially, the 3rd row is going to be pretty grim for adults if you're doing long journeys.

Original Poster

12,687 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

Yeah it probably is, just a shame those double front seats in any variant of these things are not quite the same as X166 levels of comfort!

RSTurboPaul

12,770 posts

280 months

Thursday 19th February

LWB minibus with seats taken out?

Yank escalade?

ZX10R NIN

29,966 posts

147 months

Thursday 19th February

AddyT.

382 posts

115 months

Thursday 19th February

Caravelle. A friend has had them for years. We used to travel to Le Mans and other European road trips in them. That’s where my money would go.

Original Poster

12,687 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th February

Some top ideas as ever ZX smile

Does no one think a 7 seat JLR product is a good idea then? Are they all really that bad? Disco or Velar can have 7 seats, naff all additional room I guess, 3.0D can snap a crank but seems rare and if oiled regularly not necessarily likely? They look comfy, is that "while waiting for the AA"?!

Pickle_Rick

656 posts

82 months

Thursday 19th February

macron said:

Some top ideas as ever ZX smile

No JLR product is a good idea if reliability is one of your main criteria, some models and engines far worse than others.

Van is only option really. Alphard or proace verso would be my goto, various seating and wheelbase lengths to choose from.

Original Poster

12,687 posts

188 months

Friday 20th February

RizzoTheRat said:

Is a 7 seat MPV and a trailer an option?

Hmm, this or a big SUV could be a good way ahead, what are the rears like in say, a Q7?

Jte3397

284 posts

118 months

Yesterday (23:15)

Pickle_Rick said:

I think it depends on on how well it's been looked after. My Disco 3 has been OK over the 30k miles I've done in under two years. It's an 08 and I got it on 130k miles. It's needed wear and tear things ( notably airbags, gearbox service, ive been unlucky with punctures and the f

king sunroof leaks like they all do) but it's happily done my 300 mile round commute, waded up to the air intake, crossed the ploughed field to the back of my property and carrys 7 with space for some bags.

The previous owner was the second and ran it through his business so it wanted for nothing. Speaking to the specialist I use to maintain it ( having a good one is key), the problem ones are those run on a shoestring with 15-20k between oil changes and lots of short runs. I do my oil every 5k. I love mine.

Matt_T

1,096 posts

96 months

Yesterday (23:46)

I'd look at a Hyundai i800. Reliable engine compared to the Ford wetbelts and Stellantis 1.6d in the Toyota / Citroen / Peugeot / Fiat offerings.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19876753

Mars

9,876 posts

236 months

00:09

macron said:

Hmm, this or a big SUV could be a good way ahead, what are the rears like in say, a Q7?

Smaller than a GL. In fact, none of the current large 7-seat SUVs can top the GL for size with all 7-seats "up". The Disco 5 is comparable. The Q7 smaller. It's shades of grey though - even the GL has insufficient storage for 7-people without a roof box as mentioned above. To have enough you'd be looking at something American.

In fact, the only things I've seen with a larger boot with all 7-seats up is an American Escalade which is half a metre longer than the GL. The GL / Q7 / Disco are already just over 5m so I have no idea where you'd park an Escalade in the UK.

You can hang a lot off a GL (or Q7, Disco, etc) if you're so inclined - the roofbox is 2m long x 1m wide:

nobrakes

3,766 posts

220 months

04:46

I’d buy ZX’s

V Class:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

Get a towbar if it doesn’t have one for bikes/cargo box?

ACCYSTAN

1,307 posts

143 months

05:58

I would not discount the Stellantis offering

If you go with a 1.5 diesel, pay extra to have the upgraded chain kit fitted and get the cam belt changed at the same time.

They generally come in 2 specs regardless if you go for the Peugeot / Citroen / Vauxhall / Toyota or Fiat badge.
The base spec is a poverty spec with next to nothing ; the top spec has heated drivers seat, nicer interior seats, etc.

nobrakes

3,766 posts

220 months

06:57

^ Surely a 1.5 diesel will be used in the same sentence as skin off rice pulling cannot pull, for 7 folk and luggage?

Wolff84

1 posts

10:08

There is only one answer to this quandary.

Nissan Elgrand E51.

8 seats
3.5L V6
Massive boot with the back two/three seats folded up.
JDM cool.

Original Poster

12,687 posts

188 months

12:42

I've looked at 2* V classes, both very obviously with a billion more miles than claimed, which doesn't surprise given airport taxi utility. I also spoke to two importers who told me everything they see is clocked before it gets to auction, or the paperwork translation goes wonky, which i could believe. Defo a good option. As is a VW.

I've also looked, from afar, at a Honda Odyssey, probs too small, and an i800, can't help but feel I'd be better off with an older GL.

Transits, prices all over the shop, I see 2019'd verging from 8-18k, am aware of the wet belt and would price it in, as of course avoiding the powers

t auto boxes. But what do we make of the Tourneo? Doesn't win on comfort, does score highly on practicality.

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