Have taken a deposit on my VR4, so actively looking for it's replacement.
Needs to be big enough for the family, the dog and the camping gear - the VR4 (Galant estate) was just big enough. Needs to have a bit of poke, needs to look good and be fairly cheap to run - 25-30mpg is OK.
I have driven a Zaf Gsi - it's OK I suppose, nice turn of speed, driving position and comfort not great, but maybe i'd get used to it; seems a bit cheap inside, and gearstick just seems almost transit like.
I think i'm going to have to get used to going down in the world, performance and driving experience-sie, but want a car/MPV i'll still enjoy.
Any suggestions?

 

Can't you afford a big 5-series estate with a decent engine? Or stretch to a Sharalaxy, perhaps with a chippable diesel?

 

I can afford up to £13kish.
5 series estate - don't like BMWs without an M, and I don't think they are big enough either.
Galaxy? don't like em

 

what about the new Zafira VXR??

 

That'd be a tad over £13k.

The Zafira GSi looks the part and goes it to. The Z20LET isn't too bad, turbo a little on the small side compared to the old C20LET. Plenty of tuners out there for it though.

Build quality from the ones I've seen look pretty good. Can't comment on running costs though.
They're a little bit different too - loads of galaxy's and sharan's on the road.

Nick

 

If I had to have an mpv mate, I think th Zafira gsi is the one I'd go for
dave

 

I'm in a similar sort of situation. I'm considering Audi A6 2.7T Quattro or the 2.5 V6 diesel. Also thinking abour the Mitsi Airtek or a Forester XT.

 

Have just been trawling autotrader - Mondeo ST200 estates for around £5-£6k, Vectra GSi estates for similar, not sure how big they are though.
There's a nice airtrek on lancer register for £11k - for me it's not practical enough re. petrol and servicing costs.
Audi A6 - may be an idea - how spacious are they, cause the A4 has a tiny boot for an estate.

 

What's that big Seat called, err is it an Alhambra??

They look quite good and are supposed to be a nice drive for their size.

 

A6 Avant has a pretty big boot and can easily accomodate our 3 wheeler twin buggy. If you fold the seats down its pretty cavenous. Currently have an A4 Avant and just about fits the buggy and there's not much rear leagroom. though also considering a 5 serise touring, but you don't get as much car for the money.

 

The Zafira GSI is pretty good and it has quite a lot of tuning potential. A guy on the Skoda website (BRISKODA) had a friend who had quite a heavily tuned one. The handling can be tweaked so can the engine. Anymore kids and I'm defo considering one. They look quite nice as well. Have you tried looking at a Sharan VR6 I'm sure about performance figure but if its a V6 its got to be okay and I think its 4wd (even better).

Aaquil.

 

V70 with 4C suspension

 

Definately consider the A6 Avant

We have the 1.8T with sports suspension, surprisingly good to drive. Much bigger than the A4, but probably no bigger than the galant regarding bootspace - loads of rear legroom though.

33mpg @ 85mph

 

OK. The Volvo V70 would fit quite nicely in here:

2002 02 Reg VOLVO V70 TURBO DIESEL D5 S.E. ESTATE

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD...a?id=194806267

69,000 miles, THE INDEPENDENT VOLVO ESTATE SPECIALIST. 1 owner with full main dealer service history. Finished in silver pearl metallic with full black leather and rose sports trim. Total 2002 D,5 S.E. spec: ac/climate control, dual heated e/mirrors, heated seats, headlight wipes, winter pack, front spots, f/f/roof rails, 17" T5 alloy wheels, T5 rear spoiler cruise control, multi-function s/wheel, on-board computer - info centre, abs braking, switchable traction control, all round e/windows, SIPS, Volvo keyless entry alarm, upgraded pro-logic Volvo CD music system etc. FULL D5 2002 TURBO DIESEL S.E EXAMPLE , providing excellent performance and value. Premiere Plus warranty package available. Volvo centre. Tel: 01256 766628
Price: £13,000

Standard hp 160
Chipped hp 210


OR

2002 02 Reg VOLVO V70 2.3 T.5 S.E TURBO ( 2002 MODEL )

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD...a?id=197552420

56,000 miles, THE VOLVO ESTATE SPECIALIST. 1 owner with full main dealer service history. Finished in cosmos blue metallic with full black leather and rose wood trim. Total 2002 T5 S.E. spec: ac/climate control, dual heated e/mirrors, heated seats, headlight wipes, winter pack, front spots, f/f/roof rails, 17" T5 alloy wheels, cruise control, multi-function s/wheel, on-board computer - info centre, abs braking, switchable traction control, all round e/windows, SIPS, Volvo keyless entry alarm, upgraded pro-logic Volvo CD music system etc. Full T5 Turbo 2002 S.E. low mileage example providing excellent performance and value. Premiere Plus warranty package available. £12,995.
Tel: 01256 766628
Price: £12,995

Standard 240hp
Chipped 310 hp

 

soz for going slightly off topic but given that a lot of people with kids buy mpv's then i'm guessing that this is mainly to make use of the 7 seat arrangement (no **** sherlock ).

as most mpv's have their kids seats right at the back does anyone ever worry about putting kids in the back when they would be the first line of defense in a rear end shunt??

i have often thought that an mpv would be a good idea (the zafira gsi is a nice example) but sticking my kids in the boot puts me off completely when idiots are often 6" off my tailgate when on the motorway.

just a thought.

 

That is a positive suggestion, and rightly or wrongly i thought of this once i sold our 300hp Volvo T5. he GSI was the one for us, but the local dealer is toss - so after driving every car on offer for lots of different reasons - we ended up with a Fiat Multipla . I had no intension of getting one or desire to own a Fiat - but it is a fantastic car, and touch wood has not missed a beat in the short while we have had it. The insurance and running cost are laughable, so well chuffed. The result of having such a cheap car has bought me and the family 3 weeks in St Lucia, so it does make you think really. Although i miss the T5 lots !

 

hell i'd miss a 300hp t5 but i can see exactly what you're saying with the multipla and st lucia.

the car choice is doing my head in at the moment as i can't quite decide what to do. buying a 3.0 legacy is out as they're too expensive at the moment so this leaves the honda fr-v. completely different choice of car for me but like the multipla is ultra practical for the kids etc and way safer than a conventional mpv as you've still got a full size boot (read crumple zone).