The T FSI isn't one of the options on their websire car configurator, so I'm not sure how much they normally are.

What are the tactics for dealer bargaining?

 

hello mate

i have repaired about 15 xsara picasso's in the last 3 years
all diesel
2.0litre can be remapped to 140bhp
the 1.6 110 hdi i thought was good, but i have always had diesels, if your getting out of a 300bhp car its going to feel slow

the picasso wins nothing on looks, but its a damn good car for what you want, they have good reliability and its not a big thing to park, with plenty of room inside,
the first one i had i gave to my farther ,he tows his caravan all over with it, the combined mpg is at 44mpg!!!! thats all the running round and towing
plenty of cheap parts through the german-swedish-french shops

i would stay clear of 307,

 

The Picasso certainly does have all the room. I really like the look of the new one, and that's left great deals on the old model, although my local dealer is out of the exclusive (which is what we'd get if got for the old model).
Interesting point on cheap parts, it seems with these french cars, costs very even more than usual, depending on where you go.

I think I will try and get hold of the new buggy, and see what I can get in the Altea. The user reviews on what car are amazing.

 

Can I ask if money where no object then which is the best MPV including power, toys etc?

 

We went down this route and ended up with a Mazda 5. It's basically a C-Max with an extra 5" in the wheelbase. We only have two kids but have found the extra seats really useful when relatives come to stay + the sliding doors make it SO much easier to live with. Car parks are a pleasure and access to the rear seats is so much easier than on any of its competitors.
It's pretty cheap & cheerful inside but it is standing up well to kiddie abuse. It is also rather noisy on the motorway but this is common in this class. It is no worse than the Touran in this respect.
The only cars that have made me think twice about buying the Mazda were the S-Max (very nice but too big and no sliding doors) and the new C4 Picasso (very nice but too much for a Citroen and no sliding doors). Both of these would have cost at least £4k more for a similar spec.

The one proviso is don't get one if you intend to have more than two kids. The middle seat is for occasional use only. If you have three kids you'll have to pop up one of the seats in the boot - limiting luggage capacity.
Apart from that I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

Arm yourself with a quote from www.drivethedeal.com ask all the right questions and then see if the dealer will match it. If he can then bingo!

 

Get a Mitsubishi Grandis. We have one and love it.

 

Just had a look at the Grandis, and it's too big for us. Being larger, it's also in the next price group.
The Honda FRV is out in the lead at the moment, and if we can get a good price, we could be sorted. The deals on drivethedeal are good. The local dealer isn't interested on a penny off at the moment (new range not out 'til April), and they even gave us a rubbish offer for the pre-reg in the forecourt (it's £17, and they would pay for tinted windows, but we'd have to pay more if we wanted parking sensors).

Has anyone bought through drivethedeal? Their contract is a little one sided - you make them an offer to buy (fine so far), no contract until they accept your offer to buy (fair enough). You can't then get out of the contract (makes sense), but they can? They can adjust the price, after accepting your offer.

 

Why not go for a Forester?

 

Only ever seen one MPV I'd want. The v10 Espace F1

 

OH YES PLEASE....

 

I haven't looked at anything more expensive than the Honda, and it is pretty nice. No more toys than anything else, but really practical seating (unless you're really broad, in which case room at the front could be cramped.

I did see a lovely Forester at a Sussex meet yesterday. If I was getting rid of my impreza, I'd consider it, but I'm keeping the impreza, and looking for a more economical family car.

 

tryed looking at a Golf 1.8 gt tdi 130-150
got the practical side not to big or to small 5 door ease of getting baby seats in and out big boot for prams/buggies can pick them up for a good price cheap to insure as well.........

 

check out seat they are not half bad at all.

 

Deep - if money were no object, then maybe the Merc R class?

I think the shape is an acquired taste though.