I have about £5000 (max) to spend. Have 3 kids, 2 needing child seats so 7 seater? All the usual requests - Diesel, new as possible, reliable etc. Looking at Zafiras but is there a better option ot there?

Thanks in advance

 

Nothing wrong with a Zafira. Good car, reliable, proven engines. Good price and maintenance is about the best value for money of any comparable car.

 

We were in a similar position, slightly higher budget but only 7.5k, and this was a year ago. Ended up with a Grand Scenic. We absolutely love it. 1.5 Dci Dynamique, average 50mpg, cheap tax (125 quid a year), cheap insurance, cheap servicing etc. Very comfy car for all of us, very big boot, all the toys.

I know Renault have a reputation for not being as well built as other marques, but (touch wood) we've had no problems at all. Would happily recommend one.

 

Steer well clear of Scenics they have lots of well known electrical faults including immobiliser keys that forget their codes and electric windows that stop working.£4-5k should get you a very nice top spec Ford Galaxy Ghia but go for the 130hp version.The Ford C-Max is also a very good car for that money and you have a choice of 1.6,1.8 or 2.0 TDCI engines

 

I think I`d be getting one of these given your budget its a VW Touran 19tdi 2005 My mates got one and had it for about 3ys and neva once had a prob check out the line below

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ater?logcode=p

 

That looks like a 115hp TDI I'd steer well clear and look for the 130 version as the 115s have turbo problems

 

is there any car that don't have problems

Friend of mine just bought a zafira seems a decent car for his family.I'd second the focus C-Max too.

 

I`m no expert I was Just giving another point of view, I didnt expect him to go out and buy that exact car just that model of VW as VW`s are generally reliable, I`ve got 1 as well as my scooby my gf has one my bro has one and as stated before my mate has a Touran.

But nice to know the 115bhp has turbo probs just incase that issue ever arises or rquestion in a pub quiz lol

 

I discovered it at a very heavy cost to my wallet mate!My Galaxy is basically a VW and after this experience I'll never touch another VW product again!

 

We have had our current model Zafira cover 72k in 5 years. Its a 1.6 petrol, which is plenty powerful enough for punting 5 of us around. On a recent 1500 mile trip in France we averaged around 36mpg, thats driving at 85 ish on autoroutes.
Other than routine servicing and tyres it's cost me a 10 amp fuse ( washer bottle froze, wife blew fuse trying to defrost it!) and a rear number plate bulb.
Servicing every 20k if you use the longlife oil.
I've never been a fan of Vauxhalls, however I was impressed at the build quality for what is effectively a budget people carrier.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I think I'll be going for the Diesel Zafira. Any recomendations on the engine size/model and things to look for?

Cheers

 

zafira was my first thought............

 

Wait 2 years and get a Panamera with that budget