What MPV do you drive? Do you rate it?

**Chell** · 28-03-2011, 05:39 PM

My Zafira is costing me a fortune in repairs, I think it is time to get rid of it.

I use all 7 seaters, each seat (except mine of course!) needs to be able to have either a booster or car seat on it.

* What car do you have?

* Does it have a lap belt or proper seat belt in the middle seat?

* What is the boot space like?

* WOuld you recommend it for childminding or not? Any pros or cons?

Thank you!

**kindredspirits** · 28-03-2011, 05:42 PM

we've just bought a tourneo - its a ford transit van with 8 seats and windows etc all round. it has a HUGE boot - 6 FULL SIZED seats with 3pt. seat belts in both rows and its a doddle to drive, cheap to repair as transits are ten a penny - and my insurance was only £300 for the year with direct line

**venus89** · 28-03-2011, 05:45 PM

Peugot 807.

I love lots of things about it. It has sliding doors for the passengers so there's no danger of children bumping them into the next car. It feels huge inside. Each seat is separate so there's lots of space, room to fit three car seats across the middle no problem. The seats can turn around so you can make a picnic table style arrangement inside.

I like that it has a second rear view mirror, a swivelly one so you can keep an eye on the kids as well as the road behind. The passenger seats have their own air control too so you don't end up with one person too hot and one too cold. There are built in sunscreens too, for all the rear windows.

It drives really nicely and is sooooo comfortable - we did an 8 hour journey in it last year and nobody complained once, even when we repeated the same 8 hour journey the following day after a night in a tent....

Down sides? It's difficult to get to parts in the engine as it's recessed so repairs can be costly. The handbrake is on the left of the drivers seat, which took a while to get used to, and the speedo is in the centre of the dashboard as opposed to in front of the driver which also took some time to get used to.

Insurance is low for the class and economy is high.

**venus89** · 28-03-2011, 05:46 PM

Oh, and I can fit 6 children, a double buggy and a picnic hamper in

**Alibali** · 28-03-2011, 05:49 PM

I used to have the zafira, now have the renault grand scenic. I much prefer the scenic, it is small enough still to be a car but big enough to get 6 seats into. The back seats are small and no good for adults, but the rest of the seats are full sized. They move forward independantly which helps, isofix fittings in the 3 middle row seats and front seat. The boot space is slightly bigger than the zafira too, so easier to get a double in. I find it cheaper to run than the zafira too. Lots of underfloor/chair storage too for all those little extras.

**Chell** · 28-03-2011, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Alibali

I used to have the zafira, now have the renault grand scenic. I much prefer the scenic, it is small enough still to be a car but big enough to get 6 seats into. The back seats are small and no good for adults, but the rest of the seats are full sized. They move forward independantly which helps, isofix fittings in the 3 middle row seats and front seat. The boot space is slightly bigger than the zafira too, so easier to get a double in. I find it cheaper to run than the zafira too. Lots of underfloor/chair storage too for all those little extras.

A Grand Scenic Dynamic is advertised locally, low mileage and affordable.

I find my Zafira too small (was great when it was just my own three children) but I don't want to drive something too big. My Dad's Chryssler Grand Voyager is huge, really wide and long.

**blue bear** · 28-03-2011, 07:11 PM

I am on my second vw sharan, all seats have 3 point seat belt, 5 back seats removable, two seats have built in boosters and baby harnesses. You can move seats forward to make boot bigger but it's not massive, I fit p&t in no problem but then it is full.

It is reasonable on repairs and both have been brilliant runners INS is £350

It has a very small turning circle and I find driving forward into car park spaces difficult so I just reverse.

**ajs** · 28-03-2011, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chell

A Grand Scenic Dynamic is advertised locally, low mileage and affordable.

I find my Zafira too small (was great when it was just my own three children) but I don't want to drive something too big. My Dad's Chryssler Grand Voyager is huge, really wide and long.

mine is a dynamic

i loove it

the seating can be a pain if the children are bigger ( as ali says the back seats are not so good for very big children) but it's so easy to drive and very very comfortable and the boot space is good for me

**Chell** · 28-03-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by ajs

mine is a dynamic

i loove it

the seating can be a pain if the children are bigger ( as ali says the back seats are not so good for very big children) but it's so easy to drive and very very comfortable and the boot space is good for me

Can you use the back seats for boosters/car seats though?

**Chell** · 28-03-2011, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by venus89

Peugot 807.

I love lots of things about it. It has sliding doors for the passengers so there's no danger of children bumping them into the next car. It feels huge inside. Each seat is separate so there's lots of space, room to fit three car seats across the middle no problem. The seats can turn around so you can make a picnic table style arrangement inside.

I like that it has a second rear view mirror, a swivelly one so you can keep an eye on the kids as well as the road behind. The passenger seats have their own air control too so you don't end up with one person too hot and one too cold. There are built in sunscreens too, for all the rear windows.

It drives really nicely and is sooooo comfortable - we did an 8 hour journey in it last year and nobody complained once, even when we repeated the same 8 hour journey the following day after a night in a tent....

Down sides? It's difficult to get to parts in the engine as it's recessed so repairs can be costly. The handbrake is on the left of the drivers seat, which took a while to get used to, and the speedo is in the centre of the dashboard as opposed to in front of the driver which also took some time to get used to.

Insurance is low for the class and economy is high.

My Dad had an old 807, I thought it seemed big to drive but I think I'm going to have to get used to that.

The Zafira that I drive has the same size wheel base as an Astra car.

**Alibali** · 28-03-2011, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Chell

Can you use the back seats for boosters/car seats though?

Yes, I use mine for high back boosters to give added head protection.

**Minstrel** · 28-03-2011, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by venus89

Peugot 807.

I love lots of things about it. It has sliding doors for the passengers so there's no danger of children bumping them into the next car. It feels huge inside. Each seat is separate so there's lots of space, room to fit three car seats across the middle no problem. The seats can turn around so you can make a picnic table style arrangement inside.

I like that it has a second rear view mirror, a swivelly one so you can keep an eye on the kids as well as the road behind. The passenger seats have their own air control too so you don't end up with one person too hot and one too cold. There are built in sunscreens too, for all the rear windows.

It drives really nicely and is sooooo comfortable - we did an 8 hour journey in it last year and nobody complained once, even when we repeated the same 8 hour journey the following day after a night in a tent....

Down sides? It's difficult to get to parts in the engine as it's recessed so repairs can be costly. The handbrake is on the left of the drivers seat, which took a while to get used to, and the speedo is in the centre of the dashboard as opposed to in front of the driver which also took some time to get used to.

Insurance is low for the class and economy is high.

Aren't handbrakes usually on the left of the driver's seat????

**venus89** · 28-03-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Chell

My Dad had an old 807, I thought it seemed big to drive but I think I'm going to have to get used to that.

The Zafira that I drive has the same size wheel base as an Astra car.

Oh, it's a big car. But I did get used to it far quicker than I'd have imagined and it does feel really spacious inside which is important to us with three growing children and some long long journeys - in May we're driving it to Switzerland, for instance, so she had to be big and comfy...

TheBTeam · 28-03-2011, 08:24 PM

I have got a Chrsyler Grand Voyager (the version before the latest one), and love it.

I have a Ford Galaxy which i also like, but this should be going this week cos we are all being well picking up our new Chrysler Grand Voyager which although not brand new is the later design and this will prob become our family car and our back up childminding car.

The doors slide, the seats stow away which is useful and all seats have full seat belts, with plenty of boot space.

**helencart** · 28-03-2011, 08:32 PM

Hi

i drive the Ford Smax.....it's fab. I've had a galaxy and a alhambara but the smax beats them both. The seats are fine for car seats and the middle belt is a proper seat belt. the boot is good to....I get a double buggy in the boot. The other perk is the seats all lie flat down.

**Chell** · 28-03-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Minstrel

Aren't handbrakes usually on the left of the driver's seat????

She meant to say on the right, my Dad's old Peuguot was the same.

~Chelle~ · 28-03-2011, 08:40 PM

I have the Citroen C8, it is the same as a 807, with the automatic rear sliding doors, which are great for getting the kids in and out.

The seats are full sized and all have full seat belts. Love the boot space as i can get my double and single in it at the same time.

I have gone from Zafira to this car and it doesn't feel any bigger to drive, although it is a little bigger.

Love driving this car x

**BlondeMoment** · 28-03-2011, 08:47 PM

I've just bought a Renault Espace. It has 7 seats and I can fit my folded double buggy in the boot with all 7 seats in use. I can also move them all back into the boot space so 7 adults can ride comfortably too. You sit very high which is great when putting the kids in the car and out again. No stooping down. I'm really pleased with it so far.

A friend of mine has a Mazda which has sliding doors and 7 seats but not so much room in the boot. She loves it though and says it's lovely to drive.

Have a look on www.7-seater-cars.co.uk. It really helped me x

**Minstrel** · 28-03-2011, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Chell

She meant to say on the right, my Dad's old Peuguot was the same.

Gosh yes that would be weird- between you and the door? I would catch my massive bum on it!

**WibbleWobble** · 29-03-2011, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by helencart

Hi

i drive the Ford Smax.....it's fab. I've had a galaxy and a alhambara but the smax beats them both. The seats are fine for car seats and the middle belt is a proper seat belt. the boot is good to....I get a double buggy in the boot. The other perk is the seats all lie flat down.

oooh...my hubby wants me to get that one. we have a Cmax at the mo and i love that (its only 5 setas though). I like the c max cos the back seat is long enough to take three car seats!!!!

mandy xxx