Picasso is a no go, So how shit are 807/C8/Ulysses?

[Timewaster]

The search for a Tops family wagon goes on.

 

You lot are full of opinions, some are very astute, some are funny, some are both. Some are biased, some are insane. All are welcome.

 

I like Galaxy / Sharan etc etc.

I'd love an S-max but am not paying that sort of money for something that will smell of sick and have footprints peanuts and chocolate ground into every surface after 3 weeks.

Mrs likes Peugeots and thinks Galaxys are too big. (Although this might be because they aren't Peugeots!)

 

Sister in law has just bought a Picasso and says we must get one as they are the best car ever. So we arent buying one.

 

Something like this is a pissibolity:

http://www.stangroundautos.co.uk/used-cars/peugeot-807-2-0-hdi-136-executive-7-seat-5dr-peterborough-201315509379261

 

Thoughts?

[Pillock]

http://807faults.co.uk/

 

They're totally off my radar, didn't even realise that shape existed. But I'm amused by the fact there's a domain been set up just to describe one person's experiences.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

When I worked for a Fiat dealer in 1996, the Fiat was already known as the Uselyss.

 

They're worthless old shit, so if it has an MOT, not too many warning lights and it runs, what's not to like?

[messerschmitt owner]

You want a dispatch combo. Better height, six seats and huge load area. And you can hose it down inside.

[Station]

My dad had a Ulysse, I didn't like driving it at all, felt cheap and didn't drive very well. Had pedals that pointed in the wrong direction which meant you had to 'tap dance' to drive it.

[AnthonyG]

How about a nice Zafira? People at work who ask me about MPVs - my answers are usually Zafira petrol, Picasso (the first simple one) Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan or Sedona. Seat made the Alhambra for longer than the other two, by the way-might be worth a look. Also Mazda 5?

[wackywacerwill]

My mates dad cabbed a Ulysses for years admitting no real issues with the thing whilst clocking up starship mileage. He was a bit of a mafia don though so maybe the car just lived in fear of his wrath!

[Micrashed]

You want a dispatch combo. Better height, six seats and huge load area. And you can hose it down inside.

Not only that but the design of the bonnet negates the problem the C8 (et al) have with the grenading cam belt due to water contamination.

 

I like our family C8 but it really is not without its faults. On the plus side its a hoot to drive, you dont feel like you are doing 90 when you are doing 90 on the motorway, it tows quite well, it fits all my tribe and the mother in law in efforlessly in proper sized seats. It isnt a PITA to park up and has a reasonable turning circle. Oh and the HDi does 40 - 45MPG which for a 2.0L 2.8 tonne beast isnt bad.

 

Cons, the electrics are made of cheesium and its bloody heavy on tyres. Expect 12-15K from a set. The timing belt will grenade at anything from about 50K miles upwards and ruins teh engine because the injectors rust into the head making removal impossible. Replacement of the belt, tensioners and water pump before this point will set you back about £300 to £400 at a garage and can be done with the engine in place if you unbolt it and pull it forward in the engine bay.

 

 

Cheap to buy though - buy a NON FAP one if going for dizzle though.

 

Things that have gone tits up with ours:

Front NS ball joint - £114 (as it comes as a whole fucking wishbone arm)

Front NS drop link - £30 (pair)

EGR valve - £135 (genuine Cit part)

4 Tyres - 2x Goodyear at £150/pair 2x Michelin at £50 off ebay NOS

NS electric mirror £470 (under warranty - so free!)

 

Other than that its been service consumables and the timing belt kit.

[Timewaster]

Hmm, not a lot of love for them so far.

Who else had a C8? Was it Wuv?

 

Zafiras aren't wide enough across the back seat, and you can't use the fold out seats because the seat belts holding the childseats mean you can't slide the rear bench to access the rear seats.

Older Sedonas are horrid and the newer ones are no way cheap enough for a bloody Kia.

807 sliding doors was a plus, what else has them?

Sedona? - No,

Voyager? - NO!

Hyundai Tragedy? - NO!

Vauxhall Sintra? - ARRRGH!

 

I think I will just say Sod it and buy a Galaxy anyway. Maybe a cheap scruffy one that can be bounced off car park bollards and walls with gay abandon

 

Honda FRV is nice but pricey. Plus with 3 seats in the front is a sibling squabble waiting to happen. Multipla, same but cheap and Fugly!

 

Thinking about it, bouncing a Multipla off bollards and walls might improve its looks? Followed one the other day and noticed how narrow the rear track is compared to the bulbous body.

I can't find a photo that shows the right angle to see it, but this gives you an idea:

[Cavcraft]

Don't forget that whatever car you consider there will be eleven million complaints about them on the net. Nine million of these will be from people who borrowed one for an hour, one million from those who overheard their neighbour say they were unreliable because the tyres need blowing up occasionally, 999,271 from people who know someone in the trade (aka the pub) who said they were shit and the remaining 729 from people who actually owned one long term.

 

If you like the look of something, it feels right when you test drive it and the breadknife gives it her seal of approval then you might just as well buy it.

[Micrashed]

Hmm, not a lot of love for them so far.

They are fine I have no intentions of getting shut of ours, but remember they are PSA group and have typical PSA group build issues.

 

Buy carefully (ours was a one owner full Cit history car) and a mate has an ex Motability car, both have been quite reliable - even when the EGR was at fault the car was still quite drivable as they fail open. It makes cold starting a bit more lumpy but otherwise you can ignore them for a while.

They are good VFM, but do remember the timing belt issue on the HDi and budget for it being changed.

 

Newer Alhambarambramraha's have sliding doors but are in the "crippling kneecap finance" territory.

 

MicraShed - on the PSA shovel since 1992

[dollywobbler]

If I wanted a seven seater, I think I'd go for a Seat Alhambra. To my mind the coolest of that badge engineered trio.

 

Peugeot 807/Citroen Synergie/Fiat Useless would be on my radar too. An 807 Roland Garros is a rather jolly thing if you can find one.

[wackywacerwill]

Smiley transits are the bestest family vehicle EVAH. The Mrs refuses to drive it mind which slightly mars it's usefulness.

[Timewaster]

The annoying thing is I DONT want 7 seats, but I do want 5 proper seats and space to wrestle a toddler into the middle one. And a giant buggy in the boot.

 

No kneecap finance for me, I will have enough to pay for when little one no. 3 arrives.

 

Incidently, when did you last see an Espace on the road? Loads of S and T reg Galaxys knocking about with poundland wheel trims and odd coloured bumpers, but Espace? I've seen more Citroen Dyanes this week than Espaces. (1)

[Spiny Norman]

What about the old Previas?

Jonathan Ross has one, apparently.

 

[Hertz]

Is it just me who sings the following theme tune when they see the aforementioned Fiat on the roads?

 

[Madman Of The People]

Nearly three years ago, I bought a 1997 Honda Shuttle (called Odyssey over here on the wrong side of the pond) and it's been a decent family bus. At the moment, Autotrader only lists five for sale in the whole of Britain, so you may have to search hard to find one. You should be able to pick one up for anywhere between £500 for a shed and £1,500 for a minter. My only complaint is the cambelt kept snapping, which was finally cured by replacing all the tensioners and pulleys. The rearmost seat folds into the floor, which is especially handy when switching from people moving to load lugging mode and back again.

 

Mine is the earlier 2.2 litre SOHC model. A twin cam 2.3 litre unit came along later in the Shuttle/Odyssey production cycle. If you can still find a good one, I strongly recommend it.

 

Here's mine......

 

 

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[dollywobbler]

The annoying thing is I DONT want 7 seats, but I do want 5 proper seats and space to wrestle a toddler into the middle one. And a giant buggy in the boot.

 

Berlingo/Partner worth a shout then? Must be darned near unbeatable for practicality-per-footprint. They're far from enormous, but very sensibly shaped. I've been giving a LOT of thought to getting one myself, but it would kind of make the BX a bit unnecessary.

 

Dreary Corolla Verso also worth a shout.

 

A relative has a Honda Shuttle. I'm sure I've mentioned before that it's been staggeringly reliable.

[ruffgeezer]

Yeah I'd be very wary of the C8 family, a snapped belt is going to knock on the door of write off territory.

 

What about the older range? The Synergie/806 share a lot with the vans, less detached feeling than the Picasso.

 

I must admit if you don't need the 7 seats, I'd go for a Berlingo multispack too,.

[R9UKE]

Renault Grand Espace 3.5 V6 auto Initiale.

 

Not just because its an absolute animal, but it's the one engine you can have in an Espace that won't shit itself.

[dieselnutjob]

Get an 806 HDI.

I have one and it is now at 220,000 miles and still drives really well.

Fantastic tow vehicle and will do 100mph on the Italian motorway.

The only big expense has been when it chewed its dual mass flywheel (and the replacement). It now has a solid flywheel conversion so that problem is sorted forever.

The very last ones were 16V.

I would say avoid and get an 8V.

Just as quick etc and if the belt breaks on an 8V normally it just breaks a few rocker arms.

Even nice ones are worthless so find a nice one.

I am planning to drive mine to southern Spain and back this year.

[Micrashed]

The annoying thing is I DONT want 7 seats, but I do want 5 proper seats and space to wrestle a toddler into the middle one. And a giant buggy in the boot.

Have you considered one of these then:

I had this before we had to move to 7 seats (and before I had a vasectomy). Room for 3 child seats and any amount of child related crap in the boot, and apart from a clutch this thing never went wrong and had been thoroughly abused.

[messerschmitt owner]

IMG_1253 by messerschmitt owner, on Flickr

 

6 seats - spacious - it still has a huge boot with the seats up!

 

38-40mpg

 

quick - oh, yes!!

 

sliding doors!

 

decent headroom

[Rocket88]

Plus 1 for a Previa. Petrol ones are unbreakable but thirsty. I've heard that dizzlers are not good news though. The petrol one will stand vast amoounts of mechanical neglect, I know of one which went 6 years and 30k miles without so much as an oil change..............

[aldo135]

I'm going to be in the same boat soon, we have twins due in October and already have a 3 year old. 3 car seats in the back is a nightmare! I like the Honda FRV but agree they are expensive. Still thinking about getting a big old estate like a 240/740 Merc with the pull up seats in the back for the weekend, as when I'm at work they can fit in her current ZS.

 

She would like a new Santa Fe but taking on finance when we are going down to one wage is madness!

[Tetleysmooth]

Plus 1 for a Previa. Petrol ones are unbreakable but thirsty. I've heard that dizzlers are not good news though. The petrol one will stand vast amoounts of mechanical neglect, I know of one which went 6 years and 30k miles without so much as an oil change..............

 

Plus 2 for the Previa petrol.

Agree with the poor fuel consumption, but the plus side is a chain driven engine - and reliability.

[seacow]

Probably not an exhaustive test but I rented a new Pug in Ibiza last year (they still make/sell them on the continent!) and was very impressed - soft and squidgy in that french way but comfortable - pokey enough and fast on the one bit of dual carriage way on the island. Only real complaint was that as they are proper seats the back ones dont fold down very small (although they come out altogether) like the new stuff where they magically disappear into the floor.