Reliable MPV's (7 seat minimum)

[NorfolkNWeigh]

That would have bought a lot of big batteries - driving in daylight, you'd have got away with buying just one big battery if you'd disconnected/switched off any unnecessary electrical oddsnsods.

You've obviously never had the misfortune to own a modern Renault. Smoke and flames were involved, if there's no charge the whole shebang shuts down ,won't even accept key card let alone let the handbrake be released. The car is just one unnecessary electrical sod.

[passmethegun]

I've been assuming that even big mercs may struggle to fit a 6'4 bloke in the back in comfort for long distance, which is why I've stuck to MPV's. I'd love it if I was wrong tho.

 

So far, I'm ruling espaces out and previas, 806, Ulysses for further consideration. The LDV thing is firmly on the "no" list.

 

 

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[dieselnutjob]

806 HDI, mk1 Ulysse JTD and mk1 Synergie HDI are all the same vehicle anyway

 

things to check if you look at one

 

drive it until it's properly warm and check:-

does power steering work with engine at idle?

does engine have a nasty rattle when pushed which stops at 3200rpm (knackered injector)?

squeeking from flywheel when engine stopped (dead DMF)

slipping clutch at full power

does AC work?

can you open rear doors from handles inside and out? (806 weak spot)

 

They are mechanically properly tough things

 

The very last ones had 16 valves which need to be avoided.  The 8V is much simpler and even if the cam belt breaks they normally just bust some rocker arms

 

The rear seats have two positions so if it seems a bit cramped check that they are in the rear position

[forddeliveryboy]

You've obviously never had the misfortune to own a modern Renault. Smoke and flames were involved, if there's no charge the whole shebang shuts down ,won't even accept key card let alone let the handbrake be released. The car is just one unnecessary electrical sod.

 

Definitely not! Hadn't realised it'd be a modern one. What a total, total twat. If a car ever did that to me I'd hate it forever, if I couldn't afford to send it over a cliff to teach it a lesson (having ripped off the electric handbrake calipers). This should serve as a reminder to all how all electronically-governed cars can sting their owners without warning.

[RichardMoss]

Voyagers are reliable enough - crap, but reliable. The diesel version will save a few quid on fuel, too.

[Lukas]

The father or Mrs. Lukas owns a 2007 Voyager 2.5 CRD, now with ~ 160.000km. It´s been a world of pain, always something wrong or failing. But he loves it. Had the two previous generations Voyager before, where shit too he said. But he loved them also. He must me a masochist...

[panhard65]

I went to the south of france in a '99 grand espace. I paid £400 for it as it was high mileage. The old 2.2dt is the one to have as long as it has been looked after and had all the usual faults sorted. There were 5 of us and luggage. Very comfortable and just done the job. I would stick with something french as if it all goes wrong they can fix it. We had the alternator tensioner go on a galaxy near Limoges which ended with us coming home in a hire car and the galaxy following 2 weeks later. I sold the espace a couple of months later after using it to move house, they are massive. You must get the right one though, the early mk3's were trouble and the later ones are dci. So around a T or V. Just don't pay much for it and steer well clear if it has any clutch problems or stiff steering. The clutch slave cylinders are very troublesome and about £150 for the parts without taking half the car apart to fit the kit. Lower steering column joints sieze and are a £400 part and most will be knackerd so not worth getting secondhand. After all that sod it don't buy an espace the 806 type thing is much better.

[Ghosty]

Don't know what they're like, but nobody's mentioned the ever-so-creatively named Mazda MPV yet.

[Angrydicky]

Toyota Space Cruiser.

[EssDeeWon]

Blimey when did you last see one of those about? We had one as a family bus many years ago, wasnt that good from memory both engine and bodywork wise, the Previa was a vast improvement though.

[Junkman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-seat-8passenger-ford-transit-minibus-/111356030091

[RichardMoss]

The father or Mrs. Lukas owns a 2007 Voyager 2.5 CRD, now with ~ 160.000km. It´s been a world of pain, always something wrong or failing. But he loves it. Had the two previous generations Voyager before, where shit too he said. But he loved them also. He must me a masochist...

This may sound daft but.........the fact that stuff breaks doesn't always mean that something is being unreliable. A sunroof stuck shut or a failed central locking actuator is not a reliability issue, it's convenience/fripperies issue. Provided that the oily, smelly, going or stopping bits work then you're Ok

[Bobthebeard]

Those Mazda Frendee Bongo* things are reputed to run on 100% veg oil and never ever**break down....

 

* If you could live with the name.

** Internet sourced, so may be untrue.

[dieselnutjob]

Also there is the VW Caravelle. The T4 TDI ones are quite capable and sound like an Audi rally car.  Well sort of.

Just watch out for collapsed pedal boxes.  The bit that the clutch pedal bolts to is not man enough for the job.

[The Moog]

I had t25 caravelle which was fitted with 1.9d from a golf. Cost £1600. Nice enough thing

[Lacquer Peel]

Also there is the VW Caravelle. The T4 TDI ones are quite capable and sound like an Audi rally car. Well sort of.

Just watch out for collapsed pedal boxes. The bit that the clutch pedal bolts to is not man enough for the job.

SURF/VAG/WANKER taxed to death.

[Angrydicky]

Blimey when did you last see one of those about? We had one as a family bus many years ago, wasnt that good from memory both engine and bodywork wise, the Previa was a vast improvement though.

Last one I saw was an F reg in Kirbys earlier this year. Wasn't in bad nick really apart from rotten sills and the head was missing off the engine. It had 180,000 miles on the clock, so at least it had a good life.

[Cavcraft]

My first is in zoo but never in park

The next is engine management light that glows in the dark

The 3rd is in freezing as the air outside's colder

and the next is in injured pride, as you push to the hard shoulder

The 5th is in knackered, like your oil light being lit 

the last is in told you mate, all Vauxhalls are shit.

[passmethegun]

Cheers for the help ppl. Got my eyes peeled now for a 2.0hdi 80ulysergie!

 

 

 

 

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[Squire_Dawson]

From 'ebay tat' thread, original post by 'anonymous user'. In all honesty I couldn't think of a more suitable, fun conveyance! Just be sure to see to the 50-odd grease points before you go.

 

 

Who was after a people carrier to go down to the South of France?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item338f18048e

 

[willswitchengage]