Shite MPV recommendations please

[Rave]

Hi all,

 

Four fellow footy supporters and I are in discussions about driving over to see a football game in NE France in a couple of weeks time. Ideally we want to catch an early ferry, drive 300-odd miles from Calais to the game, (in all probability) watch our team lose, and then race back to Calais in time to catch the last ferry of the day, thereby making it count as a day trip and saving us £lots on the ferry ticket.

Now my Mk3 Mondeo estate would be OK for this- could easily do the 300 mile race back in one hit at 80+ thanks to its 12 gallon tank- but unfortunately 3 of the other 4 are quite large people, and the fourth has severe arthritis (he's registered disabled). Three of them in the back for a total of about 14 hours driving would be pretty uncomfortable for them, I reckon.

 

So I'm idly wondering whether I could buy a people carrier with 3 rows of proper adult sized seats, take it on this trip, and then punt it on for a minimal loss. Needs to be reliable, not too thirsty, and reasonably cheap. It goes without saying that my thoughts immediately turned to:

 

 

...but unfortunately I think it would fail the 300 miles at a 65+ mph average test with 5 largish people on board. I've never liked the idea of early Ford Galaxys because yuk, Volkswagen...but I guess the early ones are powered by VP or PD engines, which even I have to admit are quite good?

 

Anything else I should look at? Something Zafira sized sadly isn't going to do, as although I personally wouldn't mind spending 14 hours in the rear kiddy seats, it's going to be me doing at least half, and possibly all, of the driving.

 

Obviously if someone's got a suitable big bus for sale, CASH WAITING M8

 

Edit: Ooh I've just realised, this could be my chance to scratch my itch to own a Eurovan. How likely is a Fiat Ulysse on a scale of QUITE - EXTREMELY to catastrophically break down 3 miles outside of Calais on the way there?

[UltraWomble]

 

 Zafira 

Fuck NO

 

Buy a Eurovan 2

2.0 HDi

Make sure its had the timing belt done about 40 to 50K intervals.

Will be fine. 40MPG sitting room.

[BorniteIdentity]

Toyota Granvia.

 

Mine is immense. Very comfortable on board, conference seating and 33mpg on a run.

 

May be outside budget.

[anonymous user]

Get an ex-funeral limousine, my choice would be a Volvo

[Justin Case]

Kia Sedona, loads of room and has a Rover KV6 engine. WCPGW?

[Dave_Q]

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-MULTIPLA-CAR-6-SEATER-MINI-VAN-LONDON-HAMMERSMITH-NEEDS-NEW-BATTERY-/152619002895?hash=item2388cd2c0f:g:XYcAAOSwjk9ZQACG

[Rave]

Toyota Granvia.

 

Mine is immense. Very comfortable on board, conference seating and 33mpg on a run.

 

May be outside budget.

 

Budget wise, the purchase price doesn't really matter within reason, I have money, what matters is the difference between the purchase price and what I can flog it on for a week later...

 

Get an ex-funeral limousine, my choice would be a Volvo

 

I like your thinking, but I suspect P&O won't!

[twosmoke300]

Only get a multipla if you want to feel the rear axle break as you drive on to the ferry / tunnel

[Rave]

Multipla ain't going to work Dave, unless the back seats are appreciably wider than a Mk3 Mondeo estate? Without wanting to be rude about my friends, two are large, and one is very large.

[djimbob]

I have a Kia Sedona I drove to Spain and back in with my very sizeable mate last year, about 11 months test on it, suitable for hefty fellows as I am no stick insect either - here is what I sent to another forumite on pm if it's of interest to you

 

photobucket has decided now is a good time to stop 3rd party hosting for free, sorry about that, I will replace one day no doubt!!

 

 

 

Off the top of my head, 2004 model, 2.9crdi, mileage is about 135k, MOT until 24th May 2018.

 

No service history to speak of, two key fobs with working remotes.

 

I've had it for about a year and a half now, only needed front pads, oil and filters, and all four injectors refurbishing (yes, ouch!). Due an oil change now really.

 

Did have some welding on the cills for the MOT, some rust bubbling on the front wings, otherwise reasonably tidy for the age inside and out, everything works fine except the electric aerial makes a really loud clunking noise when going up and down - same as Our Lass' Kia Magentis which is weird - oh, and a crappy single din stereo at the moment, but will take a double.

 

I did have a starting issue the other day, from cold only, but cured it by draining the diesel filter and priming the pump - I think I will change it just in case - it did this just after I bought it, and a new filter sorted it out then. I have a feeling it doesn't much like Asda diesel, which is all I put in usually.

 

I went to Spain in it last year, and she behaved very well, but on return she started to run a bit lumpy, and again with the starting issues, this time when hot as well as cold - turned out to be the injectors, so I had them refurbed - run fine ever since

 

She's a decent thing, I'm just bored of her now, and I want a big pezzer barge for myself and my Missus and Daughter to use when I'm working on their motors - they will use this but prefer pezzers too, I've got my transit for lugging shit around etc..which this is fine for - you can use this down our local tip as well which is nice

 

It's driving me nuts on the forum at the moment with these big barges going for peanuts, and me with bugger all cashflow (that is my fault I bought a caravan this week, total bargain, but hey!).

 

I've got to MOT the Saab I got from Eddy this month as well, so need some wonga from somewhere, although I am open to swapsies, especially automatics, because reasons - or cash, approx £700 shiter's discount

Edited July 11, 2017 by djimbob

[Dave_Q]

Was gonna suggest a Shalhambraxy:

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-52-Ford-Galaxy-1-9TD-Zetec-5dr-/282372787935?hash=item41bebacedf:g:qocAAOSwx6pYsEzr

 

But actually I think you should buy Jimbob's Sedona. 

[eddyramrod]

I agree, with the proviso that instead of the Dub, I would have suggested a Chrysler Voyager, or better still, Grand Voyager.  In other news, the Eurovan thing has to be a strong contender, especially if you don't mind the Fuel Of Satan, which most of them seem to be made for.  Fiat, Peugeot Citroen, it won't matter, they should all be suitable.

[UltraWomble]

We have had our 2007 one for 7 years now.

Covered 65000 miles in it.

Only real issue has been with the front NS wishbone - we are on number 3 - not sure if just unlucky or whether the wife has been bouncing up kerbs with too much vigor.

They are cheap as chips, all the seats in the back come out so you can fit large items like sofas and stuff in, the two rear most seats are proper adult sized ones and they drive very well.

Timing belt is an issue unless you get one with the 407 136BHP DW10 fitted ( 2007/2008) then they seem to last and last.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-CITROEN-C8-2-0-HDi-16V-SX-DIESEL-7-SEATER-12-MONTHS-MOT-/191514289789?hash=item2c9724267d:g:XbIAAOSwe-FU5LrQ

£1400 quid for one with 12 months MOT - they do go a lot cheaper and the Fiat ones cheaper still (because "fiat, innit) despite being the same car and the same HDi engine ( yes I know it says its a JTD, but it isnt).

Resale value is the square root of fuck all.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Ulysse-People-Carrier-2005-Full-MOT-171000-miles-Parrot-Blu-Tooth-/162575001872?hash=item25da39a910:g:a~sAAOSwjKFZWRQG

[eddyramrod]

Roffle value, on the other hand.....

[Schaefft]

1st gen Toyota Previa. Needs no explanation.

 

[bub2006]

Is that a photoshop or is some nutter drifting it?!

[Lacquer Peel]

 

Two can play at that game.

[Honey Badger]

Avensis Verso.

 

I'm assuming they dont show a picture of the rear seats as a child is still stuck to the remains of several years of dropped wotsits.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706216656732?model=AVENSIS%20VERSO&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=nn84sa&make=TOYOTA&radius=1500&sort=distance&page=1

[egg]

In the same vein

 

Honda Stream?

 

There's a Mitsubishi 7 seater as well I can't remember...

 

Edit, Grandis

[Eddie Honda]

Get the train/plane/train or train/train.

 

Done many a football weekender/day trip and everyone can have a beer if no-one is driving.

 

Last 24h return:

Dublin to Luton Sat AM, see the Hatters v Grecians at Kenilworth Rd. Stay at Prem Inn and get lock-in until 4am at pub round the corner. Catch a flight back in the morning.

 

Done other footie trips to Brussels, Munich, Berlin, Edinburgh and Dumbarton.

[Ben_O]

We have had our 2007 one for 7 years now.

Covered 65000 miles in it.

Only real issue has been with the front NS wishbone - we are on number 3 - not sure if just unlucky or whether the wife has been bouncing up kerbs with too much vigor.

They are cheap as chips, all the seats in the back come out so you can fit large items like sofas and stuff in, the two rear most seats are proper adult sized ones and they drive very well.

Timing belt is an issue unless you get one with the 407 136BHP DW10 fitted ( 2007/2008) then they seem to last and last.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-CITROEN-C8-2-0-HDi-16V-SX-DIESEL-7-SEATER-12-MONTHS-MOT-/191514289789?hash=item2c9724267d:g:XbIAAOSwe-FU5LrQ

£1400 quid for one with 12 months MOT - they do go a lot cheaper and the Fiat ones cheaper still (because "fiat, innit) despite being the same car and the same HDi engine ( yes I know it says its a JTD, but it isnt).

Resale value is the square root of fuck all.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Ulysse-People-Carrier-2005-Full-MOT-171000-miles-Parrot-Blu-Tooth-/162575001872?hash=item25da39a910:g:a~sAAOSwjKFZWRQG

I hired one of these a few years back from a discount car hire place so needless to say, it was scruffy with a very high mileage.

 

Had 7 of us in it travelling from IOW to Wembley and it went absolutely fine apart from some random beeping sounds from the dash on the way.

 

Returning we were running very late so I hammered it down the A3 in torrential rain to make the ferry and it didn't grumble.

 

It would be my chariot of choice if I was in your situation based on my limited experience with them

[stephen01]

Surely a Ronnie Pickering special is in order?

[Felly Magic]

Ford Transit 8 seater with a banana diesel engine

[Rave]

Hmm...

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/fiat/fiat-ulysse-prestigio-16v-automatic-6-seater-leather-interior-11-months-mot-%C2%A3550/1254273079

 

Pez auto so will guzzle the fuel, but split 5 ways, so what?

 

I must say it's a pretty stupid plan all round, though .

[Rave]

Get the train/plane/train or train/train.

 

Done many a football weekender/day trip and everyone can have a beer if no-one is driving.

 

Last 24h return:

Dublin to Luton Sat AM, see the Hatters v Grecians at Kenilworth Rd. Stay at Prem Inn and get lock-in until 4am at pub round the corner. Catch a flight back in the morning.

 

Done other footie trips to Brussels, Munich, Berlin, Edinburgh and Dumbarton.

 

I'm a recovering alcoholic and am now completely teetotal, so the ability to have a drink is no use to me. I looked into flights, they were £120 for the round trip this morning, but have shot up to something like £220 now as the BA flight must have rapidly filled up with Palace fans booking the day trip since the game was announced this morning. I actually flew back from my holiday in Spain last year to go to the FA Cup final, but that was about £100 for the flights, and a rather more important game than this friendly...

[Eddie Honda]

Sorry, I've re-read the request and see you need ample room for 4 fat blokes and a blue badge holder.

 

AutoShite should have one of these for a members rental:

 

 

A Plaxton Mini Supreme hammered over a CF would be just the ticket.

[alcyonecorporation]

Vauxhall Sintra. 

RAF Latvia. 

[cort16]

Renault espace of course. I recon the last generation of espace would be the best mpv ever maybe one of the best cars ever if it wasn't built by Renault .

 

I recon a mid 90s mk 2 espace would be perfect . Old school diesels , simple injected petrol engines.

Probably best Stay away from the mk3 unless you want a ride in the big yellow Lorry.

[Schaefft]

I agree

 

[Eddie Honda]

Waft there, if it breaks down t'other side it'll be fine, if it can't find a mechanic at home...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263073029557

 

 

Or just buy a landcrab / landcrab limo. They're fucking huge inside.