People Carrier thingys - MBClub UK

Ade B · 30-03-2010, 01:57 PM

Thought I'd consult the wisdom of the board on this.

Baby #2 due in July and I may need to admit defeat with the CE and look at other options..

Have a limited budget of say £3.5k as I don't want to tie money up in a car or commit to monthly payments (pesky recession hit construction industry..)

Am after loads of space for 2 kiddies + 2 adults + small dog + occassional camping gear.

50+mpg (diesel) I'm doing 12k+ miles pa at the moment.

Aircon

Not fussed about high miles or do these sorts of car fall to bits at 100k?

Thats about it.

Currently the wierd and wonderfull Citroen Xsara Picasa seems to tick all the boxes (

)

Thinking to keep the CE as well (its cost too much to sell now

)

Any thoughts?

Ade

wemorgan · 30-03-2010, 02:10 PM

VW Touran
Focus C-Max

I know little about the above, but just throwing more ideas in to the pot.

timwood2000 · 30-03-2010, 02:12 PM

I used to have a Ford Galaxy 1.9pdi which never went wrong and was really cheap to run, and surprisingly fun to drive.

A-AvantGarde · 30-03-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wemorgan

VW Touran
Focus C-Max

I know little about the above, but just throwing more ideas in to the pot.

Doubt they would come into the 3.5k price bracket.

Looks like mainly French manufacturers spring to mind in this space:

Renault Megane Scenic
Citroen Xsara Picasso

Maybe worth looking at the Toyota Avensis Verso or, seeing as this is an MB forum how about an early (but post 2002 facelift) A Class?

wemorgan · 30-03-2010, 02:18 PM

The Touran does look too dear, but here's a couple C-max almost in budget

Auto Trader UK - FORD Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi LX=

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...leRegLetter=53

d w124 · 30-03-2010, 02:21 PM

Ade:The reason i thanked you,is because i`m in the same psition

so very good thread

davidjpowell · 30-03-2010, 02:23 PM

Espace facelift also around. MPG is nearer 40 though . passes on space, (bags of it if you do not need the rear seats in) and easy to get in and out of baby seats.

Ours proved to be fairly reliable - just needed to keep it away from Renault Dealers who are crap.

Ade B · 30-03-2010, 02:29 PM

Thanks guys, keep 'em coming - first hand experience is really helpful..

French cars seem to provide toys on a budget - couldn't live without AC now..

It will be the car equivalent to white goods so I'm not fussed on brand.

Any horror stories on maintenance?

Cheers

Ade

d w124 · 30-03-2010, 02:36 PM

Ade:There is many stories on vitos but this looks nice 1998 MERCEDES V280 AMBIENTE AUTO only 65000 miles on eBay (end time 30-Mar-10 21:59:51 BST) I know is not diesel but low mileage and FSH.

Ade B · 30-03-2010, 02:43 PM

Not after a van

and it has to be a frugal diesel.

I'd also like as new as possible - problem with older vehicles is they always need something doing - especially MBs... I could pick and choose a 210 which would work except for mpg and running costs.

My CE costs silly money to keep on the road with the miles I'm doing, want something cheap to run or I might as well get a 210 E500 estate.

Ade

crockers · 30-03-2010, 03:22 PM

I think 50 mpg is aiming pretty high - at 40 mpg more is available...things like Volvo V70 diesel etc....safe for kiddies etc.

1999 VOLVO V70 2.5 D

crammy69 · 30-03-2010, 03:23 PM

We had a Vauxhall Zafira for 7 odd years, and it never let us down. Granted,the Mrs crashed it a few times ("Im afraid I had to crash the Zafira again dear"), in fact she once wrote of a brand new Rover Hatchback (it was a day old, I kid you not) and all the Zafira needed was a front wing and new o/s wheel, tough cars, safe.

We did many a trip to Devon to see my parents and it always served us well and the kids loved the space in it, loads of leg room and windows they could see out of. Also those extra seats tucked away in the boot come in handy when the kiddies start having parties and friends over and so on.

£3500 should get you a decent one.

d w124 · 30-03-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ade B

I might as well get a 210 E500 estate.

Ade

Lol,where?

Ade B · 30-03-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d w124

Lol,where?

Perhaps I mean E430

Ade

d w124 · 30-03-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ade B

Perhaps I mean E430

Ade

Or this 1999/V MERCEDES E55 AMG 5.4V8 ESTATE 7 SEATS E/SEATS on eBay (end time 01-Apr-10 22:24:42 BST) or this other one 2000 MERCEDES E55 AMG AUTO SILVER on eBay (end time 07-Apr-10 15:48:54 BST)

30-03-2010, 01:57 PM	#1
Ade B Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South London Car: 2006 Accord Tourer iCDTI EX Posts: 1,833	People Carrier thingys Thought I'd consult the wisdom of the board on this. Baby #2 due in July and I may need to admit defeat with the CE and look at other options.. Have a limited budget of say £3.5k as I don't want to tie money up in a car or commit to monthly payments (pesky recession hit construction industry..) Am after loads of space for 2 kiddies + 2 adults + small dog + occassional camping gear. 50+mpg (diesel) I'm doing 12k+ miles pa at the moment. Aircon Not fussed about high miles or do these sorts of car fall to bits at 100k? Thats about it. Currently the wierd and wonderfull Citroen Xsara Picasa seems to tick all the boxes () Thinking to keep the CE as well (its cost too much to sell now ) Any thoughts? Ade

30-03-2010, 03:22 PM	#11
crockers Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Wilts Car: Volvo Polestar V60 D5 SE Lux Premium Geartronic Posts: 6,880	I think 50 mpg is aiming pretty high - at 40 mpg more is available...things like Volvo V70 diesel etc....safe for kiddies etc. 1999 VOLVO V70 2.5 D Last edited by crockers; 30-03-2010 at 03:26 PM.

30-03-2010, 03:23 PM	#12
crammy69 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sidcup,Kent Car: 2001 W210 E55 AMG,2010 Fiat 500 1.2,2002 Triumph America,LML Star 125 DLX,1984 C70,2011 Thruxton Posts: 868	We had a Vauxhall Zafira for 7 odd years, and it never let us down. Granted,the Mrs crashed it a few times ("Im afraid I had to crash the Zafira again dear"), in fact she once wrote of a brand new Rover Hatchback (it was a day old, I kid you not) and all the Zafira needed was a front wing and new o/s wheel, tough cars, safe. We did many a trip to Devon to see my parents and it always served us well and the kids loved the space in it, loads of leg room and windows they could see out of. Also those extra seats tucked away in the boot come in handy when the kiddies start having parties and friends over and so on. £3500 should get you a decent one. __________________ Previously.... 1991 W124 300CE-24V Auto, 2002 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Manual, 1995 FTO 2.0GR Tiptronic, 1991 Eunos Roadster 1.6 Manual, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.2 V8 Auto, 1997 Mercury Sable 3.0 Auto, 1992 Mazda Chronos 1.8 Manual, 1983 Peugeot 205 1.1 GL, 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 Manual, 1986 Rover Vitesse 216 Manual, 1986 Ford Escort XR3i Manual, 1982 Ford Capri 1.6L Manual, 1979 Matra Simca Bagheera Manual, 1977 Ford Escort 1.3L Manual.

30-03-2010, 02:10 PM	#2
wemorgan Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Car: R172 SLK 250CDI Posts: 7,084	VW Touran Focus C-Max I know little about the above, but just throwing more ideas in to the pot.

30-03-2010, 02:12 PM	#3
timwood2000 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SE London Car: R320 CDI SE LWB '07, FIAT 500 LOUNGE '58 & BMW R1200RT '12 Posts: 542	I used to have a Ford Galaxy 1.9pdi which never went wrong and was really cheap to run, and surprisingly fun to drive.

30-03-2010, 02:18 PM	#5
wemorgan Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Car: R172 SLK 250CDI Posts: 7,084	The Touran does look too dear, but here's a couple C-max almost in budget Auto Trader UK - FORD Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi LX= http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...leRegLetter=53

30-03-2010, 02:21 PM	#6
d w124 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: london Car: 300TE s124 E320 w124 3.6project & 300TE-24 Posts: 10,804	Ade:The reason i thanked you,is because i`m in the same psition so very good thread

30-03-2010, 02:23 PM	#7
davidjpowell Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Doncaster Car: Mercedes E320 CDi W210 & BMW 520d SE Posts: 3,626	Espace facelift also around. MPG is nearer 40 though . passes on space, (bags of it if you do not need the rear seats in) and easy to get in and out of baby seats. Ours proved to be fairly reliable - just needed to keep it away from Renault Dealers who are crap.

30-03-2010, 02:29 PM	#8
Ade B Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South London Car: 2006 Accord Tourer iCDTI EX Posts: 1,833	Thanks guys, keep 'em coming - first hand experience is really helpful.. French cars seem to provide toys on a budget - couldn't live without AC now.. It will be the car equivalent to white goods so I'm not fussed on brand. Any horror stories on maintenance? Cheers Ade

30-03-2010, 02:36 PM	#9
d w124 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: london Car: 300TE s124 E320 w124 3.6project & 300TE-24 Posts: 10,804	Ade:There is many stories on vitos but this looks nice 1998 MERCEDES V280 AMBIENTE AUTO only 65000 miles on eBay (end time 30-Mar-10 21:59:51 BST) I know is not diesel but low mileage and FSH.

30-03-2010, 02:43 PM	#10
Ade B Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South London Car: 2006 Accord Tourer iCDTI EX Posts: 1,833	Not after a van and it has to be a frugal diesel. I'd also like as new as possible - problem with older vehicles is they always need something doing - especially MBs... I could pick and choose a 210 which would work except for mpg and running costs. My CE costs silly money to keep on the road with the miles I'm doing, want something cheap to run or I might as well get a 210 E500 estate. Ade

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)