Advice on 7 Seaters/'Bigger Cars'

mlbtheshow

mlbtheshow

mlbtheshow

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Im on the verge of needing a bigger car.. currently run a Citroen C4 VXR 05Plate but due to an expanding waist line and potential family, im after something bigger that will last me a few years.

Cars I have looked at include:

Peugeot 5008 - Brand New, priced up around 21K with the Sports model and some added extras 'sat nav, sensors, leather, paint etc'

Im not a huge fan of how it looks, but a brand new car removes any fault worries for at least 3 years... plus it comes in at/under budget with most of what id want. However the car dosent really get me excited (if that makes sense).

BMW X5 - OK, ive veered away from a 7 Seater to a 4x4, but the space is there for our needs. 2nd hand market on this one, ive probably 20K cash and my car to use as Part Ex (circa 3-4k??) so I think I can get an 06 plate with a decent spec.... whats the thoughts on these 2nd hand? Are there any years to avoid? General pointers?

Audi A4 Estate - Yes again ive changed 'shape'. BUT ive always wanted an Audi, as sad as that sounds. Brand new is probably out of my range given the extras id want, so its 2nd hand market... id hope to be close to a 1 year old on this, so im assuming reliability etc is not an issue. Id like a bit of oomph behind it though, Diesel I assume is the way to go with an Audi?

Mercedes M Class - This had not even crossed my mind until I drove past a forecourt with one on for 22k... decided to have a look online and appears that 07s are going for around the mid-20k range... potentially pushing my budget, but again ticks all the boxes.

So any advice on any of the cars, good or bad would be very much welcome. I know at the end of the day it comes down to me/my budget and how the vehicle feels on a test drive, but its always good to go into a situation with a bit more knowledge.
 
Maybe a bit overkill, but an S-Max has just been facelifted, and can fit 7 adults with some space for shopping or something.

edit - thats if you're after a new car!
 
mlbtheshow said:
Peugeot 5008 - Brand New, priced up around 21K with the Sports model and some added extras 'sat nav, sensors, leather, paint etc'

Im not a huge fan of how it looks, but a brand new car removes any fault worries for at least 3 years... plus it comes in at/under budget with most of what id want. However the car dosent really get me excited (if that makes sense)..
Click to expand...
You say buying brand new removes any fault worries..
That Peugeot will go wrong and you'll be in and out of the dealer more than you care to mention. You won't be directly paying for the faults, but they'll still annoy you. Avoid this car, seriously. Especially when you're considering high-end BMWs and Mercs!

If you want to buy new, a Ford S-Max is certainly worth having a look at.

Have you thought about an E Class?
Some have 7 seats, and the facelift model is probably just about in budget if you can find any.
Certainly worth considering if you're not sure about a 4x4.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1445717.htm

Regarding and Audi A4, they're a lot smaller than the other thing you're looking at. Check out A6s, but they won't be as good as BMWs or Mercedes.
 
Thanks for the replies, went to take a look around a ML Merc todaY, probably the car ill get.

Just waiting for something higher specced, with Sat Nav and goodies on it.

Floor price of 28-30k for an 07/08.... anyone reckon a good haggle will get them to take 26ish inc my part/ex of circa 4k (going by webuyanycar.com :D )
 
My only comment would be that you are going into a different league in running costs.

The best diesel ML's struggle to get 30mpg if you drive like a saint, and with fuel costs getting to ludicrous levels again, I'd be very concerned.

like BMW's, if you want to minimise the very sizeable depreciation, you need to keep full main dealer service history (unless you do want to hang on to it until it's that old/cheap no one is that bothered).. Another slight costs issue.

I'm afraid to say that I don't think you've thought through this much at all..

The Mid size MPV's offer massive family room, 45+MPG, better driving dynamics (S-Max is very good for example), and cost much less in the first place, so depreciation isn't going to kill.

It does sound like you don't actually want advice, more giving us a brief re-count of your random buying habits, which is fine, but think about what you are doing, going from a Citreon C4 (What is a VXR? that's a vauxhall sport moniker isn't it?) to an Merc ML sounds like financial suicide on the surface..
 
Thanks for your post, I appreciate what you are saying and have thought about running costs... the insurance will be about 3 times more than im paying now, so its more than just the cost of the car!

Personally ive never worried about depreciation, if 3-4 years time I want another car and cant afford something as nice, then so be it... I just go with what I can afford at the time. At this time I believe I will have 'x' amount free to spend on a car id like.

I agree on the MPV size comparison.. I mean ive not got an army of kids :D... its just 2 and potential at the minute, so a 7 seater came to mind to cover all my bases. From there the Peugeot was seen on TV and I researched it a little. Ill be honest and say ive not checked out the Ford... but im not a massive fan of buying brand new as I feel I can get more goodies for my money by going 2nd hand (true or not, I dont know).

I am probably random and given that I do have time on my side, I can still do some good research, so thats why I asked the initial question :)

Oh and VXR.. you are right, god knows why I put that, its a VTR at the time I think that was the top spec C4 in terms of added bits and bobs.
 
If you thinking of an Smax get a nearly new one or pre-regd one. You can save a shed load of money over list get the warranty and have lower running costs. I think the S-Max has individual seats in the back as they can move/slide? and then the 3rd row is either flat in the boot or folds up.

This is top end but has high spec , but check out ford direct website and people like archers of ashby.

http://www.motorscoalville.co.uk/details.asp?carid=7147

I don't need to tell you that the S-max is a big old beast.
 
mlbtheshow said:
Im on the verge of needing a bigger car.. currently run a Citroen C4 VXR 05Plate but due to an expanding waist line and potential family, im after something bigger that will last me a few years. ...
Click to expand...
a) What do you mean by "a few years" :confused:
b( How big a family are you thinking of having over the next "few years" :confused:
c) Have you ever thought of eating less and exercising more :confused:
 
We went from a Volvo V70 T5 to a Zafira gsi to a Volvo XC90 all 7 seaters

V70 and Zafira when all seats where up had no room in the boot to shout about . If you have more than 1 buggy aswell you will even struggle with a S-max

Xc90 is byfar the best for space , With 3 kids aswell the center row has a built in booster seat so you can fit 3 kids in the middle . When we had all 7 seats up we still managed a wheelchair/buggy and newborns buggy and a weeks shopping in the boot .
 
mlbtheshow said:
Thanks for the replies, went to take a look around a ML Merc todaY, probably the car ill get.

Just waiting for something higher specced, with Sat Nav and goodies on it.

Floor price of 28-30k for an 07/08.... anyone reckon a good haggle will get them to take 26ish inc my part/ex of circa 4k (going by webuyanycar.com :D )
Click to expand...
Which model ML did you look at?

A Tourag is worth a look if you want a diesel, much newer too.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1505662.htm

With a rear monitor and two years' warranty
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1345486.htm
 
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Don't bother with any estates that are part time 7 seaters as you have to choose between the two extra passengers or carrying luggage.

The Volvo XC90 D5 is probably your best bet. The Audi Q7 seems to fit the bill too.
 
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