ffs, why are diesel auto people carriers so expensive!

SB118

SB118

SB118

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,699
Location
"Sunny" Plymouth
Been looking around to pick up an auto zafira and the prices are just mental. I picked up our manual version for a grand, similar manuals are going for around 1400-1800, look for the same spec car with an auto box and it jumps to 2700-3300, IF i can find one in the first place!

Are they gold plated or something?
 
Just buy an estate car or a 4x4 of which most will be autos as opposed to the minority when looking at people carriers?
 
4x4s tend to be "climb into" seating height and regular cars are quite low for me to get into. The A-class i've been using i quite comfortable due to the boosted seat height, but it's a bit of a squeeze for 5 of us now my son has gone into a larger car seat.

Should mention that i'm coming to this off the back of some spectacularly unsuccessful spinal surgery, i'm in worse condition now than i was before the procedure.

I've still got my 406 estate laid up for once i'm "fixed" after the surgery, but it looks like i'll be selling it on.
 
heh, my mother has one, nice to drive, 6 seats. Seating is a bit high for me though, but this could be due to my dad swapping the van back to springs after the airbag system packed up for the nth time, meaning it's at driving height all the time.
 
I'm loving that V class :)

Obviously this doesn't apply to the OP as it seems like there is a medical reason for needing a more upright seating position. But I really don't understand why families need people carriers and huge 4x4's nowadays. The damn things drive me up the wall as I try to find a parking space. An average estate car was fine back in my childhood and I bet it's a damn sight cheaper than a fashionable 4x4.
 
I'm willing to bet the mondeo has a similar if not bigger footprint than quite a few 4x4's.

Quick look and a mondeo is around 20cm wider and about 11cm longer than an X5.
 
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TripleT said:
I'm willing to bet the mondeo has a similar if not bigger footprint than quite a few 4x4's.

Quick look and a mondeo is around 20cm wider and about 11cm longer than an X5.
Click to expand...

Not sure where you got your figures, but that's completely wrong. The X5 is wider and longer.
 
This is what i love about the zaf, it's just a tall astra. It does't take up any more space on the road than a "normal" car.
 
TheVoice said:
Not sure where you got your figures, but that's completely wrong. The X5 is wider and longer.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the older X5. But even the newer one whilst being 24mm longer than the mondeo it's still 145mm thinner than the mondeo which is a decent difference. Sizes from parkers.

Mondeo
4830mm x 2070mm

X5
4854mm x 1933mm

Anyway my point is that to dislike them because of their size when trying to find a car park space is a bit daft. I personally don't like following them as like vans they're hard to see ahead of. Although I'd have one :p
 
Those stats are wrong I'm afraid, the X5 is wider. The Mondeo figures probably include the wing mirrors or something.

Think about it, there's no way the X5 would be a whole 14.5cm thinner than a Mondeo.
 
Well they're both from the same place and the mondeo is still a big car like most saloons and estates.

basically the size difference either way won't be much which is kind of my point. 4x4 footprints and generally no bigger than larger cars so hate for 4x4s as they take up parking room is daft.
 
TripleT said:
Well they're both from the same place and the mondeo is still a big car like most saloons and estates.

basically the size difference either way won't be much which is kind of my point. 4x4 footprints and generally no bigger than larger cars so hate for 4x4s as they take up parking room is daft.
Click to expand...

To be honest, it's usually the way they're "parked" - more like lobbed at the space (and those adjacent). I can see where he's coming from.
 
So far ...

Previa - too old, too ugly
C8 - very pretty, but out of our price range
806 - too boxy
Sedona - tempting, big engine but only 6 seats, 7 would be preferable
V220 - after looking last week, they're all suddenly out of our price range
Zafira - looks to be the best bet so far
Espace - absolutely huge, turning circle similar to the QE2

The hunt continues.
 
My dad is looking for an auto diesel as a mobility car that is also 'high' up.

He fell in love with the volvo xc70 (i think thats right) but they dont do it on mobility so hes scouting for something simular atm.
 
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