8/9 seater MPV's

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 10:46

Quite possibly the most boring post ever on this forum, but can anyone suggest any 8/9 seater MPV's? Due to impending family expansion our current Chrysler Grand Voyager (7 seater) no longer cuts it and we need something bigger :eek:

So far we've looked at the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle and we're due to take a look at the Mercedes Vito, but can anyone suggest some others?

Told you it was boring.

[TW]Fox · 12 Apr 2008 at 10:47

Ford Transit Minibus. Then get the NHS to take a photograph for use in pamphlets on why family planning is important

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 10:53

[TW]Fox;11483813 said:
Then get the NHS to take a photograph for use in pamphlets on why family planning is important

Alas it's not just the requirement to carry kids, but also parents/inlaws. I suggested a trailer but that didn't go down well.

It's quite something when you have to go a commercial van dealership for your next family car.

richolmes72 · 12 Apr 2008 at 10:59

Can you not get the Chrysler Grand Voyager with 2 benches to make it an 8 seater?

Alternatively if you're willing to contemplate a new car, I read a review of a new 8 seater Hyundai which they seemed to like.

Some Previa's are 8 seaters, usually the Jap import ones.

Other than that, 8 seaters are quite rare, and none will be quite as big as the grand voyager.

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:04

Thanks Ric, I don't think there's an option for a middle bench on the Grand Voyager due to the middle seats being "stow and go" (what I like to think of as the car equivalent of the smugglers compartments on the Millenium Falcon).

I'll take a look at that Hyundia and the Toyota. Looks like there's a Ford Tourneo as well - basically a Transit though.

theNude · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:06

Buy a used limo.

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:07

theDude said:
Buy a used limo.

Funnily enough was just discussing that with the missus

richolmes72 · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:17

voodooflux said:
Thanks Ric, I don't think there's an option for a middle bench on the Grand Voyager due to the middle seats being "stow and go" (what I like to think of as the car equivalent of the smugglers compartments on the Millenium Falcon).

I'll take a look at that Hyundia and the Toyota. Looks like there's a Ford Tourneo as well - basically a Transit though.

Lol - I remember being shown the under floor compartment on the Grand Voyager - it's vast!

The Toyota is called the Previa in the UK, but the import is known as the Estima, the import versions normally have 8 seats. They're a bit smaller than the Grand Voyager but better to drive imo.

I believe there's also some Land Cruisers that have 8 seats but interior space will be sacrificed for Off-Road ability on these.

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:25

richolmes72 said:
Lol - I remember being shown the under floor compartment on the Grand Voyager - it's vast!.

Yeah, I reckon we could fit some kids in there actually!

richolmes72 said:
The Toyota is called the Previa in the UK, but the import is known as the Estima, the import versions normally have 8 seats. They're a bit smaller than the Grand Voyager but better to drive imo.

Cheers - I'll look in to that. Think a friend of ours had an older import Previa for a while. I've actually been impressed with our 06 Voyager - much nicer to drive than the old V plate we had.

richolmes72 said:
I believe there's also some Land Cruisers that have 8 seats but interior space will be sacrificed for Off-Road ability on these.

Just looking at those at the moment - they look appealing as they're not "van-like". The rear view parking camera would also be handy for the missus, given the parking "incident" that happened with our Grand Voyager last week.

DreXeL · 12 Apr 2008 at 11:52

Currently on my second Estima now, I originally had a first gen 2.2TD and it never let me down. I then upgraded to my current one, a second generation model (2.4 vvti). Both have 8 seats, loads of toys, and lots of room inside. They aren't like a galaxy/sharan etc where there's no boot to speak of when you have 8 seats, in the Estima there are 8 seats and a usable boot space.

The first gen was a bit agricutural to drive, but my current one is much better and very 'car like' to drive. The engine is responsive with nice low down torque, and it doesn't feel like it's going to fall off the road when you go round corners either. It's very comfortable too.

The interior is typically Japanese, it's well screwed together and everything is where you need it to be, but it's a bit plasticky.

Mine also looks pimp

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:00

Thanks DreXel, that looks really interesting...

DreXeL said:
in the Estima there are 8 seats and a usable boot space.

That was pretty much the reason why we originally went for the Chysler over something like a Galaxy - I can't understand why manufacturers of MPV's seem to assume that when you carry more people you need less boot space.

DreXeL said:
and it doesn't feel like it's going to fall off the road when you go round corners either

Which is nice

DreXeL said:
Mine also looks pimp

It does indeed! Saw some pimped Merc Vito's in Finland last Christmas - they looked the business.

Right, off to find a local Toyota dealer...

K.C. Leblanc · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:02

Have a look here http://www.minibuses4u.co.uk/

wesley · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:06

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/enterprisecars/

not far from my house

DreXeL · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:17

voodooflux said:
That was pretty much the reason why we originally went for the Chysler over something like a Galaxy - I can't understand why manufacturers of MPV's seem to assume that when you carry more people you need less boot space.

To be honest I don't think the Estima is any larger than a voyager in that respect, it may actually be a little smaller. It is a genuine 8 seater though.

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:19

DreXeL said:
To be honest I don't think the Estima is any larger than a voyager in that respect, it may actually be a little smaller. It is a genuine 8 seater though.

Sounds spot-on to be honest - we basically just want something "Voyager-like" with the extra seat(s) while not losing any boot space.

dilated · 12 Apr 2008 at 12:32

The Vito Mercs arent too bnad to drive.

Also (and dont laugh) we have a Vauxhall vivaro van at work which drives very well for a van and I m sure there is a mini bus version that has a good spec for the money.

richolmes72 · 12 Apr 2008 at 14:26

DreXeL said:
To be honest I don't think the Estima is any larger than a voyager in that respect, it may actually be a little smaller. It is a genuine 8 seater though.

Agreed. I have driven numerous 06 plate Voyagers and Previas. The previa is definitely smaller, the grand voyager really is vast. Even though performance on paper is similar, the previa feels much more nimble and willing.

With the exception of the Ford S-max (which is a bit small) the previa is probably the nicest MPV to drive in my opinion (and i've driven most)

Zip · 12 Apr 2008 at 16:43

Such a shame you dont get the Honda Odyssey over there.

They are such a damm find looking MPV :cool:

BTW Get a Land Cruiser Troop Carrier, You can fit 11 people and a **** load of luggage at the same time

voodooflux · 12 Apr 2008 at 17:04

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions chaps - much appreciated.

tigerstyle · 12 Apr 2008 at 17:38

Zip said:
Such a shame you dont get the Honda Odyssey over there.

They are such a damm find looking MPV

Isn't that a 7 seater? But indeed smooth looking car, and love the TV adds for it!

can't find the sniff petrol Voyager advert I was looking for!

8/9 seater MPV's

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