MPV advice

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22 Aug 2003
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I am looking to buy an MPV 'Mumsy car'. I have 3 little ones and as such need to transport a baby seat, a booster seat and still have room for a third in comfort. It is surprising that a number of cars now have two bucket seats with the middle seat being only an occasional seat.

I am looking to spend upto £2.5k and have short-listed the following...
Citroen Picasso
Renault Vel Satis
Mazda Premacy

As I do low miles around town and a few short motorway journeys Im thinking that I could save some money by avoiding a diesel and a 2 litre engine in this market would probably be a good value buy.

The Citroen seems to quite low quality with the interior showing signs of ageing on even lower mileage cars. On the plus point I have seen a high spec model with leather and auto box and it is a nice cruiser.

The Renault is more of a mini BMW 5GT than an MPV but fits the bill in terms of interior room and is again a nice place to sit.

I think that the Mazda is more of a safe sensible choice, and as far as cars like this go they do look good with their body kit and one would expect the usual japanese quality.

For those who have not yet fell asleep, does anyone know anything about these cars and can help tell me what to look for or avoid? cheers.
 
VFM Addict said:
Funny how one set or requirements throws up three vehicles which would never bear comparison under any other circumstances. I agree in the main with Fox except that the diesel engines in the Picasso are at least very robust although they drive like a dog.
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They do all have 3 full sized rear seats and are not 'too big' like some of the other larger people luggers.
 
I have owned a 607 which was as reliable as the many Hondas I have owned over the years. It seems that the Vel Satis is not so far apart from the big old Pug?

One one mentions the Mazda, Im thinking I can live without the toys if the payoff means that I wont be on first name terms with the aa patrol man.
 
Just as an update, I have found a 3.5 Vel Satis for sale locally. Its an 03, done just over 36,000 miles and has been owned after by a freind of a freinds retired relative since new. Its one of these cars that has every receipt for tyres, services etc and is mint. He has been offered £2,600 on a trade in for a hyundai 4x4 so its a real bargain.

Even though Im only doing circa 10k a year in my new job I was still looking at a diesel, but I am convincing myself this is a good buy as its cheap, there is no expensive particle filter, chain engine. Even though it is ugly, it is a lot better than anything for simlar money.

All of the above will help cushion the transition from 1.9 devils fuel to 3.5 petrol. Anyone help convince me or otherwise?
 
The Renault is a marmite car if ever there was one and even though I agree that it is ugly, at the same time it does have a real presence. The noise from the v6 and the fact that it looks good from the drivers seat should keep me happy.

I didnt see one picasso over 5 years old that didnt have sorry looking interiors, a little thing in the scheme of it. The mazda actually looks ok for an mpv but feels very 90s inside.

There is a small part of me saying, no not another big french barge and another saying 1.26+ per litre and v6 will be expensive but overall it is a lot of car for the money.
 
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