With having 3 kids all in booster / baby seats we need a car that allows us to get the 3 seats across the back.
Herself doesn't fancy a real big wagon like a Galaxy etc and so the smax seems like a decent solution.
However, I am a bit worried about the reliability issues that google searches bring up, but perhaps these issues relate to older models (I'm looking at a 2011).
Anyone have any comments to make about the smax, or even any alternatives?
In the same situation myself with three in child seats. Looked at a fair amount of 7 seaters and was tempted by the S Max but fuel economy was poor. Local car dealer gave me an S Max for the day and was only getting about 35-38mpg. Read about the Peugeot 5008 and ended up getting that. So far really happy. Smallish engine at 1.6 but doing 48mpg and has ample power. Got a 2011 model so it has rear parking assist, bluetooth and a few other extras that the 2010 model doesn't have. Loads of room in the back, can fit three full sized car seats across the second row. Can't imagine ever using the two rear seats but they fold down and there is plenty of room for push chairs, etc.
In the same position ourselves. So far have only looked at the Sharan and Touran with one a little too big and the other feels very cramped. Need something to take three child seats comfortably and economical for frequent long runs as well as around town. Parking sensors are probably a must considering wife's less that perfect track record. I like the look of the Zafira, anyone tried one of these?
http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=20878.0
We bought a 2011 Seat Alhambra in Jan, its a new model last year and the same car as the Volkswagen but there is a fair saving on the badge. So far so good. Very high spec with everything you would look for and a great yoke for cruising along in, the sliding back doors are a great job especially for car parks etc. I had the family away on a long spin over the weekend and it returned 54.6 mpg, and that was loaded to the gills with the stuff for the three children. It manages high 40's during the week when herself is driving it on short spins. It doesn't feel that big to drive, although when you see it in a parking space there isnt any spare room.
Quote from: Ulick on March 20, 2012, 08:33:52 AM
In the same position ourselves. So far have only looked at the Sharan and Touran with one a little too big and the other feels very cramped. Need something to take three child seats comfortably and economical for frequent long runs as well as around town. Parking sensors are probably a must considering wife's less that perfect track record. I like the look of the Zafira, anyone tried one of these?
I had a look at a Zafira, and you can't get the 3 seats across the middle row. You would need to use one of the back seats, and then that leaves you with bugger all boot space, plus you have the scary issue (for me anyway) of having a child literally sitting against the back window.
All of them handle badly, but none quite as badly as the smax - avoid like the plague. Had one for a week on rental - longest week of my life.
Quote from: phpearse on March 20, 2012, 08:03:48 AM
In the same situation myself with three in child seats. Looked at a fair amount of 7 seaters and was tempted by the S Max but fuel economy was poor. Local car dealer gave me an S Max for the day and was only getting about 35-38mpg. Read about the Peugeot 5008 and ended up getting that. So far really happy. Smallish engine at 1.6 but doing 48mpg and has ample power. Got a 2011 model so it has rear parking assist, bluetooth and a few other extras that the 2010 model doesn't have. Loads of room in the back, can fit three full sized car seats across the second row. Can't imagine ever using the two rear seats but they fold down and there is plenty of room for push chairs, etc.
Interesting comments phpearse - thanks.
So is the new Peugeot any more reliable than French cars would have a reputation for?
Quote from: Billys Boots on March 20, 2012, 08:53:41 AM
All of them handle badly, but none quite as badly as the smax - avoid like the plague. Had one for a week on rental - longest week of my life.
You sure there wasnt something wrong with it? Pretty much every online review I have read in the past would have the S Max as class leading for ride and handling.
http://yoc.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/s-max-mpv/summary/25567-7/ (http://yoc.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/s-max-mpv/summary/25567-7/)
Quote from: Smokin Joe on March 20, 2012, 08:47:41 AM
Quote from: Ulick on March 20, 2012, 08:33:52 AM
In the same position ourselves. So far have only looked at the Sharan and Touran with one a little too big and the other feels very cramped. Need something to take three child seats comfortably and economical for frequent long runs as well as around town. Parking sensors are probably a must considering wife's less that perfect track record. I like the look of the Zafira, anyone tried one of these?
I had a look at a Zafira, and you can't get the 3 seats across the middle row. You would need to use one of the back seats, and then that leaves you with bugger all boot space, plus you have the scary issue (for me anyway) of having a child literally sitting against the back window.
I had a Zafira on hire some time ago & I wouldn't say it could carry four people comfortably never mind seven. Don't go near one.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 20, 2012, 09:32:59 AM
Quote from: Billys Boots on March 20, 2012, 08:53:41 AM
All of them handle badly, but none quite as badly as the smax - avoid like the plague. Had one for a week on rental - longest week of my life.
You sure there wasnt something wrong with it? Pretty much every online review I have read in the past would have the S Max as class leading for ride and handling.
http://yoc.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/s-max-mpv/summary/25567-7/ (http://yoc.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/s-max-mpv/summary/25567-7/)
Well I suppose it was a rental car - I had a cmax at another time and I didn't like that either; might just be me and fords.
Quote from: Ulick on March 20, 2012, 08:33:52 AM
In the same position ourselves. So far have only looked at the Sharan and Touran with one a little too big and the other feels very cramped. Need something to take three child seats comfortably and economical for frequent long runs as well as around town. Parking sensors are probably a must considering wife's less that perfect track record. I like the look of the Zafira, anyone tried one of these?
Zafira is tight across the back. You can use pop seats in the third row. However you need to put the least-loved kid back there because they are right against the boot door.
/Jim.
Thanks lads, will give the Zafira a miss. Will have a look at the Peugeot and Seat.
Quote from: Smokin Joe on March 20, 2012, 08:57:16 AM
Quote from: phpearse on March 20, 2012, 08:03:48 AM
In the same situation myself with three in child seats. Looked at a fair amount of 7 seaters and was tempted by the S Max but fuel economy was poor. Local car dealer gave me an S Max for the day and was only getting about 35-38mpg. Read about the Peugeot 5008 and ended up getting that. So far really happy. Smallish engine at 1.6 but doing 48mpg and has ample power. Got a 2011 model so it has rear parking assist, bluetooth and a few other extras that the 2010 model doesn't have. Loads of room in the back, can fit three full sized car seats across the second row. Can't imagine ever using the two rear seats but they fold down and there is plenty of room for push chairs, etc.
Interesting comments phpearse - thanks.
So is the new Peugeot any more reliable than French cars would have a reputation for?
Wash your mouth out Smokin'... My wee Peugot 306 had over 190k miles on it when i sold it. Great wee motor!
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on March 20, 2012, 01:31:43 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on March 20, 2012, 08:57:16 AM
Quote from: phpearse on March 20, 2012, 08:03:48 AM
In the same situation myself with three in child seats. Looked at a fair amount of 7 seaters and was tempted by the S Max but fuel economy was poor. Local car dealer gave me an S Max for the day and was only getting about 35-38mpg. Read about the Peugeot 5008 and ended up getting that. So far really happy. Smallish engine at 1.6 but doing 48mpg and has ample power. Got a 2011 model so it has rear parking assist, bluetooth and a few other extras that the 2010 model doesn't have. Loads of room in the back, can fit three full sized car seats across the second row. Can't imagine ever using the two rear seats but they fold down and there is plenty of room for push chairs, etc.
Interesting comments phpearse - thanks.
So is the new Peugeot any more reliable than French cars would have a reputation for?
Wash your mouth out Smokin'... My wee Peugot 306 had over 190k miles on it when i sold it. Great wee motor!
Here, here Goats, I won't have a word against the Peugeot cars circa 1996 onwards. Drive all day and parts cheap as chips. 406 with 185k on it and run for another 100k if I want, great donkey of a machine!
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on March 20, 2012, 01:31:43 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on March 20, 2012, 08:57:16 AM
Quote from: phpearse on March 20, 2012, 08:03:48 AM
In the same situation myself with three in child seats. Looked at a fair amount of 7 seaters and was tempted by the S Max but fuel economy was poor. Local car dealer gave me an S Max for the day and was only getting about 35-38mpg. Read about the Peugeot 5008 and ended up getting that. So far really happy. Smallish engine at 1.6 but doing 48mpg and has ample power. Got a 2011 model so it has rear parking assist, bluetooth and a few other extras that the 2010 model doesn't have. Loads of room in the back, can fit three full sized car seats across the second row. Can't imagine ever using the two rear seats but they fold down and there is plenty of room for push chairs, etc.
Interesting comments phpearse - thanks.
So is the new Peugeot any more reliable than French cars would have a reputation for?
Wash your mouth out Smokin'... My wee Peugot 306 had over 190k miles on it when i sold it. Great wee motor!
I always thought it was the number plate that carried your yoke ;D
So you wouldn't put a man off the notion of a Pug then?
What about the Touran, any experience of those?
Quote from: NAG1 on March 20, 2012, 02:15:02 PM
What about the Touran, any experience of those?
The missus has ruled that out due to its shape :(
Quote from: Ulick on March 20, 2012, 10:54:56 AM
Thanks lads, will give the Zafira a miss. Will have a look at the Peugeot and Seat.
Ulick we have the Zafira and although grand it is slightly on the small end of the MPV range.
Like everything you shop according to budget and if I was trading it in I'd be seriously looking at the new Alhambra. As the Derryman above says, good solid car with a high spec.
I got a Feb 2011 Peugeot 5008 for a bit less than £14,000 with 15K miles. Very happy with it so far.
This thread has certainly put me off the SMax notion.
Alhambra and 5008 certainly seem to be Top of the GaaBoard Pops for MPVs.
Quote from: Smokin Joe on March 20, 2012, 08:32:35 PM
This thread has certainly put me off the SMax notion.
Alhambra and 5008 certainly seem to be Top of the GaaBoard Pops for MPVs.
Still not sure why you are put off the S Max. It has a reputation of being the most "car like" MPV on the market. The S Max v Alhambra review below might help.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/270202/seat_alhambra_vs_ford_smax.html (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/270202/seat_alhambra_vs_ford_smax.html)
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 20, 2012, 08:40:47 PM
Still not sure why you are put off the S Max. It has a reputation of being the most "car like" MPV on the market. The S Max v Alhambra review below might help.
There seems to be seriously bad reviews floating about the web in relation to build quality, faults and lack of service from Ford and I have heard a number of people saying that the fuel economy of the SMax is not great.
If I'm going to be spending £17k on a car I can't hand the money over with those niggles in my head.
Ahh, it's doing my head in.
The Alhambra is probably too big for both what we need and what the missus would feel comfortable driving and parking around town in.
I think I am definitely drawn more to the SMax / 5008 type large cars as opposed to boxy MPVs.
I know 2 lads with an S-Max and both have given a lot of bother....head gasket went on one, clutch went on the other and both had low miles on the clock.
I've got an espace...avoid like the plague, too many reasons to go into.
I used to have a Volvo XC90, deadly yoke....about 35mpg, plenty of space and comfortable with a built in booster seat. Parts pricey though in saying that it rarely needed anything.
Sharans and Alhambras (Sharan has built in booster seat, not sure about Alhambra) seem to be the best out there, though if you can stretch the Audi Q7 is some article. My cousin has one and I only wish I could afford one.
There's very few mpvs that have space for the full 3 seats across the one row. From what I can tell you have to go for the bigger type motors like the Sharan or Volvo.
There's an avensis verso and corrolla verso that are both supposed to be very good but I've never been near on, though I'd guess they'd be narrow enough too.