Looking for my mum's next motor...

[danzooo]

Since my mum's 2007 '57 Vauxhall Zafira CDTi 150 SRI has had its annoying engine fault again (clogged up with soot/carbon etc due to short journeys), my dad and I have taken it upon ourselves to find her a new car seeing as this one's warranty will run out in September this year.

She definitely wants something of the 7-seat "small MPV" market (i.e. Ford S-Max as opposed to Galaxy) because she likes the space, the practicality and the fact that she has 3 wee kiddies (including me ), she also likes the high up driving postion. It also must be petrol to alleviate this engine fault. She is leaning towards another Zafira SRI because she likes the sporty looks and the TCS for the snow with the 1.8 petrol, and we found a 59 plate one in bright red with the optional VXR Styling Pack that looks the boobies, which we'll probably end up going for, but we're looking at alternatives; including the "Elite" model of Zafira, but that doesn't come with traction control unless you get the 2.2 or the 2.0 turbo which my mum doesn't want because the fuel economy will be rubbish rolleyes neither does it look "sporty" (although it does have full leather, heated seats, cruise control, auto wipers/lights, mp3 cd...)

She originally wanted a Ford Kuga, but they don't have 7 seats and they're in the £20k region even for used ones. We even considered the new Renault Grand Scenic with the 1.4 turbo but she didn't like that either once she seen it in the flesh :@. [img

Anyone else got any thoughts? I mean the red Zaf we found for her looks brilliant but I've never liked the idea of replacing your car with another model the same...

[Vtec,]

VW Touran sport

[syko2006]

That's a very nice Zafira there! If she doesn't think of anything else, she should definitely get that!

How about a Toyota Rav4? I'm not sure if it has 7 seats, but you said she likes the space and being high up, and that generally is spacious and high up. They're nice looking cars too!



Or maybe a Mercedes ML350/320? I'm not sure how much you've got to spend but you might be able to pick up one cheapish. Not only that, if you do have a large budget you could even get an ML63 AMG which is pretttttty sporty and beautiful!

ML350:



ML63 AMG:



Good luck finding the right thing!

[tdi]

touran, do it

[Gibs960]

What about a Renault Scenic?


Might not be seven seats but its a good car

[kuzkasate]

What about a Toyota Verso MPV?

[danzooo]

What about a Toyota Verso MPV?

We actually looked into one of these aswell, however they're quite bland. And damn expensive too! They are just out so I suppose that's why.

I've also mentioned the Touran and I was met with a host of screwed up faces. There's just no pleasing some people.
By the way, the budget is about £14k, i.e. we're looking for a cost to change of about £4k as we're expecting about 8 for the Zafira we have the now.

[kuzkasate]

We actually looked into one of these aswell, however they're quite bland. And damn expensive too! They are just out so I suppose that's why.

I've also mentioned the Touran and I was met with a host of screwed up faces. There's just no pleasing some people.
By the way, the budget is about £14k, i.e. we're looking for a cost to change of about £4k as we're expecting about 8 for the Zafira we have the now.

Verso is amazing tho suites your description too! Looks lush for a 7 seater

[Metric1]

I don't live in the UK but somebody suggested a Rav4. I have driven a Rav4 before and I enjoyed it. You can get it with a 3rd row and an optional V6 over here. We have a Toyota Highlander and the office and a new Sienna on the way, I can't wait!

We ordered a 2011 Sienna XLE Limited AWD V6 to replace our 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring.

[Starburst..x]

You also have the Chrysler Grand Voyager
Not sure what they are like generally, but they seem to be quite popular and Chrysler/Jeep are pretty reliable