7 Seaters
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From: Chester
7 Seaters
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
S2000, GT86, Avensis and now a big red fun bus of some sort. With the horde we have now we need something that can take all of us so looking at 7 seaters. We regularly need 5 seats. With all of them young and still in child seats that’s actually quite difficult. Very few cars take 3 across the back. We also have a semi-regular need for the two extras. Picking up family from the airport or similar can end up quite complicated if you have to leave kids with a babysitter whilst you do it.
With this in mind ive been looking around at them. Citroen grand Picasso’s get good reviews but I can’t bear a Citroen. Most Big SUVs have 7 seats but don’t do 3 across the second row.
Leading contender after an overnight test drive
ta ta da - the Seat Alhambra. Big, solid, feels good to be in, significantly cheaper than its twin the VW sharan. Masses of room for stuff even with all the pushchairs and parafanalia we need with the twins.
Still a few I need to have a think about. Ford Galaxy (same car up until the current generation) need a sense check but feeling the vibes from the seat rather than the ford.
Skoda Kodiaq showed promise. Ok suv but sensible pricing for it. Fell out of favour since only 2 child seats in second row.
Sad finding such enthusiasm for this type of car but I’m starting to dig pure function these days
S2000, GT86, Avensis and now a big red fun bus of some sort. With the horde we have now we need something that can take all of us so looking at 7 seaters. We regularly need 5 seats. With all of them young and still in child seats that’s actually quite difficult. Very few cars take 3 across the back. We also have a semi-regular need for the two extras. Picking up family from the airport or similar can end up quite complicated if you have to leave kids with a babysitter whilst you do it.
With this in mind ive been looking around at them. Citroen grand Picasso’s get good reviews but I can’t bear a Citroen. Most Big SUVs have 7 seats but don’t do 3 across the second row.
Leading contender after an overnight test drive
ta ta da - the Seat Alhambra. Big, solid, feels good to be in, significantly cheaper than its twin the VW sharan. Masses of room for stuff even with all the pushchairs and parafanalia we need with the twins.
Still a few I need to have a think about. Ford Galaxy (same car up until the current generation) need a sense check but feeling the vibes from the seat rather than the ford.
Skoda Kodiaq showed promise. Ok suv but sensible pricing for it. Fell out of favour since only 2 child seats in second row.
Sad finding such enthusiasm for this type of car but I’m starting to dig pure function these days
Joined: Jun 2009
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Alhambras are nice enough and crucially, not awful to drive. With the spare change, maybe you can buy a weekend toy just to keep you sane. Can't see the point in spending a fortune ( have you seen the 2nd hand prices of VW T5 / Merc Vito lol) on what is going to get covered in sticky paw marks and ruined inside and out.
Please never mention ownership of an Offensive ever again
Please never mention ownership of an Offensive ever again
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lincolnshire Wolds
Went through the same thing when we came back from our time in Barbados with our 2 rescued dogs.Needed a small estate,economical with a big load capacity to accomodate the dogs. Short listed the Hyundai i40 and Civic Tourer, both a bit different to MR2,Westfield. A4, SLK, S2000. But infinitely more practical and functional.
Finally decided on the Civic in 1.6 T Diesel form which does what it says on the box.
I now get my Petrol Head kicks vicariously on forums such as this.
Finally decided on the Civic in 1.6 T Diesel form which does what it says on the box.
I now get my Petrol Head kicks vicariously on forums such as this.
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From: Stanmore
My brother got great use out of an old Ford Galaxy (51 plate same as the Sharan in those days). Flexible seating was great and it was never washed/cleaned/looked after properly. Easy to clean children's bodily fluids/spillages etc from it, too. It survived long trips to the Alps/South of France for holidays and did them very well as the children could be separated!
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Bournemouth
Smax if you wan't something a little smaller than the Galaxy and Alhambra/Sharon. The VW touran is smaller still.
The smax with the 2.5 turbo engine from the ST might get the blood boiling a little....thirsty it is.
Q7 for top Chelsea driving...
The smax with the 2.5 turbo engine from the ST might get the blood boiling a little....thirsty it is.
Q7 for top Chelsea driving...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Chester
Alhambras are nice enough and crucially, not awful to drive. With the spare change, maybe you can buy a weekend toy just to keep you sane. Can't see the point in spending a fortune ( have you seen the 2nd hand prices of VW T5 / Merc Vito lol) on what is going to get covered in sticky paw marks and ruined inside and out.
Please never mention ownership of an Offensive ever again
Please never mention ownership of an Offensive ever again
Unfortunately all spare monies are going into project kitchen/extension at the moment
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From: Chester
[left]
I’ve plenty of car mags to catch up on to get my kicks along side here
In an attempt to make it sound sexy I’m comparing it to an A10 Warthog. Not pretty but brutally effective at one thing. In this case transporting kids and associated paraphernalia
Went through the same thing when we came back from our time in Barbados with our 2 rescued dogs.Needed a small estate,economical with a big load capacity to accomodate the dogs. Short listed the Hyundai i40 and Civic Tourer, both a bit different to MR2,Westfield. A4, SLK, S2000. But infinitely more practical and functional.
Finally decided on the Civic in 1.6 T Diesel form which does what it says on the box.
I now get my Petrol Head kicks vicariously on forums such as this.
Finally decided on the Civic in 1.6 T Diesel form which does what it says on the box.
I now get my Petrol Head kicks vicariously on forums such as this.
In an attempt to make it sound sexy I’m comparing it to an A10 Warthog. Not pretty but brutally effective at one thing. In this case transporting kids and associated paraphernalia
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14,273
Likes: 2
From: Chester
My brother got great use out of an old Ford Galaxy (51 plate same as the Sharan in those days). Flexible seating was great and it was never washed/cleaned/looked after properly. Easy to clean children's bodily fluids/spillages etc from it, too. It survived long trips to the Alps/South of France for holidays and did them very well as the children could be separated!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Chester
