Cheaper Alternatives To Galaxy/sharan/alhambra?

[markie]

This weekend have spent many hours on the internet looking for advice on a new car for the wife . I have a Seat Alhambra 1.9 DTi, which I love, but cannot afford another one for the Mrs (not a new or nearly new one) !

 

She would like a people carrier (ideally 7 seats but not essential), probably a bit smaller than the galaxy. Budget max about

Edited July 14, 2008 by markie

[Mirez]

I have a touran from the local VW dealer as a courtesy car and dispite being the basic of basic models its actually pretty nice, I'm not sure how comfortable the rear two passengers would be though - its not exactly a full size people carrier but certainly a solid comfy drive. The other alternative is the S-Max, now I've only driven one once but it was a cracker of a car - we contemplated one instead of the galaxy but extra size of the galaxy was the winner...

[TimsBamma]

Fiat Multipla, Honda FR-V - 6 Seaters

 

VW Touran, Toyota Corolla Verso, Ford S-Max, Mazda 5, Renault Grand Scenic

 

Happy Hunting

[Gabby]

Hey,

 

Once you had a Ford you cannot go down and buy Citroen or Vauxhall/Opel, as the previous posts I suggest Mazda or VW ...

 

just my humble opinion :lol:

 

 

Best Regards,

Gabby

[seatkid]

I have a Seat Alhambra 1.9 DTi, which I love, but cannot afford another one for the Mrs (not a new or nearly new one) !

Simple.....give her yours. Surely you love your wife more than your car? :lol:

Edited July 29, 2008 by seatkid

[f0ster]

I have a Seat Alhambra 1.9 DTi, which I love, but cannot afford another one for the Mrs (not a new or nearly new one) !

Simple.....give her yours. Surely you love your wife more than your car? :wacko:

 

I have worked at a kia /mazda dealership for many years, (but not now)the kia sedona is an excellent product, lots people would not entertain a kia on their drive but they are excellent value for money, and they have a whopping 2.9 turbo diesel, and you can usually get the best part of 40mpg,

[Galactic Ales]

I've been using Zafira for last 5 years. All that time I thought I have a good car until I bought Galaxy. Now I don't recommend Zafira for many reasons:

- problems with electric windows

- two problems with aircon compressor in 5 years

- 6-7th seat only for children

- 3-5th seat in one piece, can not be removed separately

[Phil Neal]

I have worked at a kia /mazda dealership for many years, (but not now)the kia sedona is an excellent product, lots people would not entertain a kia on their drive but they are excellent value for money, and they have a whopping 2.9 turbo diesel, and you can usually get the best part of 40mpg,

we had a sedona as a hirecar in the states, we were very impressed- it was a v6 petrol though - very smooth, loads of room

[galaxy20]

The previa's are nice, but make sure you go for the UK model not an import, the import spec is usually better, but i have never had any good experiences with imports.

[Beyond Help?]

If you look around you can find a 3 year old diesel Sharan Sport for 10K. Mileage may be about 70 - 80k but if serviced on time that is nothing at all.

 

Much much more car for your money than a new

[Kieran McCarthy]

So do we have a complete list of all competitors and definitive reasons why Shalaxy is best?

 

Voyager: poor fuel economy, tax on large engines, drives like a barge.

 

Espace/ Grand Espace:

 

Zafira: Too small, back seats tiny, middle bench inflexible.

 

Previa:

 

Galaxy MK 3: Rattles from overhead bins, flimsy seats, no access to rear row from boot, raised floor when all seats down.

 

C8/ 806/ Ulysse:

 

Sedona: KIA badge, tax on large engines

 

Hyundai Trajet:

 

S-Max:

 

Avensis Verso:

 

Multipla:

 

FR-V:

 

Grand Scenic:

 

Mazda 5:

 

Touran: Back seats too small.

 

 

When I was purchasing what swayed me was perceived reliability (how wrong was I?), space and a nice drive. I think the Galaxy MKII still has it over the competition in certain areas. Can someone fill in the good and bad points of the above list?

[fedupwithjunk]

Looking to replace my Gal now and have tried just about everything.

Compared to tdi gal the voyager / espace / sedona have crap mpg (experienced it myself so I don't know how some people are measuring theirs) and wallow across the road especially at speed.

Had 2 experiences of electrical failure with zafiras. seats feel like wooden benches

Father in law has a Touran which is fine - good drive and mpg, but like most other mid size mpv the seats are nothing like as comfy as the Gal and has no spare wheel or even a boot when 7 seats are up.

A chap down the road has a new citroen grand picasso and absolutley loves it. I test drove one and it wasn't as tacky as I expected it to be. Again the seats are not as good but do the clever folding thing.

Gall III seems small in comparison, seat height a disapointment and I don't think I can stick 2-3 mountain bikes in the back for weekends away.

Hopefully trying a S-max this week - not got the space but apparently is the best mpv to drive and unlike a lot of the competition it looks pretty smart. Good MPG, good reviews, less tax and more 21st century... I just hope it lives up to my expectations

 

Forgot to mention, just spent the summer in Oz driving a Previa - huge, loads of space, suspension seemed soft and seats looked like they would be uncomfortable but nobody moaned about the ride over 4 weeks. Petrol version so mpg was crap - a friend has a avensis verso (ugly in and out) diesel and gets over 50mpg so theres hope for the oil burner. Only problem is they don't sell the thing in the Uk anymore and I am wary of the clocked imports.

Edited November 8, 2008 by fedupwithjunk

[fedupwithjunk]

Drove the S-max 2.0 TDCi zetec today and it ticked all the boxes. Smooth, quiet and somehow not as "rolly" as the Gal without giving a harder ride. Performance is way up, I was breaking the speed limit before I even glanced at the speedo. 5 of the seats are very comfortable but had that "sporty" feel. I don't know how this will feel on long journeys compared to the Gals armchairs. The back row is hard and really only suitable for kids because of a lower roof height and the roof slopes down. There is no lip to the loading area which is quite low and looks well designed - only a few seconds to folds seats down and there is a great big flat load space which maybe bigger than the gal (but definately lacks height -the S-max is 127mm longer and 12mm wider but 120mm lower)

 

Overall it does feel more sporty and modern but the wife said immediately "it feels low". (probably have to look at a Hummer then? ;) )

[mzokk]

I've looked at both the new Galaxy and the S Max as a replacement for my 2005 model. While the fold down seats are convenient they eat too much into cabin space especially if you carry bicycles in the car!

[suzuki91]

looks like the best option is a used mk11 and save some money for any future repairs needed?

[Emily's dad]

We replaced our Alhambra for a Mazda 5 and cannot fault it.

 

It's only really a 6 + 1 and not a full seven seater as the centre seat in the 2nd row is tiny, and is designed to fold away.

 

I cannot fault it though and would not go back, the sliding rear doors are so much more useful in tight parking spaces when putting the kids in car seats.

Edited March 6, 2009 by Emily's dad