After our gearbox woes we are looking at the option of changing the car [VW Sharan 7 seater] for another 6/7 seater.
We have a loan on our Sharan so this will be an extra expence so we're not looking to borrow much more than 10k which with the px should give us
a budget of 14ish k to spend. Also looking for a 1 -2 year old car.
We like the bigger type but interested in the Zafera so any suuestions please feel free 
btw...no Kia!
My parents have a VW Touran. Bought when they retired, and pretty good all rounder. Not much bigger than a Golf / Passat, and as easy to park, but
has 2 seats in the front, 3 in the middle and 2 in the back. No sliding doors like the Galaxy / Sharon thing, but all the back seats are individual,
and can be removed / folded in a seemingly infinite number of combinations.
They've had it 3 years from new, only faults have been replace drivers door loom (under warrantee) and flat batteries (doesn't like being
left behind when they go on extended holidays).
Other than that, it's quite good, with a 1.6 litre petrol engine and a 6 speed gearbox. It's never going to break the landspeed record, but
returns pretty good mileage on a motorway run, even 7 up!
HTH
Mike
My uncle had a lot of issues with the sharan, I can't remember exactly what went wrong but that said he was a bit unlucky with cars...
I test drove the ford s-max when it came out and it was very good in 2.0d form, the only issue is with the back seats up the boot space is limited.
In the end i went for a bmw 320d though. Now two years in the novelty of shiny expensive car has worn off and am thinking of flogging it and going
for a 3 year old focus estate and saving myself £300 a month...
How about a kia? Nice long warrenty and not bad looking 
Funnily enough i'm right off VW and it's a big no to the Kia as it's one fugly dude of a car!
toyota previa i say.
oh and the mechanic who tested my car yesterday used to work for Kia and he said that the V6 had an inherent problem where it ate itself after 80,000
miles and they had to use a new block and rebuild the engine!! Guess which petrol engine the Kia 7 seater uses......yep the V6.
Really don't want a deisel either, unless it's got a wacking great turbo on it!!
To buy anything but a diesel in an MPV is madness.
KIA 2.8 turbo diesel goes very nicely.
Remember that road tax on MPV's is likely to follow 4x4's. But if you want one buy the original and still the best, the Renault Espace. Also worth a look with a good price, because it has not got a trendy badge, but still a good car, is the Seat Alhambra. Type it into Google, lots of road test reports. Kia have a high depreciation.
Seat Alhambra and Ford Galaxy = VW Sharan. Some differences but basically the same vehicle.
quote:
Originally posted by LBMEFM
But if you want one buy the original and still the best, the Renault Espace.
Let me know if ya want a look at me Mazda 5 matey, I like ours, tidy cabin, not to flash but can have all the toys,Rear sliding doors so no kids
mistakes in the car parks, tyre wear can be a problem, we needed 4 new ones after a year but found the preasures all were 10lb too low so might have
explained it. Last tank of fuel about £50 got us 300miles with a 2.0 petrol, so maybe a turbo diesel would be a better option
Jason
I bought a Grand Espace Dynamique 2.0Dci 150 about 3 weeks ago.
Bought for several reasons - needed more space primarily, but also wanted far cheaper runing costs, and a manufacturers warranty. And if safety's
a concern, it's 5 * Euro NCAP
The KIA is bacically a Voyager - 2 * Euro!!!!! and (I'm guseeing, but) the 2.8 will see you screwed on RFL from next year
So far, very pleased. No, it's not quick but it's comfortable and light (compared to the ZT which was slightly claustrophic in comparison).
We have the Comfort Pack, which is Renault Keycard, decent stereo and full glass (electric) sunroof. I've sat in the front two rows of seats and
they're comfy (me nearly 6', 15+ stone).
Consumption wise, I'm getting 29 locally - cold weather/cold starts and 3 mile journey and on a run over 40mpg.
Review here
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/renault/grand-espace-2003.aspx
If you want, I'll post some pics
Re the Vauxhall, we borrowed one about 3 year ago, and it was quite possibly the worst car I've ever driven
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 24/3/08 by Simon]
Beware turbo problems on Renault diesel. To avoid problems change oil early and use fully synthetic oil otherwise they tend to go before 80,000 miles - heard of one as low as 40,000 miles.
I was going to say that I hardly do any mileage - about 7000 pa, but I've done over 800 in 3 weeks
I still doubt I'll get close to having worries about turbo going pop, and if it does, Renault will be picking up the bill
Saying that, I''ve yet to have a look at my first diesel engine, so may check the oil this weekend.
ATB
Simon