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7 Seat Cars?
pdw709 - 20/1/07 at 08:23 PM

My wife's expecting our 3rd child next month and I'm looking to buy a new car which will have to have 7 seats......the problem is I hate MPVs!

I'm considering an Audi A6 2.5 TDi with the extra seats in boot, but I'm also considering a 4x4. The Audi would satisfy my lust for a powerful car but would be a bit limited in space, wheras a 4x4 would be much bigger, but slow as a tortoise.

Are there any other options out there?

Cheers

Phil


meany - 20/1/07 at 08:27 PM

just my 2 pence worth.

but would you be happy with anyone, let alone your Kids sat so near to the rear?.

what about ir a rear end shunt happens?


3GEComponents - 20/1/07 at 08:30 PM

I hate MPV's too, or as they're known in our house window licker buses!

We bought a discovery 2 (4ltr V8 on lpg) It's got a 3.5 tonne towing capacity and the towbar would take out 90% of vehicles that run into the back of you!!!

I'd buy another tomorrow.


jonno - 20/1/07 at 08:31 PM

Get something pratical to move people, its cr*p to start with but my 3 kids love the bus (Space wagon).

You've got a toy to cure the need for speed

oh and i hate following people with rear facing seats !!


pdw709 - 20/1/07 at 08:32 PM

Its something I have considered........The seats in the boot would not be used all the time, just on occasions to add flexibility.

However, all 7 seat cars including 4x4's and MPV's tend to have the rear seats in the boot/close to the rear anyway, so I can't see much alternative.

Phil


pdw709 - 20/1/07 at 08:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jroberts

We bought a discovery 2 (4ltr V8 on lpg) It's got a 3.5 tonne towing capacity and the towbar would take out 90% of vehicles that run into the back of you!!!




The 7 Seat Discovery is actually one of the 4x4's I've been considering.........

At the moment I'm kind of swaying towards the A6 now while the kids are young (6 years and less). A bigger 4x4 will obviously be the better bet in the long run when the kids get older and I need more space.........

Thanks for the opinion.

Phil


pdw709 - 20/1/07 at 08:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jroberts
We bought a discovery 2 (4ltr V8 on lpg) It's got a 3.5 tonne towing capacity and the towbar would take out 90% of vehicles that run into the back of you!!!


Incidently, what sort of MPG do you get with the 4ltr V8?


DIY Si - 20/1/07 at 08:48 PM

you could always go for an old 110 landy, enough seats to fit two whole families in! You can also fit so much stuff in it's ridiculous! Also, all the kiddies are sat right in the middle.


macnab - 20/1/07 at 08:49 PM

ohh talk about hitting a sore point

How about a LWB Shogun? A bit heavy again on the gas but really big and comfy inside. I use one off these very regularly, though it's not mine and I have to say I love it Rescued attachment pajero_06.jpg
Rescued attachment pajero_06.jpg


macnab - 20/1/07 at 08:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DIY Si
you could always go for an old 110 landy, enough seats to fit two whole families in! You can also fit so much stuff in it's ridiculous! Also, all the kiddies are sat right in the middle.


Handy since it'll take about that many people to push it home when it breaks down...


DIY Si - 20/1/07 at 08:56 PM

True, but at least you'll get to sit inside steering it!


akumabito - 20/1/07 at 09:18 PM

Fiat Multipla FTW!

It's abrilliant car, although not everybody likes the design...


DIY Si - 20/1/07 at 09:20 PM

quote:

although not everybody likes the design...


Err, are you saying some people actually like the way the damn things look?


arrybradbury - 20/1/07 at 09:41 PM

2 adults + 3 kids = 7 seats......? Am i missing something? Surely a spacious 5 seater will do until the kids get a bit larger!


zetec - 20/1/07 at 10:38 PM

Volvo V70 T5 with extra rear seats. They are rear facing but much more metal between kids and rear than MPV. I didn't fancy a 4x4 when I saw the results on Topgear of a quick lane change and some rolling.


Noodle - 20/1/07 at 10:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by zetec
Volvo V70 T5 with extra rear seats. They are rear facing but much more metal between kids and rear than MPV. I didn't fancy a 4x4 when I saw the results on Topgear of a quick lane change and some rolling.


I've got 3 kids and a 5cyl V70 2.5, leather, climate, built in kiddy seats etc. Mine wheel spins like a bustard, even with a slush box, and in no way compares with the quality of my E34 5 series. The turbo ones are just pointless. Torque steer and wheel spin.

Mate's E-class estate is good and comfy rear occasional seats to AND it's rear-drive.

I had a 7 seat conversion in a Subaru Legacy Turbo, but that was 4wd, so therefore inferior to RWD.

Neil.


macnab - 20/1/07 at 11:33 PM

Quote - Effective crumple zones are for your benefit as well as the guy in the other car as well remember

I don't think anyone questions the importance of crumple zones. What is questionable is the increasing number off vehicles, mostly MPV's that appear to have people seated in these areas.

I am a big believer in the original concept of 3 box design with the boot and bonnet area expendable and have a hard time accepting otherwise when I see recent crash test pictures of passenger cells collapsing.


[Edited on 20/1/07 by macnab]


MikeRJ - 20/1/07 at 11:51 PM

My mum and dad used to cart us around in a mini estate (a woody!) until we grew up a bit, then we had an MG Metro. Never had a larger car than that.

These days seems like every time you take kids out, half the house has to come with them.


macnab - 20/1/07 at 11:57 PM

your right about kids seats in the boot area of 4x4's, a fall back to the old Landy days...

Just don't get one of these pieces off s%4T. It has apparently managed to get the worst score ever in a crash test! aka the Frontera

I think I'd rather take my chances and jump!

[Edited on 20/1/07 by macnab] Rescued attachment worst.jpg
Rescued attachment worst.jpg


macnab - 21/1/07 at 12:05 AM

oh an for those to claim that thats a Isuzu Rodeo, here's a pic of the LWB Frontera doing just as well...

[Edited on 21/1/07 by macnab] Rescued attachment frontera.jpg
Rescued attachment frontera.jpg


macnab - 21/1/07 at 12:14 AM

oh look leg room like easyjet! Rescued attachment crash-test4.jpg
Rescued attachment crash-test4.jpg


macnab - 21/1/07 at 01:13 AM

Hang on it's been challenged by the Chevrolet Aveo now.

What ever happened to computer modelling??? Hmmm

I love the roof, baking foil perhaps?

[Edited on 21/1/07 by macnab] Rescued attachment aveo.jpg
Rescued attachment aveo.jpg


macnab - 21/1/07 at 01:34 AM

ho ho another sturdy 4x4, I love looking at the ncap tests Rescued attachment pinin_2003.jpg
Rescued attachment pinin_2003.jpg


gazza285 - 21/1/07 at 02:24 AM

How about the PSA/Fiat thingy? The Fiat was the Ulysse, or the Citroen Synergie, and I think it was the Pug 806. It was a good van, but I've never driven the civvies versions so can't comment on them. The vans were reliable, comfortable, economical, and slow. Would cruise at 75 easily though.


iank - 21/1/07 at 03:00 AM

quote:
Originally posted by macnab
your right about kids seats in the boot area of 4x4's, a fall back to the old Landy days...

Just don't get one of these pieces off s%4T. It has apparently managed to get the worst score ever in a crash test! aka the Frontera

I think I'd rather take my chances and jump!

[Edited on 20/1/07 by macnab]


That was a 'JiangLing Landwind' a Chinese 4x4 which got a stunning 'zero' for ncap.

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22749-1783784,00.html

Here's a video of it's result of the test

http://www.anwb.nl/published/anwbcms/content/binaire-bestanden/mpg/auto/tests/crashtest-landwind-1-467150.wmv

Did it ever arrive? or did the publicity kill the idea of importing it?


t.j. - 21/1/07 at 08:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by t.j.
quote:
Originally posted by macnab
oh look leg room like easyjet!


BTW that ain't a Frontera but a Chinese Landwind.

It is tested here in Holland, it was used in a war to the cheap chinese cars.

They improved the car with extra strenght by placing one cross-member in the front.
It not fair to test it due it mass.
This car is above 2500 kg permissable weight so should be looked at as a VAN like a mercedes VAN sprinter, VW T5 etc. This means in Europe NO TEST, so why is the landwind is tested????

Let's have a look how MB or VW would do it in the similat tests?

No, i won't buy a Landwind. But it ain't fair how they crack down imported cars just to keep the prices of the european cars high.

[Edited on 21/1/07 by t.j.]


t.j. - 21/1/07 at 08:40 AM

Look on this site to see how the car are doing.

Now i know why rover went to china

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_ratings/details.php?id1=1& id2=11

and the:

http://www.crashtestdb.com/home/main.php

[Edited on 21/1/07 by t.j.]


ricklawn - 21/1/07 at 09:55 AM

we have 3 kids and a big dog. we have a 7 seat nisan patrol and it is great, goes anywhere, big enough to get every thing in. money no object my next choice would be the 7 seat nissan pathfinder (30k ish)


iank - 21/1/07 at 09:57 AM

quote:
Originally posted by t.j.
quote:
Originally posted by t.j.
quote:
Originally posted by macnab
oh look leg room like easyjet!


BTW that ain't a Frontera but a Chinese Landwind.

It is tested here in Holland, it was used in a war to the cheap chinese cars.

They improved the car with extra strenght by placing one cross-member in the front.
It not fair to test it due it mass.
This car is above 2500 kg permissable weight so should be looked at as a VAN like a mercedes VAN sprinter, VW T5 etc. This means in Europe NO TEST, so why is the landwind is tested????

Let's have a look how MB or VW would do it in the similat tests?

No, i won't buy a Landwind. But it ain't fair how they crack down imported cars just to keep the prices of the european cars high.

[Edited on 21/1/07 by t.j.]


I don't see why buying an overweight 4x4 should mean it's ok for a low speed accident to kill you
(equally a van). So I don't buy the 'not fair' argument. If it hadn't been tested they wouldn't have fixed the problem would they.

p.s. Rover didn't 'go to China'. They went bankrupt and the Chinese bought the name, tooling and designs... but I'm sure you knew that


pdw709 - 21/1/07 at 10:30 AM

Thanks for all the advice.....some interesting comments!

Even though I kind of said I did not want an MPV, it did'nt stop people recommending them!

On the point of 7 seats, I know its a bit of overkill given there are only going to be 5 of us, but with modern laws governing booster seats etc and the size of a baby's rear facing travel seat, then even a genuine 5 seater will start to get cramped.

Phil


Schrodinger - 21/1/07 at 11:01 AM

I have a Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun Import) LWB and it has 7 seats all forward facing there is also a reasonable space between the back of the rear seats and the rear of the car.


3GEComponents - 21/1/07 at 11:17 AM

It does about 17 to the gallon, way better than my scooby on a track day

But at 42p a litre who cares! Oh, and it's exempt from the congestion charge in London, as it's a green vehicle, lol


pdw709 - 21/1/07 at 11:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jroberts
It does about 17 to the gallon, way better than my scooby on a track day



Souds great, my only problem is that I live in a rural location and my nearest autogas station is around 30 miles away. If I could get a Duel Fuel type of LPG conversion then at least I could use petrol in an emergancy..........problem is that a brief look on autotrader reveals very few such car available Nationally!

Oh well, I'll keep looking!

Phil


ricklawn - 21/1/07 at 11:48 AM

nissan patrol has all forward faceing seats and returning around 20-26 mpg on normal daily use


Peteff - 21/1/07 at 12:03 PM

Nissan Serena, it's a tarted up van really.


JoelP - 21/1/07 at 12:13 PM

well it seems nothing quite fits the bill. If only you knew a site full of people who build cars, you could design you own?


akumabito - 21/1/07 at 01:14 PM

Locost people mover!


akumabito - 21/1/07 at 02:56 PM

5-seater:



7-seater:



Both are available as hardtop, landaulette or full convertible.

Kit prices 5,000 - 6,000 quid.

http://www.vintageclassics.uk.com/


3GEComponents - 21/1/07 at 06:07 PM

It's fitted with 2 x 40 ltr gas tanks and a 10 gallon petrol tank, it starts on petrol, then kicks over to gas. It can be run on petrol at anytime.

We looked at all the jap 4x4's but the deciding point for us was the cost of spares, just take a look at paddocks.


pdw709 - 21/1/07 at 07:21 PM

How much space do you sacrifice with the LPG Tanks? I gather that for regular cars you can get the LPG tank in a donut shape which takes the place of the spare tyre i.e. under the boot floor. This of course would not be practacle for a Landy!

Thanks for your advice on this, I've been out today looking at Discoveries. I think I'll take a TD5 out for a test drive to see if I can live with the paultry 136BHP! If not then I might have to go the V8/LPG route!

Phil


3GEComponents - 21/1/07 at 09:11 PM

The petrol tank comes out and is replaced by the two lpg tanks in a subframe, with a skid plate over it so i can still off road with confidence!, the petrol tank is a custom made one that fits inside the diverside rear wing.

My sister runs a td5 disco, when she gets to 60, i know my eggs soft boiled

You can't beat a v8 sound track.


ayoungman - 21/1/07 at 09:50 PM

I'e got 4 kids, a landrover lwb series, totally reliable, and proven to be a life saver when t boned by a golf GTi at a junction. My vehicle was vertually undamaged since the other car went underneath my chassis. It however was a writeoff. My kids were completely unharmed. Any other vehicle and it would have been very different. If you value your kids, stick em in a Landrover product.


ayoungman - 21/1/07 at 09:54 PM

I'e got 4 kids, a landrover lwb series, totally reliable, and proven to be a life saver when t boned by a golf GTi at a junction. My vehicle was vertually undamaged since the other car went underneath my chassis. It however was a writeoff. My kids were completely unharmed. Any other vehicle and it would have been very different. If you value your kids, stick em in a Landrover product.


trogdor - 22/1/07 at 09:42 AM

is strange how people constantly need to get bigger cars when they have kids, i know of many people who have brought mpv's etc but i don't understand it, when i was growing up, (not too long ago) all we had was a golf diesel, that was a great car we could fit in it ok and go on long trips camping etc.

its only now that my parents have brought an nissan largo as we are all too big to fit in the back of an normal car there are three of us one 17, me 21 and the other 23

this is only my opinon, my personal preference with kids is to buy the safest car for them, since some of those crash pic's were a little unsettling


Liam - 22/1/07 at 06:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by arrybradbury
2 adults + 3 kids = 7 seats......? Am i missing something? Surely a spacious 5 seater will do until the kids get a bit larger!


Quite.

I dont understand this mpv nonsense either! When we first started going on holiday abroad (driving, ferries etc etc) we had a w-reg astra hatchback for mum and dad and us three kiddies. Upgraded as we grew but the biggest we had was a modern astra estate. Plenty of room though something slightly bigger (carlton sized say) would have been pleasant. Having said that fighting with the brother and sis about who sits where was a great part of growing up!

Really dont understand this modern mentality where as soon as the first kid is on the way people decide they now need a 15 seat minibus. Up to three kids and give me a good handling estate car with decent crash test ratings any day...

Liam


pdw709 - 24/1/07 at 04:41 PM

Its not that simple.......

With the new car seat/booster seat law, its a tight fit getting 3 kids across the back seat. It is do-able, but a tight fit.

Besides for the first 6 months we need extra space for a rear facing baby carrier type seat, and these things can be quite big.

Then what happens if you also want to give Granny a lift as well?

Give me the extra space and 7 seats of a 4x4......I think the Landrover Discovery sounds the best option!

Phil


trogdor - 25/1/07 at 10:39 AM

that takes me back to the days of when i used to sit on my mums knee, if my gran got a lift she would be in the front with my mum in my seat and me on her lap!!

bit dangerous tho!