• Whats DHB/Decathlon of cars?

    My purpose is to haul family of 5 (parents, us and a child) for longer trips. I currently own a Fabia estate, absolutely amazing car except when 3 people have to sit at the back; very narrow with a child car seat. Its primo bangernomics, bought for £2k pre pandemic and had 2 owners and 95k miles on clock, its been absolutely fine.

    I am looking for a similar economics; i know I cant get anything for £2k; can stretch to £10k. need to be slightly wider at the back with no compromise in boot space, the Fabia I have has 480 litre boot. I was looking at:

    1. Citroen Picasso C4
    2. Ford S max
    3. Ford Galaxy
    4. Sharan and Touran are a bit pricey but maybe I get lucky
    5. Ford Tourneo Connect or Berlingo
    6. Octavia or Superb estate
    7. Vauxhall Zafira tourer

    I know nothing about cars so I would buy from a dealer OR if its a really good deal with a private seller will factor in AA inspection.

    What else should I look at? Are the cars on the list absolute shit?

    Pls help.

  • From your list I would avoid the Vauxhall Zafira like the plague. Horrible things and very underpowered. Plus they are something of an orphan now that Vauxhall/Opel is part of Stellantis and not General Motors anymore.
    I would also not bother with the Octavia or Superb. A baby seat is going to be about the same width as an adult. I've tried it and 3 adults even in the back of a Passat is a tight squeeze, and the Skodas are no wider. I think you need to look only at the MPVs on the list.

    For me the best one on your list would be the S Max. Big enough to do the job, small enough to not feel like a bus.

    I wouldn't touch the berlingo, as it is homologated as a van (which of course it basically is). According to Citroën's website:
    "Petrol & diesel versions of Berlingo are homologated as light goods vehicle under 3.5 tonnes, due to having a mesh bulkhead. Therefore:
    Like LCVs, this vehicle will be subject to a speed limit of 50 mph on non-residential single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways, and 70 mph on motorways.
    The vehicle will show as an LCV on the V5 registration document. Customers may also be required to pay the higher LCV toll road charges (where appliable). For example, the VED will be charged at the fixed rate per year in line with other light commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, rather than being based on the CO2 rating.
    Berlingo will have a mesh bulkhead behind the second row of seats. This will result in a slightly steeper backrest angle for the row 2 seats as compared with ë-Berlingo passenger vehicle (18º vs 23º)."

  • Very helpful!

    S Max does appeal; is there any Ford engine folklore? ones to avoid etc?

  • Nah mate, no bulkhead in the passenger Berlingos, no restrictions. You're looking up the van ones.

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