you'll find most people carriers the seats can be removed. Thats why they're called MPV's
We've had 2 small MPV's (2 mazda premacy's) and 2 large MPV's (Hyundai Trajet and our current VW sharan) and the seats are flexible and all can be completely removed
Hyundai was ultra reliable, sharan isn't in our case but we do love the power when towing the van and also ours has lovely heated front seats and built in child seats in the back which make life and accessing the third row loads easier than if you had normal car seats installed.
We have had 4 x 4's but the day to day running costs of having a people carrier works out loads better, Although if money was no object we'd have a land cruiser or Volvo XC90
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Hello, could someone give us some advice please? At the moment we have a Ford Maverick 7 seater but it's falling to bits now. We need something to tow the caravan, with 7 seats and room for the 3 boxer dogs. A friend of ours recommended a Chrysler Voyager but I've been looking on the internet and have seen reports of problems with them. Can anyone give any advice or suggest something suitable? We want something more economical than a 4x4 and would consider having a gas conversion done.
Thanks in advance
Sue
We have a voyager, which have had from new the only problem we had was the battery was not an adequate ampage for the size vehicle so we changed to 850mah, will have to cut the tray to get a larger battery in though as the battery has to sit on a switch. We leave the two captains chairs out most of the time, and have moved the bench seat to the middle, this allows for a larger boot space. It really depends on how many seats you have in it, as the boot is not large with all of them in, you could go for a grand voyager which has about and extra foot in length. We havent got all electrics too, as we thought the automatic opening doors and tailgate took an age to open and would kill the battery off. Full consumption isnt too bad, it depends on how you drive it. We have often thought about changing to a smaller car as we no longer need it for business purposes, however no we have a trailer tent it has come into its own. We like it, but as they say you should go for what suits you and not what others think you should have.
I had a Chrysler Grand voyager 2.5 diesel on a 52 plate from new for 5 years covering 85000 miles and towing a lot of them. it tows well but has a towing restriction to 1600kg, as we kept to 1500 there was no problem. Spares can be expensive but we did not need many. Before making up you mind have a look at the Grand Voyager the extra space is great, and the only downfall try lifting out the bench seat it is very heavy, amthough you can roll it to the centre position and lift out the individual chairs.
As I rally year round and the kids didn't come any more I changed to the Jeep. (same company)
After going through all the various options of large MPV's and having had most of them (although not a voyager) when we changed our car last year we bought a renault Trafic minibus. Excellent vehicle, 9 seats a good boot and drives as well as most mpvs. Have a look at the Van option before you decide.
I posted this about a year ago. XC90 has been excellent for us and lower cost to run than the Grand Voyager, and FAR more reliable.
We just sold a Chrysler grand voyager 05 plate 2.8 crd auto. As a family car it was hard to beat 2-2-3 layout as all seats stowed into the floor, had a spare wheel underneath and still had enough room for lots of luggage with all seats in place. Towed well with our baily bretangne S7. Down side was economy (23mpg on short school run or towing, and 26 combined cycle) and not so good battery reliability (seemed to go flat at the drop of a hat).
We changed to an xc90 for towing and 7 seats. Better for towing, better economy, safer. Not as flexible with the space and smaller inside but a better bet for us overall.
I want something economical and the Grand Voyager doesn't sound the best. Someone told us last night to get a Landrover discovery as they weren't too bad on fuel.
Quote: Originally posted by superwoman on 01/10/2010
Noooo! Not a Disco - take a look at their reliability records!
You just need to make sure you get a diesel and not a petrol Grand Voyager. Then fuel consumption is excellent for the vehicle type.
Wotchoo trying to say? My Disco's been brilliant! It's done 134000 miles now and I just don't even think about reliability - I simply know it'll start instantly, then run faultlessly. Everything works, every time. It's 15 years old and will tow pretty much any caravan - and could probably still do so with an XC90 on the 'van's roof... Having said that, No Disco's going to be your first choice for economy - including the latest ones. It's a proper off-roader, not a posemobile, so it's heavy duty everything, which adds weight, which uses fuel. Also, sending power to all four wheels is bound to adversely affect efficiency, especially if you factor in a dual ratio transfer box - necessary if you're going to get it properly dirty. So if you don't need the best in off road ability and consider economy a priority, you don't need a Disco. On my old 300 Tdi the interior layout's not all that versatile compared to more modern stuff either, and as we foster tiny ones we're about to enter the world of MPVs with an '02 Voyager. I just hope it's at least half as good as the Discovery has been.
Post last edited on 24/10/2010 22:52:56
------------- Rise Above The Lemming-Hearted Hordes
I was sceptical at first, & didnt like it. But have to say its fabulous. Its really grown on me, & if you've children I honestly think this type of vehicle is hard to beat. All the seats come out, they even click back in facing the wrong way.
And having front seats that turn to face backwards makes picnics in the car good fun. :-)
Chap at work has a Voyager. Its a nice car but I dont think its been the best in terms of reliability.
I went to the airport the other week in a top of the range grand voyager (55 reg I think) diesel, lovely cosseting ride in leather seats, roof mounted dvd etc etc loads of room for passengers (6 of us) but struggled on fitting 6 cases in the boot!!
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Topic: Chrysler Voyager????????
I'm now swaying towards a Santa Fe
