Which 7 Seater?

**mrbutts** · 28-06-2010,11:52 PM

The day has come when I have to say goodbye to my lovely A3 2.0 TDI Sportback and buy something with enough seats for the family - 6 or more!

I have been looking into it and there are LOADS of options! I had initially preferred the idea of going for an estate type but these are pretty rare.

Can anyone offer a comparison between the Sharan, Alhambra and Galaxy? Are these really all the same cars with different badges? I've pretty much written off the Zafira (wasn't much to do with the quote "I'd rather push a VW than drive a Vauxhall" but that did make me chuckle) on account of the fact that you can't get into the 3rd row back seats if the middle ones have child seats restraining them. The Espace is also a contender - even though it is French and likley to fall apart...

Anyhoo, I suppose this forum will have a certain VAG bias, but then again that's what I'm used to.

Lets hear your opinions!

**zollaf** · 29-06-2010,07:01 AM

the sharangalaxyalhambra are all basically the same, and if i needed a 7 seater then i would get one of these, probably a sharan as i think they are bolted together slightly better. the french thing you mentioned is an electronic heap waiting to go wrong and i wouldnt touch one. i wont even work on one other than servicing.

.

**NickPicks** · 29-06-2010,08:14 AM

The Fiat Multipla looks quirky, but is apparantly quite good (but only 6 seats).

The other option is either an A6 or Volvo with child seats in the boot. These are quite rare to see advertised, but they do appear. They'll also only take children in the rear seats, so no good if you ever need to carry 7 adults.

Personally, I think I'd go for the Sharan.

**zollaf** · 29-06-2010,08:38 AM

i had the pleasure of one of my customers buying a multipla. i pleaded with him not to, but he totally ignored me and got one anyway. what a complete and utter waste of metal and plastic. although its all ergonomically designed, everything is wrong, and i mean everything. seats, wrong position, steering wheel, pedals, all wrong. lights, whoever thought of that had obviously had a good few days on magic mushrooms. theres no boot, and even landrover gave up on a middle front seat because there just isnt enough room. the suspension and steering is all wrong, making it handle and drive like a childs pushchair, and a really cheap chinese copy at that.
but,and there is a but. its got the easiest to change pollen filter ever. no tools required, just lift off a panel on the scuttle and pull it out. i think you should use a plastic trim tool to lift the panel, but in true fiat tradition, the clips are broken.

**staceface** · 29-06-2010,10:27 AM

By all accounts the German Cars are the safest and strongest on the road. (I've heard a few stories from a copper at RTAs where they only survived as they were in a German Car) And so considering the fact you have little ones... I'd say the Sharan is your best bet. Although have you thought about a Caravelle perhaps? Wouldnt be quite as quick necessarily, but can do 8 seats, so if one of the kids wants to bring a mate on a day trip...

Oh and of course... You definitly dont want a Vauxhall :P

**MalcQV** · 29-06-2010,12:28 PM

If I had to buy something with that many seats it would have to be an estate of some kind. I really do not like people movers

JMHO.

**Captain Answer** · 29-06-2010,12:32 PM

7 Seat discovery, the only way to go really IMO

**Captain Answer** · 29-06-2010,12:32 PM

Originally Posted by staceface

By all accounts the German Cars are the safest and strongest on the road. (I've heard a few stories from a copper at RTAs where they only survived as they were in a German Car) And so considering the fact you have little ones... I'd say the Sharan is your best bet. Although have you thought about a Caravelle perhaps? Wouldnt be quite as quick necessarily, but can do 8 seats, so if one of the kids wants to bring a mate on a day trip...

Oh and of course... You definitly dont want a Vauxhall :P

Erm isn't the sharan a ford with a VW badge on....

**MalcQV** · 29-06-2010,12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Answer

7 Seat discovery, the only way to go really IMO

Would be my personal choice too.

**NickPicks** · 29-06-2010,12:41 PM

Originally Posted by NickPicks

The Fiat Multipla looks quirky, but is apparantly quite good (but only 6 seats).

Originally Posted by zollaf

i had the pleasure of one of my customers buying a multipla. i pleaded with him not to, but he totally ignored me and got one anyway. what a complete and utter waste of metal and plastic. although its all ergonomically designed, everything is wrong, and i mean everything. seats, wrong position, steering wheel, pedals, all wrong. lights, whoever thought of that had obviously had a good few days on magic mushrooms. theres no boot, and even landrover gave up on a middle front seat because there just isnt enough room. the suspension and steering is all wrong, making it handle and drive like a childs pushchair, and a really cheap chinese copy at that.
but,and there is a but. its got the easiest to change pollen filter ever. no tools required, just lift off a panel on the scuttle and pull it out. i think you should use a plastic trim tool to lift the panel, but in true fiat tradition, the clips are broken.

OK, I take it back! I think the review I seem to recall reading may have been biased.