Family car

[AndyXR6T]

The time has come to start thinking about our next car. We currently have a 2008 FG XR6T which has been great, and I still love it. With 3 kids, 2 in school, and the wife nagging me about more space, it's time to get the dreaded 7 seater car!!! I've vowed never to buy a tarago but have found ourselves more frequently needed extra seats (when the kids pick up mates from school the 5 seater falcon only allows either my wife or myself to pick them up).

So the question I pose is, what is the best value 7 seater on the market???

I know this is a ford forum so I'm expecting people to say territory, but to be honest it bores me. The older model turbo ghias were perfect, but are too old now. I'm after a newer car (prob no older than 2012) that has 7 seats, has plenty of gear, and is about the $50k mark max.
Unfortunately there's not much out there that has the power of the xr6t but there has to be a compromise now. Maybe I'm getting old? Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions.

[2002au]

How about a kluger?

Looks pretty good. http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...?Cr=13&sdmvc=1

[AndyXR6T]

Not a bad choice. Sat in the back seat of one a while ago and wasn't too bad lol but again it does bore me a little. I do like the new shape though but prob out of the price range

[GASWAGON]

If you are a Ford man why would'nt you go for a Diesel Territory....Still go a Turbo on it!

[commodorenutt]

^^ best answer right there.

A territory would be the only 7 sweater I'd consider if I was put into that situation. And new ones aren't anywhere near as expensive as they used to be.

Plus, with the way the value drops over the first few years, you can pick up a really good 3 year old one for a bargain price.

[usernametaken]

Always had a soft spot for the Honda Odyssey

[Polyal]

The odyssey is good...but they have a retarded way in which the second row attaches the child seats, it basically decappitates the 3rd people.

We looked at territories and they are good, but for $20k I got our Picasso and it's a bloody good car.

Anyone who rabbits on about handling and power doesn't get that it's just an a to b car. In saying that we go camping, heaps of trips etc and the Citroen with its tdi engine has enough power for it to not be useless.

Next time around we will stretch and probably go the tdi tez....but in saying that th c4 is averaging 7l/100 which the territory will never get near. That 85% cbd driving too!

I love the look of the new one, but have one of the late last gens and 10,000ks in and no drama.

I rate them highly, we dont really go bush so I don't need awd. Ours us black with dark tint and I think it looks pretty smart.

I had a small WTF moment when I realised how much a Tarago is...and no tdi...no japanese ones do afaik.

[Polyal]

Oh just read the $50k thing...id get one of the last TDi Tez's....but, the new picasso its pretty cool...definately test drive it.

I got a 2.5 year old picasso for $20k, from a Citroen dealer, with a little original warranty left and ive got the extended now....it was about $45k new i think...ill let someone else take the $20k dep!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Oh just read the $50k thing...id get one of the last TDi Tez's....but, the new picasso its pretty cool...definately test drive it.

I got a 2.5 year old picasso for $20k, from a Citroen dealer, with a little original warranty left and ive got the extended now....it was about $45k new i think...ill let someone else take the $20k dep!

Those that have driven or owned a Picasso swear by them. As a car for the family, they are purpose built and are very clever in the packaging of seats and storage, unlike (most) 7 seater SUV's

[Polyal]

My only complaint with ours is the transmision, a 6sp flappy paddle auto/manul thing. Its not a smart gerbox, bit clunky in and out of 1st. But if you know a hill etc i coming a quick flip and its in the right gear.

I believe the current gen has moved to a normal gearbox and shifts much nicer.

But yeah its a good rig thus far. Just depends on what you need, obviously if you want to tow or go off road its not so practical. But for city stuff, long hauls, or everything else its great...just wish i got the panoramic roof option now. But expensive if something happens with it.

[AndyXR6T]

I'm confused, what's a Picasso? Citroen?

Again I don't mind the territory but the biggest thing for me will be the fact that rhe interior is extremely similar to the FG. It won't feel like a huge "upgrade" and I feel it lacks features many other competitors get.

As for the power thing, I was never big on that either, but after owning the fg turbo it's going to be hard to give it up. It's just so effortless and the boost is addictive.

The only large cars that tickle my fancy are the SRT8 jeep (cash, and no 7 seats is an issue) and the Audi Q7 (again cash)

[Dash_XR]

[AndyXR6T]

Dash I see where you are going with that, but when I say "I would never buy a tarago" that extends to anything that looks like a mini van lol

[Dash_XR]

Yes it's a Toyota but they're pretty badass for a van IMO, full luxury with Toyota price and reliability.

[AndyXR6T]

It does look badass much like the Nissan legrand (I think it's called)

[Cashie]

How about a Hyundai Sante Fe Diesel?

[Dash_XR]

Only downside would be getting stuck as the designated driver all the time.

[SSD-85]

EA Fairmont wagon with optional cargo area seats & an F6 engine.

At least some of it would be newer than 2012

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Dash_XR

Only downside would be getting stuck as the designated driver all the time.

image

Man that's one plush interior!

$50k opens you up to many options actually.

Would you see yourself in a new Kia Carnival? 7 year warranty is real tempting plus has 8 seats.

If you want something smaller and less van like the Kia Rondo is smaller, has 7 seats but limited rear storage space.

These would be 'best value' for new.

If you want to go used and save a little money the Picasso is a very good choice. Having said that I think Citroen now provide a 6yr warranty so a new Picasso may be an option?

There is the Mitsubishi Grandis, I think the Nissan Dualis also has a 7 seater option.

Toyota Avensis, Holden Captiva etc etc etc

If you are not partial to a certain brand than just do a general search for 'people movers' on carsales and put in the price bracket and see what you find.

[smoo]

Mercedes W211 E Class wagon with the optioned thrid row.

Previous gen BMW X5.

[AndyXR6T]

The hyundai Santa fe has been on the list actually. It looks like a good bit of gear but what is hyundai like nowadays?

[AndyXR6T]

That interior is insane lol wouldn't want to get out.

Had a look at the Picasso, not my thing. I'm after a more suv or wagon style car. Not vans, mini vans, people movers etc

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

The hyundai Santa fe has been on the list actually. It looks like a good bit of gear but what is hyundai like nowadays?

New Hyundai and Kia are very good IMO.
I've owned an iX35 Diesel and now a Kia Sportage Diesel, I swear by them for what they are.
Definitely test drive the Sante Fe, you will be impressed with the car's quality and the diesel engine.

[AndyXR6T]

My sister in law had a Hyundai i30 which seemed like a good car but she had many problems over the years, one being a blown auto box after 50k kms which wasn't warranted and was serviced by Hyundai its whole life. I know its prob a one off but I've always been reluctant about Hyundai but the last few years they seem to make some decent cars. A tear drive is definitely on the list

[AndyXR6T]

Also too with these newer cars all being diesel, is it worth it for the compromise of the car sounding like truck??

[Dash_XR]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Man that's one plush interior!

$50k opens you up to many options actually.

Would you see yourself in a new Kia Carnival? 7 year warranty is real tempting plus has 8 seats.

If you want something smaller and less van like the Kia Rondo is smaller, has 7 seats but limited rear storage space.

These would be 'best value' for new.

If you want to go used and save a little money the Picasso is a very good choice. Having said that I think Citroen now provide a 6yr warranty so a new Picasso may be an option?

There is the Mitsubishi Grandis, I think the Nissan Dualis also has a 7 seater option.

Toyota Avensis, Holden Captiva etc etc etc

If you are not partial to a certain brand than just do a general search for 'people movers' on carsales and put in the price bracket and see what you find.

That's what I thought, they're like a limo lol.

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

That interior is insane lol wouldn't want to get out.

Had a look at the Picasso, not my thing. I'm after a more suv or wagon style car. Not vans, mini vans, people movers etc

Yeah on second thought you probably wouldn't want kids running around in there all the time would you, especially with cream.

[Cashie]

My iX35 didn't have one issue after 3 years and 70,000kms.
I traded a Holden VF SV6 for the Sportage, I was surprised it was quieter inside on the road, had no drivers wind noise, no rattles, used 2/3rds the fuel and doesn't appear to lag behind the VF.
Can't go too wrong with the warranty these days either.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

The hyundai Santa fe has been on the list actually. It looks like a good bit of gear but what is hyundai like nowadays?

Mum has the previous gen Santa Fe and she loves it. No issues to speak of.

The new one should be better.

[AndyXR6T]

Looking at the Alphard they middle seats are recliners lol the Japanese do thing of everything

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

The hyundai Santa fe has been on the list actually. It looks like a good bit of gear but what is hyundai like nowadays?

A guy I work with went from a territory to santa fe, he stated he will never go back to the territory ever, he bought the top range model which was cheaper than the terry, he is one happy man.

In his eyes he reckons the sante fe walks all over the terry.