7 seater - best reviews

[IH8HSV]

Hi all,

Started looking at the 7 seaters for our expanding family.

Ive read heaps of reviews on the following cars, but am getting conflicting results. So Im asking here.

Kia Carnival ( Which ones had the bad motors? )
Hyundai Trajet
Honda Odyssy
Holden safara
Mazda MPV

Im only spending around $12000 - otherwise it would of been a territory!

Any info appreciated.

Cheers.

[bafel]

Recently i bought my mum a 2000 Mazda MPV and its been great, lots of room, flexible seating, however those models had dodgy transmissions, so keep it mind. I factored in the cost of a rebuild when i bought hers.

If your spending about 12k it's most likely what about 7 -10yrs old? I wouldn't worry so much about brands and reputation but how well its been looked after, serviced etc...

Good luck in your search...btw its a holden 'zafira'!

[CODSASR]

We are currently going through the same issue as you.

After alot of consideration, reading reviews, talking to mechanics, talking to owners and asking questions on this fine site we have decided to go for a 2001/2002 chrysler voyager. from all the reviews and questions it seems to be the most comfortable and reliable also seems to have more power so drives like a normal car.
The only real problem is spare parts will be a bit more costly then other brands but we are willing to pay the extra in parts for the better car.

We might end up going for the previous model depending on whats around at the time we are looking to buy which is about 1-3 months

[Zedjay]

for that sort of $$$ id buy a NM Pajero...or a tarago

dont buy a holden Zafira
a mate of mine has one and has had so many problems with it..
also stay away from the carnival
and the others you list all have there problems too

the last model explorers are nice and dont suffer the same problems as the early ones....but their cheap

[CODSASR]

main thing would be to stay away from a carnival built before march 2005 apparently thats when they had the engin change.

check out my thread in the non ford section there where a few good posts that may help you out

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11322065

[Simple6]

My dad's had a 2000 Tarago since around 2002 when we bought it with 70k - we've had no dramas with it and its up to 160k. He uses it to tow his boat regularly and once a year it goes one 600km journey towing a full campertrailer that would probably nearing a tonne.

Only 2 issues I can think of
- The compressor clutch exploded on one of the trips with the camper on one of those 45 degree days at 110km/h. Didn't notice anything except that the aircon didn't work at the time - $800 later and a new compressor and its been fine ever since.
- The left indicator stopped working - can remember what it was but it wasn't as simple as a dead globe or unplugged wiring.

Thats it really - surely you could get it for 10-12k nowadays?

[mwhit43]

2003 ford explorer 7 seats in qld, v8 non smoker 12.400

[mwhit43]

Here's the link http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R...Cr=15&trecs=21

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by CODSASR

main thing would be to stay away from a carnival built before march 2005 apparently thats when they had the engin change.

check out my thread in the non ford section there where a few good posts that may help you out

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11322065

+ 1 I know someone that has/had a Kia Carnival from around 01 -02 and it needed an engine rebuild at 30,000ks and then only travelling a further 80,000 ks, it is up for it again. Pure Garbage! The best thing about it though is that you can fit a slab or esky between the front seats for when you break down.

Bud Bud

[BrisVegas]

I'd be looking at 4WDs too. My 7 seat Pajero was $14k last year and it's turbo diesel. The v6 petrol ones are cheaper again. I get 10l/100km in mine for a mix of commuting and trips, so it's not much worse on fuel than a 4cyl minivan.

[smally289]

Check out the Trajet I am selling http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11322520
I am a mechanic by trade, this has low km's and has been looked after very well. I have done 45,000km in it with no problems at all.

[El Venom]

I would have to agree with BrisVegas and Zedjay. For the price range your looking at a Pajero would be your best choice. I wouldnt go near the kia unless its an 07 or newer and I wouldnt go near the Holden or the Hyandai. I can not comment on the Mazda as like the others I have never worked for them, driven or looked at one and the Honda would be great but you are going to be looking at the oldest models as they hold there value extremely well but when my wife and I were looking we felt it had access problems.

We Just picked up a 1994 NJ v6 auto pajero for $9500 just before Xmas from a dealer and it had a full service history 190000k's which was almost 100000k's less then all the others we looked at and it almost looked like it had just come off the show room floor except for 1 dint. Besides me having an issue with a corner and aquaplaning into a fence we have found it to be extremely comfy, really quiet, loads of room, reasonably good on fuel and really flexible with the seating. Only bad thing about the car is the cost of parts. General parts for services arent too expensive but if you damage a panel or something less common thats when you see the high prices for new parts.

At the end of the day the choice is yours and your families so go with which every you like.

[smally289]

If 7 seats are you main aim, the Pajero will not be big enough - unfortunately a van is the way to go. Been through all this when choosing a 7 seater myself a few years back.

[IH8HSV]

Thanks for all your help.