WTB Car?

[Palindrome]

Hi,

I do apologise if this is the wrong group, but I thought someone here
might help me out..

I need to buy a car. I only do around 5k miles a year on mostly country
back roads that seldom allow 50+. It needs to be able to take 5 x 6ft
tall adults comfortably, be cheap to maintain, cheap to run and have a
small turning circle. Easy for elderly passengers to get in and out the
back of. Budget isn't that much a problem - but I would rather not pay
more than 5-6K.

Any thoughts? There is such a huge range of cars available now, but none
seem to mention turning circle and running costs in their ads. Or how
easy it is to get in and out of the back seats. I did have a Mazda a
couple of years ago and that seemed cheap to run and maintain..

What make, model and year do you think that I should go after?

[What's it to ya]

Palindrome wrote in message news:rRzEh.20281$***@fe08.news.easynews.com...
Hi Sue,

<Snip>

Post by Palindrome
What make, model and year do you think that I should go after?

Have a look at the Renault Kangoo or Citroen Berlingo. Not exactly pretty but with
sliding rear doors, massive headroom and slightly higher seats they fit nicely with
what you want.

You'll easily get a 2004 diesel Kangoo within your budget.

Have a look here for an idea.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=sea
rch_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=RENAULT&min_pr=4000&s
ource=0&model=KANGOO&max_pr=6000&agerange=&mileage=&miles=40&postcode=se152jp&ukcarse
arch_full.x=45&ukcarsearch_full.y=12

[Palindrome]

Post by What's it to ya
Hi Sue,
<Snip>

Post by Palindrome
What make, model and year do you think that I should go after?

Have a look at the Renault Kangoo or Citroen Berlingo. Not exactly pretty but with
sliding rear doors, massive headroom and slightly higher seats they fit nicely with
what you want.
You'll easily get a 2004 diesel Kangoo within your budget.
Have a look here for an idea.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=sea
rch_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=RENAULT&min_pr=4000&s
ource=0&model=KANGOO&max_pr=6000&agerange=&mileage=&miles=40&postcode=se152jp&ukcarse
arch_full.x=45&ukcarsearch_full.y=12

Many thanks for that.
I'm not too worried what they look like.

Both seem to have 4 out of 5 safety stars. Not too hot on pedestrian
injury though.

And it looks like they can be wheel-chair converted - which might just
end up being a requirement.

I'm getting 3 door and five door descriptions - do they really come
without the sliding rear doors (other than the van model)?

Does anyone reading this have experience of these, or know of a web site
that discuss them?

Or, as this is "adverts" have one for sale - ideally near Dartmoor?

[Him & Her]

Post by Palindrome
I'm getting 3 door and five door descriptions - do they really come
without the sliding rear doors (other than the van model)?

No, just a 5dr version. All 3's are the van.

Post by Palindrome
Does anyone reading this have experience of these, or know of a web site
that discuss them?

These might help a bit more...........

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=728

http://www.carsurvey.org/countrymodel_UK+and+Ireland_Renault_Kangoo.html

http://www.usedcarexpert.com/product.asp?P_ID=2983&strPageHistory=cat

[GB]

"Him & Her" <***@the.group.ok> wrote in message news:UZednVbVz-***@brightview.com...

What about that very ugly Fiat Multipla which takes 3 across in the front
and 3 in the back? No idea about turning circle.

[Him & Her]

Post by GB
What about that very ugly Fiat Multipla which takes 3 across in the front
and 3 in the back? No idea about turning circle.

Neither of the middle seats are really suitable for adults. It's ugly, and have you
seen the boot ? you'd be lucky to get a pair of crutches in there, never mind
anything else. I've no idea what happened to all the space you should have in that
relative to it's size but it wasn't given over to the passengers or luggage space.

IMHO the best option is the Renault Kangoo, followed by the Citroen (Pug) Berlingo
(Partner) or Postman Pats Fiat Doblo

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[SteveH]

Post by Him & Her

Post by GB
What about that very ugly Fiat Multipla which takes 3 across in the front
and 3 in the back? No idea about turning circle.

Neither of the middle seats are really suitable for adults. It's ugly, and
have you seen the boot ? you'd be lucky to get a pair of crutches in
there, never mind anything else. I've no idea what happened to all the
space you should have in that relative to it's size but it wasn't given
over to the passengers or luggage space.
IMHO the best option is the Renault Kangoo, followed by the Citroen (Pug)
Berlingo (Partner) or Postman Pats Fiat Doblo

WTF?!

Yes, the middle seats are a bit cramped, but I've been in a Multipla
with 6 fully grown adults in it. It was fine.

They also drive a hell of a lot better than any van based heap of shite.

Still one of the best mid-sized people carriers on the market - so good,
in fact, that Honda copied the concept for the F-RV.

[Him & Her]

Post by SteveH
Yes, the middle seats are a bit cramped, but I've been in a Multipla
with 6 fully grown adults in it. It was fine.

Do you not think that's more than a little contradictory ? "cramped", "fine" ?

Also, Sue has indicated that the car will be used to transport infirm people and as
this may require taking a wheelchair or two as well the Multipla is about as much use
as a chocolate teapot.

Post by SteveH
They also drive a hell of a lot better than any van based heap of shite.

On the few days of each month that the thing actually runs I suppose that may be an
advantage

Post by SteveH
Still one of the best mid-sized people carriers on the market

Check what Sue wrote, size matters. It's mainly for use on the lanes of the West
Country, the Multipla is too wide which is odd considering the lack of width in the
cabin.

Also, as you've said, "people carrier" if they want to do anything like go shopping
or take luggage, it ain't happening without either a roofbox or towbar & trailer.

Post by SteveH
in fact, that Honda copied the concept for the F-RV.

Honda may well have copied the basic idea but you'll note they had the sense to
include a boot in the price.

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[SteveH]

Post by Him & Her

Post by SteveH
Yes, the middle seats are a bit cramped, but I've been in a Multipla
with 6 fully grown adults in it. It was fine.

Do you not think that's more than a little contradictory ? "cramped", "fine" ?

They're much better than the rear row of seats in something like a
Zafira, but the middle seats are smaller than the outer seats.

HTH.

Post by Him & Her
Also, Sue has indicated that the car will be used to transport infirm
people and as this may require taking a wheelchair or two as well the
Multipla is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Anything this side of a full-size estate (Mondeo / Passat / Accord) will
be useless for that if you want to also carry passengers.

Post by Him & Her

Post by SteveH
They also drive a hell of a lot better than any van based heap of shite.

On the few days of each month that the thing actually runs I suppose that
may be an advantage

You do realise that modern Fiats are just as reliable as anything else
out there, don't you?

Post by Him & Her

Post by SteveH
Still one of the best mid-sized people carriers on the market

Check what Sue wrote, size matters. It's mainly for use on the lanes of
the West Country, the Multipla is too wide which is odd considering the
lack of width in the cabin.

It's a whole 5cm wider than a normal family saloon....

Post by Him & Her
Also, as you've said, "people carrier" if they want to do anything like go
shopping or take luggage, it ain't happening without either a roofbox or
towbar & trailer.

Post by SteveH
in fact, that Honda copied the concept for the F-RV.

Honda may well have copied the basic idea but you'll note they had the
sense to include a boot in the price.

What a load of bollocks.

The FR-V boot is almost exactly the same size as the Multipla boot

So, the choice is a van with windows or a full-sized family estate.

Berlingos etc. are fine as vans but not so good as cars.

However, Multiplas are very popular motorbility vehicles due to the
practicality and flexibility of the internal space.

[Him & Her]

Post by SteveH
Anything this side of a full-size estate (Mondeo / Passat / Accord) will
be useless for that if you want to also carry passengers.

Your comments on this and other groups are usually quite valid but on this occasion
your need to stop the handstand your doing and return to talking with your brain and
mouth.

Post by SteveH
You do realise that modern Fiats are just as reliable as anything else
out there, don't you?

Having recently owned a "modern Fiat" I can confirm they are pretty much the same
"heap of shite" they've always been.

Post by SteveH
It's a whole 5cm wider than a normal family saloon....

Which can make a hell of a difference in some circumstances.

Post by SteveH

Post by Him & Her
Honda may well have copied the basic idea but you'll note they had the
sense to include a boot in the price.

What a load of bollocks.
The FR-V boot is almost exactly the same size as the Multipla boot

Complete rubbish, your job for tomorrow is visit some local dealers with a tape
measure.

Post by SteveH
So, the choice is a van with windows

Which meets Sue's criteria

Post by SteveH
or a full-sized family estate.

Which doesn't.

Post by SteveH
Berlingos etc. are fine as vans but not so good as cars.

But then we're not talking about "the best" vehicle but one that is best suited to
the stated needs.

Post by SteveH
However, Multiplas are very popular motorbility vehicles

Multiplas are popular *Motability* vehicles, really ? I guess Fiat will be pleased to
hear that and MFL, well they'll be bloody amazed.

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[SteveH]

Him & Her <***@the.group.ok> wrote:

A load of old bollocks.


Look, you may hate the Multipla, but that doesn't mean it's crap and not
suitable for the OP's requirements. It's definitely worth looking it.

FWIW - check out the boot capacities of the FR-V and Multipla. There's a
whole 9 litres difference.

If 5cm width makes a lot of difference, I'd suggest you need driving
lessons.

[GB]

Post by SteveH
A load of old bollocks.

Hey guys, I'm sorry I mentioned the Multipla, because you can't get them any
more. I heard that Fiat stopped making them, and you can't get them
secondhand because all the ones on the road spontaneously metamorphosed
overnight into Ferraris. (There simply had to be a beautiful butterfly
waiting to emerge from that ugly chrysalis.)

[SteveH]

Post by GB

Post by SteveH
A load of old bollocks.

Hey guys, I'm sorry I mentioned the Multipla, because you can't get them any
more. I heard that Fiat stopped making them

You heard wrong.

[GB]

Post by SteveH

Post by GB

Post by SteveH
A load of old bollocks.

Hey guys, I'm sorry I mentioned the Multipla, because you can't get them any
more. I heard that Fiat stopped making them

You heard wrong.

I think you must have had an ironectomy

[Him & Her]

Post by GB
Hey guys, I'm sorry I mentioned the Multipla, because you can't get them any
more. I heard that Fiat stopped making them,

It's been redesigned but is still around.

Anyway, don't worry about it, Steve isn't happy unless he's throwing his toys around
;)

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[SteveH]

Post by Him & Her

Post by GB
Hey guys, I'm sorry I mentioned the Multipla, because you can't get them any
more. I heard that Fiat stopped making them,

It's been redesigned but is still around.
Anyway, don't worry about it, Steve isn't happy unless he's throwing his
toys around ;)

I don't suffer fools - especially ones who consistently post the
bollocks you have in your short life on usenet.

You can't even format a sig properly, or set an appropriate line length.

Into the bozo bin with the other fucktards, then.

[Him & Her]

Post by SteveH
I don't suffer fools - especially ones who consistently post the
bollocks you have in your short life on usenet.

That's the trouble with Google, it's only as good as the information you put in to
it.

Post by SteveH
You can't even format a sig properly, or set an appropriate line length.

Oh dear, is that really the best you've got.

Post by SteveH
Into the bozo bin with the other fucktards, then.

Pretty rich coming from a glorified shelf stacker.

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[Him & Her]

Post by SteveH
A load of old bollocks.

I think your incorrectly attributing your own comments to me.

Post by SteveH
Look, you may hate the Multipla,

At no time have I said I hate the Multipla, I just think it's a pointless vehicle.

Post by SteveH
but that doesn't mean it's crap and not
suitable for the OP's requirements.

Actually, if you bothered to read the OPs post properly, it definately isn't
suitable.

Post by SteveH
It's definitely worth looking it.

Absolutely, how else are you going to confirm that everything else is much more
suitable.

Post by SteveH
FWIW - check out the boot capacities of the FR-V and Multipla. There's a
whole 9 litres difference.

Which tells us nothing. Overall, the FR-V boot is lower in height but bigger seat to
tailgate where you need it. The Multipla is high to the roof but as skinny as your
average model from the seat backwards.

Post by SteveH
If 5cm width makes a lot of difference, I'd suggest you need driving
lessons.

Makes no difference to me whatsoever, but it clearly would to Sue. If you had
bothered reading her post properly rather than jumping in to declare your love for
Fiat, you'd have seen that.

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue

[Palindrome]

Post by Palindrome
What make, model and year do you think that I should go after?

Thanks everyone. I went for a Berlingo as they were available locally -
I couldn't find a Kangoo within 20 or so miles of where I live. Many
thanks for those that suggested them, they fitted the bill perfectly.

For some strange reason driving it on a test drive reminded me of the
2CV I drove many years ago. The seats seem about as unyeilding as a park
bench and hold you in place about as much. But three 6ft plus passengers
disappeared into the back with no complaints and with no knees grinding
into my back. Only a short trip - but that is all I will be doing.

No tie-downs in the back? What are you supposed to use to hold stuff in
the back down with? I couldn't see what a cargo net could be fastened
to, on the floor or headlining. But love the sunroof. It's huge.

Picking it up on Tuesday - poor thing - destined for a life covered in
cow poo, fenced in by granite walls and never getting a glimpse of
freedom and a motorway.

For those suggesting a Multipla - I did have a look at one. But, to be
honest, it reminded me of someone at school I had known, with thick
glasses and spots...

[Him & Her]

Post by Palindrome
Thanks everyone. I went for a Berlingo as they were available locally -
I couldn't find a Kangoo within 20 or so miles of where I live. Many
thanks for those that suggested them, they fitted the bill perfectly.

Congrats on your purchase Sue, I hope you have plenty of trouble free motoring.

Post by Palindrome
For those suggesting a Multipla - I did have a look at one. But, to be
honest, it reminded me of someone at school I had known, with thick
glasses and spots...

LOL

--
Him & Her.

Vegetarian, me ? No. The way I look at it is that
that cow has eaten all the vegetables I'll ever need.

Help school funds @ www.buy.at/oakwoodavenue