Which people mover...

[The_Hawk]

I'm in a quandary, I'm still looking around for a 7 seater and have been eyeing off the Caravelle or Multivan but it seems the finances probably wont stretch that far (although I'm trying)... So it might be the Caddy instead.

In reality I need to take the wife out to have a drive and see what she prefers, but the question is, how big is the Caddy really? am I going to prefer a 2-5 year old Multivan vs a new Caddy? Either way I want Turbo Diesel DSG, preferably with leather (although it's only about $2k to have it added after market if needed).

From those that drive them, what are they like to drive? (either Caddy or Multivan).

[whiteVR6]

im pretty sure the multivan doesnt have dsg

[thevwbug]

Hi Hawk,
I have had a few 7 seaters, the old 4WD with 7 seats, very hard to load rear passengers.

Also had a Caddy Maxi for a few weeks why i was waitng for the multi, once again hard to load the rear seats.

It seems most cars are designed for Left hand drive, Caddy good example of this having third row access though drivers side passanger seat.

with 4 rugrats the Multi makes life easy no mucking around folding seats down plenty of room for baby seats, boosters and ability to walk from front to back.

A Bias Multi owner

[bxb]

Hear your pain. Got into this a long time ago and took a slightly different track.
My own ride these days is a twin cab T5 but 10 years ago we bought a 2nd gen Honda odyssey with the V6. Lived 300k north of adelaide then, still have the car and now done 266,000 with NO major work, door lock and window winder and three windscreens. When it was 6 years old it was still better than my new VX aclaim.
Don't get me wrong, I love my T5 but I cant see it doing quarter of a million kays without some serious surgery.
Ours is the full luxury 6 seater but they also did a lower spec 7 seater with the V6. If you can find them they can be had for under 10,000. (paid $52k for ours) Get 30 mpg and love the twin air conditioners.
Don't bother with the four potter. Would not pull a sailor off your sister.


Extra note, we don't drive like pussies either, honda sits on 2950 rpm at 160kmh. and have seen 200 a few times also.
cant do that in the ute.
Also used for towing the car trailer around loaded with wool, hay, sheep, broken fords etc..

[Transporter]

I just have T5 Transporter, driven Cady for over the week and it was "ok" first couple days, but at the end of the week it felt like driving a boat compared to T5.

Was so happy when I swapped back to T5.

But I suppose, if you fix the suspension, it could be a different story.

[The_Hawk]

Thanks guys, I should re-phrase DSG to "Auto or similar", the spec sheet says "6-speed automatic tiptronic gearbox". I'd go manual if it was an option, but my Wife (who will be driving it mostly would much prefer auto.

As for space, while we only have two kids now, we are working on the rest Since we are likely to need a new car soon it might as well be a big one, failing all else we can always let the kids have friends since we would then be able to move them

[Preen59]

I just have T5 Transporter, driven Cady for over the week and it was "ok" first couple days, but at the end of the week it felt like driving a boat compared to T5.

Was so happy when I swapped back to T5.

But I suppose, if you fix the suspension, it could be a different story.

Yes. A completely new animal.

[phaeton]

Would a Passat Wagon be best if only you have 2 kids?

Otherwise Aaron look at used (T4) Caravelle TDI and V6.

[The_Hawk]

We currently have a Subaru Outback, so the Passat isn't really a step up (they are also damn expensive).

Bottom line, if I get something new it's going to be round for a while and since more kids are in the plan it needs to be something to accomodate them.

I have looked at the T4's and am interested, but would prefer a newer vehicle if possible (finances permitting).

[Silver Caravelle]

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8337542&__sid=126D63DBDF8B&__Qpb=true&Cr=12&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_PriceSort_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_String%7c0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%204294962412&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=22&silo=1011

My view (as a Multivan owner) is the Multivan is very practical and roomy and the Caddy is not even close in this regard. The Honda also wouldn't be a bad choice -very well made.

Perusing Carsales indicates Multivans are going for around the 40K mark for something that is a couple of years old and under 100K. Here's one that may be of interest.

Here's a list of 7 seater vehicles I pulled from a Google search.


SUVs
Audi Q7
BMW X5
Dodge JC Journey
Ford Territory
Holden Captiva
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Commander
Kia Sorento
Kia Rondo
Land Rover Discovery 3

Mazda CX9
Mercedes GL Class
Mercedes R Class
Mitsubishi Challenger
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Pajero
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Patrol
Peugeot 308 Touring
Peugeot 4007
Ssangyong Rexton
Ssangyong Stavic
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Kluger
Toyota Landcruiser 200
Toyota Prado
Volvo XC90

People Movers
Chrysler Voyager
Citroen C4 Picasso
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai iMax - Flash
Kia Carnival
Mitsubishi Grandis
Renault Grand Scenic
Toyota Avensis
Toyota Tarago
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
Volkswagen Caravelle
Volkswagen Multi Van

All the very best.

Scott

[The_Hawk]

Cheers for that, there are a few on there that aren't on my list. Out of all the options the Multivan/Caravelle/Kombi remain at the top of my list for various reasons like sheer space and practicality (and lets not forget what stable they come from )

As for that T5 you listed, yep thats right on what I'm looking at, although I'm hearing rumblings of updates to the Multivan/Caravelle lineup in the near future. I'm really a few months of a purchase (unless there is an offer I can't refuse in the interim) so I'm just looking to see whats about.

[coastie]

We have three teenagers and the multivan was the only van that any of them could sit upright in the rear seat. Ours is 4 years old in June and has been brilliant. TDI 6 speed auto, would love to have got leather but only could afford cloth. The swivel seats and table make the rear so versatile. My wife drives it most of the time and the parking sensors and good vision make it easy for her. I would like to have a RNS510 or later added to it and also a rear view camera like on our golf and that would be all I would change on it.

Getting the seats reupholstered in leather may be a good step for us to do. We looked at a lot on the list above and for sheer room as two of my three boys are over 6 feet it was only the multivan that fitted. Good luck in finding one second hand.

[Rebuild]

Just a thought also...
The Transporter/Multivans are large(wide) vehicles,and may have issues with parking and shopping centre carparks.The front-wheel drive setup does not help with the turning circle either.
I always tend to park away from most others if i can, partly because of this.

[Transporter]

Just a thought also...
The Transporter/Multivans are large(wide) vehicles,and may have issues with parking and shopping centre carparks.The front-wheel drive setup does not help with the turning circle either.
I always tend to park away from most others if i can, partly because of this.

I can park my SWB T5 easily anywhere I would park midsize car. Yours is LWB so you need more space to turn.

[shogun2]

I agree with Transporter. My SWB T5 is as easy to park as a mid size car.