Which people mover...

[gregozedobe]

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

My LWB T5 is much harder to park than my Octavia wagon. The combination of extra length (obvious), significantly extra width (not so obvious) and lesser rear vision just makes it more awkward, particularly in narrower spots with less distance between rows. I'd rate it as slightly more difficult to park than the Landcruiser 80 series wagon it replaced.

YMMV, so definitely try before you buy.

I'm waiting for decent quality combined GPS navigator/wireless reverse cameras to become available cheaply

[Transporter]

I'm waiting for decent quality combined GPS navigator/wireless reverse cameras to become available cheaply

Did you check at www.ryda.com.au http://www.ryda.com.au/SearchResults.asp

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

[Sharkie]

This weekend's long distance drive (Bne-Syd and back) clinched the decision for us to get a People Mover ...... .... Golf R now seems unlikely to get the nod ....

Now to decide .... either a Caravelle LWB 6M 4Motion or a Tarago V6 .....

I get Corp Discount so the $62K RRP driveaway should be?

Also, current T5 or new facelift?

[Sharkie]

Only one model in new Caravelle

Caravelle Trendline LWB 2.0 TDI 103 kW 7 SP DSG

Which will mean no Caravelle (in the new model) for us then. There is no way I'm going to be asking a 103kw/320NM engine to drive 2100kg .....

Other models ..... ?

I'm looking for 8 or 9 seats ....

[gregozedobe]

Did you check at www.ryda.com.au http://www.ryda.com.au/SearchResults.asp

Thanks for the link, when I clicked on the "Rear View Cameras & GPS " button it came up empty, so presumably they don't have any listed. Oh well, I'm not in any great hurry anyway (like most of this type of tech gadgets, the longer you wait before buying the better and cheaper they get).

[rymi]

Caravelle only available with 103kW? To cart 8-9 people around and their luggage? What were VW Australia thinking?

[Silver Caravelle]

I was longing for VW to pull their finger out and engineer a v6 TDI 4 motion version (ie v6 Toureg) into the Multivan/Caravelle. Maybe when the T6 comes out....

Scott

[shogun2]

Thanks for the link, when I clicked on the "Rear View Cameras & GPS " button it came up empty, so presumably they don't have any listed. Oh well, I'm not in any great hurry anyway (like most of this type of tech gadgets, the longer you wait before buying the better and cheaper they get).

I couldn't wait, so just put in:

http://au.kenwood.com/Car_Entertainment/Visual_n_Navigation_Systems/DNX7360BTNAV

Works a treat! Doesn't need Canbus connections in my Multivan. The only problem is with using the Multivan antenna, which needs to be powered (and without Canbus we can't do that), so AM reception is sh*t. Am looking at a DAB+ receiver for AM stuff, which I miss.
Bluetooth for the Blackberry and others works a treat, and the GPS is based on Garmin, which makes the transition from the portable to the installed unit a breeze.

[Sharkie]

I've been told by SWMBO that the people mover we have to get needs to be a van, not something like a Tarago, Odyssey, Carnival ....

So down to Multivan/Caravelle, Merc Vito & Hyundai iMax ....

Anybody have any exeperiences with the iMax / Vito in comparison with the VW ?

[coastie]

I test drove the Vito and the Multivan before we bought the multivan. The family getting into the back and being seated was the clincher for the multivan. I have three teenagers over 6 foot or close to it so the head room ruled out the Tarago and other type vans Hyundai wasn't here in '06. A friend has the iLoad Hyundai and has four kids and it works well but he likes the ride in the multivan over his iLoad. I haven't been in his car so can't compare them,

[Transporter]

I've been told by SWMBO that the people mover we have to get needs to be a van, not something like a Tarago, Odyssey, Carnival ....

So down to Multivan/Caravelle, Merc Vito & Hyundai iMax ....

Anybody have any exeperiences with the iMax / Vito in comparison with the VW ?

In the past I had 4 Vito vans: 113 petrol manual, 2x 108CDi, 112CDi manual, diesels are noisier than T5 diesels and they're inferior build quality. Drive shafts that don't last, door seals that don't seal, driver seats that always collapse, only thin layer of the paint. Yhe current Vito has less space at the front and it is rear wheel drive, though I don't know if they improved build quality.

[gregozedobe]

Anybody have any exeperiences with the iMax / Vito in comparison with the VW ?

I have a vague recollection of Kia Carnivals having frequent engine problems of some kind - I'm not sure if they use the same engine in the iMax or not ?

Quite a few people that do dog agility have Vitos and they all seem pretty happy with them, but it seems they aren't any more reliable than T5s when you ask more specific questions.

[rearrange]

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

Most of this seven seater list would surely encourage the use of birth control. Having your tubes tied would have to be more fun than driving, being seen driving, or having to look at, a Ssangyong Stavic.

[Sharkie]

Most of this seven seater list would surely encourage the use of birth control. Having your tubes tied would have to be more fun than driving, being seen driving, or having to look at, a Ssangyong Stavic.

LOL ... yeah ...

My kids now are 9,11&13 with no more coming, but since they are now getting to the teens stage, we have realised, we need plenty of room to do long trips in comfortably.

We do a number of annual long distance trips, Brisbane => Thredbo, Brisbane => Melbourne & Brisbane => Airlie Beach.

Big kids and 5 seater cars don't go well, and the same for the 7seat SUVs ... just not enough room for all comfortably & luggage ....

The only solution is a van .... much to my disgust .... and a quality van will be with us for the next 8-10yrs ....

1 good point though ... if (when) we get the van I'll be allowed to get a 2 seater track day toy .... like a 2004/5 Boxster S or something ..... (350Z or Elise)

The Tig stays as the daily run around for SWMBO ....

[rearrange]

LOL ... yeah ...

My kids now are 9,11&13 with no more coming, but since they are now getting to the teens stage, we have realised, we need plenty of room to do long trips in comfortably.

We do a number of annual long distance trips, Brisbane => Thredbo, Brisbane => Melbourne & Brisbane => Airlie Beach.

Big kids and 5 seater cars don't go well, and the same for the 7seat SUVs ... just not enough room for all comfortably & luggage ....

The only solution is a van .... much to my disgust .... and a quality van will be with us for the next 8-10yrs ....

1 good point though ... if (when) we get the van I'll be allowed to get a 2 seater track day toy .... like a 2004/5 Boxster S or something ..... (350Z or Elise)

The Tig stays as the daily run around for SWMBO ....

Sharkie, why not just buy the Boxter now? You can drive it and "SWMBO" can take the Tiguan and kids for your holidays. Seems like the perfect solution