Which people mover...

[gregozedobe]

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

Gotta love the lateral thinkers

However, it did get me thinking, if you only really NEED a big van 2 or 3 times a year, why not hire one specifically for those long trips ? That would be heaps cheaper than having one you owned sitting around not used most of the time.

Or tow a trailer behind the tig for all the holiday stuff.

[Sharkie]

.. only really NEED a big van 2 or 3 times a year, why not hire one specifically for those long trips ? That would be heaps cheaper than having one you owned sitting around not used most of the time.

Thats the argument I've been using to date .... however .... more and more frequently we have to cart the kids' friends along and even worse the grandparents now that they are getting old ....

So the 2-3 times a year has escalated to needing more than 5 (at least 7) seats almost every weekend .... .... just 1 of the "joys" of teenage kids no-one tells you about beforehand ....

[rearrange]

.... just 1 of the "joys" of teenage kids no-one tells you about beforehand ....

Oh please, don't use that "if only someone told me" argument on VWWC, we are all too grown up and know full well that you were having too much fun at the time to consider the consequences! On the other hand, if all straight couples had that '7-seater' list wallpapered on their bedroom (or wherever) walls along with a '2-seater' list, I think the use of condoms would quickly increase and we would see a reversal of over-population world wide, don't you? ...

Alfa Romeo Spider
Aston Martin Vantage
Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin DBS
Audi TT Roadster
Audi R8
BMW Z4
Caterham Seven
Citroen Berlingo
Elfin MS8
Elfin T5
Ferrari F430
Ferrari 599 GTB
Ferrari California
Ford Falcon Ute
Holden Ute
Holden Combo
HSV Maloo
Jaguar XK Convertible
Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Murcielago
Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige
Lotus Euorpa
Lotus Evora
Mazda MX-5
Mercedes Benz SLK
Mercedes Benz SL
Morgan Aero 8
Morgan Aero Supersports
Porsche Boxster
Porsche Cayman
Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Proton Jumbuck
Renault Kangoo
Smart Fortwo coupe
Smart Fortwo cabrio
Volkswagen Caddy

Unlike the 7 seater list, there is only a couple of vehicles here you wouldn't bother selling your children for

[Sharkie]

Went to my closest VW over the weekend to get some pricing ....... VWA has despecced the Caravelle and almost everything is now optional .... including Cruise Control ...

2010 103kw TDI 7spd DSG Caravelle = $49990 + ORC

Options
Cruise control = $590
Side & Curtain A/bags = $890
Fog lights = $890
SAT NAV - RNS510 = $3990
Body Coloured Bumbers = $1390
Park sensors F+R = $690
Light & Sound package = $690 (aut headlights + wipers)
Metalic Paint = $1990

Even alloy wheels are optional .... I'd get my own and not use VW's

And dealer deliver still $2995 unless your a corporate customer then $1495 .....

Still a base spec Vito = $68K driveaway and a Hyundai IMax = $48K driveaway (which has no cruise control, even as an option)

[jetta2small]

that probably explains the following

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/search/vehicle-details/New_759613020100322/@N=4294962119++517+++4294964398&type=cars&searchType=5&vehicleType=5&pos=3&pr=D_13986686&nr=D_14082689

and

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/search/vehicle-details/New_792538120100322/@type=cars&N=4294962119++517+++4294962143&searchType=5&vehicleType=5&pos=1&nr=New_727708220100322

i got excited when i saw this, but with the options as you mentioned, i'll keep looking at second hand multis!!

[Sharkie]

New Multivan is gr8 !

Had my 1st look at the new Multivan this morning ..... it looks pretty good ....

Been comparing the specs of the Multivan and the Caravelle, both the same $49990 + ORC and the Multivan has many std features that are optional on the Caravelle.

Did specifically have a really good look at the rear bench in the Multivan and may have found a solution to my 8 seat requirement .... the bench moves forward and thus buying another bench seat on its own and fitting that means I can have 8 seats and all the Multivan goodies and still save $7K over the cost of the Caravelle with the same specs ...

Now 2.OTT or 2.0 ST is the question .... and its a $7K question .....

[Seano]

Frankly....I'd be looking at the Caravelle. For starters, it's a LWB not a SWB (like the Multivan). Yes it is lower specced than the MV but it is much longer - and gives more legal seating capacity. How much will an extra engineer approved bench seat cost for the Multi?

If you bargain well then the dealer should be able to 'work something out' with respect to the cruise & airbag options. None of the other 'Velle options you posted are (in my mind) essential or need to come from the dealer......especially built-in sat nav. Panel shops can do body coloured bumpers, wheel shops do alloys, auto sparky does fogs (which are useless decorations anyway)...and the rest....yeah maybe the light & sound is worth it but that's about it.

But in the end....it matters little to me....s'not my money. And sure as silver is silver I won't be buying a new T5.whatever......too rich for me these days.

[Sharkie]

Frankly....I'd be looking at the Caravelle. For starters, it's a LWB not a SWB (like the Multivan). Yes it is lower specced than the MV but it is much longer - and gives more legal seating capacity. How much will an extra engineer approved bench seat cost for the Multi?

The van will likely be the VW we have had with us for the longest period (8+yrs), so need to get it just right .... the options therfore are those that are "necessary" for me to live with it for 8+yrs and not just for the sake of having it .... Sat Nav will be aftermarket .... no way I'm paying $4K for it from a dealer .... alloys I can use the Tigs stock ones lying in te garage, so thats easily fixed as well. The Multivan stock 16"s are nice to look at though.

I personally don't like the LWB as I believe it just makes it difficult to use around town on a regular basis.

The bench seats (all seats actually in the Multivan) are on rails that run the length of the cabin and are easily removable. So adding another is simply clipping it into the existing rails in the cabin and it then behaves just like the existing 1. So its no aftermarket addon job and I have no issues with it technically. Legally it may be a bit of an issue, but will research that now.

Still need to drive it to see if I can live it ....

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi Sharkie, The bench seat moved to the second row is not the easiet thing to fold down and slide to access the third row should you add another bench seat.


Regards,

Scott

[rob64981]

Instead of getting another rear bench why not do this?...





These pictures are of the inside of an Australian Multivan.

Will have a look and see if i can find out the maker but think it was in Victoria.

Just another idea to confuse you some more!!

The two out side seats still fold forward to allow rear passengers access.

Rob

[team_v]

That middle seat reminds me of the pink coloured droids form star wars ep 2 "Roger roger"

[Sharkie]

Thanks Rob & Scott, thats the feedback I'm after, good to know about the bench's potential problems and that additional seat looks interesting .... and yes team_v it does look like the droids a bit ....

I'll try and get info on that seat now ....

[Silver Caravelle]

Whilst on such matters, if anyone has a complete spare Captains seat/and base in Anthracite trim, I am interested in getting hold of one to facilitate a wheel chair conversion in the third row. Now not available via the dealer as a whole but one could be constructed out of the individual ordered parts for about $3K plus ! I tried Exploria in the UK and got some vague responses back so gave up on them.

Cheers,

Scott

[Sharkie]

The kids of today .....

I must be teaching my kids wrong .... nothing of my passion and enthusiasm for cars seems to have rubbed off on my kids ...

Test drove the new Multivan Comfortline this past Saturday and it was the 1st time my kids EVER got really excited about a car ...

They've grown up with nice BMWs and VWs .... but they just loved the Multivan and the space in the back. Turning the seats around and sitting at the back was in their words ... "... this is the best car ever ..."

Personally, I appreciate the space, but TBH its no truly terrific drive ... yet, for the kids sake we'll be getting 1 ....

Now to get the options sorted and ordering 1 in ...

[team_v]

I must be teaching my kids wrong .... nothing of my passion and enthusiasm for cars seems to have rubbed off on my kids ...

Test drove the new Multivan Comfortline this past Saturday and it was the 1st time my kids EVER got really excited about a car ...

They've grown up with nice BMWs and VWs .... but they just loved the Multivan and the space in the back. Turning the seats around and sitting at the back was in their words ... "... this is the best car ever ..."

Personally, I appreciate the space, but TBH its no truly terrific drive ... yet, for the kids sake we'll be getting 1 ....

Now to get the options sorted and ordering 1 in ...

A real people mover is never going to be an "enjoyable" drive for you i believe.
On the upside, the Tig/Golf R should prove to be enjoyable enough for your use and it's not like you will be using the Multivan all-day every-day.