Some car sugestions please

[Funkstar]

After much discussion, and a week in Mull (with terrible roads) the better half and myself are looking into getting a decent large car.

• Space for 5 adults and a large dog at a minimum, preferably with the option to seat 7
• Something rugged. Not necessarily 4x4, but something that won't get hammered by the bumpy single track roads in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
• Diesel, but not too large an engine, probably 2.5 at the most. Have to think of the running costs on this one.

Budget: £10,000 Maximum

So what's the options? I was thinking one of the chunky estates, like an Allroad type of thing, 'soft roader' or something right?

Idealy I want to avoid the French, I think we've just killed a Scenic this week

[Guy]

Examples were just taken as a quick guestimate as to whats out there.

Audi 'Allroad' - http://pistonheads.com/sales/1630884.htm

Either a Volvo XC70 or V70. . . - XC70 - http://pistonheads.com/sales/1815329.htm

VW Touran? - http://pistonheads.com/sales/1805672.htm

[Gerrard]

I would guess one of those mini-MPV's might be worth a look at: -

Ford SMAX
VW Touran
Mazda 5

Depends on who you're putting in the back and for how long. There's always the Discovery, but that'll be pretty costly to run!

[Guy]

Its just the possibly 7 seats + Dog, you will be hard pushed to find both, 5 seats + dog = fine, 7 seats and large dog= hmm slight problem.

[Funkstar]

Been looking at the Zafira for the past half hour or so.

Technically it's 6 seats + dog as the rear seats are independent so you can have none, one or two in place.

Touran is a good suggestion, I thought of it earlier, but they are significantly more expensive than the Zafira and appear to be about the same size.

I know I said £10K max, but we've been looking at about £7k for the zafiras, and that's from dealers

[Funkstar]

Zafira has been bought

We didn't mean to do it, we just went looking at the dealer in Edinburgh yesterday to see what they are like in the flesh. Three hours later, I paid the £100 deposit.

It's a Zafira 1.9 CDTi Life, Pearl-Ultra Blue, Black cloth, '08 plate.

I think we got a pretty good deal, SureLook protection (stain guard and protection), free servicing for life, GAP/VRI, additional 3 year warranty taking it up to four in total.

Nikkie is still pretty shell shocked that she now has a two year old car. I've never had a car that new! Until now all hers have been about 10 years old