Any reliability/things to look out for on these 7 seaters

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Any reliability/things to look out for on these 7 seaters

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#1167082 2-Nov-2014 19:44

Yogi02:
joker97: Yes I've considered the mpv, but didn't know much about its reliability

I have not had a single issue and the fact that it is based on the Mazda 6 which is one of the most reliable cars out there.
I am really picky about the cars I purchase and there is a lot more of them out there now since I bought mine.

Highly recommend taking one for a drive - Mine has the factory 18" alloys and handles quite well

Stay right away from the Pre 2005 old shape ones, completely different car.

+1 for the 06+ MPV - very good car - the 2.3l is zippy and economical - the 2 seats in the middle have a gap between them make the back seats easily accessible.

They've got power doors both sides, reversing camera, Bluetooth, good headroom for those in the back.

Get the 23c rather than the 23t (t for turbo)

MikeAqua

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#1167504 3-Nov-2014 11:55

In general with these type of vehicles you need to watch out for vehicles that have over loaded and or overheated.

They are often owned by large families and/or tradies and in both cases get a hard life.

Lack of servicing of turbo-diesels can also be an issue. Ask for service records.

The further the engine is away from the front of the vehicle, the more overheating becomes a potential issue.

Petrol engines are worse for overloading than diesel.

Avoid timing belts/cam belts if access to replace them is likely to be difficult. Timing chains will probably out last the vehicle.

Get a compression test,
Inspect for signs of head damage or repair,
Check for blackened spark plugs or exhaust tailpipe on petrol engines - may indicate frequent overloading.

Mike

Handsomedan

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#1167524 3-Nov-2014 12:16

I have a 2003 Subaru Traviq 2.2 sport.

5 seater, with two individual pop-up rear seats taking it to 7 when needed.

Large boot, small when all 7 seats are employed, but with the middle row sliding, you can comfortably have 7 adults in the car.

Economy is OK and it's got a cam chain, so no belt replacements.

Just had a roof lining replacement, as it's lived its whole life outside and therefore the foam in the old roof lining disintegrated. Common in many cars.

This is a re-badged Opel Zafira. Sold here new under the Holden Zafira badge, but only (I think) in the 1.8l variant...hugely underpowered.

Haven't had a lot of issues - little bits and pieces. Haven't spent much on it at all.

I like it - it has a full body kit and feels (and looks) fairly modern.

One thing to think about is that the Wish and several versions of the Premacy and Hondas have 1.7 or 1.8 litre engines. Fine around town unloaded...dreadful when loaded with people.

Balance that with the economy of a smaller engine when not fully loaded.

personally, I'd avoid a large van...just don't like then myself.

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Batman

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#1167566 3-Nov-2014 12:50

thanks

04fuxake

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#1167576 3-Nov-2014 13:00

We "downsized" to an 2001 Ipsum and it's been pretty good. The steering rack bushings wore out to the point that the steering wheel was more of a "suggestion wheel" but once we got that fixed, it's been fine ever since. The nice thing about the Ipsum is that you can fold the back seats flat so you have a large carrying space. It's not an exciting car to drive, but it's dependable and it's a Toyota so it will go for years.

heylinb4nz

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#1167644 3-Nov-2014 14:12

joker97:
Handle9: Most SUVs have an option for 7 seats now. There will be others but the ones I know of are:

Mitsubishi Outlander
Ford Territory
Holden Captiva
Toyota Highlander
Hyundai Santa Fe

Most of them are pretty small in the third row and you have little or no luggage space but are still very handy.

sorry I have added my budget $10-15k

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heylinb4nz

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#1167645 3-Nov-2014 14:12

joker97:
Handle9: Most SUVs have an option for 7 seats now. There will be others but the ones I know of are:

Mitsubishi Outlander
Ford Territory
Holden Captiva
Toyota Highlander
Hyundai Santa Fe

Most of them are pretty small in the third row and you have little or no luggage space but are still very handy.

sorry I have added my budget $10-15k

Did you consider the Subaru Exiga ? basically a 7 Seater Legacy Spec B wagon....7 seats without the stigma of owning a people mover.

That said ive got mates with 3+ sprogs who own Honda Odessy...and they swear by them. Good power, and don't look like to bad.

Although my ultimate people mover would have to be a widebody Toyota Estima with supercharger (+ 14psi pulley kit)..although you cant get low km ones anymore.

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#1167696 3-Nov-2014 15:08

No I won't consider a subaru import unless it goes faster than a v8. I think I'll go the whole nine yards with a 206kw estima. When I sell other car.

heylinb4nz

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#1167737 3-Nov-2014 16:00

joker97: No I won't consider a subaru import unless it goes faster than a v8. I think I'll go the whole nine yards with a 206kw estima. When I sell other car.

Want to buy my Legacy next year then :) ?

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#1167768 3-Nov-2014 16:17

Why next year ;p

BuzzLightyear

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#1167931 3-Nov-2014 19:13

Had a 2004 Odyssey for 6 years. It was an import with CVT. Did 150,000k's on it. Didn't miss a beat. Good family car with heaps of space. Apparently the thing people look out for is the CVT which can be problematic. Strangely the import CVT's are supposed to be better than the NZ new one. Either way, never had an issue with it. Would recommend it.

BTW have upgraded to a 7 seat 2013 Santa Fe. Very good car but the back two seats aren't as roomy as the Odyssey. Kids are older now so not really an issue. Still enough room to take my 12 and 14 year olds in the very back but not as comfy in the back row in the Odyssey.

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heylinb4nz

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#1168391 4-Nov-2014 12:29

joker97: Why next year ;p

We promised ourselves we would change cambelt at 100,000 then sell and get next 4 year car . Based on current availability and Kms on trademe we would have one of the lowest km ones available in price range and spec.

Pretty nice ride in the rarer metallic red colour

- Gary Capper tuned (181kw at all 4 \ 230ish at engine)

- Subtech front pipe

- Adrenaline R mid pipe

- Simota panel filter

- Custom painted mags

- Nolathane LCA bushings

- Premium Mackintosh sound system

Uses less fuel than factory as well (best is 7.6L per 100kms)

E3xtc

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#1168482 4-Nov-2014 14:03

BuzzLightyear: ...Apparently the thing people look out for is the CVT which can be problematic. Strangely the import CVT's are supposed to be better than the NZ new one....

A few years back I was dropping my Nissan in at the dealer to have something done and the lady in front of me with an import 2002 Primera was almost in tears at the cost they were advising her to fix her CVT as it had smoked itself - the cost was more than the car was worth *gulp*...but there are always horror stories...I have never had any issues with them - asides from not really enjoying the way that they drive, but you do get used to it - but i think I would avoid anything before a 2010 CVT...no real reason though.

gzt

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#1168505 4-Nov-2014 14:15

No one yet has mentioned safety rating. The earlier estimas did not do so well because of driver position I think. 2004 onwards may be better, but do remember to compare with alternatives.

Different subject. If you are regularly loading to capacity I predict you will find the standard Estima just a little underpowered and maybe a bit under braked. Fine for 4 people alone, beyond that (ie; adding the last two or heavy luggage) feels like exceeding the natural capacity to a lesser or greater extent.

I like the look of the Hyundai van people movers. They appear to be a bit more spacious in a similar price range. At present they are outside your budget, 2008 around 17K but have the advantage that power is never a problem with a diesel engine.

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#1168507 4-Nov-2014 14:19

Oh dear I smell a never ending discussion on power and torque ...

The v6 estima has 206kw of power, the Hyundai van has next to no power but oodles of torque

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