Family vans!

brenz07, Jun 20, 8:50pm
A family van is on the cards,7 seater 2010+ in a 2.4l +. we have looked at many and have narrowed it down to the toyota mark x zio 2.4l,3.5 v6, honda odyssey, mazda mpv. we had just seen a mitsi grandis 4wd,quite cheap too. decisions decisions. Would anyone happen to know whether any of these vehicles are prone to any faults. Anyones experience with these vehicles,perhaps some pros and cons would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
andy61, Jun 21, 6:46am
Avoid the Mitsubishi Grandis at all cost unless you want to keep your mechanic wealthy and yourself poor,
rctr, Jun 21, 7:11am
Why? the 4g69 mivec motor is brilliant as for rest of car It's not to bad either. Only downside is they are not 2010 onwards as op wants
poppy62, Jun 21, 7:36am
Mercedes Viano or Vito are worth a look also, lots of van for the dosh.
tamarillo, Jun 21, 7:41am
Previa
kazbanz, Jun 21, 7:57am
1)mark x ZIO-lovely vehicle to drive well appointed comfortable as a 5 seater.Really good compromise vehicle if the last two seats are only occasionally used. -a bit cramped if used often.
2)Mazda MPV 2.3.-roomier than the Zio inside. Sliding rear doors are a big bonus.Its taller than the zio so more headroom. More roomy than the zio o for back seat passengers. The 07 and newer CAN be an 8 seater if needed.More "people moverish: to look at and drive.
3)Honda odyssey-lovely vehicle to drive well appointed comfortable as a 5 seater.Really good compromise vehicle if the last two seats are only occasionally used. -a bit cramped if used often. reduced headroom at the back.3.0l has gearbox issues still
4)Grandis is very much like the MPV-I only have personal experience with the earlier model which had valve guide issues --iee drank oil and smoked. Im not comfortable commenting in the newer version.
-Other suggestions.
-Toyota Previa/estima-They are lower now and very roomy inside.-mechanically the same as a Zio.-highly recommend
doglover2003, Jun 21, 8:20am
Get a nissan , ran them for years without trouble.
thejazzpianoma, Jun 21, 8:21am
+1

Built on commercial running gear so built to last much longer than what you are looking at. A Diesel one is proper quick and will require less servicing than what you are looking at and around half the running costs.

A better proposition IMO.
thejazzpianoma, Jun 21, 8:24am
90's Nissan's were great, newer ones like the OP is looking at are complete and utter rubbish IMO. As a vehicle in terms of drive-ability, running costs and comfort. Also in terms of build quality and reliability.
skiff1, Jun 21, 10:24am
Condoms prevent people movers
designerliving, Jun 21, 11:39am
Delica D5
extrayda, Jun 21, 11:51am
+1 for Estima / Previa.
Can't comment on the Mercedes, but when we bought the Estimas we tried an Elgrand (3.5 litre) and it was definitely gruntier / faster than the Estima, but felt much more like a van to drive (and noisier). The Estima drove much more like a car (which it is based on). Go try a few of the options and see what you like, then do some research on common faults before you buy anything. The main things I would look for in a 7 seater are probably the sliding doors - so much easier in car parks etc., and don't have to worry about the kids opening doors into the cars next to us anymore.
extrayda, Jun 21, 11:53am
The other thing as Kaz mentions is how often the extra seats are used - we use 6 regularly for children that are relatively tall, which ruled out most of the smaller people movers for us, as often they have very little legroom in the rear.
msigg, Jun 21, 11:54am
yes extrayda I don't like to park next to vans and 2 door cars as the doors always open further and can scratch your car if flung open. Good point. Yes Elgrand is a very grunty reliable van, thirsty as expected with that power.
extrayda, Jun 21, 12:19pm
Sadly not just vans - it's quite often that people clunk their doors into the side of my van - even when I am sitting in it !
Had one instance a year or so back, when it was done repeatedly by their children with no care / caution by the parent. I did comment on that one to them. care factor on their side was zero.
The Estima (2.4) isn't too bad on gas - similar to what my 2.5 Cefiro was (probably because the Cefiro was a 97, so older than the Estima). Cefiro was a great car, but didn't fit 6 people :-(
j_fung9007, Jun 22, 3:10am
I got my missus a 2005 Nissan Serena 3 years ago for her to carry the kids around. Great car, haven't got any issues with it. I'm surprised they are not popular, their prices are going down quite hard, probably get a late model one with low kms around $9000 now. lots of room, versatile, cheap to run for a big van-like, heaps of gadgets and etc.
doglover2003, Jun 22, 7:16am
Surely if they were that bad their resale value would be low
like euro-trash ?
kazbanz, May 15, 1:11pm
Ohh --OP if you are still hanging in there.
If you are happy for a more "vanny" van then you have even more options.
Nissan Serena is a REAL 8 seater'
Toyota Noah/Voxy is the same size.
THEN you go up to the "big boys"
The Toyota Alphard has a tonne of room as does the Nissan Elgrand
BUT those two are a bit more thirsty.