I know that I have a go about our family battle wagon - the Renault Espace - but having just completed a 1500 mile round trip to the French Alps with 6 people, a roofbox and fully loaded with baggage and the kitchen sink, I have to praise the vehicle for its load-lugging and passenger carrying ability.
This is what people carriers are all about and even with 145k miles on the clock (admittedly with a second engine installed at 60k miles), I couldn't fault it.
What I am struggling to understand is why no-one is selling a full-size 7 seater anymore (apart from the Grand Voyager which is fine unless you want to go round corners). All the MPV's on the market have either a third row of seats or boot space - but you cannot have both - and the big four wheel drives are about the same - with even less boot space.
Rumour has it that Renault are reconsidering their decision to scrap the Espace and I sincerely hope they do so, as there is definitely a market for such cars.
It may not be an ALPINA but at least ours is adorned with register stickers to explain why the lunatic at the wheel is doing all he can to keep up with the flow of traffic on the motorway and is testing how high the centre of gravity is when cornering
Credit where it's due
Credit where it's due
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Personally I don't think there mis great enough demand in the market place for such a vehicle.
The massive rise in SUV sales and also minivans sales has killed them off.
If you need 6 or 7 seats most people I know of are buying the likes of a Mercedes Vito or a Transporter T5.
A lot of families that require a vehicle like that tend to do active stuff like snowboard, MTB etc and the greater flexibility offered by the dayvan / minivan option has helped kill off the full size MPV IMO.
I am about to convert my recently aquired sprinter into a 6 seater fopr that very same reason. I don't want to take the entire family or a pile of mates and 4 bikes out in the Alpina
The massive rise in SUV sales and also minivans sales has killed them off.
If you need 6 or 7 seats most people I know of are buying the likes of a Mercedes Vito or a Transporter T5.
A lot of families that require a vehicle like that tend to do active stuff like snowboard, MTB etc and the greater flexibility offered by the dayvan / minivan option has helped kill off the full size MPV IMO.
I am about to convert my recently aquired sprinter into a 6 seater fopr that very same reason. I don't want to take the entire family or a pile of mates and 4 bikes out in the Alpina
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1389
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:59 pm
- Location: Nottingham, occasionally S.Wales
Ford Galaxy to add to your list.
The fact is there is now a bigger market for the C-sized MPV over the D sized MPV. Also if you take a galaxy as an example, it started off as a C-sized car and has grown into the D-Sized market. Hence why the S-MAX has sold better in recent times.
Also, depreciation is what puts loads of people off. Galaxy is as good as £30k new, and drops to about £10 in 3 years. S-Max is £22k and drops to about £12-£15k in the same time period.
The fact is there is now a bigger market for the C-sized MPV over the D sized MPV. Also if you take a galaxy as an example, it started off as a C-sized car and has grown into the D-Sized market. Hence why the S-MAX has sold better in recent times.
Also, depreciation is what puts loads of people off. Galaxy is as good as £30k new, and drops to about £10 in 3 years. S-Max is £22k and drops to about £12-£15k in the same time period.
1995 E36 B3.0 Convertible (rebodied)
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
2019 Fiat Fullback
2020 Mini Countryman SE (PHEV)
Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
2019 Fiat Fullback
2020 Mini Countryman SE (PHEV)
Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast
Peugeot still do a 7 seater charles. The 5008, my brother currently has one from them for Xmas & New Year to get him, his family, dog, luggage and presents (santas and for others) up to Aberdeen.
Nothing to see here.... move along in an orderly fashion please!
E91 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #004 - (sold)
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #032
F31 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #172
Mk1 Focus RS #516
Mk3 Focus RS Heritage #8 of only 50
and a 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth (currently being restored)
E91 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #004 - (sold)
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #032
F31 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #172
Mk1 Focus RS #516
Mk3 Focus RS Heritage #8 of only 50
and a 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth (currently being restored)