General Why a Multipla?

[GenghisK]

Hi all,

Ive not posted on the multipla section before but Im starting to warm to them, at the moment Ive got a cinq sporting and an import toyota estima. I love both of them but Im starting to think that its time for the toyota to go. Im on a traders policy for the insurance but it has recently gone up due to the bus being an 8 seater and my insurance only covered me for 7. Plus im sick of being used because of havin the extra seats

Anyway Ive noticed that the multipla looks quite practical for the three kids. But im wondering which would be most suited for me....

90% of my journeys in it will be vey short school runs, less than 1 mile round trip and it has to be reliable so that im not called back from work when the wife is stranded.

So if the multipla is for me then which one is best??

Cheers all

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I wouldn't bother with a petrol one with those sort of journeys that's for sure.

 

[pete123]

Nothing wron with petrol models 5 owned 1 diesel that went horribly wrong with doing short school runs dual mass went engine cloged up and turbo blew

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sorry, me bad, I ment shouldn't bother with a diesel with those short journeys. Petrol would be the way to go

 

[dave]

I wouldn't bother with a car at all for a school half a mile away, unless someone is disabled?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Don't be silly Dave. The little darlings couldn't possibly walk half a mile.....

 

[GenghisK]

Firstly let me assure you that they are NOT little Darlings... And they would like to walk to school weather permitting but as my wife has to drop one off at nursery and two off at school both in opposite directions and likes to have the car on her in case either needs picking up early the car is close to a necessity.

Anyway......... The petrol is preffered for shorter journeys? How heavy is the car as in does the 1.6 have enough of a pull???

 

[pete123]

The 1.6 is like a little go kart they are pokey and can be quick depending on how u drive its also quite a light car where as the diesel is quick but heavy also another plus with the multipla is u dont suffer with body roll so the car is a rocket round corners

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

pokey, gocart and rocket.....mmmm
luigi

 

[pete123]

All of the above lol

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

Firstly let me assure you that they are NOT little Darlings... And they would like to walk to school weather permitting but as my wife has to drop one off at nursery and two off at school both in opposite directions and likes to have the car on her in case either needs picking up early the car is close to a necessity.

Anyway......... The petrol is preffered for shorter journeys? How heavy is the car as in does the 1.6 have enough of a pull???

I will be dissed for this, but the 1.6 is a weedy engine when got bodies in and short journeys will no doubt upset the electrics.

1.9 will not disappoint, but not suitable for such short journeys that you describe, but as a ownership propspect is better than the 1.6 as parts bin is more widespread.

Considered a Qubo or Doblo or Idea ?

Just an opinion though.

 

[GenghisK]

Just looked at the qubo but too small im afraid. The doblo and idea I have looked at but not to sure about the size of the idea, what is it similar to in size.

I need something for longer journeys too including the likes of camping and centre parcs and days out.

My friend has a berlingo car type thing which is great I guess this is the wrong place to ask but is the doblo better.

 

[Gavlar]

I've got a 1.6 and its sound. When the engine does fail I'll drop in a 20vt which should be a easier conversion than the diesel.

 

[dave]

why not just remove a couple of seats from the estima?

 

[pete123]

I've got a 1.6 and its sound. When the engine does fail I'll drop in a 20vt which should be a easier conversion than the diesel.

Same as what I'm gonna do and I'm looking forward to it so much to come gonna be better than them polish ones

 

[GenghisK]

why not just remove a couple of seats from the estima?

The Estima does about 18-20mpg around town with a very light right foot, takin the seats out is not gonna help much. Plus I run that idea past my insurance and he said that it would still be classed as an 8 seater that has been modified. Im also starting to get a strange pull to the italian stuff.....

 

[momoe]

Genghis, if you've got 3 kids and camping is your thing, you might find the boot a little small.

Centre Parcs are fine as you don't have to take your tent, cooker and all the other kit associated with living in a field for a week.
I've got 3 kids and we've done camping, I had a 350 litre roofbox and I took the middle rear seat out and I ended up weighing all the stuff as I was concerned about AUW.

I toyed with the idea of a trailer but in the end went for a Citroen C4GP.

Multi's are great cars, surprisingly agile and practical but they need a hands on approach and those hands need hyper-mobility and a familiarity with spanners!
Parts are not that expensive, Citroen prices make Fiat look like they're giving em away!

 

[GenghisK]

I toyed with the idea of a trailer but in the end went for a Citroen C4GP.


Ive got a citroen dispatch van which ive had for 6 years now with no problems at all..............BUT ive also had a citroen c8 which was a nightmare so arnold clark swapped it for another c8 which was the worst car ive ever owned as far as reliability is concerned. Im not trying to scare you btw the point im makin is I cant see myself convincing mrs genghis to get another citroen MPV!!!

To be honest ive done a bit of web work and I cant find an MPV thats reasonable and comes without a horror story...Not gonna stop me lookin though

 

[momoe]

C8/806/Ulyssee wasn't a bad vehicle, just spoilt by poor quality components and some **** poor engineering details.
Earlier cambelts weren't sufficiently protected from water ingress so didn't make their design life, goodbye engine.
Injectors corroding into the head, again due to water ingress - again, goodbye engine although innovative work by engineering firms that use hydraulic extraction techniques mean that engines can now be repaired economically.

Looked at one prior to the C4, holding their price surprisingly well - 7 seat MPV's do seem to do well.
However, I've two friends who have Zafira's and have had HUGE bills associated with EGR's, FAP and failing sensors, one of the factors in choosing petrol this time.

I prefer diesel driving characteristics (although the C4 has seriously good torque at low speeds for a 1.6 petrol, same as the 1.6HDI), however until they sort out the whole regeneration debacle I'm leaving it well alone.

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

C8/806/Ulyssee wasn't a bad vehicle, just spoilt by poor quality components and some **** poor engineering details.
Earlier cambelts weren't sufficiently protected from water ingress so didn't make their design life, goodbye engine.
Injectors corroding into the head, again due to water ingress - again, goodbye engine although innovative work by engineering firms that use hydraulic extraction techniques mean that engines can now be repaired economically.

Looked at one prior to the C4, holding their price surprisingly well - 7 seat MPV's do seem to do well.
However, I've two friends who have Zafira's and have had HUGE bills associated with EGR's, FAP and failing sensors, one of the factors in choosing petrol this time.

I prefer diesel driving characteristics (although the C4 has seriously good torque at low speeds for a 1.6 petrol, same as the 1.6HDI), however until they sort out the whole regeneration debacle I'm leaving it well alone.

Even i like my Multipla Diesel, I have to agree that petrol cars are so much more efficient recently and begs the question if you need a diesel car anymore, as the missus has gone from a JTD to a modern petrol and is getting the same consumption / mileage to a tankful of fuel for the same journeys, and road tax is cheaper as well.