7 Seater tow car

Notamondayfan
Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited January 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi,

We're looking to have our first caravan in the summer, and we're looking to switch cars now to be ready.

Ideally we would like a 7 seater (young family requirements), but also something capable of towing without too much trouble.

Budget wise, possibly spend upto £8000, but nearer £6000 would be good.

So far I've seen the Ford S Max, but for our budget it's either 7 year old, or high milage. Age doesn't bother me too much, so long as it's backed up with SH and low-ish millage. Also it appears like the S Max can tow quite a weight, where as other cars,
such as a Zafira, can't tow too much, but may still be doable.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions for a 7 seater? Or better still, any real life experience to give?

Cheers, Dean

Comments

  • Firedragon
    Firedragon Forum Participant Posts: 509
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #2

    Be aware that 7-seaters where the back two seats fold down into the boot floor, usually advise NOT to tow with these seats in use. This is the case with our Chevy Captiva and we looked at other 4x4s that were the same.

    Alison

  • madhouse4
    madhouse4 Forum Participant Posts: 129
    edited January 2016 #3

    Sometimes your better off with a higher mileage ex fleet car than a lower mileage older car, fleet cars tend to have money they need spent on them, where low mileage people think that will do a bit longer!

  • Notamondayfan
    Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited January 2016 #4

    Be aware that 7-seaters where the back two seats fold down into the boot floor, usually advise NOT to tow with these seats in use. This is the case with our Chevy Captiva and we looked at other 4x4s that were the same.

    Alison

    Good to know cheers! When towing the likelihood of using the rear seats is slim, we would like 7 seats more for day to day family stuff , but still be capable of towing.

  • Notamondayfan
    Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited January 2016 #5

    Sometimes your better off with a higher mileage ex fleet car than a lower mileage older car, fleet cars tend to have money they need spent on them, where low mileage people think that will do a bit longer!

    Yea, it's a real mine field with 2nd hand cars. For me condition, SH and receipts are what counts. I'd buy approved used cars from the dealers again, as we've had good cars this way.

    So anyone recommend a 7 seater? 

    Cheers, Dean

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #6

     .....

    So anyone recommend a 7 seater? 

    Cheers, Dean

    Mercedes R Class Cool Mine doesn't even know the caravan is on the back, but theres only the two of us & Molly the Mutt.

    I do have to admit they're not the cheapest car to keep on the road though.

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #7

    I tow with the Volvo XC90 which is a dedicated 7 seater.When seats 6 and 7 are in use you still have half the boot space available aswell.The xc90 is a strong heavy reliable towcar that will pull anything.Happy There is no restriction on how many seats you use when towing.

    peter.

  • S-max Jonny
    S-max Jonny Forum Participant Posts: 81
    First Comment
    edited January 2016 #8

    First time I've heard no towing with 7 people in the car - can you explain ?

    P.S S-max is a great tug and should be in your budget. 2.2 TDCi if you can

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #9

    First time I've heard no towing with 7 people in the car - can you explain ?

    P.S S-max is a great tug and should be in your budget. 2.2 TDCi if you can

    Neither have i .The number of people in the car should make no diference.

    peter.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #10

    First time I've heard no towing with 7 people in the car - can you explain ?

    P.S S-max is a great tug and should be in your budget. 2.2 TDCi if you can

    Neither have i .The number of people in the car should make no diference.

    peter.

    The only difference is, that with 7 people in the car, there's usually only enough luggage space for a tooth brush each. Laughing

  • Notamondayfan
    Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited January 2016 #11

    Maybe it's a weight thing? Having 7 adults, plus a caravan may with some cars put it well over the cars towing limit.

    Anyway, thanks for the suggestions and advice. I'll look into the XC90.

    What about the Grand Scenic? We had a Megan Scenic years ago, the wife loved it, but it was horribly unreliable and cost a fortune to repair!

    Also Vauxhall Zafira? I've heard there not brilliant at towing, and may struggle with anything other than a small caravan?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #12

     ....

    What about the Grand Scenic? ...

    It's French AND it's a Renault. Either should be enough to put you off Innocent 

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/renault-shares-drop-on-report-of-fraud-probe-into-emission-tests Surprised

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #13

    What about a Kia Sedona, had an old one, brilliant, 2 ton towing weight and all seven seats were proper adult size. Mine was a 2.9 but believe the newer ones are 2.2 and more refined.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #14

    What about a Kia Sedona, had an old one, brilliant, 2 ton towing weight and all seven seats were proper adult size. Mine was a 2.9 but believe the newer ones are 2.2 and more refined.

    My Dad has one ... many have had their last but one journey in the back of it Surprised. It surprised me how comfortable & easy it is
    to drive. Loads of room in the back when the seats are removed though they're heavy if you want to remove them & you need somewhere to store them if  you do. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #15

    You can get a Seat as used by our neighbours. Essentially a cheaper version of the VW.

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited January 2016 #16

    With seven on board and the van you'd need a high nose weight limit, and a £6000 to £8000 spend, maybe a ssangyon Rexton would be ideal a 2.7 merc engine and gearbox and a 140 KGs nose limit, have a look on Autotrader Ive seen quite a few seven seaters on
    there..

  • ClubMember1333A783BB
    ClubMember1333A783BB Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited January 2016 #17

    Can fully recommend the Ford Galaxy for towing and of course 7 seat flexibility. We pull a larger heavy van with no problems. We get  very good fuel consumption given the size of the car. Folding the 2nd and 3rd row of seats down gives you van like carrying capacity........a very very practical car! We bought ours as an ex hire car. (Northgate). High mileage but good price and has been really no trouble!

  • Notamondayfan
    Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited January 2016 #18

    Can fully recommend the Ford Galaxy for towing and of course 7 seat flexibility. We pull a larger heavy van with no problems. We get  very good fuel consumption given the size of the car. Folding the 2nd and 3rd row of seats down gives you van like carrying
    capacity........a very very practical car! We bought ours as an ex hire car. (Northgate). High mileage but good price and has been really no trouble!

    What engine and model S Max do you have?

  • malc1945
    malc1945 Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited January 2016 #19

    we had a 2ltr tdci titanium s max manual we found it a good tow car we changed it because the turbo was on its way out at 56000 miles also the rear suspension bushers were shot. and the trailing arm ones do not know if it was down to towing or not. it was
    a 2010 year. we tow a 1500kg single axle van it came it at 87% on the kerb weight. we now have a galaxy but not tow with it yet.

  • TheShipmans
    TheShipmans Club Member Posts: 47 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #20

    On our 2nd 2 Litre Diesel Auto Galaxy. Best towcar I have owned. 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited January 2016 #21

    You could always go for a Discovery.  Our Disco has 7 seats and the seats fold up to the sides.  We never tow with 7 people, but I can't imagine it presenting any problems - other than if you use the 7 seats it takes up the boot space.

    David 

  • ALANkW
    ALANkW Forum Participant Posts: 70
    edited January 2016 #22

    We have a hyundai santa fe 7 seater  .The third row fold flat when not in use and all of the 7seaters have self levelling suspension also has dedicated rear aircon 

     

  • malc1945
    malc1945 Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited February 2016 #23

    On our 2nd 2 Litre Diesel Auto Galaxy. Best towcar I have owned. 

    Write your comments here...good to hear that ours is the auto. will get down to north essex some time in the year daughter and son live near Colchester. we always go down end of October for grand daughters b/day stay near weeiey malc

  • Notamondayfan
    Notamondayfan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited February 2016 #24

    Think we're going to look at the S Max and Galaxy first. My preference from reading up would be the S Max as apparently it is a nicer drive, which as it'll only be towing for a short peroid of it's life, I think I'd prefere a slightly nicer ride when using
    it day to day.

    Their value seems high for 2nd hand motors, but going back 5+ years there seams to be some low milage, serviced models, which I'm tempted to go for.

    Cheers

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