• Summary

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Family man, places practicality above image, while still having a respectable car.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    Appreciate the seven seats, think it is slightly unusual.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    In principle yes, does everything we need.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Whatever is around at the time, at the right price, that fits what we feel we need. Must be able to tow a caravan.

  • Buying experience

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Didn't buy from a dealer

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £3,000

    When did you buy the car?

    January 2012

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Car was high mileage (178k) and going through auction. Car had been traded in, dealer was looking to shift. Car is not a 'popular' model, so limited appeal. Full service history, had a new clutch, DM flywheel, cambelt done at correct intervals etc, so main potential high expense failures that one might expect from a high miler had already been done. Towbar fitted.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    7 seats, diesel, good price.

    What was the dealer like?

    Pragmatic and looking to do a deal.

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Handling is good for a 'family' driver, and easy to drive. Roadholding could be better, does not cope with bumps while cornering very well.

    What's it like to park?

    No problem, especially with rear parking sensor, power steering is easy at low speed. It is fairly long...

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Nothing has gone wrong in 15 months. VW diesel is slightly noisy. Plastics are a bit cheap, seats not a comfortable as they might be on a long journey. Why an electric sunroof at the back and only manual hinge version for the driver? Middle row of seats do not fold very flat. Slightly let down the otherwise very good seating arrangements. Driver controls (particularly wipers) are not very intuituve. Sidelight bulbs very tricky to replace. Door pockets could be wider. All the above only minor whinges.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Rear seats are brilliant, folding away and reversible. Good mpg (easy indicated 45mpg). Very practical car.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    Cruise control is a boon, trip computer. Rear parking sensors (although these could be better). Towbar.