SEAT Alhambra (2000 - 2010) 1.9 TDi PD SE 5d (7 Seat) (2001/Y) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
I have stuff and kids.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Family very fond of it and were sorry to see it filled up by a river of mud and sludge. 7 years of amazing reliablity and unforgettable trips all over France and Spain without a worry...ever.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes if I needed a large MPV.
What are you likely to buy next?
Mazda 6 estate or a saab 93 sportwagon.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchise
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£21,500
When did you buy the car?
May 2001
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes, OK, a little discount.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Wanted a big estate with flexible load/people space for camping trips and general "does everything" tasks.
What was the dealer like?
Awful, expensive servicing and terrible organisation and just SO annoying ! Went to independent garage as soon as warranty expired.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Ridiculously fast for an MPV that turbo is mad and gives huge torque and punches you up hills in low revs. Got weaker with age and a bit noisy but we did 85k in 7 yrs before the car was sadly destroyed in a flood. We had sports lowered suspension which sounds silly on an MPV but it handles better than many cars and would give most a run for the their money. Quite hard ride on some surfaces but thats the trade-off for good handling in a small bus.
What's it like to park?
Fantastic visibility to rear. Mirrors excellent - really good.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Yes head gasket after 7 years of hard work and cooling pump (one caused the other). One annoying electrical fault with door wiring water ingress, fixed it myself with a soldering iron..
What's most practical about your car?
Flexible space - massive load carrying without rear seats, for tip trips etc. Seats are heavy to remove and 7 years of this has left me a bit fed up but the versatility is more than worth it.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Loved all the concealed storage in doors and boot sides etc.
