• Summary

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Don't know. I doesn't scream family like so many other MPV. I think it just says "really practical" and a bit posh.

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

    They all love it. We have been quite shocked at how enthusiastic people have been. I think they all think it cost much more than it did.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Assuming it is reliable I don't think we would have any choice!

    What are you likely to buy next?

    VW Touran.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchise

    Did you buy this car new?

    Yes

    What price did you pay?

    £13,900

    When did you buy the car?

    September 2007

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Great deal, the list price was over 16,000. I paid less than I could get online and traded in a car broken in several ways. I did a lot of research online. The basic S trim comes with alloys, aircon, 6 airbags, CD, cruise control, and ESP, NCAP 5. The alternative MPVs like the Zafira when brought up to the same spec were more expensive and don't look as good (or as posh!).

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Needed lots of space for carrying kit, test drove lots of estates and didn't like them, 7 seats might sometimes be useful. Wanted a badge which didn't scream "family!".

    What was the dealer like?

    Very nice dealer, great service so far. A world apart from the place I purchased my previous car from.

  • Driving it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Drives like a car, surprising tight turning circle, at home in town, on back roads or the motorway. The diesel engine is a hoot.

    What's it like to park?

    Easy to park, the car is quite compact but looks large if viewed on its own. I added rear parking sensors as an option which really make it trivial. Previous car was a micra, this is just as easy.

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Hand brake didn't seem to work very well. Dealer tried to adjust it but said the rear callipers were factory set incorrectly and replaced the rear callipers, disks and pads when two weeks old under warranty.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Big boot, high driving position, great all round visibility, loads of interior space in a compact car shorter than a focus estate.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    I don't do gadgets, but I suppose the diesel engine, my first, I love the way it drives.