paul1966 Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 at the minute i drive a 2002 passat 1.9tdi sport, it looks like the head gasket is shot so rather than spend money on it i am thinking of getting an MPV. it needs to tow a light caravan of just over 1 ton. i am looking at the KIA range of MPV's but not sure of their reliability, anyone care to recommend one, budget is limited to 3K max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Like VWs myself for 3k why not stay with VWs and go for a touran ? We had a Citroen Picasso HDI 2 litre back in the day was incredibly reliable got it to 250 k with just basic servicing no major issues, why not look at a grand picasso never had one but if anything like the old picasso we had could be super reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 trouble is if i stick with vw for 3k its going to be high mileage, the honda and kia's i have seen have less than 100k on them, i intend to keep it for a few years so the lower mileage the better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 (edited) Im not really a snob when it comes to cars and im sure kias are ok, but of the two you mention i think i would go with Honda myself, But a VW even with say 100 140 on it still has a few years in it obviously the closer you can get to 100 the better but they take the miles pretty good. What about a suitably sized Toyota verso around 3k they must be. Edited August 7, 2016 by TONY R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 You can never go wrong with a KIA, not the most luxurious MPVs, in fact rather basic, but solidly built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 If your looking at the Kia Sedona (2.9 diesel) then they are very reliable and will do everything you want from an MPV, but they are not very economical, very slow and very boring. The kia carens are probably more suited for what you need as the sedona is a big bus. IMO though for smaller MPVs the ford Cmax takes some beating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 How much would it cost to fix the head gasket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 How much would it cost to fix the head gasket? i have not had a quote yet but i would imagine it would be around £600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 You can never go wrong with a KIA, not the most luxurious MPVs, in fact rather basic, but solidly built. thats what i need, i don't mind it being a boring car, reliability is the main thing i am after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canis Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 I've had 2 renault scenic diesels now and have a love hate relationship with them - love - 50 mpg , lots of space, cheap tax, cheap insurance. other road users expect you to drive badly ! against- everything is electronic, its french ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 I've had 2 renault scenic diesels now and have a love hate relationship with them - love - 50 mpg , lots of space, cheap tax, cheap insurance. other road users expect you to drive badly ! against- everything is electronic, its french ! how reliable are the electronics when they get older? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Vector Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 I've had two (still got the later one, a 7 seater) Renault Scenic 1.6L petrols. Two of the best cars I've had. Never had reliability issues (mechanical or electrical). They are cheap to buy and maintain, very economical and well equipped. I've had far more trouble and expense with the one and only Ford I've ever owned. That was a right disappointing pile of *^$!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canis Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 how reliable are the electronics when they get older? the early mark 2's scenics 54-55 plate -had problems with the dashboards dying and the electric window regulators failing. failures of these components where fixed with alternate components by the main dealers at a heavily subsidised cost. the later mark 2's had the alternate components as standard weve an 07 plate in the family that has had none of these problems and touch wood my 11 plate mark 3 has reached 5 years old with no major problems. the concern with everything being electronic is more that because everything uses bus wiring similar if you change a component like the button on the tailgate that releases the boot lid you need to reprogramme the car so frankly i've found it simpler to leave everything other than tires to the main dealer. loosing the card/fob that does the job of a key is a ball ache too as supplied and programmed they cost just less than £200! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 the problem i have found with KIA's is that the tow ball max weight is 50kg which is a bit of a pain when trying to hitch a caravan, not sure i like the renault scenics, we would be looking at 07 plate cars and i am not sure on the amount of electronics they use, just more to go wrong? i am now looking at the ford cmax as i have had fords before which were reasonably reliable and spares are readily available so i can service it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 I've had two (still got the later one, a 7 seater) Renault Scenic 1.6L petrols. Two of the best cars I've had. Never had reliability issues (mechanical or electrical). They are cheap to buy and maintain, very economical and well equipped. I've had far more trouble and expense with the one and only Ford I've ever owned. That was a right disappointing pile of *^$!... I have one, 1.6 16v petrol 5 seater. Bought it purely because it was cheap and I needed a car in a hurry. Had it just over a year and the only problem I`ve had with it is the alternator going. It`s reasonably economical as long as you don't hammer it. The insurance is pretty cheap too. Can't say it's my car of choice but I can't complain about it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 the problem i have found with KIA's is that the tow ball max weight is 50kg which is a bit of a pain when trying to hitch a caravan, it would be worth double checking as that is very surprising considering quite a few kias have done well in the caravan club tow car awards. I know the older sedona has a really high tow capacity and have seen quite a few towing big twin axles,and there is no way of getting the nose weight on them down to 50kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzashadow Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 (edited) Nissan x-trail 22 diesel 40 mpg 2 to 4 wheel drive with a touch of a button https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR7kHC6yiQI Edited August 10, 2016 by bazzashadow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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