Potential MPV buyers fall in please

[Atrecord]

 

think so duno y tan chong doesnt bring in. SG car mkt is really lousy as many models arent brought in compared to HK where almost all models from each brand are imported there.

 

the ADs here are really complacent

 

 

I thought Tan Chong did bring in Serena long ago. Strange not doing so now… cos biz no good and doesn't want to cannibalise Elgrand?

[Hyundai8818]

 

one thing i never liked about the picnic was the gear is like a van's… had this feeling as I had driven vans before, so it kinda put me off… But if can find good condition one, might be worth considering...

at least picnic gear is abit nicer as it curve up

trajet one is really like van, one bloody stick to the left

but I so get used to used that when i drive my friend sedan, my left hand automatic trying to find the gear stick !

but talking about 2L decent " full size" MPV

think in the used mkt very limit choice.

I have done some comparison, stream and wish asking price is not much diff from picnic

so the choice is obvious, so far did not heard much about picnic gearbox issue

but heard alot about stream gearbox issue.

[Riverfish]

Looking for an MPV as the next car as well. Went down to the showroom and checked out the following:

 

1) Wish -- plus: 5 yrs warranty + 5 yrs of free service, reliability. Minus: interior looks very bland and cheap, hard plastics all over the place.

 

2) Renault Grand Scenic-- plus: pleasant styling, good features, nice soft touch interior, good safety features. Minus: interior space is the smallest among those I've tested. Barely much legroom for 3rd row or even the 2nd row. There is a big trench behind 3rd row and seats don't fold flat. And worse of all, when I sit on the centre seat of the 2nd row, the seatbelt buckles portrude up and made it really uncomfortable for my buttocks (who the hell designed this???) -- this car is off my list.:(

 

3) Touran -- plus: decent interior space despite its deceiving short car length, good safety features (not sure if the curtain airbags extend to 3rd row though). minus: DSG gearbox?? Still skeptical although VW claims to have fixed it.

 

4) Mazda 5 -- plus: sliding doors (but I heard it's not as safe as hinged doors?), relatively cheap price. minus: hard plastics, the centre bench at 2nd row is not a proper seat, it's not comfortable sitting there, and there are only 2 airbags for an MPV. -- this car is off my list.

 

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

6) Ford S-max -- plus: solid build, good safety features and best power in its class. minus: most expensive, and its third row once folded is actually 10cm higher than the floor rather than flat like other models.

 

7) Peugeot 5008 -- plus: everything the same as Grand Picasso except the flashy features, cheaper than Grand Picasso. Minus: need to test out the ETG gearbox and Peugeot's reliability is also a question mark.

 

So far I'm leaning towards the Peugeot but if I can't get over the ETG gearbox, then perhaps just have to settle for Wish. Sigh... we don't seem to have many choices when it comes to compact MPVs...

[Dantanps]

I was exactly the same situation as you . Tried all these cars and have eliminated all conti brands for 3 reasons .

The resale value is extremely low , the reliabity and most of them are now diesel instead of petrol .

I was deciding between Biante or Wish . Not convinced with Wish engine as I test drive and find the engine very rough and noisy .

Biante was quite good but to pay that price for a untested model , I was quite reluctant !

 

 

Looking for an MPV as the next car as well. Went down to the showroom and checked out the following:

 

1) Wish -- plus: 5 yrs warranty + 5 yrs of free service, reliability. Minus: interior looks very bland and cheap, hard plastics all over the place.

 

2) Renault Grand Scenic-- plus: pleasant styling, good features, nice soft touch interior, good safety features. Minus: interior space is the smallest among those I've tested. Barely much legroom for 3rd row or even the 2nd row. There is a big trench behind 3rd row and seats don't fold flat. And worse of all, when I sit on the centre seat of the 2nd row, the seatbelt buckles portrude up and made it really uncomfortable for my buttocks (who the hell designed this???) -- this car is off my list.:(

 

3) Touran -- plus: decent interior space despite its deceiving short car length, good safety features (not sure if the curtain airbags extend to 3rd row though). minus: DSG gearbox?? Still skeptical although VW claims to have fixed it.

 

4) Mazda 5 -- plus: sliding doors (but I heard it's not as safe as hinged doors?), relatively cheap price. minus: hard plastics, the centre bench at 2nd row is not a proper seat, it's not comfortable sitting there, and there are only 2 airbags for an MPV. -- this car is off my list.

 

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

6) Ford S-max -- plus: solid build, good safety features and best power in its class. minus: most expensive, and its third row once folded is actually 10cm higher than the floor rather than flat like other models.

 

7) Peugeot 5008 -- plus: everything the same as Grand Picasso except the flashy features, cheaper than Grand Picasso. Minus: need to test out the ETG gearbox and Peugeot's reliability is also a question mark.

 

So far I'm leaning towards the Peugeot but if I can't get over the ETG gearbox, then perhaps just have to settle for Wish. Sigh... we don't seem to have many choices when it comes to compact MPVs...

 

[Riverfish]

I was exactly the same situation as you . Tried all these cars and have eliminated all conti brands for 3 reasons .

The resale value is extremely low , the reliabity and most of them are now diesel instead of petrol .

I was deciding between Biante or Wish . Not convinced with Wish engine as I test drive and find the engine very rough and noisy .

Biante was quite good but to pay that price for a untested model , I was quite reluctant !

 

 

 

 

mmm... is there any reason you don't like diesel? They seem to be pretty fuel efficient! The jap cars are indeed more reliable but seem to compromise on safety and design. :(

 

I saw Biante too but couldn't get over its exterior design. For its price I would probably go for s-max instead. :)

[Dantanps]

 

mmm... is there any reason you don't like diesel? They seem to be pretty fuel efficient! The jap cars are indeed more reliable but seem to compromise on safety and design. :(

 

I saw Biante too but couldn't get over its exterior design. For its price I would probably go for s-max instead. :)

 

if you travel a lot it will have a slight benefit to go on diesel but when I test drive the diesel , I feel like I am on the bus or taxi .Sorry , The engine noise is too loud for me . I almost sign the Biante but same as you I cannot accept the exterior too .

Luckily I took a look at Estima and I bought it after doing all my calculations !

[Mkl22]

i'm looking at MPVs too.

 

1. wish is an old model. otherwise reliability is tops. parts supply is also abundant and simple to fix. but interior is a little sucky , like the other forumer mentioned.

 

2. Biante, not too bad, but it really feels like driving a bus. you really feel the weight. also the 2nd row seats seem a little narrow, given that they need to split to create the middle passage. also the other issue i have with it is the 3rd row seats cannot be folded away.

 

3. Forget about contis. reliability and parts supply are a big issue. i cannot have the family bus to have any down time more than 1-2days.

 

4. mazda 5 is much too small. a Toyota Wish is a better bet given roughly the same price.

 

5. not too many other choices. I am considering Toyota Noah. love the space. the only thing is that it will be a rare model. So far only Car times is bring it in. i doubt there would be more than 20 on the roads.so unique parts like panels and lights would be an issue. Engine components should be the standard Toyota parts.

 

6. or the estima, but its expensive. Noah seems to do everything it does and has better room too. Maybe when there is a full load one might find the Noah wanting.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Mkl22

[Duckduck]

i'm looking at MPVs too.

 

1. wish is an old model. otherwise reliability is tops. parts supply is also abundant and simple to fix. but interior is a little sucky , like the other forumer mentioned.

 

2. Biante, not too bad, but it really feels like driving a bus. you really feel the weight. also the 2nd row seats seem a little narrow, given that they need to split to create the middle passage. also the other issue i have with it is the 3rd row seats cannot be folded away.

 

3. Forget about contis. reliability and parts supply are a big issue. i cannot have the family bus to have any down time more than 1-2days.

 

4. mazda 5 is much too small. a Toyota Wish is a better bet given roughly the same price.

 

5. not too many other choices. I am considering Toyota Noah. love the space. the only thing is that it will be a rare model. So far only Car times is bring it in. i doubt there would be more than 20 on the roads.so unique parts like panels and lights would be an issue. Engine components should be the standard Toyota parts.

 

6. or the estima, but its expensive. Noah seems to do everything it does and has better room too. Maybe when there is a full load one might find the Noah wanting.

 

Elgrand, Odyssey?

 

[Sabian]

No Isis?

[Cracker]

Looking for an MPV as the next car as well. Went down to the showroom and checked out the following:

 

1) Wish -- plus: 5 yrs warranty + 5 yrs of free service, reliability. Minus: interior looks very bland and cheap, hard plastics all over the place.

 

2) Renault Grand Scenic-- plus: pleasant styling, good features, nice soft touch interior, good safety features. Minus: interior space is the smallest among those I've tested. Barely much legroom for 3rd row or even the 2nd row. There is a big trench behind 3rd row and seats don't fold flat. And worse of all, when I sit on the centre seat of the 2nd row, the seatbelt buckles portrude up and made it really uncomfortable for my buttocks (who the hell designed this???) -- this car is off my list.:(

 

3) Touran -- plus: decent interior space despite its deceiving short car length, good safety features (not sure if the curtain airbags extend to 3rd row though). minus: DSG gearbox?? Still skeptical although VW claims to have fixed it.

 

4) Mazda 5 -- plus: sliding doors (but I heard it's not as safe as hinged doors?), relatively cheap price. minus: hard plastics, the centre bench at 2nd row is not a proper seat, it's not comfortable sitting there, and there are only 2 airbags for an MPV. -- this car is off my list.

 

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

6) Ford S-max -- plus: solid build, good safety features and best power in its class. minus: most expensive, and its third row once folded is actually 10cm higher than the floor rather than flat like other models.

 

7) Peugeot 5008 -- plus: everything the same as Grand Picasso except the flashy features, cheaper than Grand Picasso. Minus: need to test out the ETG gearbox and Peugeot's reliability is also a question mark.

 

So far I'm leaning towards the Peugeot but if I can't get over the ETG gearbox, then perhaps just have to settle for Wish. Sigh... we don't seem to have many choices when it comes to compact MPVs...

 

 

You will have to consider who will be sitting on the third row ??

will the third row be used daily or just the occasion get-together..

 

All those conti cars in your list ,, the third row are not meant for adults travelling for long distance or duration (due to traffic jam)...

I had tried the 3rd row of the 5008, Renault & Touran... dun think I want to be sitting there for > 5 min... the feeling is like sitting on a stool.

 

I am currently driving a Honda stream... the third row are used by my primary school kids... good enough for now.....but in couple of years of time..it will be cramp too. I am looking at replacement too... the Mazda 5 looks ok...but so many pple had highlighted the third row is equally cramp... the other will be Noah... looks very boxy...but guess it is a case of function over form for me..... of cos if budget permit.. it will be Ody ...

[Riverfish]

 

 

You will have to consider who will be sitting on the third row ??

will the third row be used daily or just the occasion get-together..

 

All those conti cars in your list ,, the third row are not meant for adults travelling for long distance or duration (due to traffic jam)...

I had tried the 3rd row of the 5008, Renault & Touran... dun think I want to be sitting there for > 5 min... the feeling is like sitting on a stool.

 

I am currently driving a Honda stream... the third row are used by my primary school kids... good enough for now.....but in couple of years of time..it will be cramp too. I am looking at replacement too... the Mazda 5 looks ok...but so many pple had highlighted the third row is equally cramp... the other will be Noah... looks very boxy...but guess it is a case of function over form for me..... of cos if budget permit.. it will be Ody ...

 

I'm looking for a 5+2 as most of the time it's just me, my wife and 2 kids. The 3rd row is only used during weekends when parents tag along. That's why i'm not looking into those full-size MPVs. Rented an Ody before and I really could feel its length when doing a parallel park. :)

 

Mazda 5 isn't for you based on your needs. Not any bigger than a Stream.

No Isis?

 

Too boxy?

 

Almost forgot, I think I'll check out Orlando as well.

[Mkl22]

 

Elgrand, Odyssey?

 

 

this falls in to the Previa/estima category. 165k+ and up. i'm quite reluctant to spend so much on a car. the wish is approx 130k, Biante/Noah 145-150K and odyssey is 167k-170k?

 

the noah seems to tick all the boxes except the popularity part. I'm ok with a PI car, but it has to be a popular model like the wish, estima where parts supply is not an issue.

 

I have not yet checked out the odyssey or Elgrand. Will always default to Honda/toyota is the price vs the rest of the Japanese cars isnt much more. They still build the best cars in terms of reliability. Nissan and Mazda are always one step behind.

 

Just to share some of the weird issues faced by myself or my family with cars other than Toyota/Honda.

 

1. Mitsubishi Lancer CS3. Horn button spoil. must change the entire steering wheel. in the end modified the horn button by adding 2 little buttons on the side the of the airbag. had rust issues in the internal door for some of the metal parts.

 

2. Mazda RX-8. numerous problems on steering rack, Catalytic converter, leaking tail lamp. Radiator overflow bottle. all happening before 50k km on a 4year old car.

 

3. Suzuki Liana. Fuel Pump @ 70k km. shocks at 40k km. Aircon @ 6k km (4years old). was a weekend car with the 1st owner.

 

4.Renault kangoo... Enough said...

 

5. Nissan Murano. steering boss spoil. tail gate cannot be opened. wiring and switch was changed.

 

for the honda and toyota. Zero funny issues and even for wear and tear parts its at a higher mileage like 70-80k for shocks and 100k for engine mounts where they wear out. which is acceptable.

[Karu]

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

Saw the new one on the road the other day. Very nice & different design, Wonder how much is it?

[Cracker]

 

I'm looking for a 5+2 as most of the time it's just me, my wife and 2 kids. The 3rd row is only used during weekends when parents tag along. That's why i'm not looking into those full-size MPVs. Rented an Ody before and I really could feel its length when doing a parallel park. :)

 

Mazda 5 isn't for you based on your needs. Not any bigger than a Stream.

 

Too boxy?

 

Almost forgot, I think I'll check out Orlando as well.

 

my mum stays with me..so when we go out...the kids will take the third row of the stream..

it is not really comfortable for adults to be at the third row...

 

I will start looking next year..... IIRC , there will be a car show in early part of 2015....this time round they will be getting more companies to join compared to previous years....

[Mkl22]

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

Saw the new one on the road the other day. Very nice & different design, Wonder how much is it?

 

i test drove it. gearbox is not too bad. you need to drive it like the alfa selespeed and lift off before the gear change. then it will be relatively smooth. the car is rather nice in terms of features and looks. but i will NEVER buy another French car. even if there is 10 year warranty and lifetime free servicing. I do not have the time to keep sending it in to get fixed.

 

i cannot tahan the stress of not known when it will next breakdown. and for french cars breaking down is a norm.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Mkl22

[Riverfish]

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

Saw the new one on the road the other day. Very nice & different design, Wonder how much is it?

 

If I remember correctly, it's about $141k for the "basic" model, which already beats the Jap hands-down in terms of bells and whistles.

[Heman75]

Looking for an MPV as the next car as well. Went down to the showroom and checked out the following:

 

1) Wish -- plus: 5 yrs warranty + 5 yrs of free service, reliability. Minus: interior looks very bland and cheap, hard plastics all over the place.

 

2) Renault Grand Scenic-- plus: pleasant styling, good features, nice soft touch interior, good safety features. Minus: interior space is the smallest among those I've tested. Barely much legroom for 3rd row or even the 2nd row. There is a big trench behind 3rd row and seats don't fold flat. And worse of all, when I sit on the centre seat of the 2nd row, the seatbelt buckles portrude up and made it really uncomfortable for my buttocks (who the hell designed this???) -- this car is off my list.:(

 

3) Touran -- plus: decent interior space despite its deceiving short car length, good safety features (not sure if the curtain airbags extend to 3rd row though). minus: DSG gearbox?? Still skeptical although VW claims to have fixed it.

 

4) Mazda 5 -- plus: sliding doors (but I heard it's not as safe as hinged doors?), relatively cheap price. minus: hard plastics, the centre bench at 2nd row is not a proper seat, it's not comfortable sitting there, and there are only 2 airbags for an MPV. -- this car is off my list.

 

5) Citroen Grand Picasso -- plus: safety and other features and its design really impressed me, 5 years warranty. minus: a bit expensive and I didn't like the EGC gearbox on its previous generation. The new ETG gearbox is supposed to be an improvement but yet to test it out. Also the reliability seems to be low?

 

6) Ford S-max -- plus: solid build, good safety features and best power in its class. minus: most expensive, and its third row once folded is actually 10cm higher than the floor rather than flat like other models.

 

7) Peugeot 5008 -- plus: everything the same as Grand Picasso except the flashy features, cheaper than Grand Picasso. Minus: need to test out the ETG gearbox and Peugeot's reliability is also a question mark.

 

So far I'm leaning towards the Peugeot but if I can't get over the ETG gearbox, then perhaps just have to settle for Wish. Sigh... we don't seem to have many choices when it comes to compact MPVs...

nice review. however, my advice is buy a car that you really like and feel good in. don't think so much about resale value or reliability. cars are depreciating things, no value one. just for that few k why make yourself so miserable driving it everyday. reliability can ask for more years of warranty from AD when you buy. life is short enjoy please.

[Heartlander]

nice review. however, my advice is buy a car that you really like and feel good in. don't think so much about resale value or reliability. cars are depreciating things, no value one. just for that few k why make yourself so miserable driving it everyday. reliability can ask for more years of warranty from AD when you buy. life is short enjoy please.

I agree with most except on reliability. You would not understand the frustration of living with a time bomb until you ganna one before.