Hi, looking to buy a (hopefully) not-too-big 7-seater car when we get to Sydney in August. Currently driving a Vauxhall Zafira but when I look up Holden Zafira on the websites they all come up as being too old, presumably because this car is no longer available? Can anyone recommend something similar (am really not too clued up when it comes to cars)?

check out Google Aus for the different brands

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/series-ii-captiva

These are the 7 seaters available from Holden - looks like they call it the Captiva now. Couldn't tell you what they're like but if you go for one post a review on here cos we'll probably be looking for something similar!

We have a Captiva - had it for almost 2 years now and no problems at all with it.

We're a family of 5 (three tall teenage boys and Himself is over 6ft too) - plenty of leg room for every one.

Don't ever get a flat tyre though, you need a degree in mechanical engineering just to detach the spare from under the car

Welcome

How much do you want to spend? New or used? Will the 6+7 seats always be used or are they just for e.g. young kids or on rare occasions?

Have a look through redbook.com.au and it will show you all 7+ seaters on the market.

(Also, if you click above on "search" and search for threads on 7 seaters etc, you might also find other threads on the same topic which will give you some ideas).

We have just bought a Hyundai Sante Fe - http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/santa-fe

We test drove the Holden Captiva but found the Sante Fe was far better (both to drive and in equipment) and was similar in price. You can also get the Kia Sorento which is basically the same car as the Sante Fe (both built in the same factory in Korea).

We decided to but new as there are some good deals around on new cars and also on finance. Second hand cars hold their price much better in Australia so the savings are not that great when all considered i.e warranty etc.

Hi there, thank you for all the replies.

We are looking at second-hand I think, hopefully $15-20k.

Extra seats will be used occasionally (normally just the 4 of us) - extras will be for transporting school friends or visitors.

Will have a look at the redbook website and have a trawl through other threads.

Im looking at the same. And so far my list is a Pajero..

Theres also the Ford Territory in 7 seats, but its not very common.

I wouldnt personally go for Kia/Hyundai over 5 years old..

Plus there are plenty of MPV's if you dont want a 4x4..

Hi, don't think we need a 4x4.

Current shortlist is Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Voyager, Hyundai Santa Fe (though may need to rethink this as no good if can't be over 5 years old as looking at 2nd hand).

Will check out a few websites and see what is available.

We looked at the Nissan dualis +2, but found it too small for us so we have bought a captiva. The dualis is a nice car though.

This may be a comment that's not backed up with data but you very rarely see Chrysler Voyagers on the road here. I notice that on carsales.com.au (which is a sister site to redbook.com.au) there are only 26 for sale in the whole country. It looks like they stopped selling them in 2006 and only had a 3.3 litre petrol engine - I would expect that to be incredibly fuel-inefficient! Petrol is cheaper in Australia than in the UK but it's still not free. http://redbook.com.au/cars/research/...lo=Spec&eapi=2 As a former owner of an American minivan, I'd be reluctant to go down that road again (although to be fair it looks like the Australian models were all built in Austria). However, any actual owners with proper experience should feel free to correct me on any of this.

As an awful generalisation, Australian car buyers tend to buy Japanese marques for reliability and quality, Australian marques for affordability and power, and European/American marques for luxury/style. Having said that, the new Korean brands are aiming for a sweet spot: high on reliability/quality, pretty affordable, quite well equipped and not ugly.

Have you considered the Toyota Avensis Verso, too?

Another option to consider if the extra seats will be used only occasionally and/or you have only young kids is getting a station wagon with a "dickie seat" in the boot which folds up for emergency use. Not very comfortable for bigger kids, tho.

Hi there, Chrysler Voyager off the list now. Not considered Toyota Avensis Verso yet - not heard of it, will look it up. We need 'proper' seats really, as the kids are getting bigger.

List now: Honda Odyssey, Kia Sorrento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger, Nissan Dualis, Holden Captiva, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX9, Peugeot 4007.

TBH a few of these I haven't heard of - other half getting involved now (phew). But any advice still welcome.

Check out carsales.com.au then you can see prices, but they are rather eye watering!

Although Holden is the Australian arm of GM, only the Commodore and the Cruze are actually made in Australia - the Captiva is (I believe) a rebadged Daewoo.

We are thinking of the Dodge Journey - some nice features and a good price.