Introducing the new Caddy Maxi Life - 7 Seat People Mover

[Two Dogs]

Just put a deposit down for a Caddy Maxi Life:

Off Road Grey
ESP
Park Assist
Towbar.

Had test driven one in a regional area on the weekend, than was in Parramatta on business on the Monday and thought I would drop in to the local dealer and get the low down.

Surprisingly they did not have any in stock. When I mentioned that regional areas already had them they were shocked.

Anyhow, talked prices and options and ended up placing a deposit on the only Caddy Maxi in manual they had in stock.

I had completed the test drive in strong winds and was extremely impressed on how the Caddy performed. So now it's a four/five week weight until I can get organised to pick it up (for the wife that is).

Two Dogs

[phaeton]

Wow congrats Two Dogs

I think VW are on a winner with the Maxi Life and so are the buyers
Please post pics of it when you get it.

I went searching at our local dealer last Saturday none in stock

[phaeton]

Update forund a CML at my dealer see photos here phaeton's Trip to the Dealer Edition 3 August 08 - vwwatercooled.org.au

[The_Hawk]

This is pretty high up on my list of 7 seaters for the next vehicle.

The few things I need to check is the luggage space with all seven seats occupied. Can you still fit in a largish pram?

And how many child restraint points does it have? Considering that [NSW at least] has new child seat laws coming in on Jan 1 2009 which keeps a kid in a child seat much much longer... so I may need 3 or 4 child seats at once.

[Two Dogs]

Hawk

Child restraints second row on the left hand side, anchor on the seat backs, near the base (the other seat in the second row folds for rear access)

One child restraint third row on the drivers side on the roof.

And yes there is a mountain of space behind the third row for lots of luggage. As we have a new grandson, we took him on the test drive and half way through we had to change his nappy and there was mountains of space. Atruly impressive car.

The rear seat comes out in a few seconds via webbing pull straps.

Two Dogs

P.S. If you have any further questions let me know. I'll try and help.

[kellyjelly]

Hawk

Child restraints second row on the left hand side, anchor on the seat backs, near the base (the other seat in the second row folds for rear access)

One child restraint third row on the drivers side on the roof.

Two Dogs

P.S. If you have any further questions let me know. I'll try and help.

Thanks Two Dogs, i only ever knew of the 2 restraints in the middle row, i'm gonna go looking for the 3rd one in the roof.

[Sammeka]

Hi two dogs, just wondering how your caddy is going ? I'm in the lookout for 2011 model. Heard VW can be expensive to maintain after a few years especially parts. I also plan to tow a small trailer & so checking to see if this vehicle will survive a hill with a trailer behind. Have you done any towing with your caddy ? Much appreciate any feedback if any have experience the caddy Maxi Life.

I'm interested in the 2.0 diesel.

[Two Dogs]

Hi Sammeka

The Caddy is rock solid with about 80-90k on the clock, as for expensive to maintain not in my experience(compared with other japanese cars I have owned). There are two dealers in the Hunter region and so I managed to play one off against the other and have stuck with them until recently. With the warranty running out soon I figured I would go to a Euro specialist with the correct gear and experience and have been happy.

As for towing the 1.9 TDI is a weapon(heaps of diesel torque), I have towed a trailer full of bikes and six passengers often. Over hilly terrain, high winds and am very happy. The fuel economy is still very good on these occassions. The thing hammers up hills on the freeway, the wife and I have a term called "minivan envy" and it relates to other road users being offended/confronted by a "people mover" kicking there arse up long hills, cracks us up every time. In fact these days I tend to do it for recreation : )

One thing that passengers find is that the ride in the back can be a bit rough on bad roads otherwise they appreciate the opera style seating hieghts, also the fact that you can very quickly and conveniently remove the last row of seating is a benefit to us.

Any more questions just ask, as you can probably tell we still love our caddy. I am in the position to get a replacement but can't see anything better out there.

Two Dogs

P.S. My other car is a V6 Alfa GT, goes hard handles beautifully but I have to tell you the Caddy is still a good car to drive as far as performance goes, both handling and acceleration.