7 Seaters?

[melissa]

Aaron, I have had someone on the Kombi Club suggest the Hyundai iMax as one to look at. No one else has mentioned it. Have you looked at it?

[The_Hawk]

Aaron, I have had someone on the Kombi Club suggest the Hyundai iMax as one to look at. No one else has mentioned it. Have you looked at it?

Yep, went to Hyundai during round one of looking, they don't come from the factory with any extra mounts but I have heard mixed reports that they can be added after market. The issue of course is that they are only new (late 08 onwards) so second hand ones are still new, that and they are all $40k+

I want to spend less than $25,000 if possible and really if I'm going any higher the Kia Carnival isn't a terrible option since a new one isn't much over $30k, ticks all the right boxes and has a 5 year unlimited km warranty... In reality Kia (and Hyundai for that matter) are well appointed for the cost, they just depreciate alot and the Kia's are know to break

So Melissa, I saw your for sale thread... you don't happen to be coming on the Annual Summer Cruise do you??

[melissa]

I would have liked to but I have made plans that mean I cant make it - I will send you a PM

[maca]

What about sourcing a RHD Mazda 5 from somewhere?

[gareth_oau]

we had 4 kids, and people suggested we would need to buy a Tarago or similar. I told them i'd rather drown one of the kids than drive a Tarago.

I'm a car/performance fanatic, so your typical people-mover just wasnt going to cut it.

So we bought a Commodore SS wagon, chipped it, big exhaust, CAI, lowered suspension, 6 speed gearbox with quick-shifter - you know, typical mum's school bus type car, then we installed 2 additional seats in the boot and converted into a road-legal 7 seater.

In fact it was probably the world's fastest school bus!!

This option allowed us to have our cake and eat it too.

Oh, and when we sold it, we made a killing, very rare and in high demand!!

[The_Hawk]

What about sourcing a RHD Mazda 5 from somewhere?

They look alright, although there is not information on the child restraint points... oh and I expect them to be stupidly expensive. (and don't seem to be available in Australia).

While looking them up I stumbled on www.familycarguide.com which shows they sell for US$20k ish, mind you the same site says a CX-9 sells for US$30k ish which roughly translates to $60k ish in Australia

[Manaz]

Have you looked at the Subaru Exiga at all?

[The_Hawk]

Have you looked at the Subaru Exiga at all?

It only has two child anchor points and is essentially just a higher spec Liberty Wagon, released 2009 as far as I can see so read $40K+


If you neglect the anchor point thing and just assume everything can be fitted with extra points then consider all the options there still isn't alot out there. The car like wagons have zero luggage space with the back row in place, the larger wagon/van things like the Kia Carnival or Crysler Voyager have luggage space that's getting there...

Mind you the reality seems to be that unless you go full van space will always be an issue. So for the moment it's a little bit of wait and see... if the first ultra sound shows one baby we have more options... if of course it's twins... we have less options... might also need a new house

[Spook]

First thing that came to mind is the Kia Rondo 7. Currently driveaway from $24,990 brand new. Brochure says 3 child seat anchorage points (so aftermarket fix needed), and the boot space doesn't look too promising, but a good price for a brand new 7-seater.

All the best with the bub too!