Hi, I hope you find this useful.  We were after another mpv, as we sold our first one (a synergie) to purchase a car suitable for caravan towing.

We have looked at the usual suspects (sharan, galaxyies ect), however they all seem to command a fair wack of money and for not much of a car really, I do not mean this detrimentally. However what I mean is they all seem to be extremly high miles, most generally have damaged trim such as speaker grilles busted and poor door trims. Typically you will pay around £2000 upwards for a reasonable car with around 100k miles. It is unlikely that the ac will work as there seems to be issues around the the compressor pump. So we decided that we would look at the offerings from the far east. I had a quick look at the Top Gear magazine  to see what Mr Clarkson had to say, well  believe it or not   it was not slated. so  off we  went to find some to look  at. Well  the first and  in fact only one we looked at  is a  Met  Green example  with 40000 miles two owners , sx trim and is a 2001 model, with full service history. So far so good.

We purchased this motor for 4 and and alot  big ones and so far its very good. It has unusually three seats at the very rear of the car followed by two and then the two front seats. The intermediate ones have normal three point belts when facing forwards and unusually a lap belt is incorporated in the seat so when its swiveled round to face the back it still has a belt.  Good stuff Eh.. The intermediate ones also have arm rests and recline just like the front ones. They also can slide individually back wards and forwards independantly of each other, this means that it is also easy to get in to the rear of the car.  The rear bench seat has  a carrier bag holder fitted to the  rear side.  Also  the rear bench can slide  up and down the cars length - so if you have small   children you  can move the seat forwards to gain more luggage space. Its very easy to move. This seat also reclines  as well.  Unlike the  the  euro boxes the seats cannot be removed. however  the car has roof rails fitted with cross bars that can move so lose in one way gain in another. The are lots of small cubby holes in the cabin and more cubby holes than enough. The car has  The slidey doors are great as they open very close to the side of the car, great in these days of shrinking car parking places. This  makes it easy to get  childs  seats in, try this in a Galaxy....

The car can only be described as Huge, big , massive, call it what you will. However dont be put off by this as it has a very tight turning circle and light controls. The car has air con with controls in the rear for the rear occupants, they are supplied with heated or cold air through roof and floor vents. The rear most windows open for extra ventilation. 

These cars have been critised for a slightly rubbery gear change - its all true - it takes some time to be able to drive these smoothly. Its been said that the autos are better....

Economy, not too bad considering the size of the car, however its not been used enough to judge this yet.

The driving position is very good as there are lots of adjustments on the seat, the steering column is also adjustable.

I hope you found this useful.

Glen