You can buy these used seven-seaters for €10,000

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.4 Turbo (140 hp) Cosmo – 2012 – 160,140 kilometers – €9,950

We kick off with Opel’s Zafira, because together with the Renault (Mégane) Scénic, it was the pacesetter of the midi-MPV segment. Its Flex7 seating system even caused Volkswagen to immediately throw its almost ready Touran into the trash and start all over again – hence VW’s late entry into this segment. If you have ten grand in your pocket, this Opel Zafira, for example, comes into the picture. Four previous private owners drove 160,000 kilometers in this luxury Cosmo version (including leather upholstery, heated steering wheel and front seats, blind spot sensor, parking sensors all around and alarm) in the past eleven years. Nice: Bovag warranty is included in the price – as it should be.

You buy a seven-seater for its (flexible) space. That is the Zafira’s mustache: rows two and three can be folded down (per seat), row two can also be moved and can also be converted from a three-seater to a two-seater in no time at all (so much shoulder width). As standard, the luggage compartment with 710 liters provides the largest box of these three, with everything folded down it rises to a generous 1,860 liters. In terms of flexibility, you can hardly ignore the Zafira, it seems.

The funny thing is that this generation of Zafira has received many of the then existing Opel models: the dashboard is reminiscent of that of the Insignia, the front axle also comes from the largest Opel, while the rear axle has an Astra origin. Everything looks good and solid – even after eleven years. The driving characteristics are the same: solid, but not really sporty. The 140 horses in the front have quite a bit of work to handle: the 40-XBJ-5 weighs more than 1,500 kilos, and that is noticeable, just like with many other Opels from a decade ago. You can also say that you simply get a lot of car for your money, both in terms of space and equipment and in terms of weight!

Signaling

Brand Opel

Type Zafira Tourer 1.4 Turbo (140 hp) Cosmo

Construction year January 2012

Mileage 160,140

Asking price €9,950

Where to buy? P. Troost Automotive Company, Hellevoetsluis

Technical data

Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,364 cc, turbo

max. assets 103 kW/140 hp at 4,900 rpm

max. couple 200 Nm at 1,850 rpm

Luggage room 710 l/1,860 l

max. trailer braked 1,250 kilograms

Avg. consumption 1 in 16.4

0-100km/h 10.7s

Top speed 202km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Volkswagen Touran 1.4TSI Trendline DSG – 2010 – 208,702 kilometers – €9,950

Volkswagens are always a bit more expensive new than the competition and that is reflected in the used prices. If you are bound to a certain budget, you will therefore have to make concessions. If we look at this Volkswagen Touran, which is comparable in terms of power to the Zafira, we see that it is the oldest of the three and has the highest mileage. Warranty is not standard, but possibly possible (6 or 12 months). Definitely do, because both power source and DSG gearbox are worry children. On the other hand, the worst shortcomings will be resolved after two tons. This is also the Trendline version: a lot less luxurious than the Zafira, but because the first owner has checked navigation and the Touran has safety issues such as hill assist on board, you are not too scant. Moreover: in hot summers fabric is more pleasant than leather and thanks to its hubcaps you don’t have to worry about sharp curbs!

The 89-RTB-3 (two ex-owners) is a lot less frivolous than the Zafira: build quality and materials used are of an (even) higher order, but solidity prevailed over zest for life. This also applies to the black exterior and interior. The combination of engine/driving characteristics makes you happier. Although the Touran weighs only 77 kilos less, you have the idea of ​​being on the road with a much lighter car. The powertrain feels less sluggish, the handling is largely stable and safe. Long, relaxed journeys are well spent on this occasion, braked if desired with a caravan of 1,500 kilos (Zafira: 1,250 kilos, Grand C-Max: 900 kilos). The passenger compartment is slightly less spacious, while mileage, reputation and consumption suggest the highest operating costs. This occasion gathers many positive, but also less positive points. VW enthusiasts go blind for the Touran, viewed through neutral glasses, the Zafira Tourer is perhaps the better choice. But … what does the Ford Grand C-Max offer in return?

Signaling

Brand Volkswagen

Type Touran 1.4 TSI Trendline DSG

Construction year September 2010

Mileage 208,702

Asking price €9,950

Where to buy? Autobedrijf Koningshoek BV, Velsen-Noord

Technical data

Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,390 cc, turbo

max. assets 103 kW/140 hp at 5,600 rpm

max. couple 220 Nm at 1,500 rpm

Luggage room 695 l/1,989 l

max. trailer braked 1,500 kilograms

Avg. consumption 1 in 15.2

0-100km/h 9.5s

Top speed 202km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Ford Grand C-Max 1.0 EcoBoost 125 hp Titanium – 2013 – 145,451 kilometers – €9,945

To answer the question with the Touran: for the same money you get the youngest car with this Ford Grand C-Max, which also has the lowest mileage. Unfortunately, the ad does not mention warranty. Ford gave its midi MPVs very different bodies: the five-seater has normal doors, the seven-seater has sliding doors for easier entry. Although you could also get the Grand C-Max with five seats.

The Grand looks a bit unhappy

That the appearance therefore looks a bit unhappy (it is very massive at an angle from the rear), should not have been necessary: ​​the Mazda 5, also equipped with sliding doors, is more pleasant on the retina, especially the first generation. Anyway: function for form and Ford of course scores points with that. Seating position (slightly lower), direct steering and switching behavior and driving characteristics also get our hands together. Ford makes sleek driving cars and this whale is no exception. And … this manufacturer always dresses up its cars nicely.

The 7-KTK-48 (three previous owners) is the Titanium version, which means, among other things, a tire pressure sensor, USB connection, a height-adjustable passenger seat, electrically folding exterior mirrors and navigation here too. All in all, the Zafira is the most luxurious, with the Grand C-Max a close second. In terms of driving characteristics, the Ford is at the top, but when it comes to design and execution of the dashboard / interior (build quality, materials used), it wears the red lantern. The center console in particular is very busy and quickly dated.

The furniture, on the other hand, is good, even in row three the space is not too bad and behind it is a reasonably decent luggage space. We do hope that you do not want to conquer the Alps with seven people on board plus a full load, because the 1.0 three-cylinder 125 hp will have a lot of work. He is thrifty again. That, in combination with the lowest weight and age/mileage, leads to the lowest monthly costs. This occasion also knows how to seduce. You have to bite through the appearance…

Signaling

Brand Ford

Type Grand C-Max 1.0 EcoBoost 125 hp Titanium

Construction year July 2013

Mileage 145,451

Asking price €9,945

Where to buy? Bengi’s Car Center, Goirle

Technical data

Engine 3-cyl. in-line, 999 cc, turbo

max. assets 92 kW/125 hp at 6,000 rpm

max. couple 200 Nm at 1,400 rpm

Luggage room 475 l / 1,472 l

max. trailer braked 900 kilos

Avg. consumption 1 in 19.2

0-100km/h 12.2s

Top speed 185km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these German midi MPVs is right for you?

In summary: the Zafira Tourer is the most luxurious, the Touran feels the most solid, while the Grand C-Max exhibits sporty driving characteristics. On the other hand: the Opel has its weight somewhat against it, the Volkswagen its reputation and the Ford its appearance. What would your choice be? Or would you rather go for something French (PSA, Renault) or Japanese (Honda, Mazda, Toyota…)? Smaller or bigger? Budget or sporty? Let us know!