1.6 petrol engines on mpv's. are they enough?

J

june

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Hi all. I have been looking at buying a used mpv ( renault grand scenic, toyota corolla verso, opel zafira ) and I notice that the vast majority on sale are 1.6 petrol engines. I know the diesels are more expensive due to vrt but I am wondering if this is enough or are they underpowered for the size of these vehicles. Thinking about pulling out of junctions or overtaking when you need a bit of go. would be glad of any feedback
 
A 1.6L petrol engine on an MPV is probably ok only when it's fully unloaded and in an MPV this is pretty much never the case. Being primarily a family car MPVs have to lug around a lot of kit - kids, baby seats, bikes, buggies etc. A torquey diesel engine is best suited to this task. Renault have a 1.9 diesel for the Scenic as do Opel on the Zafira. These models cost quite a bit more than the base petrol engine. I used to drive a Ford Mondeo 1.8L petrol and found it quite sluggish with all the family on board - it tore around the place when it just me alone! I now have a diesel MPV (S-MAX 1.8) and the respose is much more even loaded or unloaded. If you plan to keep the car for a number of years I would really recommend the diesel option.
 
yes thats what i thought. my own car is a laguna 1.6 which can be sluggish sometimes ( not that I would be driving it too hard ) so I do feel reluctant to have the same engine on heavier vehicle. I would love the grand scenic 1.9 120bhp but they just dont seem to be available 04 or 05. maybe there will be more on sale in january!
 
The only reason you get 1.6s here is cause they suit the market. VRT rates, Insurance rates, Road tax and VAT all combine to seriously push up the cost of vehicles exponentially and beyond their targeted consumer budget range.

Thats why most normal cars come with very basic standards and under powered engines, often even additioinal airbags get dropped from the package. U.K. standards are far higher even though the cost to the consumer is far less.

The ideal engine for a 5 or 7 seater MPV would be 2.0L minimum.

I'd go for a turbo diesel 2.0 or 2.2 Litre.
 
agreed! when you read the car reviews on uk sites there is hardly a mention of a 1.6 engine. If I am going to spend money then i would like to buy a really good high spec used car. How important is a warranty do you think? ( if buying private you forego this obviously)
 
june said:
agreed! when you read the car reviews on uk sites there is hardly a mention of a 1.6 engine. If I am going to spend money then i would like to buy a really good high spec used car. How important is a warranty do you think? ( if buying private you forego this obviously)
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Not at all. It depends on the origional manufacturers' warranty. Most now offer at least 3 years warranty, some even 5, usually valid throughout europe. This is transferable, as in it stays with the vehicle not the owner. Although there are mileage restrictions and certain circumstances when a warranty can be void. ( As in 100,000km or some boy-racer chipped the car) You probobly won't need to worry about this if you are buying a 2 year old MPV.

Thats only if you are buying private. Why not go to a reputable dealer who will give a minimum of one years warranty anyway. Importing from the UK is another option, it wont save you much money but you will have far more choice. Or if you know somebody selling a car, either way get a mechanic to check it out.

You may find this link interesting and maybe this one.

I would never buy a new car. Buy smart, buy low mileage, buy high specification, get it checked out or have a reputable warranty and let someone else who likes to burn money loose 50% of the value in 2/3 years. Oh, and if you live in Dublin buy D-reg.
 
I have a 1.6L petrol Grand Scenic and it's fine, not the quickest out of the blocks but fine for overtaking etc . . I drove it to Tarragona and back this Summer, fully loaded with 4 kids, 3 adults, and a packed roofbox . . no problems.
 
If you go for a petrol engine it will adversly affect resale value in an MPV. Diesel is the preferred option in almost all models and fully loaded has more torque and pulling power at moderate speeds. Also far superior fuel consumption.
 
HighFlier said:
If you go for a petrol engine it will adversly affect resale value in an MPV. Diesel is the preferred option in almost all models and fully loaded has more torque and pulling power at moderate speeds. Also far superior fuel consumption.
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depends on the car....the best selling Corolla Verso is the 1.6 Luna. Holds it value extremely well. The extra cost of the 2.2 diesel had frightened a lot of people away from the diesel towards the 1.6petrol
 
I've owned/driven a few Ford C-Max small mpvs in both 1.6 petrol and diesel guises.

The diesel is better in every important way, but costs €3000 more.

You pays your money and takes your pick.
 
thanks for all that lots to think about there. And finally, would there be much of a price drop in jan07 or maybe more cars available ?
 
We have a Grand Scenic 1.5 dci. No complaints at all. It manages v well with a full load. Good mpg too - 61mpg on a long run yesterday, normally runs at 49mg around town. Motor tax and insurance also benefit from the smaller engine. On the other hand drove a 1.6 petrol in the same model a while back and was not impressed - a little sluggish.
 
I would have thought this a personal thing. The fact that you are asking probably not.

I know I have drive 1.6 cars with me and one other and found them to be very dead.

I would say def go for Diesel.
 
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