I am baffled by some adverts claiming 7 seats, and some claiming 8. Can someone please explain the reason for the different (7 or 8) arrangements....is one better than the other?

Thanx 4 a great site.

- (#10007) Gerry, 28 Jul 03 16:31

Generally, the 7 seaters have the 'Captains' chairs, which have arms and as such there's no room for a third seat in the middle of the middle seats (that smacks of gibberish) as such they are two completely seperate seats in the middle section. With all the arms down (the back ones have them too) it's effectively only a 6 seater as the middle of the back set can't be used (now I've really confused you). The 8 seater has a bench seat set-up in the middle section, split as a 2 and a 1 but with no arms in the way they butt up together, it's wide enough to seat three.

To add more confusion, the lightace (it's the only one I've seen this set-up on) is really only 7 1/2 seats. the "eighth" seat is only really not much more than a pad that drops down next to the sliding door and the only true middle section seat is a double seat.

With regards to which is better, I suppose it depends on wether you need 7 or 8 seats. Personal preference is the extra comfort with the 7 seater, said only because that's what I've got (not that I ever sit in the back except when lazing around on days out). The rear seats make up into a bed, so I suppose if you use this facility the 8 seater stands out as with the 7 seater you get a small gap from only having two seperate seats in the middle which I pressume you don't with the 8-seater. But how many of us actually use it? I have once but it was simply to try it, you've got haven't you?

Not sure if I've helped here or confused you more.

Dave B

- (#10008) Dave B, 28 Jul 03 17:15