best car... family 4 + dog

[Dapster]

ryan381 said:

S-max boots appear smaller than the above.

I am siding with the estate?

According to my brochure on the SMAX:

7 Seat Mode (laden to package tray): 285 lts
5 Seat Mode (laden to roof): 1051 / 1171 lts (Min / Max)
2 Seat Mode (laden to roof): 2000 lts

The min / max bit is due to the middle seats being able to slide back and forth.

The MPV brigade have a slightly elevated driving position and give you the advantage of being able to load and strap kids in without having to bend down like you would in an estate.

When I was looking I ruled out the X5 (too small inside - boot compromised by all the 4wd hardware under the floor and hugely expensive compared to the SMAX) and the XC90 (running gear felt old).

[ryan381]

My mistake the guide I found on S MAX only cover the size with all seats down, so if I was to run this as a 5 seater the boot would be 1051 / 1171 lts depending on positons of back seats.

Thats a massive incease in size to the passat at 650 l and teh Cmax grand at 448L...although another search on google states Cmax grand as a 5 seater with 965 L boot space

Edited by ryan381 on Wednesday 10th June 11:30

Edited by ryan381 on Wednesday 10th June 11:43

[ryan381]

My mistake the guide I found on S MAX only cover the size with all seats down, so if I was to run this as a 5 seater the boot would be 1051 / 1171 lts depending on positons of back seats.

Thats a massive incease in size to the passat at 650 l and teh Cmax grand at 448L.

Edited by ryan381 on Wednesday 10th June 11:44

[pisdonthread]

worth also looking at the Mazda 5 as you may get a more modern car with lower miles than the S MAX. the 2.0 petrol engine is good and the sliding doors help a lot with getting kids in the back

[DBSV8]

lexus ct 200



you will get everyone in and save on fuel , plenty in the classified for your budget
if your savy you can get sat nav , reverse camera , leather interior all in buget and have excellent dealership support

[S10GTA]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

£15k budget you say....





http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-08-Volvo-XC90-4-4-V...


325bhp V8 and as rare as rare thing in facelift Ocean Race trim. Rare as in very likely <10 on the road in the UK.

He's already ruled out the XC90

[ryan381]

pisdonthread said:

worth also looking at the Mazda 5 as you may get a more modern car with lower miles than the S MAX. the 2.0 petrol engine is good and the sliding doors help a lot with getting kids in the back

The CX5 you mean? Its a bit pricy looking at auto trader

[ryan381]

What about the KIA Sportage... would appear to have a bigger boot that CRV and CX5 altough I did read on another site the CRV boot was biger

[bga]

The SMax is an ample beast. Boot space is good & you can fit a double buggy in the back with the rear seats up. Out icandy peah twin buggy is quite bulky, something like a Phil & Teds would fit in very easily.

[Pablo16v]

furtive said:

Dapster said:

S-MAX!!!

It's massive inside and can take 3 car seats abreast. Also individually folding, reclining and sliding middle seats. Third row is fine for kids (car seats can go in there too) and an adult could cope for a short trip (although maybe not an oldie). In 5 seat mode the boot is vast.

Not only does the S-MAX do all the practical stuff brilliantly, it's actually a decent drive. No, really it is. Post '10 facelift is the one to go for and I think I have the pick of the range - Ecoboost petrol and Powershift DSG in the toys - r - us spec Titanium X Sport.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/ford/s-max
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pNu1NgkKHo

This. I too have the post-facelift Titatium X Sport with the Ecoboost engine and DSG box and it is superb. There is a new version out later this year too so used prices should be good

This again (or a Galaxy). We also have a 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium X S-Max and it is waaay better than the Passat estate it replaced. Had it just over 3 years now, covering 55,000 miles faultlessly, and it's even pretty good to drive. We tried a couple of XC90's but they just felt like boats in comparison to the S-Max without offering an increase in useable space, plus we didn't need 4x4.

[ribenaYeti]

Octavia Scout??

[ryan381]

I just poped round to a garage on my lunch for a quick look.

Had a look at a sportage boot and rav4, I dont think the 4x4 option is going to work for us with the dog and buggie plus bags in the back

I think I will have to rule out the SUV/4x4 and focus on the estates or Smax, Cmax types

[ryan381]

any views on the Hyundai i30 estate

[ryan381]

Within the estate range the below are in my price range

Vauxhall Astra
Hyundai i30
Hyundai i40
Kia ceed
Toyato Avenius
Seat Leon

Top end
VW passat
Honda Civic


SUV/4x4 although ruled out for now
Hyundai ix35 would appear to be the biggest boot in my range

MPV
Ford SMAX
Ford CMAX Grand
Vauxhall Zafira

[ryan381]

Within the estate range the below are in my price range

Vauxhall Astra
Hyundai i30
Hyundai i40
Kia ceed
Toyato Avenius
Seat Leon

Top end
VW passat
Honda Civic


SUV/4x4 although ruled out for now
Hyundai ix35 would appear to be the biggest boot in my range

MPV
Ford SMAX
Ford CMAX Grand
Vauxhall Zafira

[pisdonthread]

ryan381 said:

The CX5 you mean? Its a bit pricy looking at auto trader

no i mean the MPV model Mazda 5 this one http://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/mazda5/

they have been making it since 2005 so you will find one in budget

[ryan381]

pisdonthread said:

no i mean the MPV model Mazda 5 this one http://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/mazda5/

they have been making it since 2005 so you will find one in budget

I'll add it to the list

[Lambman]

Another vote for the SMax from me. I've got a Titanium X Sport 200ps diesel and it is remarkably capable. If you need a larger boot then Galaxy (height only), Discovery or VW transporter. You also sit slightly higher in the Smax which I like but it still drives well.

[ryan381]

Yeah the S-Max does look a good option for boot size, how would you say the back 3 seats are could you fit 2 car seats and an adult or would it be a squeeze.

[Pablo16v]

No problem at all. We have a 14 month old in a huge Maxi-Cosi car seat on one side, a 5 year old in a big high back booster seat at the other side and there's still plenty of room in the middle for an adult to sit comfortably.