Car that will take 3 child seats

Car that will take 3 child seats

Author
Discussion

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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We used to carry twins and one, 18 months older, in the back of one of these...

Drop hood, drop them in, raise hood...


Bill

52,472 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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In identical circumstances we ended up with the 2.2D SMax, and I've gradually come round to it. The seats are too hard and the ride is firm, torque steer is an issue and the gear ratios take a little getting used to but for a bus it's not bad to hustle along.

Almost all estates have a 60:40 split so the middle pad is only 20% of the width and not enough for a seat. Exceptions like the 407SW (I know, I bet you didn't know they did such a thing biggrin) are too dire to consider.

westtra

Original Poster:

1,531 posts

200 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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Looking at smax and galaxy dimensions there isn't much difference between them. Only a few mm here and there with the only main difference the headroom.

Bill

52,472 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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The SMax is sold as the sporty option, and you can't get the 2.5T in the Galaxy. From our perspective it feels much smaller so I managed to sell it to the wife as her car.

Andy Meads

320 posts

202 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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Bill said:
In identical circumstances we ended up with the 2.2D SMax, and I've gradually come round to it. The seats are too hard and the ride is firm, torque steer is an issue and the gear ratios take a little getting used to but for a bus it's not bad to hustle along.

Almost all estates have a 60:40 split so the middle pad is only 20% of the width and not enough for a seat. Exceptions like the 407SW (I know, I bet you didn't know they did such a thing biggrin) are too dire to consider.
We have the same one. Most reviews say to go for the 2.0 Tdci, but I couldn't pass up the 2.2...

Andy

Sparks

1,217 posts

278 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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How about a Fiat Multipla/Honda F-RV?

I have a Multipla, which although it is playing up (Italian electrics, grrr) works really well. Boot is a decent size, and can get 3 child seats across (currently 10, 7 & 4) extra seat in the front is useful for stuff, or another personor one of the kids if they need separating. It is actually really short, so parking isn't that hard.

I wanted the Honda, which does all the above, but more reliable and better engines, but could not afford one (even the cheapest second hand).

I also know the Citroen C4 will fit three seats, as will the Ford C-Max which is a bit less MPV than the S-Max.

HTH

Sparks


westtra

Original Poster:

1,531 posts

200 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
Looking at smax and galaxy dimensions there isn't much difference between them. Only a few mm here and there with the only main difference the headroom.

oldcynic

2,166 posts

160 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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The SMax fell at the 1st hurdle for us - we need a genuine 7 seater, and the rearmost seats are child-sized at best. However if we wanted a 5 seater it would probably have been a good contender, and the figures for the 2.5 turbo engine looked excellent. It's much more car-like than the MPV we've ended up with.
Take some seats to a dealer, make sure you can strap in your 2yo and also a large doll/ actual baby into the most awkward seat (sound stupid? wait til you've parted with £15-£20K and discovered the middle seat in inaccesible!)

Shry

1 posts

154 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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Hi Westtra,
I was wondering if you went for the S max as i am in the same boat - new set of twins and a 2 year old....my 5 series seat configuration doesnt allow 3 seast on the back row...

cheers for your help

westtra said:
Looking at smax and galaxy dimensions there isn't much difference between them. Only a few mm here and there with the only main difference the headroom.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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Hi
Yes, I'd be interested to know too - I am in exactly the same position with a 2 year old and twins due in the next couple of weeks. I'd be very pleased if I could fit three across the back of a Mondeo as it'll save me buying a family bus.

Dave

Fezzaboi

672 posts

169 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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the Mk2 galaxy has plenty of spae, can pick up a 2001 for £2500, in great condition, ours has plenty of room, drive quite well, and you will have plenty of change left for something else too.

Mr Senna

1,042 posts

208 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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That budget will get you a fantastic VW T5 170 BHP diesel megga van. They are very very good and you can take the third row of seats out and have space for your mountain bike/dog/holiday gear.


This is the interior of a Caravelle;






Edited by Mr Senna on Tuesday 31st May 14:24

oldcynic

2,166 posts

160 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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Mr Senna said:
That budget will get you a fantastic VW T5 170 BHP diesel megga van.
What budget?

VW minibus / Caravelle is way up my shopping list at the moment but I get the impression I need to be spending £15K plus for something reasonably recent and moderate mileage.

DannyVTS

7,543 posts

167 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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oldcynic said:
What budget?

VW minibus / Caravelle is way up my shopping list at the moment but I get the impression I need to be spending £15K plus for something reasonably recent and moderate mileage.
westtra said:
Budget will be up to £20k.
HTH.

biggrin