Alternatives to a people carrier?

[broken biscuit]

Not very PH i know, but I have to change my cars for something a bit more family-friendly.

Currently we have a Clio 172 and a mk1 Octavia VRS. We also have a 5yr old and a 7 month old baby.

This works ok, and we can get the two kids seats (a stage 1 for baby and a booster seat with back for the older boy) in the back of either car without an issue.

Mrs Biscuit is expecting again (due October) and so I have been out today checking the car seats all in at once, and they simply don't fit. I cannot get the eldest's seat in the middle. I do not want to buy fancy car seats that are narrower, as they are not as comfy for the kids, and I have 3 perfectly good seats now.

As a consequence, both cars are being prepper for sale, and will be advertised shortly. This leads me to needing to replace them. I want to get one 'family' car, and a runabout for tip runs, gokarts, bikes etc to be slung in the boot - maybe a E36 touring or mondeo/vectra estate - only a shed, as I walk to work, and Mrs Biscuit will use it when she is back to work.

I will have a budget of around £3k for the replacement - so was looking at older people carriers. I would like something with a bit of oomph and plenty of space - thinking maybe a Zafira Gsi as I cannot find another 7 seater I actually like the look of, let alone would want to own.

Any suggestions?

[davepoth]

You are selling two cars rather than buy a child seat?

[Antracer]

Volvo 940. Pocket the rest.

[Risotto]

A common complaint. Get a Multimac and stick it in whichever car you like. They are not uncomfortable and you can sell the 3 seats you have.

[okie592]

Wear a condom

[broken biscuit]

Risotto said:

A common complaint. Get a Multimac and stick it in whichever car you like. They are not uncomfortable and you can sell the 3 seats you have.

Whilst I like the idea, paying £1350 for child seats is not going to happen. I can buy a people carrier for that!

I am selling both cars in order to free up a bit more budget for one 'nicer' family car, and a shed basically. As much as I love the 172, its not practical to chuck one or two of the kids in and go anywhere, even a grocery trip is pushing it with the pram in the boot. It was never bought intending for us to have 3 kids, it was my commuting car, which I no longer need. The Skoda, much as I love it, is just not big enough - put the infant carrier on its base and the passenger's knees are in the glovebox - no good for long trips. I need something that bit bigger.

[s p a c e m a n]

A people dropper?

No, wait, that would be an opposite. A people dragger?

I may be a little bored this evening.

Edited by s p a c e m a n on Sunday 3rd March 21:24

[STW2010]

Just leave the kid that's annoying you the most behind. That keeps them on their toes, and with any luck the wife would stay behind with the 'bad' kid. This leaves you to have a day without the most annoying kid and your wife, plus you don't need to sell either car. Everyone wins (except the most unloved kid).

[bagman13]

I would get a audi A6. They are massive, and in my experience very reliable. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Or how about a old Volovo? I am not sure if this one has 7 seats but my parents old one did. Jolly fast aswell. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Edited by bagman13 on Sunday 3rd March 21:57

[Jonny_]

Mitsubishi Galant estate? As I recall they were flippin' massive and available with a meaty V6.