Car comfortable for 5 (including 3 car seats)
Discussion
The time has thankfully come to get rid of old 'chuggy' (Hyundai ix20 inherited from the wife when the twins were born).
Possibly the most un-PH car available, so anything should be a step up!
Wife has a C4 Grand Picasso, so that is used for 95% of the child transporting duties, but if I'm going to change mine anyway then it makes sense that it could transport all of us if needs be.
Budget is probably low-teens. Probably avoid a lease as my wife is leaving her career to care for one of the twins and we have a mortgage renewal in 6 months time, so it'll just be my income going forward to that (won't be a problem at all... but don't want to put anything else into the mix).
The three car seats don't have to be in a row - for the occasional time it's used for all of us we can put up with sitting in the middle. Biggest one is 4 and the twins are 3. Need to get a couple of new car seats anyway, so that should help fitting things in.
I was looking at petrol due to a 10mile commute each day.
I'd considered, so far:
Skoda Superb
Octavia VRS - but concerned about width in the back, hence the above
Mazda 6 estate
Mondeo estate
Mazda CX-5 - as it looks nice, but again concerned about the width in the back
BMW 2 active tourer - I know, fwd BMW...
Is there anything out there worth looking at? I know the answer is basically any large estate / SUV / MPV... but it'd be good to narrow it down a little!
Possibly the most un-PH car available, so anything should be a step up!
Wife has a C4 Grand Picasso, so that is used for 95% of the child transporting duties, but if I'm going to change mine anyway then it makes sense that it could transport all of us if needs be.
Budget is probably low-teens. Probably avoid a lease as my wife is leaving her career to care for one of the twins and we have a mortgage renewal in 6 months time, so it'll just be my income going forward to that (won't be a problem at all... but don't want to put anything else into the mix).
The three car seats don't have to be in a row - for the occasional time it's used for all of us we can put up with sitting in the middle. Biggest one is 4 and the twins are 3. Need to get a couple of new car seats anyway, so that should help fitting things in.
I was looking at petrol due to a 10mile commute each day.
I'd considered, so far:
Skoda Superb
Octavia VRS - but concerned about width in the back, hence the above
Mazda 6 estate
Mondeo estate
Mazda CX-5 - as it looks nice, but again concerned about the width in the back
BMW 2 active tourer - I know, fwd BMW...
Is there anything out there worth looking at? I know the answer is basically any large estate / SUV / MPV... but it'd be good to narrow it down a little!
ZX10 will be along in a minute with a load of bang on suggestions (What does he do for a living...?)
E-Classe mercedes, was my first thought, i believe they take three child seats across the back. I presume as they are a little older they dont need to be all Isofix?
As you said, Mondeo would be my port of call (I seem to constantly suggest these) or Superb.
E-Classe mercedes, was my first thought, i believe they take three child seats across the back. I presume as they are a little older they dont need to be all Isofix?
As you said, Mondeo would be my port of call (I seem to constantly suggest these) or Superb.
I got a ford s-max when my twins were born.
It just makes life so much easier. 3 proper seats, massive boot, I can carry 7 if needed. If we're going out for the day I can stick 3 kids bikes into the boot no bother at all. I actually like driving it as well. Going to go for a Galaxy next I think, even more space!!
It just makes life so much easier. 3 proper seats, massive boot, I can carry 7 if needed. If we're going out for the day I can stick 3 kids bikes into the boot no bother at all. I actually like driving it as well. Going to go for a Galaxy next I think, even more space!!
Sensible option:
Ford S Max 2.0T Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo Titanium X Sport (Same running gear as the above)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Newer Titanium with X Pack
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
W212 E500 these are hard to find but worth (& you'll have enough room even in saloon form) seeking out:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
As much as I'm a Mondeo fan I'd buy this car over one every time simply because it's got more horses & they've got some very good potential for a bit more performance.
& you'll be under budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It might be tight (so check before buying) 3.0T V60 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
E63
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Ford S Max 2.0T Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo Titanium X Sport (Same running gear as the above)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Newer Titanium with X Pack
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
W212 E500 these are hard to find but worth (& you'll have enough room even in saloon form) seeking out:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
As much as I'm a Mondeo fan I'd buy this car over one every time simply because it's got more horses & they've got some very good potential for a bit more performance.
& you'll be under budget.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It might be tight (so check before buying) 3.0T V60 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
E63
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for the multiple suggestions.
We already have a S-Max sized car, so not sure we need two of that ilk. Saying that, we did test drive one at the time and they are very good cars.
I'm actually leaning towards the new shape Mondeo (it looks fantastic!) or a Superb.
The Insignia is interesting, and should be easy enough to see a plain jane one locally before seeking out a VXR. I prefer the Q car look of basically anything else, but wouldn't discount it.
I saw this locally, by chance
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But how can 2.3litres produce so little power!? Initially seemed cheap at £6k, but then I suppose it is 8years old and without too much interesting going on.
We already have a S-Max sized car, so not sure we need two of that ilk. Saying that, we did test drive one at the time and they are very good cars.
I'm actually leaning towards the new shape Mondeo (it looks fantastic!) or a Superb.
The Insignia is interesting, and should be easy enough to see a plain jane one locally before seeking out a VXR. I prefer the Q car look of basically anything else, but wouldn't discount it.
I saw this locally, by chance
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But how can 2.3litres produce so little power!? Initially seemed cheap at £6k, but then I suppose it is 8years old and without too much interesting going on.
If you are considering the Superb, I’d recommend a Passat over it just because the middle rear seat is wider and flatter than that in the Superb.
Although similar cars, the Passat is recognised as the better car for three in the back. Likewise, the Superb has better back seats for just two people.
Good luck.
Although similar cars, the Passat is recognised as the better car for three in the back. Likewise, the Superb has better back seats for just two people.
Good luck.
Miocene said:
......
Wife has a C4 Grand Picasso, so that is used for 95% of the child transporting duties, but if I'm going to change mine anyway then it makes sense that it could transport all of us if needs be.
......
In our experience of having three kids all in child seats, you don't need two cars that can take all five of you.Wife has a C4 Grand Picasso, so that is used for 95% of the child transporting duties, but if I'm going to change mine anyway then it makes sense that it could transport all of us if needs be.
......
If you already have the Citroen, then that's the car you will always use when you are all travelling together.
Your other car just has to have four seats. Eldest child goes in the front with you - it helps if there is still a bit of legroom in the back when the front passenger seat is set quite far back.
Why have two cars with five up capacity, when you are always going to leave the other one behind when your are five up....?
Leithen said:
In our experience of having three kids all in child seats, you don't need two cars that can take all five of you.
If you already have the Citroen, then that's the car you will always use when you are all travelling together.
Your other car just has to have four seats. Eldest child goes in the front with you - it helps if there is still a bit of legroom in the back when the front passenger seat is set quite far back.
Why have two cars with five up capacity, when you are always going to leave the other one behind when your are five up....?
A conversation that has been had many times and one I very much understand.If you already have the Citroen, then that's the car you will always use when you are all travelling together.
Your other car just has to have four seats. Eldest child goes in the front with you - it helps if there is still a bit of legroom in the back when the front passenger seat is set quite far back.
Why have two cars with five up capacity, when you are always going to leave the other one behind when your are five up....?
The premise is really that i'm wanting to replace mine anyway, and so if i'm going to spend my money then getting something that can fit everyone (with one adult in the back) isn't completely out of this world. Also, if you need a bit of legroom in the back, then you're discussing larger cars already (briefly ignoring coupes).
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