Family cars - why so daft?!
Discussion
So, having already got one little lad, we decided to try and have another child. Turns out theres two on the way!
So, I'm after some suggestions as to what car to buy....
We've been to look at new cars but nothing is suitable.
We looked at the skoda kodiaq, seat terraco, kia sorento, hyundai santa fe, ford edge, honda crv.... nothing will fit 3 child seats across the rear seats!!!
These 7 seaters all have 2 isofix points in the middle bench and one in the front.
Do manufacturers expect an adult to climb over an isofix seat to sit in the middle?!
The other option is an adult sits in the boot seat, however you cant tilt the middle seats forward due to the isofix seat being in, you'd have to climb through the tail gate?!?!
Plus you lose half the boot, which with 3 children you need a lot of space for supplies (not to mention the big dog!)
So.... what other options are there?
We've looked into the multimac, but kind of dismissing it at the moment.
I'd like to avoid the mpv route, hence why we looked at so many SUVs.
My preference has also switch to a used car, budget of up to £12k
Mileage, as low as possible, less than 80k
So, I'm after some suggestions as to what car to buy....
We've been to look at new cars but nothing is suitable.
We looked at the skoda kodiaq, seat terraco, kia sorento, hyundai santa fe, ford edge, honda crv.... nothing will fit 3 child seats across the rear seats!!!
These 7 seaters all have 2 isofix points in the middle bench and one in the front.
Do manufacturers expect an adult to climb over an isofix seat to sit in the middle?!
The other option is an adult sits in the boot seat, however you cant tilt the middle seats forward due to the isofix seat being in, you'd have to climb through the tail gate?!?!
Plus you lose half the boot, which with 3 children you need a lot of space for supplies (not to mention the big dog!)
So.... what other options are there?
We've looked into the multimac, but kind of dismissing it at the moment.
I'd like to avoid the mpv route, hence why we looked at so many SUVs.
My preference has also switch to a used car, budget of up to £12k
Mileage, as low as possible, less than 80k
ninjag said:
XC90? I'm sure it's three ISOFIX across the middle row, with the middle seat also doubling up as a built in booster seat when one gets older, plus there's two decent seats in the boot.
Which model XC90 are you thinking?My father in law has a 59 plate one and I'm sure that only has two and a built in booster.
I'd have to check though.
A500leroy said:
im guessing estates will be a little better, go and look at skoda.
Estates are worse, I've got an a4 Avant at the moment, no chance at all of getting 3 seats in.Nothing skoda sold would fit them in either. (apart from the kodiaq with 1 in the front and 2 in the back, which is next to useless.
A 7 seat suv that is no good to anyone with more than 2 kids!
Funny thing is, you can fit 7 adults in them, but you cant fit 2 adults and 3 kids!!
S max?
3 seats across the middle are all full size with isofix, and all 3 slide independently so access can be tailored.
You still get a decent boot for push chairs (double buggy in ours plus all sorts of other crap) and there’s 2 spare seats back there when your kids want to bring friends home.
Enjoyable to drive too imho
3 seats across the middle are all full size with isofix, and all 3 slide independently so access can be tailored.
You still get a decent boot for push chairs (double buggy in ours plus all sorts of other crap) and there’s 2 spare seats back there when your kids want to bring friends home.
Enjoyable to drive too imho
Matt 211988 said:
A500leroy said:
im guessing estates will be a little better, go and look at skoda.
Estates are worse, I've got an a4 Avant at the moment, no chance at all of getting 3 seats in.Nothing skoda sold would fit them in either. (apart from the kodiaq with 1 in the front and 2 in the back, which is next to useless.
A 7 seat suv that is no good to anyone with more than 2 kids!
Funny thing is, you can fit 7 adults in them, but you cant fit 2 adults and 3 kids!!
Matt 211988 said:
So, having already got one little lad, we decided to try and have another child. Turns out theres two on the way!
So, I'm after some suggestions as to what car to buy....
We've been to look at new cars but nothing is suitable.
We looked at the skoda kodiaq, seat terraco, kia sorento, hyundai santa fe, ford edge, honda crv.... nothing will fit 3 child seats across the rear seats!!!
These 7 seaters all have 2 isofix points in the middle bench and one in the front.
Do manufacturers expect an adult to climb over an isofix seat to sit in the middle?!
The other option is an adult sits in the boot seat, however you cant tilt the middle seats forward due to the isofix seat being in, you'd have to climb through the tail gate?!?!
Plus you lose half the boot, which with 3 children you need a lot of space for supplies (not to mention the big dog!)
So.... what other options are there?
We've looked into the multimac, but kind of dismissing it at the moment.
I'd like to avoid the mpv route, hence why we looked at so many SUVs.
My preference has also switch to a used car, budget of up to £12k
Mileage, as low as possible, less than 80k
You'll be going down the MPV route as they're the cars that fit all your requirements & the S Max in particular is the one to go for.So, I'm after some suggestions as to what car to buy....
We've been to look at new cars but nothing is suitable.
We looked at the skoda kodiaq, seat terraco, kia sorento, hyundai santa fe, ford edge, honda crv.... nothing will fit 3 child seats across the rear seats!!!
These 7 seaters all have 2 isofix points in the middle bench and one in the front.
Do manufacturers expect an adult to climb over an isofix seat to sit in the middle?!
The other option is an adult sits in the boot seat, however you cant tilt the middle seats forward due to the isofix seat being in, you'd have to climb through the tail gate?!?!
Plus you lose half the boot, which with 3 children you need a lot of space for supplies (not to mention the big dog!)
So.... what other options are there?
We've looked into the multimac, but kind of dismissing it at the moment.
I'd like to avoid the mpv route, hence why we looked at so many SUVs.
My preference has also switch to a used car, budget of up to £12k
Mileage, as low as possible, less than 80k
Titanium X Sport in 2.0T form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you do the miles the diesel version:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
S max
We have 3 kids you need the S Max it’s great.
Carry their mates in too then it’s all 7 up and you’d be surprised at how often all 7 are used.
Boot is still usable with the 7 up plus there is space in front of the middle row for “luggage” too.
Failing that if you need 7 seats used and luggage then chuck on a full length roof box - were thinking about doing camping this summer / looking into it and being honest the roof box option will mean there is beer any issue for storage.
Our youngest 2yo still uses a peak and we take the full travel system so once that is no longer required the boot will be MUCH bigger.
Ours is old 100k Miles 12 years old vomit mud crap / well used family transport.
I’m considering the Vignale used petrol fully loaded for its replacement which we will then keep for many many years it’s just right now kids will trash it so service and pass MOT and once a year clean is what it gets
We have 3 kids you need the S Max it’s great.
Carry their mates in too then it’s all 7 up and you’d be surprised at how often all 7 are used.
Boot is still usable with the 7 up plus there is space in front of the middle row for “luggage” too.
Failing that if you need 7 seats used and luggage then chuck on a full length roof box - were thinking about doing camping this summer / looking into it and being honest the roof box option will mean there is beer any issue for storage.
Our youngest 2yo still uses a peak and we take the full travel system so once that is no longer required the boot will be MUCH bigger.
Ours is old 100k Miles 12 years old vomit mud crap / well used family transport.
I’m considering the Vignale used petrol fully loaded for its replacement which we will then keep for many many years it’s just right now kids will trash it so service and pass MOT and once a year clean is what it gets
Was in the same situation when wife fell pregnant with triplets last year. As already mentioned we ended up with an smax xsport 2.2 diesel as I wanted manual and petrol 2.0 turbo were all auto when we were looking. Its a decent car tbh although we would never have chosen one unless we had to!
My best friend had an audi Q7 at the time that we considered but tbh he had so many problems with it in 2 years of ownership it put me off. The smax was the best looking and nicest driving 7 seater we could find under 15k.
Not fast but can hussle along when required, loads of space inside and in titanium spec is not too bad a place to be. Not that great on fuel though tbh but then it is a heavy old bus! Will do much better mpg on a long motorway journey but we generally use it for pottering about so can't really complain. Try one, they are a lot better than you expect imo.
My best friend had an audi Q7 at the time that we considered but tbh he had so many problems with it in 2 years of ownership it put me off. The smax was the best looking and nicest driving 7 seater we could find under 15k.
Not fast but can hussle along when required, loads of space inside and in titanium spec is not too bad a place to be. Not that great on fuel though tbh but then it is a heavy old bus! Will do much better mpg on a long motorway journey but we generally use it for pottering about so can't really complain. Try one, they are a lot better than you expect imo.
+1 S-Max - 84K (now at 100K) in a 2010 with four kids and a dog, to Greece & back multiple times and my wife's daily commute - 40+mpg since we've had it. Total unscheduled/unexpected maintenance one battery, one rear heat shield, and the reversing lights packed up (bypassed with wire & relay - £20). A few minor glitches lately all due to electrical connections that need cleaning up when I can be bothered. Bit heavy on tyres and did change the timing belt early (previous non S-Max bitter experience). Most reliable car I've ever owned by a long way - not the most interesting (but not the most boring either).
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