How can I buy a car....
How can I buy a car....
Author
Discussion

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,525 posts

257 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
I am interested in a car, the problem is I don't know if there is enough room in the back for the car seats and legs of the kids etc. I have no intention of sending someone the money to get one delivered to find out........ BUT I can't view one it seems. So I presume I am basically stuck at the moment unable to look at a car in enough detail to know if it will work for me to be able to buy it.

Unless anyone has any cunning plans?

MDMA .

10,650 posts

129 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
What car?

talksthetorque

10,821 posts

163 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Is it the dealers who won't let you in to try?
Because that sounds like a reasonable excuse for a journey to me.

Baldchap

9,618 posts

120 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Video reviews? Measurements in the internet? Photos of people in them? Friend's cars? PHer's cars?

I'm sure there must be a way, unless it's something proper hen's teeth...

anonymous-user

82 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
I am interested in a car, the problem is I don't know if there is enough room in the back for the car seats and legs of the kids etc.

Unless anyone has any cunning plans?
If it's a Lotus Evora or Porsche 911 then unless the unfortunate kids are amputees - forget it. Even if they fit tomorrow they won't fit in 12 months' time. Best "half way house" for such creatures is one of the 4-seat cabrio's.

danp

1,650 posts

290 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
The German ADAC auto tests are pretty comprehensive and have some measurements.

Else as suggested a friendly PH’er with the same car and a tape measure? Or even the seller/ dealer?!

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

262 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
rockin said:
Jasandjules said:
I am interested in a car, the problem is I don't know if there is enough room in the back for the car seats and legs of the kids etc.

Unless anyone has any cunning plans?
If it's a Lotus Evora or Porsche 911 then unless the unfortunate kids are amputees - forget it. Even if they fit tomorrow they won't fit in 12 months' time. Best "half way house" for such creatures is one of the 4-seat cabrio's.
Eh? Loads of people fit kids in 911s.

Mikebentley

8,579 posts

168 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Here’s a cunning plan.....tell us what car and ages of children....it might be helpful.

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,525 posts

257 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
E Class Cabrio - 2017 onwards....

Problem is child 1 is a rather long legged for his age type and the baby car seat is huge, and I mean huge, it rotates etc and I am going to struggle to get the boss to agree to change it as it was a really good one (damn well better be for the price!). Also will have to get a new car seat for son as his current seat has a top tether so also need to convince her a mere isofix without top tether is acceptable too...

And yes it appears a couple of the car dealers with them for sale say they are not open for viewing etc just to buy.....

redandwhite

501 posts

157 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
I am interested in a car, the problem is I don't know if there is enough room in the back for the car seats and legs of the kids etc. I have no intention of sending someone the money to get one delivered to find out........ BUT I can't view one it seems. So I presume I am basically stuck at the moment unable to look at a car in enough detail to know if it will work for me to be able to buy it.

Unless anyone has any cunning plans?
Explain the issue to the seller, given they are going to get a hassle free sale they should be accommodating. Even if it’s a walkround video with a tape measure.

Bemmer

1,195 posts

230 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
talksthetorque said:
Is it the dealers who won't let you in to try?
Because that sounds like a reasonable excuse for a journey to me.
Dealers CAN'T let you try..... were in Lockdown...! It's not the dealers choice,it's government law with hefty fines which have been issued...! That's why were bombarded with all the TV adverts "Click & collect".... which means "buy but not try" & "pay & wave" wavey

Haltamer

2,666 posts

108 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Whilst they're not legally open, my very recent experience is that if you speak to a salesperson on the phone and happen to turn up outside standing next to the car you would like to look at, it magically unlocks... wink

(That being said, I probably wouldn't try using this to justify 100 mile trips to view the exact car you're looking to buy. Find something local)

loskie

7,053 posts

148 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
you'll have to get the whole kids in not just their legs. Unless you are confessing to something

CAPP0

20,806 posts

231 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
I am interested in a car, the problem is I don't know if there is enough room in the back for the car seats and legs of the kids etc. I have no intention of sending someone the money to get one delivered to find out........ BUT I can't view one it seems. So I presume I am basically stuck at the moment unable to look at a car in enough detail to know if it will work for me to be able to buy it.

Unless anyone has any cunning plans?
I have a similar conundrum, MrsC's current lease expires in about 3 months and have seen something else on a decent lease offer to replace it but all the dealers are closed and we need to see it first. My first tack was to ask on FB whether anyone in the village had one which I could take a socially-distanced look at but no go so far.

320d is all you need

2,114 posts

71 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
E Class Cabrio - 2017 onwards....

Problem is child 1 is a rather long legged for his age type and the baby car seat is huge, and I mean huge, it rotates etc and I am going to struggle to get the boss to agree to change it as it was a really good one (damn well better be for the price!). Also will have to get a new car seat for son as his current seat has a top tether so also need to convince her a mere isofix without top tether is acceptable too...

And yes it appears a couple of the car dealers with them for sale say they are not open for viewing etc just to buy.....
Check to see if Carwow has a video. They do useful things by fitting baby and child seats etc.

CRA1G

7,237 posts

223 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Bemmer said:
"Click & collect".... which means "buy but not try" & "pay & wave" wavey
rofl

Bails

4 posts

113 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
You could check for measurements on here
http://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-ab...

ChrisH72

3,068 posts

80 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
E Class Cabrio - 2017 onwards....

Problem is child 1 is a rather long legged for his age type and the baby car seat is huge, and I mean huge, it rotates etc and I am going to struggle to get the boss to agree to change it as it was a really good one (damn well better be for the price!). Also will have to get a new car seat for son as his current seat has a top tether so also need to convince her a mere isofix without top tether is acceptable too...

And yes it appears a couple of the car dealers with them for sale say they are not open for viewing etc just to buy.....
Easy, you put the huge child seat behind her front passenger seat. She can either slide her seat forward and cope with less legroom or agree to a smaller child seat. To be honest a swivel seat in a 2dr is a waste of time anyway.

E class is a big car. I can't see the convertible being a problem even for adults in the back. With cars like that it's not so much the size but the practicality that's the issue.

Sounds like you have 2, maybe 3 kids? If this is your only car then I'd get something different. But if it's a second car just buy it, it'll be fine.

RBS Bob

368 posts

172 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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This video from 6 mins 20 may help.

https://youtu.be/OH1_HmsGLG4

ZX10R NIN

30,480 posts

153 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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How tall are you & you OH? As others have said a swivel seat is a waste of time on a two door, so just get a smaller seat.