3 Kids Help

[npope]

I have three kids under 6 and so they all need car seats, currently we have a XC90 and this is great but being a 4x4 costs a packet to run. My wife does not really want a MPV, has anyone else got three kids if so how do you get round this problem.

Thanks

[DavidY]

You really have a problem, getting three child seats across the backseat of a large estate car. I have a Saab 9-5 estate and have done it on several occassions, but it's not easy getting all the belts strapped in.

Personally I'd stick with the vehicle you have, the cost of change is enormous in relation to the potential running cost savings (unless you get a much older vehicle that isn't going to depreciate much)

Realistically it's either 4x4 or MPV or a 7 seater like a Volvo or a Merc Estate (but then you are b*ggered for carrying luggage

davidy

[thunderbelmont]

Before my second was born, I changed my wife's Punto Sporting for a Zafira 1.8 16v Elegance.

It does what it says on the tin, but at 8yrs old now, it's long in the tooth, electrical niggles are getting to be a pain, and fuel consumption is dreadful compared to a "normal" car (hatch/estate/salon)

Before I bought it, I checked with a friend of mine who works in the recovery industry, and since he picks up dead cars from the side of the road it was a case of "how many of these (xyz model) do you see, and what's usually wrong with them"

The Chrysler Voyager was blighted with Mercedes Benz build quality issues and E-Class-esque electrical woes (I'm going to stop now, for no reason, and I won't start until I'm on the ramp in the dealers, and they won't find anything wrong with me. Ha ha!)

Galaxys/Sharons/Alhambra's, build quality wasn't great, Sharons over priced, Alhambra's best deal as you get more car for less. Expect rubbish fuel economy.

Zafira - when new - good quality does what it says on the tin, 1600 thirsty beyone belief! go for the 2.2, or the DTI (the high power version). Typical vauxhall cambelt issues - book says 80K change, they break at 60K, dealers called them back for a 40K change, fleet companies often ignored it - be wary! The best 7seater in it's class.

Ford C-Max, limited to 5 seats. Just a blown up Focus for more cash. Buy the Focus an spend the extra on chips/sunbed sessions/etc..

The list goes on, but one thing he did say, if you like Japanese "bland", and you don't mind riding around in something a little big, more like the "Scoobie Doo Mystery Machine", then the Toyota Previa fits the ticket. Yes, it drink juice, but for it's size you'd expect it. Reliable, comfortable, spacious, but bland.

I'm stuck with the Zafira for now, it's got over 100K on the clock, and it's getting tired. Certainly won't buy another one, probably looking at an XC70 to replace it!!!!

Whatever you buy, your kids will trash it!

Rob.

[Pooh]

I baught a Fiat Multipla because I had the same problem, I had it for 6 years and 90k miles and it was superb. I recently changed it for a Mitsubishi Grandis because I now have two labradors, the kids are a lot bigger and the boot space was getting a bit tight, the grandis is rubbish compared to the Multipla despite the fact that it was 50% more expensive. The Multipla is an old design in terms of safety and toys so I would not buy a new one but a 2 year old diesel would be pretty good.

[jon@127]

What about the Honda FRV? Same principle as the Miltipla but aesthetically more acceptable and not really an MPV.

[npope]

jon@127" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">jon@127 said:

What about the Honda FRV? Same principle as the Miltipla but aesthetically more acceptable and not really an MPV.

Thought about it but not a big Honda car fan, friend got a new Civic and sent it back after 3 months of going back and forth to the garage with electric problems

[LoudPedal]

Look at a Mazda Previa, Mazda5 in the States. Since you're running carseats, the rear seat stiffness won't affect you, and it's an easy fold-down to carry stuff when you need. We have one and get 24mpg every tankful.

[Pooh]

jon@127" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">jon@127 said:

What about the Honda FRV? Same principle as the Miltipla but aesthetically more acceptable and not really an MPV.

I looked at one when replacing the Multipla but it is based on the Civic and is too narrow for the 3x3 seating to work properly so it felt very cramped in comparison as well as having much poorer visability. I did not drive it because sitting in it was enough to show that it was not for me.

[FlossyThePig]

After running a 306 for nearly thirteen years I bought a peugeot 307SW earlier this year. You can get two extra seats to fit in the back. However any of the three back seats can be moved into the rear position. Four grandchildren and two not so old grandparents had a nice day out. Two seats in the back rob luggage space but a buggy fitted easily between the two middle seats.

I got an extra seat thrown in as part of the deal, so it's a six seater.

Edited to add: The grandchildren were aged 9, 7, 5 and 18 months at the time

Edited by FlossyThePig on Wednesday 21st November 18:23

[mr_spock]

Citroen C4 Picasso. 7 seats, and you can get three 9 year olds in the back even without the back 2 seats up. Get the diesel if you want an auto. It seems to take whatever gack my 2 little ones drop on the floor and seats and cleans up like new every time.

[JohnP]

Also got 3 kids, and for the last 3 years have had a VW Sharan TDI (ie same as Mk2 Galaxy or Seat Alhambra). I was really against it initially but it has been great for family transport.

2 of the seats have built in baby seats that can also be setup as a booster seat for older kids so we never had to carry around or fit typical baby seats. We also took out the middle seat in the 2nd row so that you can have easy access to the 3rd row seats where our oldest preferred to be (so 2+2+2 formation), that way everyone has there own space which is fantastic on longer journeys and certainly stopped ours fidgeting and arguing with each other

Now our oldest is a teenager he doesn't tend to come out with us as much and I was looking at the opposite scenario to you, going to a XC90 for the occasional 7 seats and a bit of luxury or possibly a new V70 with the built in kids seats in the back to give more leg room.

I think VW are still selling the Sharan but its a bit of an old model now, SMAX and new Galaxy are probably better.

[npope]

JohnP said:

Also got 3 kids, and for the last 3 years have had a VW Sharan TDI (ie same as Mk2 Galaxy or Seat Alhambra). I was really against it initially but it has been great for family transport.

2 of the seats have built in baby seats that can also be setup as a booster seat for older kids so we never had to carry around or fit typical baby seats. We also took out the middle seat in the 2nd row so that you can have easy access to the 3rd row seats where our oldest preferred to be (so 2+2+2 formation), that way everyone has there own space which is fantastic on longer journeys and certainly stopped ours fidgeting and arguing with each other

Now our oldest is a teenager he doesn't tend to come out with us as much and I was looking at the opposite scenario to you, going to a XC90 for the occasional 7 seats and a bit of luxury or possibly a new V70 with the built in kids seats in the back to give more leg room.

I think VW are still selling the Sharan but its a bit of an old model now, SMAX and new Galaxy are probably better.

Cant get another Sharon, last car was a Sharan and my son (no. 3) was in it when it had a eltrical fire, fixed that and then everytime you shut the door windows would open. Plus as I put at the top wife does not want a MPV :-( Women so hard to please.

Think I might need to sick with the xc90

[JohnP]

How bad are the running costs of the XC90 ?

I'm guesing at mid 20's mpg for a diesel geartronic, plus the newer ones fall into the high VED band.

[npope]

JohnP said:

How bad are the running costs of the XC90 ?

I'm guesing at mid 20's mpg for a diesel geartronic, plus the newer ones fall into the high VED band.

you about right on MPG, I do get low 30 on a long run, but we only do about 8k a year so as someone said before might cost more to change than running costs. I will say its the best car we have ever had and this is from someone that has had 21 cars in 16 years and most new, I know I am MAD and stupid :-)

[jgsquash]

We have three kids and an XC90, works for us and no plans to change
I'd stick with it!

[grafikr]

Hello,
I have FOUR kids (three girls and a boy)! I had to get rid of my 5 series and had a look at all the usual suspects, FRV, Verso, Mazda 5 - all great cars but no space in th back with all te seats up. Narrowed it down to the 5 and the FRV, but didn't fancy the fact that one of my kids would be sitting in the FRONT - so went for the outside choice - A Honda but the 2004 Honda Stream with SIX seats, 2+2+2 formation and a decent size boot. There's not many around, chased one down in Bedford. It's a brilliant car, reasonably quick 2.0i VTEC engine with a tiptronic gearbox, it also drives like a car, low stance. I didn't also want an expensive car again, as the kids would soon reduce it down to its basic parts within a few months.

Now looking for a smaller quick car to keep me smiling at the weekend (and to replace my old 535d Sport!). A mini Cooper S maybe!? - Hope that helps;

http://carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?article=64...
regards
Grafikr

[npope]

grafikr said:

Hello,
I have FOUR kids (three girls and a boy)! I had to get rid of my 5 series and had a look at all the usual suspects, FRV, Verso, Mazda 5 - all great cars but no space in th back with all te seats up. Narrowed it down to the 5 and the FRV, but didn't fancy the fact that one of my kids would be sitting in the FRONT - so went for the outside choice - A Honda but the 2004 Honda Stream with SIX seats, 2+2+2 formation and a decent size boot. There's not many around, chased one down in Bedford. It's a brilliant car, reasonably quick 2.0i VTEC engine with a tiptronic gearbox, it also drives like a car, low stance. I didn't also want an expensive car again, as the kids would soon reduce it down to its basic parts within a few months.

Now looking for a smaller quick car to keep me smiling at the weekend (and to replace my old 535d Sport!). A mini Cooper S maybe!? - Hope that helps;

http://carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?article=64...
regards
Grafikr

Thansk Grafikr, will take alook, go for a big fun car get a TIV :-)

[75_Steve]

npope said:

I have three kids under 6 and so they all need car seats, currently we have a XC90 and this is great but being a 4x4 costs a packet to run. My wife does not really want a MPV, has anyone else got three kids if so how do you get round this problem.

Thanks

The cost to change it for something else (taking into account depreciation etc.) means you'd be better off keeping it and putting up with the running costs.

I never really understand why people will take a massive depreciation hit to buy something 'cheaper to run'.

[StevenB]

I have a VW caravelle pleanty of room air con vent for each passenger and a sepearte heater box for the rear seat passengers you even get a boot

[npope]

75_Steve said:

npope said:

I have three kids under 6 and so they all need car seats, currently we have a XC90 and this is great but being a 4x4 costs a packet to run. My wife does not really want a MPV, has anyone else got three kids if so how do you get round this problem.

Thanks

The cost to change it for something else (taking into account depreciation etc.) means you'd be better off keeping it and putting up with the running costs.

I never really understand why people will take a massive depreciation hit to buy something 'cheaper to run'.

Dont think i will lose to much i got a very very good deal :-) right place right time. But as we cant find anything we are keep the xc90