What car for 3 child seats?
Discussion
I've got a Mk3 Mondeo.
1 year old on the left, 2 year old on the right, 6 year old in the middle in a booster. Not bags of room but it works. Main thing for you is to ensure the middle seat has a 3 point seat belt... It surprised me when I looked into it how many reasonably modern cars don't.
Personally I think you need to be resigned to your fate and get a people carrier. The OH has a Touran and it makes hauling the kids about a doddle, whereas shoehorning them into the Mondeo is a bit of a chore.
1 year old on the left, 2 year old on the right, 6 year old in the middle in a booster. Not bags of room but it works. Main thing for you is to ensure the middle seat has a 3 point seat belt... It surprised me when I looked into it how many reasonably modern cars don't.
Personally I think you need to be resigned to your fate and get a people carrier. The OH has a Touran and it makes hauling the kids about a doddle, whereas shoehorning them into the Mondeo is a bit of a chore.
When I bumped into this issue Im afraid there wasnt any part of me that would concede to buying a van. As much as a particular mpv might be good for an mpv, its still an mpv (to my eyes). I also understand that some people like them, but I wanted to stay in a car.
So I bought a 535d m sport and then bought a triple Multimac car seat for it. Im comfortable, all three children have a four point harness, and whilst I chose the car I did, provided you have sufficient rear legroom you can choose whatever you want virtually!
Perfect
So I bought a 535d m sport and then bought a triple Multimac car seat for it. Im comfortable, all three children have a four point harness, and whilst I chose the car I did, provided you have sufficient rear legroom you can choose whatever you want virtually!
Perfect
With 3 kids current seat laws make it difficult to use a normal size car.
Most car manufacturers know this so they have pretty much given up on middle seats in the back.
That's stating the obvious.
But it does help to clarify the question.
Your options are;
MPV
MPV crossover thing (s-max)
Big wide 4x4
I'd say the 4x4 is out on your budget as you need reliability and a certain level of kid comfort.
You'd really want a D3 over a D2.
So, get a puma for fun and an s-max.
Or look left field at a nearly new kia 4x4.
They have big warranties and low prices - I don't know about the seat setup, but it may be worth looking.
Most car manufacturers know this so they have pretty much given up on middle seats in the back.
That's stating the obvious.
But it does help to clarify the question.
Your options are;
MPV
MPV crossover thing (s-max)
Big wide 4x4
I'd say the 4x4 is out on your budget as you need reliability and a certain level of kid comfort.
You'd really want a D3 over a D2.
So, get a puma for fun and an s-max.
Or look left field at a nearly new kia 4x4.
They have big warranties and low prices - I don't know about the seat setup, but it may be worth looking.
The thing with the Multimac is that it is suitable only if your kids are all about the same age. How does it work with a rear facing, infant and child needing moving at the same time, which, let’s face it, is the likely spacing if you have 3 kids? I have also read that individual child seats with head support and side impact support are far safer in an side impact than the Multimac. The Which? report on seat safety certainly states that.
The benefits of an MPV as has been stated are not just the rear seat room, but the sheer practicality of the “chuck it in” loadspace. Sure, an E class/A6/5 series may be more prestigious and a nicer drive, but when you have three nippers on board you have other things on your mind than getting the back out on every roundabout.
The benefits of an MPV as has been stated are not just the rear seat room, but the sheer practicality of the “chuck it in” loadspace. Sure, an E class/A6/5 series may be more prestigious and a nicer drive, but when you have three nippers on board you have other things on your mind than getting the back out on every roundabout.
16 years ago we were in exactly this position...had a 2.5 year old when twins arrived!
Back then we had a BMW E28 as our only car and it wasn't wide enough. The only thing we could find back then that was wide enough that we could afford (budget was £3K tops) was a SAAB 9000.
Generally, cars seem much bigger these days so I would have thought the choice would be better for you?
But one option might be a Mercedes 124 Estate with 7-Seater option? We couldn't possibly have afforded one back then. You'd get a really nice one in that budget range these days and you'd be driving something well-made, not suffering the depreciation on a newer car and as the older two children grow they can use the rearmost seats? But then I'm biased!
Back then we had a BMW E28 as our only car and it wasn't wide enough. The only thing we could find back then that was wide enough that we could afford (budget was £3K tops) was a SAAB 9000.
Generally, cars seem much bigger these days so I would have thought the choice would be better for you?
But one option might be a Mercedes 124 Estate with 7-Seater option? We couldn't possibly have afforded one back then. You'd get a really nice one in that budget range these days and you'd be driving something well-made, not suffering the depreciation on a newer car and as the older two children grow they can use the rearmost seats? But then I'm biased!
Mitsubishi Grandis look quite nice and are meant to be pretty good for hauling lots of kids about.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-55-Mitsubishi-Grand...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-55-Mitsubishi-Grand...
skyrover said:
This is true... bucket seats in the back are a no go.
Large 4x4's and MPV's usually have flat rear seats. (They aren't generally built for high speed cornering)
here is the back seat of the superb...
and here's a discovery
The disco looks like a far better bet.
Much easier to load and unload as well as everything is at waist height.
The OP's budget will only (just) stretch to a D2 which is narrower and the wheel arches encroach on the rear seat width. Getting them strapped in is a PITA. The Mondeo and Mazda 6 have less sculpted rear seats so the seats will fit, but again strapping everyone in is a pain...Large 4x4's and MPV's usually have flat rear seats. (They aren't generally built for high speed cornering)
here is the back seat of the superb...
and here's a discovery
The disco looks like a far better bet.
Much easier to load and unload as well as everything is at waist height.
Edited by skyrover on Monday 30th September 09:25
derin100 said:
16 years ago we were in exactly this position...had a 2.5 year old when twins arrived!
Back then we had a BMW E28 as our only car and it wasn't wide enough. The only thing we could find back then that was wide enough that we could afford (budget was £3K tops) was a SAAB 9000.
Generally, cars seem much bigger these days so I would have thought the choice would be better for you?
But one option might be a Mercedes 124 Estate with 7-Seater option? We couldn't possibly have afforded one back then. You'd get a really nice one in that budget range these days and you'd be driving something well-made, not suffering the depreciation on a newer car and as the older two children grow they can use the rearmost seats? But then I'm biased!
Nice idea but just to throw a spanner in the works; assuming the rear seats can't be individually folded (look like a bench?) then where does the double buggy and all the other baby/toddler crap get stowed away when the rear seat is in use?Back then we had a BMW E28 as our only car and it wasn't wide enough. The only thing we could find back then that was wide enough that we could afford (budget was £3K tops) was a SAAB 9000.
Generally, cars seem much bigger these days so I would have thought the choice would be better for you?
But one option might be a Mercedes 124 Estate with 7-Seater option? We couldn't possibly have afforded one back then. You'd get a really nice one in that budget range these days and you'd be driving something well-made, not suffering the depreciation on a newer car and as the older two children grow they can use the rearmost seats? But then I'm biased!
It's an odd problem to have no good solution too, it doesn't seem logical that something like a BMW E61 can't acommodate 2 car seats and a booster without being a really tight squeeze.
Another thing to add, one further reason for getting 7 seats is to allow a bit of seperation between the kids too.
yes.. most people on here posting cars that might fit 3 *CHILD SEATS*.... but in reality cannot.
most cars have what I call 2.75 seats.. 2 either side and a narrow slab in the middle.. which is useless for kiddie seats.
My case, 2,4,6 years old so we had 3 full size child seats for a while.. now eldest uses a booster...
we have had the current 308SW for 18mths and IMHO would works fine as a single vehicle for the family..
Alternatives we looked at...
308SW
Berlingo/Partner
S-max
C4 Picasso
then you have the full on MPV.. Alhambra, Galaxy etc etc..
Do not exclude running 2 cars... depending on trips you make and distance.. might be better off.
We run 2 cars a 308SW and my Imprexa (3 if you include the Caterham)..
in our case we could.. if we could not longer afford the 308SW, we would get a cheap regular car aka Mondeo etc etc.. and run with 4 in the car.. the few time we HAVE to all go out.. visiting MIL (sigh), family birthdays etc.. the distances are not huge.. 1 hour max so the extra fuel costs of taking both cars are minimal.
I would suggest you get either a ISOFIX baby carrier or what we did was a baby carrier with a dock which is strapped into the car with the belt.. this save you having to do the belt buckle, (which you cant see between the seats).. this gets tiring VERY quickly, a dock or isofix are a god send in this respect.
If you get a new car, dont exclude changing child seats to fit the car better.. its often better to get the car that suits better and change the seat..
the old one can always be pawned off on ebay.
Chris
most cars have what I call 2.75 seats.. 2 either side and a narrow slab in the middle.. which is useless for kiddie seats.
My case, 2,4,6 years old so we had 3 full size child seats for a while.. now eldest uses a booster...
we have had the current 308SW for 18mths and IMHO would works fine as a single vehicle for the family..
Alternatives we looked at...
308SW
Berlingo/Partner
S-max
C4 Picasso
then you have the full on MPV.. Alhambra, Galaxy etc etc..
Do not exclude running 2 cars... depending on trips you make and distance.. might be better off.
We run 2 cars a 308SW and my Imprexa (3 if you include the Caterham)..
in our case we could.. if we could not longer afford the 308SW, we would get a cheap regular car aka Mondeo etc etc.. and run with 4 in the car.. the few time we HAVE to all go out.. visiting MIL (sigh), family birthdays etc.. the distances are not huge.. 1 hour max so the extra fuel costs of taking both cars are minimal.
I would suggest you get either a ISOFIX baby carrier or what we did was a baby carrier with a dock which is strapped into the car with the belt.. this save you having to do the belt buckle, (which you cant see between the seats).. this gets tiring VERY quickly, a dock or isofix are a god send in this respect.
If you get a new car, dont exclude changing child seats to fit the car better.. its often better to get the car that suits better and change the seat..
the old one can always be pawned off on ebay.
Chris
dave_s13 said:
Nice idea but just to throw a spanner in the works; assuming the rear seats can't be individually folded (look like a bench?) then where does the double buggy and all the other baby/toddler crap get stowed away when the rear seat is in use?
It's an odd problem to have no good solution too, it doesn't seem logical that something like a BMW E61 can't acommodate 2 car seats and a booster without being a really tight squeeze.
Another thing to add, one further reason for getting 7 seats is to allow a bit of seperation between the kids too.
That's true. How I seem to managed to blot all the practical problems from my memory! It's an odd problem to have no good solution too, it doesn't seem logical that something like a BMW E61 can't acommodate 2 car seats and a booster without being a really tight squeeze.
Another thing to add, one further reason for getting 7 seats is to allow a bit of seperation between the kids too.
derin100 said:
Generally, cars seem much bigger these days so I would have thought the choice would be better for you?
Sadly not. The requirement for better crash protection (esp. side-impact protection) means car doors are thicker. Even though cars have got wider, there is a limit to what you can do without encroaching on rear seat space. The only cars that can properly carry 3 across the back are tall vehicles with slab sides that maximise shoulder room(ie a roof approx the same width as the floorpan). That means MPVs or 4x4s.We changed up to a Discovery 3 when we had our third child. I loved that car - the perfect family holdall if you can't bring yourself to buy an MPV. Eventually had to give it up for a Honda FRV for wife park ability. I'd get another D3 in a heartbeat, but the FRV is a pretty compelling package - 6 individual seats and a pretty big boot (430l I think) in a Golf-sized footprint.
beko1987 said:
I've had 3 type 2 (I think she calls it) seats in my XM when helping her friend out for the day, fitted easily!
Could buy a great one for your budget...
My dad had an XM a few (17, I think!)years ago.Could buy a great one for your budget...
I have fond memories of that car, it was great. I assumed they were all now deceased!
Have just solved exactly the same dilemma - a 5yr old, a 1yr old and a newborn (arrived on Saturday morning, well chuffed!) were never going to fit in my Octavia VRS. We opted for a Renault Scenic 1.9 Dci - 2005, 77k, FSH, few parking dings etc, but ok. £1850.
It has Isofix on either side seat and the passenger. I have a Maxi Cosi newborn seat, a Britax stage 1 seat and a booster seat with back/neck support in. Don't get me wrong, its not exactly spacious, but all seats are in fine and the kids are happy - nice elevated position, big side windows (with built in blinds), decent boot for double buggy, blah blah blah. We average 43mpg on town runs, over 50 on long trips, and it will push 110+ if needed - not gutless like I expected.
It has Isofix on either side seat and the passenger. I have a Maxi Cosi newborn seat, a Britax stage 1 seat and a booster seat with back/neck support in. Don't get me wrong, its not exactly spacious, but all seats are in fine and the kids are happy - nice elevated position, big side windows (with built in blinds), decent boot for double buggy, blah blah blah. We average 43mpg on town runs, over 50 on long trips, and it will push 110+ if needed - not gutless like I expected.
Sorry for the delay in replying, I'm in exercise this week and tanks take some preparing!
I did have the feeling that mpv was going to be the route! It is the best way to move more than the standard family!
My mum used to have a XM, I loved that car but I would be worried about relying on an old Citroen, especially when I am not here during the week, I reference the Citroen ph blog!
The defender fits them fine as it has three independent seats which are all exactly the same, the main issue being that it only has a lap belt for the centre seat so I would have to install a three point for that seat.
I did have the feeling that mpv was going to be the route! It is the best way to move more than the standard family!
My mum used to have a XM, I loved that car but I would be worried about relying on an old Citroen, especially when I am not here during the week, I reference the Citroen ph blog!
The defender fits them fine as it has three independent seats which are all exactly the same, the main issue being that it only has a lap belt for the centre seat so I would have to install a three point for that seat.
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