What car for 3 child seats?
Discussion
OK, the pictures are not going to win any prizes but that will just reduce the competition for you,
£3,250Volvo V70 2.4 D5 SE 5dr Diesel Estate
£3,250Volvo V70 2.4 D5 SE 5dr Diesel Estate
Another vote for the FRV. 2.0i DOHC VTEC chain cam petrol is the one to go for. The Sport looks good for an MPV and they all have a nice dash and interior. Definitely the tool for the job given the budget. 2.2 diesel nice, but only just creeping into bottom of budget and one bill will more than wipe out any fuel saving.
Under budget, consider a Honda Stream, the original "sporty" MPV (LoL) . Same engine as above, 7 seats like a Zafira, but less flexible as the two rear ones are a bench. Not a looker - better from the inside looking out.
Neither are automotive "Dementor's" like a Zafira.
In my experience a V70 won't fit 3 proper car seats. You need 3 individual chairs really. Great cars but not the best for this requirement and running costs would be higher than the Honda.
All IMHO of course.
Under budget, consider a Honda Stream, the original "sporty" MPV (LoL) . Same engine as above, 7 seats like a Zafira, but less flexible as the two rear ones are a bench. Not a looker - better from the inside looking out.
Neither are automotive "Dementor's" like a Zafira.
In my experience a V70 won't fit 3 proper car seats. You need 3 individual chairs really. Great cars but not the best for this requirement and running costs would be higher than the Honda.
All IMHO of course.
skyrover said:
V70 rear seat
looks pretty flat
2000–2007 model 71.0 inches wide (1,803 mm)
2007–present 73.3 inches wide (1,861 mm)
They also have an option where the centre seat has a fold out booster. The issue being that the child in the centre is sitting between the hard outer plastic of the other car seats.looks pretty flat
2000–2007 model 71.0 inches wide (1,803 mm)
2007–present 73.3 inches wide (1,861 mm)
IN51GHT said:
I really like these. In fact I'm tempted to get my Toyota Verso sold and get one of these instead....god I hate that car. 
Really??? A guy I used to work with had a personal car.. 1.8 petrol.. had it for about 3 years last time I spoke to him n said it was bullet proof.
Was even looking at the local price of them this AM once I remembered it.. as the 308SW lease ends soon n thinking about getting a used Verso with extended warranty.
I would be honestly interested in your thoughts.
Was even looking at the local price of them this AM once I remembered it.. as the 308SW lease ends soon n thinking about getting a used Verso with extended warranty.
I would be honestly interested in your thoughts.
My Evil Twin said:
Really??? A guy I used to work with had a personal car.. 1.8 petrol.. had it for about 3 years last time I spoke to him n said it was bullet proof.
Was even looking at the local price of them this AM once I remembered it.. as the 308SW lease ends soon n thinking about getting a used Verso with extended warranty.
I would be honestly interested in your thoughts.
They are generally bullet proof although mine needed a new clutch and gearbox shortly after I bought it as well as a replacement air con compresser. Some would say just open the windows but with the summer we had it was pretty essential I reckon.Was even looking at the local price of them this AM once I remembered it.. as the 308SW lease ends soon n thinking about getting a used Verso with extended warranty.
I would be honestly interested in your thoughts.
Plus points
- It's reliable (depsite the above)
- Cheap to run/service
- 37mpg average round town (this actually goes down when drive at 70+ mph)
- Practical - it will fit the kids in and you can also fill it with carp for tip runs and stuff
- Easy to drive
- I can park it with the doors open and the keys in the ignition and it will still be there when you get back
- I don't care that the kids have covered the interior in sticky "stuff"
- i don't care that it has been "parked by ear" in the past - it's a bit roughed up on the outside.
- I got it cheap
Negatives
- It looks like the blandest of bland turds
- It handles like an MPV - it's not bad as such but it's not good either
- Is the gear stick connected to anything? Doesn't feel like it.
- The 1.6 petrol engine means acceleration is measured using a calendar - overtaking is done with planning the day before.
- The boot cover is a right PITA to get out, use and put back again - sometimes you need to hide the boot contents.
- No toys - mine is the basic T2 model so even has windy rear windows, which the kids will insist on feckin about with all the time!
- With the middle seat down it's really hard to get to the passenger belt buckles - my wifes finds this impossible at the minute (9 months preggers - can't get past cos of the bump).
To be fair, on paper it does everything you need it to do and will likely keep doing it for another 100k miles now the box and clutch are sorted - on 76k at the moment. Some cars though, you just don't really like them, this is one of those cars, for me anyway.
If you want to buy it, it's yours!
d - you really do hate that thing don't you? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff