What is the best kiddy friendly family wagon now?
Discussion
A911DOM said:
GreatGranny said:
Yeti looks too small in the back also.
What about a C-Max?
I had considered one of those too - Infact, when we went on hols a year or so ago we specifically asked for one (as the hire car) so we could check it out, but wound up with a Fiat Croma...What about a C-Max?
Im not adverse to buying second hand, and even buying older more prestige type cars, but the Mrs just wont have it. We've been caught out on the current cars enough for her to put her foot down and insist we go new/nearly new and have the piece of mind of a warranty.
To be honest I'd be happy with a old Hi-lux crewcab with a towbar, or a Toyota Amazon... something like that.
Could you not trade in one of the cars for an old 4x4 so you can have one family car and one rufty-tufty old heap for towing? I'm sure the Mrs won't care if that breaks down if there's only you in it
Not sure how you will otherwise square the circle of small, new, not too expensive, takes 48 kids and can tow an ocean liner...
Bluebarge said:
A911DOM said:
GreatGranny said:
Yeti looks too small in the back also.
What about a C-Max?
I had considered one of those too - Infact, when we went on hols a year or so ago we specifically asked for one (as the hire car) so we could check it out, but wound up with a Fiat Croma...What about a C-Max?
Im not adverse to buying second hand, and even buying older more prestige type cars, but the Mrs just wont have it. We've been caught out on the current cars enough for her to put her foot down and insist we go new/nearly new and have the piece of mind of a warranty.
To be honest I'd be happy with a old Hi-lux crewcab with a towbar, or a Toyota Amazon... something like that.
Could you not trade in one of the cars for an old 4x4 so you can have one family car and one rufty-tufty old heap for towing? I'm sure the Mrs won't care if that breaks down if there's only you in it
Not sure how you will otherwise square the circle of small, new, not too expensive, takes 48 kids and can tow an ocean liner...
I did suggest we perhaps go for a 'meat wagon' for the boring school run stuff and a normal relatively attractive car for when its not necessary to have fifteen school bags, the latest art project and lots of whinging flesh in the car (but something that can still fit the troops in should it be necessary).
I await the final reckoning on whats deemed appropriate
I think I may persevere with the 'rufty tufty' slightly older work wagon theory so theres no issues with the towing side - BUT unfortunately the need for school run ability far outweighs the amount of times I need it to tow
(Plus shes not going to be too chipper with rolling down to the train station in Big Foot every morning A911DOM said:
I had considered one of those too - Infact, when we went on hols a year or so ago we specifically asked for one (as the hire car) so we could check it out, but wound up with a Fiat Croma...
Talking of which... We asked for a Berlingo recently in the spirit of experimentation (Which is worth considering although it's French and only has a 1.6 diseasal) and ended up in a Seat Altea which wasn't half bad.Your towing requiremants are the big issue with all of this. Basically you need something big (and therefore expensive if new/nearly new...) to allow you to consider towing 1500kg of car and trailer.
I guess we're focussing here on the car primarily for my Mrs, hence the smaller motors being listed.
I wonder whether I can convince the boss that buying an older car but still from a trader with some sort of warranty might do the trick and then get something another couple of years and older and hope I can afford something thats up to the job.
Having said that of course, even if I can afford a big brute of a thing, the tax implications of a larger engine/more power over here are really quite unpleasant...
And so the quandry continues.
I wonder whether I can convince the boss that buying an older car but still from a trader with some sort of warranty might do the trick and then get something another couple of years and older and hope I can afford something thats up to the job.
Having said that of course, even if I can afford a big brute of a thing, the tax implications of a larger engine/more power over here are really quite unpleasant...
And so the quandry continues.
braddo said:
Is not trailering the 944 a possibility? Softening the suspension settings/2nd set of wheels with road tyres/earplugs/extra seat cushion?
Trying to get it through a Belgian mot equivalent, whilst re-registering it here, getting a CoC (certificate of conformity just in case you thought I was referring to the locals), etc etc is not really a viable option sadly. 1 other option I did consider was:
Bringing the 944 back to the UK and either MOT'ing it, or simply buying a trailer for it to live on (you have to MOT your trailer over here as well!!!!)
, and using it round some UK tracks when the opportunity arose. I dont have a tow vehicle in the UK either though if it wont MOT easily... Back to square numero uno again with that scenario. Jeez - what a palava
andymach23 said:
Last time I was looking at used Ford Galaxys, I noticed a 2000kg towing capacity which would give 1700kg using the 85% rule. The Seat and VW versions should be about the same.
AFAIK the 85% rule applies to the actual vehicle's laden weight, rather than the manufacturer's towing capacity. The manufacturer gives the maximum permissible and then you work out the rest so the trailer can't overwhelm the car.If this wasn't the case the manufacturer would just give that 85% figure as a maximum.
Bill said:
andymach23 said:
Last time I was looking at used Ford Galaxys, I noticed a 2000kg towing capacity which would give 1700kg using the 85% rule. The Seat and VW versions should be about the same.
AFAIK the 85% rule applies to the actual vehicle's laden weight, rather than the manufacturer's towing capacity. The manufacturer gives the maximum permissible and then you work out the rest so the trailer can't overwhelm the car.If this wasn't the case the manufacturer would just give that 85% figure as a maximum.
But a Galaxy/Alhambra should still be ok because it weighs approx 1800kgs, giving about 1500kgs under the 85% rule (assuming the Porker + trailer does actually weigh that much).
A911DOM said:
braddo said:
Is not trailering the 944 a possibility? Softening the suspension settings/2nd set of wheels with road tyres/earplugs/extra seat cushion?
Trying to get it through a Belgian mot equivalent, whilst re-registering it here, getting a CoC (certificate of conformity just in case you thought I was referring to the locals), etc etc is not really a viable option sadly. 1 other option I did consider was:
Bringing the 944 back to the UK and either MOT'ing it, or simply buying a trailer for it to live on (you have to MOT your trailer over here as well!!!!)
, and using it round some UK tracks when the opportunity arose. I dont have a tow vehicle in the UK either though if it wont MOT easily... Back to square numero uno again with that scenario. Jeez - what a palava
braddo said:
A911DOM said:
braddo said:
Is not trailering the 944 a possibility? Softening the suspension settings/2nd set of wheels with road tyres/earplugs/extra seat cushion?
Trying to get it through a Belgian mot equivalent, whilst re-registering it here, getting a CoC (certificate of conformity just in case you thought I was referring to the locals), etc etc is not really a viable option sadly. 1 other option I did consider was:
Bringing the 944 back to the UK and either MOT'ing it, or simply buying a trailer for it to live on (you have to MOT your trailer over here as well!!!!)
, and using it round some UK tracks when the opportunity arose. I dont have a tow vehicle in the UK either though if it wont MOT easily... Back to square numero uno again with that scenario. Jeez - what a palava
Bluebarge said:
But a Galaxy/Alhambra should still be ok because it weighs approx 1800kgs, giving about 1500kgs under the 85% rule (assuming the Porker + trailer does actually weigh that much).
If you add a couple of adults, tools, spares and fuel your 85% figure becomes 1800kgs or so.markh1973 said:
excel monkey said:
Qashqai worth a look if you stay away from the Renault DCI engines?
More interesting to look at than a Scenic or Verso, cheap to buy, reasonable fuel economy, holds value well for a mass market car, seven seat model available, British built, what's not to like?
If you need to fit 3 kids in then you will have to use one of the back row of seats and then you will have very little luggage space. Not my idea of practical. More interesting to look at than a Scenic or Verso, cheap to buy, reasonable fuel economy, holds value well for a mass market car, seven seat model available, British built, what's not to like?
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