Which cars can handle 3 kids seats in the back.....

[Kitchski]

....that are cheap? Looking to make some cutbacks as we have an addition to the family heading our way.

Current family steed is an MG ZS. To be honest, it's a bit of a struggle with just the two kid seats in the back these days. I swear my kids' IQ tumbles everytime we bump their heads clambering them in and out.

So....basic criteria is a value of £1.5k - £2k, minimum economy of 45mpg combined book figures (so we're in soot-blaster territory already), must have good access to rear seats and a rear seat(s) wide enough to take two forward facing child seats and one rearward facing. Having a passenger airbag that can be disarmed would also be beneficial.

Badge doesn't matter. Size doesn't matter. It's just got to be cheap to run, roomy, reliable and as safe as can be etc.

So far we've come up with a Picasso HDi. Not much else! Citroen C5 HDi estate or Renault Laguna DCI estate are possible (quite like the Lagunas although the C5 might make the kids cry) but not sure if the rear seats are wide enough. Not as easy as it sounds this. Kids seats have got so big as most parents have people carriers these days, so trying to do 3 abreast in a normal estate car isn't as easy as you'd think. A mate of mine managed it in an A6 estate.....just.

One school of thought says that it's just a tool and the best tool for the job is a Picasso, so get a Picasso you tool. And I will, if I have to. But I wondered if anyone else had been down this road.

So, anyone?

[miniman]

I have a similar requirement on the way. But there's just something about a Picasso that says "my life is over" that I can't come to terms with.

My budget is a little more, so I'm looking at a Discovery. Or perhaps an E39 5 series (which would be in your budget) or perhaps an E-Class Merc. Older, but arguably more reliable and, above all, not a Picasso. Or a Scenic.

[Kitchski]

Yeah, it's that feeling of looking out the window and seeing it, and just sighing!

An E39 wouldn't deliver the running costs though, and I don't like Mercs. Off-roaders are out as I can't see me having any time to climb every mountain and ford every stream!

I guess I'm hoping for someone to say "oh yeah, try a ******. Mondeo sized, does 50mpg, loads of room for 3 big seats, big boot, no one wants them so cheap as chips!"

Can't see it happening

[Xavier259]

Fiat Multipla seems to meet all of the requirements


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


3 full sized seats in the rear so that shouldn't be a problem. Reasonably reliable JTD engine that should be good for 40+ MPG. Job sorted.

[MrLou]

Keep the current car, buy a multimac.

You'll be able to sell it for close to what you paid.

I can't see you buying a decent car for £2k that meets your requirements.

[Kitchski]

Xavier259 said:

Fiat Multipla seems to meet all of the requirements


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


3 full sized seats in the rear so that shouldn't be a problem. Reasonably reliable JTD engine that should be good for 40+ MPG. Job sorted.

I'm going to show her this, because I've been pushing for a Multipla! I think I'm onto a lose sadly, as the Picasso is narrower (size doesn't matter, but why have something big enough for 6 when you have 5?) and to her, less ugly. Picasso is also cheaper, but I agree, I like the Multipla! Why be boring?!

[miniman]

MrLou said:

Keep the current car, buy a multimac.

You'll be able to sell it for close to what you paid.

I can't see you buying a decent car for £2k that meets your requirements.

I'd ruled out a multimac on the basis of cost, without even considering that the resale value could be significant

[Kitchski]

MrLou said:

Keep the current car, buy a multimac.

You'll be able to sell it for close to what you paid.

I can't see you buying a decent car for £2k that meets your requirements.

I'd have to sell the current car to buy the Multimac. Unless I fit it with castors, I don't think that'll work

Besides, doesn't look all that supportive. I know pictures only tell half the story etc.

[chrisispringles]

Are you going to be doing a lot of miles in this car? If not then I wouldn't get too bogged down over fuel economy, you are closing off a huge amount of the market for very little benefit; especially given the fact that if the turbo goes pop you'll be spending a few years worth of fuel savings putting it right. If economy really is that imortant then there are these:

Ford Mondeo TDCi

Skoda Octavia TDi

Vauxhall Vectra DTi

VW Passat TDi

Volvo V70 D

[Kitchski]

Not a huge amount of miles, but frequent use. Hear what you're saying about repair costs etc, and I know these new diesels cost more when they go down. But savings come in car tax too, and cheap to run petrol cars are generally low powered gutless versions, so the diesels often drive better.

The only car in that list that looks like the seats might all fit is the V70. We had a Mondeo mk2 which would never have had a chance of fitting three in before.

[miniman]

Mk 3 Mondeo is absolutely massive.

[Kitchski]

Haven't tried the seats in a Mondeo admittedly, but we're getting pretty sharp on just being able to look at the back seats and say yay or nay, almost by the distance between the seat belt buckles!

If a mk3 Mondy could do it, it'd definately be a viable option. I'm a little bit put off by the Ford aspect, as the last few I've worked on have been a piggin' nightmare, but the mk2 Mondeo we had was good. Will check it it.