Really struggling with what car for 3 kids
Discussion
Hi All,
I would be very grateful for some help. Really struggling to find a car that will suit 3 children. This is will be our second car that my partner will use mostly for the school runs etc. She does mixed driving (50:50) at around 8-10k per year.
We have just had our 3rd child and I am really struggling to pick something that will suit us in budget. I have a budget of around 7-8k, ideally I would like to spend less (who wouldn't!) but its mainly due to the fact that I know the kids will trash it and the Mrs drives like its a bumper car.
Our current trustly focus has had its day and its due a change anyway. I would like an 11 plate onwards SMax or a C4 picasso but it seems command more money and the engines are woeful.
I have 3 options in my head but each has its downside
1) get fork out for an 2011+ smax or 2013 C4 Picasso and ignore the crap engine
2) get a hatchback or estate and add in the 3 car seat multimac (apparently very safe)
3) get any decent car for around 5k and let the eldest (5 years old) sit at the front. (Concerned that ideally its safer to be in the back) Don't want to gamble with his life for the sake of money.
Can anyone been in this situation help with experiences or advise on what they bought and if its worked. Of course with the above being said its important its reliable and realtively cheap to run.
Thanks!
PS. childen: 5Yo, 3yo, and newborn
I would be very grateful for some help. Really struggling to find a car that will suit 3 children. This is will be our second car that my partner will use mostly for the school runs etc. She does mixed driving (50:50) at around 8-10k per year.
We have just had our 3rd child and I am really struggling to pick something that will suit us in budget. I have a budget of around 7-8k, ideally I would like to spend less (who wouldn't!) but its mainly due to the fact that I know the kids will trash it and the Mrs drives like its a bumper car.
Our current trustly focus has had its day and its due a change anyway. I would like an 11 plate onwards SMax or a C4 picasso but it seems command more money and the engines are woeful.
I have 3 options in my head but each has its downside
1) get fork out for an 2011+ smax or 2013 C4 Picasso and ignore the crap engine
2) get a hatchback or estate and add in the 3 car seat multimac (apparently very safe)
3) get any decent car for around 5k and let the eldest (5 years old) sit at the front. (Concerned that ideally its safer to be in the back) Don't want to gamble with his life for the sake of money.
Can anyone been in this situation help with experiences or advise on what they bought and if its worked. Of course with the above being said its important its reliable and realtively cheap to run.
Thanks!
PS. childen: 5Yo, 3yo, and newborn
Buy a 2010+ Mercedes E Class estate, at 100k miles it will feel like new and still feel like new with another 50k miles on it, and in 5 years time will still get £4k or more.
Just talked my mate into buying one, he swapped his 2015 S-Max, and even though this was a 5 years older and with 112k miles on it compared with his S-Max with 42k miles on it, he is amazed at how much more solid it feels.
He was going to have to pay £16200 to keep his S-Max, PCP, and ended up paying £8800 for the E Class, so nearly half as much. His E Class is also a 7 seater.
Just talked my mate into buying one, he swapped his 2015 S-Max, and even though this was a 5 years older and with 112k miles on it compared with his S-Max with 42k miles on it, he is amazed at how much more solid it feels.
He was going to have to pay £16200 to keep his S-Max, PCP, and ended up paying £8800 for the E Class, so nearly half as much. His E Class is also a 7 seater.
Hi,
Exactly the same situation as you.
4yr old, 2 yr old and newborn.
Bought a 1.6 diesel C4 picasso (2012) for £5k with 45k on the clock to replace a Ford Focus which wasn't big enough.
You know what- after multiple weekends away and days out here and there- its ideal. Rear seat picnic tables/built in sun blinds/ plenty of storage, 3 independent rear seats/panoramic windscreen etc
It just does the job, and I could not think of investing anymore money than I have in a family car, you don't worry about what the kids are doing in it/where you park it etc. Very cheap to fix also is anything goes wrong.
Don't worry about the engines - its a family car, you wont be having fun in it - its just a bus to cart everyone around. Mine is averaging 55mpg and can keep up with any and and all traffic within the speed limits, never have I though I need more power in the family bus.
Exactly the same situation as you.
4yr old, 2 yr old and newborn.
Bought a 1.6 diesel C4 picasso (2012) for £5k with 45k on the clock to replace a Ford Focus which wasn't big enough.
You know what- after multiple weekends away and days out here and there- its ideal. Rear seat picnic tables/built in sun blinds/ plenty of storage, 3 independent rear seats/panoramic windscreen etc
It just does the job, and I could not think of investing anymore money than I have in a family car, you don't worry about what the kids are doing in it/where you park it etc. Very cheap to fix also is anything goes wrong.
Don't worry about the engines - its a family car, you wont be having fun in it - its just a bus to cart everyone around. Mine is averaging 55mpg and can keep up with any and and all traffic within the speed limits, never have I though I need more power in the family bus.
Was in a similar situation earlier this year although we already had 3 kids under 5 and found our Mazda 5 wasn't big enough. We had a budget of 10k and wanted something newish, 7 full sized seats and well equipped.
Looked at Zafira's but they are much smaller than I thought and some seats are not full sized, such as the middle seat in the middle row which is slightly smaller.
Looked at S Max's but there's a lot of poor spec models out there and we couldn't find anything local within budget with a decent specification.
Looked at C4 Grand Piccasso but most are e-hdi which features the worlds slowest automatic gearbox, which is actually an automated manual. Drove a 64 plate and thought it was broke, so tried a 66 plate within budget but that was the same. The 66 plate was on 13k and the Start button had already worn off, together with seat bolsters showing signs of wear.
We were struggling and by chance, came across a 64 Peugeot 5008 with 30k on the clock within budget. Has proper full sized seats which do various clever folding things. Is well equipped with parking sensors, aircon, cruise, usb, integrated blinds, auto lights/wipers etc. Is vast and can fit 3 child seats in the middle, 2 of the child seats are the rotating type which can still rotate. Seems better made than the Citreon equivalent with no visable wear anywhere and the kids haven't managed to remove any trim yet or break anything. We've put 6k on it so far in a few months, it's done a 4 hour holiday trip complete with 3 kids bikes and 5 peoples luggage fine. It's mega comfy and quiet and returns 55mpg on a run and costs £120 VED. There's a "Blue" version that costs £20 per year VED, although unsure of the mechanical differences.
Pug is often overlooked, it's not the greatest looking car but it's turned out to be very good for our family of 5. No regrets so far.
Looked at Zafira's but they are much smaller than I thought and some seats are not full sized, such as the middle seat in the middle row which is slightly smaller.
Looked at S Max's but there's a lot of poor spec models out there and we couldn't find anything local within budget with a decent specification.
Looked at C4 Grand Piccasso but most are e-hdi which features the worlds slowest automatic gearbox, which is actually an automated manual. Drove a 64 plate and thought it was broke, so tried a 66 plate within budget but that was the same. The 66 plate was on 13k and the Start button had already worn off, together with seat bolsters showing signs of wear.
We were struggling and by chance, came across a 64 Peugeot 5008 with 30k on the clock within budget. Has proper full sized seats which do various clever folding things. Is well equipped with parking sensors, aircon, cruise, usb, integrated blinds, auto lights/wipers etc. Is vast and can fit 3 child seats in the middle, 2 of the child seats are the rotating type which can still rotate. Seems better made than the Citreon equivalent with no visable wear anywhere and the kids haven't managed to remove any trim yet or break anything. We've put 6k on it so far in a few months, it's done a 4 hour holiday trip complete with 3 kids bikes and 5 peoples luggage fine. It's mega comfy and quiet and returns 55mpg on a run and costs £120 VED. There's a "Blue" version that costs £20 per year VED, although unsure of the mechanical differences.
Pug is often overlooked, it's not the greatest looking car but it's turned out to be very good for our family of 5. No regrets so far.
Thanks for all the replies, they help quite a bit.
I did look at the usual culprits such as the C4 but never the model before 2013 and also I did touch into looking at the 3008s too.
Like you all said it just needs to be a safe wagon for the family thats easy enough to run on the pocket.
The estate options people are mentioning I assume these would only be viable with the multimac addition? I think thats where I start to have an issue, the car would be say around 7.5-8k add in 1.5k for the seats and your up to 9-10k.
might as well get a newer c4 or smax at that price with lower millage etc etc
I did look at the usual culprits such as the C4 but never the model before 2013 and also I did touch into looking at the 3008s too.
Like you all said it just needs to be a safe wagon for the family thats easy enough to run on the pocket.
The estate options people are mentioning I assume these would only be viable with the multimac addition? I think thats where I start to have an issue, the car would be say around 7.5-8k add in 1.5k for the seats and your up to 9-10k.
might as well get a newer c4 or smax at that price with lower millage etc etc
Ideally they’d all be in the back, but if you’re happy with one in the front then the world’s your oyster. Guess depends how often it’d be, how far etc etc
I might be very happy with an E class Merc estate (or Superb etc) for a second car but my wife wouldn’t be! To me these are more of a first car. But depends where you’re driving/parking etc
A compact/medium MPV with 3 decent sized rear seats is probably the pragmatic choice. Not sure where you’re based but you might want to check it’s EURO emissions standard f you’re considering diesel and may drive into London (or other cities)
https://www.hpi.co.uk/content/diesel-news-the-futu...
A bit off the wall and maybe too old for you but I’m thinking of a Honda FR-V. 3 decent rear seats and unusually 3 in the front plus you still have a good boot. Later petrols are all chain drive (not cambelt) and they seem pretty solid (less so the diesel)...
I might be very happy with an E class Merc estate (or Superb etc) for a second car but my wife wouldn’t be! To me these are more of a first car. But depends where you’re driving/parking etc
A compact/medium MPV with 3 decent sized rear seats is probably the pragmatic choice. Not sure where you’re based but you might want to check it’s EURO emissions standard f you’re considering diesel and may drive into London (or other cities)
https://www.hpi.co.uk/content/diesel-news-the-futu...
A bit off the wall and maybe too old for you but I’m thinking of a Honda FR-V. 3 decent rear seats and unusually 3 in the front plus you still have a good boot. Later petrols are all chain drive (not cambelt) and they seem pretty solid (less so the diesel)...
Fiat Doblo, lots of room in the back easy to park with good visibility and big windows.
Handle much better than would expect, I was getting over 50mpg out of mine regardless of how it was driven.
Lots of storage space and still with a decent boot when seats up, cavernous with the seats dropped.
3 adults on the back bench not restricted on space or sitting in each others laps, sliding rear doors make sense loading kids into the back of the car.
Ugly as sin though, and everyone will tell you it will rust and fall apart in the first rain shower.
Handle much better than would expect, I was getting over 50mpg out of mine regardless of how it was driven.
Lots of storage space and still with a decent boot when seats up, cavernous with the seats dropped.
3 adults on the back bench not restricted on space or sitting in each others laps, sliding rear doors make sense loading kids into the back of the car.
Ugly as sin though, and everyone will tell you it will rust and fall apart in the first rain shower.
XMT said:
This is will be our second car that my partner will use mostly for the school runs etc.
I know the kids will trash it and the Mrs drives like its a bumper car.
How about a 5 seater Berlingo or similar? Plenty of room for buggies and baby junk. Cheap and functional and should stand up well to abuse. I know the kids will trash it and the Mrs drives like its a bumper car.
Estates only work if your kids aren't in child seats, if they're in child seats they don't work as they don't have a full sized middle seat. When we had 2 kids I have a Mondeo Estate 240PS, worked great with loads of room. Added a 3rd kid into the mix and no longer worked, which is why I flogged that, flogged my wifes car, bought her the 5008 and me a 5 pot Focus ST. Now all the kid stuff is in the 5008, all the funs in the ST, works great.
I'm not sure how much you want to spend but the Mazda5 in Sport or Sport Venture trim is a good shout it also has the bonus of sliding doors making tight spaces a breeze:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Ideally you want something with 3 individual seats in the rear, so I would choose a Skoda Yeti if you can live with 5 seats. If not, a cheaper option with 7 seats would be a Renault Grand Scenic or a late model Fiat Multipla with 6.
Other options I would consider are the Chevrolet Orlando, VW Touran and Toyota Verso.
Other options I would consider are the Chevrolet Orlando, VW Touran and Toyota Verso.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'm not sure how much you want to spend but the Mazda5 in Sport or Sport Venture trim is a good shout it also has the bonus of sliding doors making tight spaces a breeze:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Had one of these, they have an almost unuseable centre seat in the middle row, meaning it's a 6 seater not 7. Also means that you'll end up using the rear most seat when you're all in the car, meaning the boot space diminishes. Electric sliding doors are very handy though and they drive and handle superb, also have a lot of kit and are cheap and reliable.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
zedx19 said:
ZX10R NIN said:
I'm not sure how much you want to spend but the Mazda5 in Sport or Sport Venture trim is a good shout it also has the bonus of sliding doors making tight spaces a breeze:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Had one of these, they have an almost unuseable centre seat in the middle row, meaning it's a 6 seater not 7. Also means that you'll end up using the rear most seat when you're all in the car, meaning the boot space diminishes. Electric sliding doors are very handy though and they drive and handle superb, also have a lot of kit and are cheap and reliable.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Only way an estate is viable is if I have a multimac 3 seater.
Don't forget.......the E-Class estate has 2x seats in the boot.
I have 3 kids, and an s212. Traded a galaxy in for it.
No doubt that a "proper" 7 seat people carrier carries people more effectively but we've managed fine so far.
Roof box needed a couple of time but 99% of the time the middle child gets chucked in the boot and you still get to drive a nice, normal car.
Saying that, if all the kids are in a seat of some kind then a full size job is easier. My kids are 4, 6 & 9 btw.
Oh and the pug 5008 looks like an effective family bus to me, I never even considered one of this when I was on the hunt for an Smax, but ended up with a galaxy.
I have 3 kids, and an s212. Traded a galaxy in for it.
No doubt that a "proper" 7 seat people carrier carries people more effectively but we've managed fine so far.
Roof box needed a couple of time but 99% of the time the middle child gets chucked in the boot and you still get to drive a nice, normal car.
Saying that, if all the kids are in a seat of some kind then a full size job is easier. My kids are 4, 6 & 9 btw.
Oh and the pug 5008 looks like an effective family bus to me, I never even considered one of this when I was on the hunt for an Smax, but ended up with a galaxy.
Really pleased with ours, I'm not a powerfully built director type, so had a caravan holiday a few weeks back. 3 kids under 5, pushchair, suitcases, toys, travel cot and mattress, bed guards, 3 bikes plus all the other stuff that comes with kids, all swallowed up fine and in comfort. Only problem with Peugeot is it'll be worth £2.50 in 5 years where as S-Max hold their value a bit better, but for us, it'll be a car we keep for a very very long time.
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