Family Car - Large Boot
Discussion
Hi, I have recently found out that my wife is pregnant with twins! This is great news however creates a dilemma, I am now in need of a large car that will fit two children in child seats, a large double pushchair lengthways and a dog. I am not a fan of diesels and not particularly keen on MPVs so looking for recommendations! Max budget approx £15k.
Not very interesting, but my Octavia vRS has been brilliant for family duties. The boot is massive, lots of space in the rear etc. It swallows all of our child related crap plus a dog with ease.
It's a company car and goes back in September, but I'm going to miss it in many ways because it's so good at just being a car.
It's a company car and goes back in September, but I'm going to miss it in many ways because it's so good at just being a car.
We managed 2 kids, child seats, buggies and luggage in an e46 convertible up to age 2 for the youngest. Was surprisingly practical as the boot was big (unlike later models the roof didn't take up much boot space).
When they got a bit bigger I got a 2.7l diesel Audi A6 Avant, which has served as a great car to transport lots of stuff and kids around and is reasonably quick too. It's considerably bigger inside compared to the A4 avant or 3 series touring, and consequently very comfortable for all passengers on long journeys.
We've had a roof box for camping, but as they are now 7&9 they don't need so much stuff (like child cots, buggies etc) we find we use it much less, if at all now. I have roof bars for bikes. I've been hankering after a tow bar so I can fit a tow bar mounted bike rack so it's easier to load and unload, plus I'm paranoid that one day I'll forget I have bikes on the roof and drive into a car park and tear the whole lot off.
I really would hate myself driving a people carrier around, and don't want to succumb to a horrible big MPV, though an extra row of seats would be helpful on the odd journey you want to ferry more than a couple of kids about to cubs, sports etc. Shame you don't often see big estates with extra seats like you used to.
Edit - I note you have a dog - which I imagine you can fit in the boot of an A6 no problem with other gear but I guess you need to separate the cargo and dog somehow so they aren't at risk of damaging each other!
Over the years I've learned to try and take the minimum on trips with the kids - do you really need that bumbo or travel cot, or 25 pillows and duvets etc etc? I have a friend who we go camping with who is probably the extreme for simply having adn taking too much stuff.
They have an E-class estate, two kids and a large retriever. When they go camping they have to have a massive roofox and trailer to carry all their gear and give space to big dog in the boot. Nightmare...
When they got a bit bigger I got a 2.7l diesel Audi A6 Avant, which has served as a great car to transport lots of stuff and kids around and is reasonably quick too. It's considerably bigger inside compared to the A4 avant or 3 series touring, and consequently very comfortable for all passengers on long journeys.
We've had a roof box for camping, but as they are now 7&9 they don't need so much stuff (like child cots, buggies etc) we find we use it much less, if at all now. I have roof bars for bikes. I've been hankering after a tow bar so I can fit a tow bar mounted bike rack so it's easier to load and unload, plus I'm paranoid that one day I'll forget I have bikes on the roof and drive into a car park and tear the whole lot off.
I really would hate myself driving a people carrier around, and don't want to succumb to a horrible big MPV, though an extra row of seats would be helpful on the odd journey you want to ferry more than a couple of kids about to cubs, sports etc. Shame you don't often see big estates with extra seats like you used to.
Edit - I note you have a dog - which I imagine you can fit in the boot of an A6 no problem with other gear but I guess you need to separate the cargo and dog somehow so they aren't at risk of damaging each other!
Over the years I've learned to try and take the minimum on trips with the kids - do you really need that bumbo or travel cot, or 25 pillows and duvets etc etc? I have a friend who we go camping with who is probably the extreme for simply having adn taking too much stuff.
They have an E-class estate, two kids and a large retriever. When they go camping they have to have a massive roofox and trailer to carry all their gear and give space to big dog in the boot. Nightmare...
Edited by prand on Friday 29th March 13:09
I had a Mondeo Estate Ecoboost 240 when we had 3 kids under 4, managed fine, albeit a bit of a squeeze to get the car seats 3 a breast. They did fit though, boot was massive and managed to load everything in for a family holiday. Skoda Superb estate is even bigger, as is an E Class estate and A6 estate.
AAD44H said:
Hi, I have recently found out that my wife is pregnant with twins! This is great news however creates a dilemma, I am now in need of a large car that will fit two children in child seats, a large double pushchair lengthways and a dog. I am not a fan of diesels and not particularly keen on MPVs so looking for recommendations! Max budget approx £15k.
That's the exact situation I was in last year. Dont like MPVs dont like SUVs really either.We have a 10 month old son and a dog. I wanted a car that would fit the pram in lengthways in the boot so I could section the boot in half and have the dog in the other half. I checked out plenty of cars at the same budget and came up with: BMW F11 5 series, Merc E class estate, current shape mondeo or skoda superb estate.
As far as I could tell nothing else can fit a decent pram (lengthways) and the dog in the boot at the same time.
Ended up with a 2014 520d estate with 50k miles for that budget. Its very comfortable and nice on the motorway but the engine isn't all that nice and the stupid rear airbag suspension has caused no end of problems. It's also got to go back for the EGR recall next week.
With regards to child seats, isofix seats are no problem but if you're tall the drivers seat wont go back as far as you'd like if you have a rear facing isofix seat in.
With hindsight a skoda superb might have been a better bet. Slightly better spec and newer for the same price?
TeaNoSugar said:
That's the exact situation I was in last year. Dont like MPVs dont like SUVs really either.
We have a 10 month old son and a dog. I wanted a car that would fit the pram in lengthways in the boot so I could section the boot in half and have the dog in the other half. I checked out plenty of cars at the same budget and came up with: BMW F11 5 series, Merc E class estate, current shape mondeo or skoda superb estate.
As far as I could tell nothing else can fit a decent pram (lengthways) and the dog in the boot at the same time.
Ended up with a 2014 520d estate with 50k miles for that budget. Its very comfortable and nice on the motorway but the engine isn't all that nice and the stupid rear airbag suspension has caused no end of problems. It's also got to go back for the EGR recall next week.
With regards to child seats, isofix seats are no problem but if you're tall the drivers seat wont go back as far as you'd like if you have a rear facing isofix seat in.
With hindsight a skoda superb might have been a better bet. Slightly better spec and newer for the same price?
I agree 100% with this. The pram lengthways criteria rules out a lot of options.We have a 10 month old son and a dog. I wanted a car that would fit the pram in lengthways in the boot so I could section the boot in half and have the dog in the other half. I checked out plenty of cars at the same budget and came up with: BMW F11 5 series, Merc E class estate, current shape mondeo or skoda superb estate.
As far as I could tell nothing else can fit a decent pram (lengthways) and the dog in the boot at the same time.
Ended up with a 2014 520d estate with 50k miles for that budget. Its very comfortable and nice on the motorway but the engine isn't all that nice and the stupid rear airbag suspension has caused no end of problems. It's also got to go back for the EGR recall next week.
With regards to child seats, isofix seats are no problem but if you're tall the drivers seat wont go back as far as you'd like if you have a rear facing isofix seat in.
With hindsight a skoda superb might have been a better bet. Slightly better spec and newer for the same price?
We also went with an F11 5 series, 2010 535i, approved used, 60k miles, M Sport with a few options for a little over your budget. Its been great over 18 months, no issues at all and it has plenty of space, however as above, rear facing isofix seats do effect the position of the seat in front quite badly, so if you're 6ft+ like me you won't fit very well in front of it. We don't have twins so its not an issue, but it might be for you. Again as above, the Superb might be a bit longer there and give you the extra few inches required, plus you'll get lower miles, age and better spec for the same money.
Daaaveee said:
TeaNoSugar said:
That's the exact situation I was in last year. Dont like MPVs dont like SUVs really either.
We have a 10 month old son and a dog. I wanted a car that would fit the pram in lengthways in the boot so I could section the boot in half and have the dog in the other half. I checked out plenty of cars at the same budget and came up with: BMW F11 5 series, Merc E class estate, current shape mondeo or skoda superb estate.
As far as I could tell nothing else can fit a decent pram (lengthways) and the dog in the boot at the same time.
Ended up with a 2014 520d estate with 50k miles for that budget. Its very comfortable and nice on the motorway but the engine isn't all that nice and the stupid rear airbag suspension has caused no end of problems. It's also got to go back for the EGR recall next week.
With regards to child seats, isofix seats are no problem but if you're tall the drivers seat wont go back as far as you'd like if you have a rear facing isofix seat in.
With hindsight a skoda superb might have been a better bet. Slightly better spec and newer for the same price?
I agree 100% with this. The pram lengthways criteria rules out a lot of options.We have a 10 month old son and a dog. I wanted a car that would fit the pram in lengthways in the boot so I could section the boot in half and have the dog in the other half. I checked out plenty of cars at the same budget and came up with: BMW F11 5 series, Merc E class estate, current shape mondeo or skoda superb estate.
As far as I could tell nothing else can fit a decent pram (lengthways) and the dog in the boot at the same time.
Ended up with a 2014 520d estate with 50k miles for that budget. Its very comfortable and nice on the motorway but the engine isn't all that nice and the stupid rear airbag suspension has caused no end of problems. It's also got to go back for the EGR recall next week.
With regards to child seats, isofix seats are no problem but if you're tall the drivers seat wont go back as far as you'd like if you have a rear facing isofix seat in.
With hindsight a skoda superb might have been a better bet. Slightly better spec and newer for the same price?
We also went with an F11 5 series, 2010 535i, approved used, 60k miles, M Sport with a few options for a little over your budget. Its been great over 18 months, no issues at all and it has plenty of space, however as above, rear facing isofix seats do effect the position of the seat in front quite badly, so if you're 6ft+ like me you won't fit very well in front of it. We don't have twins so its not an issue, but it might be for you. Again as above, the Superb might be a bit longer there and give you the extra few inches required, plus you'll get lower miles, age and better spec for the same money.
With regards to loading stuff in the boot, I have a Travall dog guard as our spaniel is mental in the car if he's free to climb around the interior! The Travall stuff is miles better than any other dog guard. They also do a longitudinal divider which I keep meaning to get. Really good quality kit.
Lucky that you've had no airbag problems? Mine's been a nightmare. New airbags, then new level sensors, most recently it needed some sort of valve on the compressor replacing as it was intermittently leaking. I got fed up of coming back to the car to find it looking like this! It's ok now but repeated journeys home on a low loader mean it has never really filled me with confidence!
I'd say the Mondeo in Titanium spec will fulfill your needs with ease whilst still being a very decent steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Diesel Options
Mercedes E350 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
XF S Portfolio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A more mainstream but very good alternative to the Ford & Skoda is the 508SW in GT trim they pretty much come with everything & are well worth a test drive.
508SW GT They're also very good VFM.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Another VFM but good option is the Mazda6 175 in Sport Nav trim:
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...
Diesel Options
Mercedes E350 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
XF S Portfolio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A more mainstream but very good alternative to the Ford & Skoda is the 508SW in GT trim they pretty much come with everything & are well worth a test drive.
508SW GT They're also very good VFM.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Another VFM but good option is the Mazda6 175 in Sport Nav trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Firstly congratulations and welcome to the club!
When we had our twins I was anti-MPV. Then reluctantly bought a S Max and have never looked back. It's a decent steer, has good poke in petrol-guise and is just a brilliant tool for transporting family and everything you would possibly need.
Don't underestimate the ability of your wife to include kit for every possible eventuality each time you pop to the local shops!
Good luck!
When we had our twins I was anti-MPV. Then reluctantly bought a S Max and have never looked back. It's a decent steer, has good poke in petrol-guise and is just a brilliant tool for transporting family and everything you would possibly need.
Don't underestimate the ability of your wife to include kit for every possible eventuality each time you pop to the local shops!
Good luck!
I'll bash my drum for the VW Passat as usual in this category - I managed to fit a 3m worktop in at the weekend and close the boot which is a good effort IMO! Skoda Superb is very similar.
https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/volkswagen/p...
https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/volkswagen/p...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The 63 plate E350 posted above is a nice shout as well and the slightly higher mileage shouldn't be a worry if that bothers you.
In the Passat the boot is colossally huge the rear legroom is huge and the roof line is high which all makes getting both kids in very easy compared to our other cars, we also find that the middle seat can then still fit someone in if necessary albeit with a squeeze which is pretty good considering the 2 huge cybex childs seats we have. In 205k miles (as of today) I bought it new its needed very little work.
Whats you mileage Per annum like, any particular reason you aren't keen on diesels ie environmentally etc?
https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/volkswagen/p...
https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/volkswagen/p...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The 63 plate E350 posted above is a nice shout as well and the slightly higher mileage shouldn't be a worry if that bothers you.
In the Passat the boot is colossally huge the rear legroom is huge and the roof line is high which all makes getting both kids in very easy compared to our other cars, we also find that the middle seat can then still fit someone in if necessary albeit with a squeeze which is pretty good considering the 2 huge cybex childs seats we have. In 205k miles (as of today) I bought it new its needed very little work.
Whats you mileage Per annum like, any particular reason you aren't keen on diesels ie environmentally etc?
Edited by strath44 on Monday 1st April 10:43
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