Family car decisions!
Discussion
Hi all - This is going to be a long one, sorry!
Driving me all a bit crazy (excuse the pun) mainly because 'family' cars aren't really my thing. So let's start at the beginning...
Missus currently drives a KIA C'eed GT Line. Nice car by all accounts, it has all the mod cons. We can get about £7.5k for this from WBAC so hopefully a little more from a private sale (I'd be hoping for at least £8k realistically)
We have just had our third (and final) child and need something bigger. I am primarily looking at the Multimac because I just think it's a great solution and gives you so many more options. Whatever car we get will have to be a downgrade... I am looking at a strict budget of £4k for the car, and allowing £2k for the Multimac. The rest will be put aside for paying off credit cards and/or towards the ridiculous electricity increases we have coming. Need to be sensible sometimes!
The missus unfortunately won't entertain an estate, so we're looking at an MPV/SUV solution. She deems 115k miles too much, which means I might be able to start the bargaining at 110k lol, we'll see when I have the right car to present to her. We're also only looking at manual/petrol. Her current car is only £30 per year to tax, so continued low tax would be good, but not a deal breaker as I'd be happy to pay the difference. Also very minor point is we have a personalised plate which can only go on 2014+ cars! Would be ideal to keep using that, but not the end of the world if we have to give it up for the time being.
I've thought of so many options, probably spending 2 hours a day on AT. I think a problem with this budget is getting something modern enough.
On the MPV side of things we have:
Ford C-Max - I like these, and they seem decent size wise. I would be looking for Titinium spec wise, where a few do trickle below £4k but mostly with very high miles. Ecoboost engine is good on tax, the standard 1.6 not so much
Fiat 500L - Not great on the outside but probably the best interior of the bunch. For this budget would be looking at 2013 1.4. Too small? Seats move to reveal a 400ltr boot which is better than we have now
Citroen C3 Picasso - We did test drive one of these, but it was rough! Leggy and diesel so we walked away unhappy. However I would be willing to give another one ago, I think they're smart looking with the diamond cut wheels
SUV:
Nissan Qashqai - We've sat in a few of these but for various reasons haven't got to actually drive one yet. Plenty of lower spec ones about for the money, but I'd really be wanting N-Tec with the decent wheels and reverse camera etc. however most of those are 125k+
Mitsubishi ASX - Bit bland inside but should be reliable? A really decent deal just sold on one of these near me
Dacia Duster - I think the early ones aren't as good? Obviously very bland. Not sure she'd be happy with one of these!
Hyundai ix35 - Only recently found these ones and not many in budget, so don't know much about them, just look quite modern compared to others?
Renault Captur/Peugeot 2008/Vauxhall Mokka - Every now and then one dip to about £4k but usually with some damage, or cat-n/s or moon mileage. Think I need to give the idea of these ones up this time around
Next up, am I mad? She thinks we should just get a car with 3 separate rear seats, or a 7 seater and be done with it. Something like a Citroen C4/Renault Scenic (she wasn't as keen on the S-Max; though I know they're a kind of go-to in these situations)
Would you ever consider a cat-n car for your family? I've seen some with extremely minor damage, but it just doesn't sit well with me.
Sorry for this long post, but it's been going round in my head for months now lol.
Driving me all a bit crazy (excuse the pun) mainly because 'family' cars aren't really my thing. So let's start at the beginning...
Missus currently drives a KIA C'eed GT Line. Nice car by all accounts, it has all the mod cons. We can get about £7.5k for this from WBAC so hopefully a little more from a private sale (I'd be hoping for at least £8k realistically)
We have just had our third (and final) child and need something bigger. I am primarily looking at the Multimac because I just think it's a great solution and gives you so many more options. Whatever car we get will have to be a downgrade... I am looking at a strict budget of £4k for the car, and allowing £2k for the Multimac. The rest will be put aside for paying off credit cards and/or towards the ridiculous electricity increases we have coming. Need to be sensible sometimes!
The missus unfortunately won't entertain an estate, so we're looking at an MPV/SUV solution. She deems 115k miles too much, which means I might be able to start the bargaining at 110k lol, we'll see when I have the right car to present to her. We're also only looking at manual/petrol. Her current car is only £30 per year to tax, so continued low tax would be good, but not a deal breaker as I'd be happy to pay the difference. Also very minor point is we have a personalised plate which can only go on 2014+ cars! Would be ideal to keep using that, but not the end of the world if we have to give it up for the time being.
I've thought of so many options, probably spending 2 hours a day on AT. I think a problem with this budget is getting something modern enough.
On the MPV side of things we have:
Ford C-Max - I like these, and they seem decent size wise. I would be looking for Titinium spec wise, where a few do trickle below £4k but mostly with very high miles. Ecoboost engine is good on tax, the standard 1.6 not so much
Fiat 500L - Not great on the outside but probably the best interior of the bunch. For this budget would be looking at 2013 1.4. Too small? Seats move to reveal a 400ltr boot which is better than we have now
Citroen C3 Picasso - We did test drive one of these, but it was rough! Leggy and diesel so we walked away unhappy. However I would be willing to give another one ago, I think they're smart looking with the diamond cut wheels
SUV:
Nissan Qashqai - We've sat in a few of these but for various reasons haven't got to actually drive one yet. Plenty of lower spec ones about for the money, but I'd really be wanting N-Tec with the decent wheels and reverse camera etc. however most of those are 125k+
Mitsubishi ASX - Bit bland inside but should be reliable? A really decent deal just sold on one of these near me
Dacia Duster - I think the early ones aren't as good? Obviously very bland. Not sure she'd be happy with one of these!
Hyundai ix35 - Only recently found these ones and not many in budget, so don't know much about them, just look quite modern compared to others?
Renault Captur/Peugeot 2008/Vauxhall Mokka - Every now and then one dip to about £4k but usually with some damage, or cat-n/s or moon mileage. Think I need to give the idea of these ones up this time around
Next up, am I mad? She thinks we should just get a car with 3 separate rear seats, or a 7 seater and be done with it. Something like a Citroen C4/Renault Scenic (she wasn't as keen on the S-Max; though I know they're a kind of go-to in these situations)
Would you ever consider a cat-n car for your family? I've seen some with extremely minor damage, but it just doesn't sit well with me.
Sorry for this long post, but it's been going round in my head for months now lol.
Spend the full £6k on a car with 3 separate seats IMO.
Bin the 2014 onwards criteria.
Also bin the petrol only, you can't be too fussy with your budget and other criteria (sorry to be blunt).
Also you can't be too fussy with spec either
A few suggestions:
5008
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Zafira - not true 3 separate seats but great VFM
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208229...
Kia Carens
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...
Grande Scenic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...
Grande Picasso
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...
Bin the 2014 onwards criteria.
Also bin the petrol only, you can't be too fussy with your budget and other criteria (sorry to be blunt).
Also you can't be too fussy with spec either
A few suggestions:
5008
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Zafira - not true 3 separate seats but great VFM
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208229...
Kia Carens
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...
Grande Scenic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...
Grande Picasso
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...
Peugeot 308SW is a great estate/MPV compromise (you can sell it to the Missus as an MPV if she's funny about estates, an attitude which I'll never understand). It delivers 3 separate seats across the back, unlike all other estates and many MPVs, and of course SUVs (don't let her insist on an SUV for image reasons if you don't want one, you'll regret it for many reasons, most likely).
Take a look at pic 11 here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208058...
Take a look at pic 11 here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208058...
What your usage/journey/annual mileage?
If you want to forgo the Multimac then the Mazda5 will work & you'll get one with sensible miles.
Sport Petrol:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
Furano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206156...
Sport Diesel:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
Venture:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...
If you want to forgo the Multimac then the Mazda5 will work & you'll get one with sensible miles.
Sport Petrol:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
Furano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206156...
Sport Diesel:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
Venture:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...
If we didn't get the Multimac for £2k we'd still have to spend around £1k on new car seats anyway... at the moment we have two Recaro ones which are both in need of replacement, and we don't have Isofix bases which I'd want to invest in. Then we need to sort out the new born. Then, eventually we'd most likely have to upgrade them all when they grow up, I just like that the Multimac is a complete solution for the next 12 years. Plus, if I did manage to save extra, the money would be better put into the credit card and savings, so really, the budget just isn't going to move from £4k
I don't really think diesel is for us. The car will only do between 3000-4000 miles a year. Mostly short journeys around town, with the odd trip out (family holidays maybe once or twice a year) we aren't people who 'need' a big car. Before the KIA we were carting two kids around in a little old Honda Jazz and it was absolutely fine for us.
Although it looks like a pretty horrendous vehicle, the 308SW suggestion is good. Is there any other cars I've missed that do have the 3 separate seats in the back? Just wondering if there is another estate like this, I could maybe get the missus to go that way
Fiat Tipo looks good but unfortunately the cheapest one in the country is almost £1.5k over budget.
Just for reference here are some currently on my list. This Mokka only turned up today, looks like a great deal but would be a 8.5 hour round trip and they don't do delivery.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...
Zafari Tourer: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207268...
Qashqai N-Tec: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...
Scenic (test drove this one, bit rough) https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203033...
C3 Picasso: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205316...
500L: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...
C-Max Titanium: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...
Megane: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...
Is there any reason not to consider cars on an Irish plate? They seem to be quite a bit cheaper on some occasions.
I don't really think diesel is for us. The car will only do between 3000-4000 miles a year. Mostly short journeys around town, with the odd trip out (family holidays maybe once or twice a year) we aren't people who 'need' a big car. Before the KIA we were carting two kids around in a little old Honda Jazz and it was absolutely fine for us.
Although it looks like a pretty horrendous vehicle, the 308SW suggestion is good. Is there any other cars I've missed that do have the 3 separate seats in the back? Just wondering if there is another estate like this, I could maybe get the missus to go that way
Fiat Tipo looks good but unfortunately the cheapest one in the country is almost £1.5k over budget.
Just for reference here are some currently on my list. This Mokka only turned up today, looks like a great deal but would be a 8.5 hour round trip and they don't do delivery.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...
Zafari Tourer: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207268...
Qashqai N-Tec: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...
Scenic (test drove this one, bit rough) https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203033...
C3 Picasso: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205316...
500L: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...
C-Max Titanium: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...
Megane: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...
Is there any reason not to consider cars on an Irish plate? They seem to be quite a bit cheaper on some occasions.
I don't know too much about the Multimac only that the weight limits are very low. I think 13kgs so about the same as max for an infant carrier. That means it's potentially useless once the child is beyond around 12-15 months. Out of budget but I've just picked up a newer C4 Grand Picasso. The 3 individual rear seats mean you can actually get 3 car seats in.
CrippsCorner said:
Although it looks like a pretty horrendous vehicle, the 308SW suggestion is good. Is there any other cars I've missed that do have the 3 separate seats in the back? Just wondering if there is another estate like this, I could maybe get the missus to go that way
Well that's the thing, innit. It's the only estate car I know of which performs this trick (note, not ALL of them have this arrangement, some examples have a traditional bench). But yes, it is ugly, although we're talking MPVs here, not the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The later 308, which is far, far better looking, dropped this option because Peugeot wanted people to buy their SUVs like the Mark 2 3008/5008.Look at it as a cheap, practical option for a few years whilst you need car seats. Forget looks and image (hard to get the wife to look past that, I know, when it's generally the only thing they car about in cars). Trust me when I say they grow up and get out of car seats quicker than you can possibly imagine...
I had a VW Touran, followed by a Ford Galaxy when my 2 were car seats age. Then, as soon as they were bigger, I was back in estates/hatchbacks.
I looked at all the options and more when we had our 3rd child 5 years ago. We purchased a 2015 Citroen Picasso 1.6 120 HDI ( 0 road tax)
It’s a brilliant brilliant family car. We would be lost without it.
Does 45mpg all day long mostly 75% town driving, without being careful. 3 full size car seats in back no problem. Doesn’t feel stupidly slow considering cars I have owned personally sub 4 seconds.
Easily gets 3-4 kids bikes in the back.
Wouldn’t think I would say this about a Picasso. If it’s brilliant for our family needs.
We had one ad blu tank problem with it in 5 years but it’s never left us stranded and we find is very comfy and roomy. I doubt I’ll get rid of it for another 3-4 years and even then I think if only swap it for an SMax St-Line
It’s a brilliant brilliant family car. We would be lost without it.
Does 45mpg all day long mostly 75% town driving, without being careful. 3 full size car seats in back no problem. Doesn’t feel stupidly slow considering cars I have owned personally sub 4 seconds.
Easily gets 3-4 kids bikes in the back.
Wouldn’t think I would say this about a Picasso. If it’s brilliant for our family needs.
We had one ad blu tank problem with it in 5 years but it’s never left us stranded and we find is very comfy and roomy. I doubt I’ll get rid of it for another 3-4 years and even then I think if only swap it for an SMax St-Line
edc said:
I don't know too much about the Multimac only that the weight limits are very low. I think 13kgs so about the same as max for an infant carrier. That means it's potentially useless once the child is beyond around 12-15 months. Out of budget but I've just picked up a newer C4 Grand Picasso. The 3 individual rear seats mean you can actually get 3 car seats in.
I think you must be thinking about something else. the Multimac takes kids up to 12 and you can get adult seatbelts for them, so basically there is no weight limit.
Funnily enough I did come across a C4 Picasso yesterday, petrol, manual, local, 99k miles for £4k which I thought was still a bit much but okay... then hidden in the advert, it was cat-n! Very poor price for that.
Take a serious look at zafira. They are quite a bit cheaper yet still a good car and designed specifically for families. Nice and small feeling too for the Mrs if she's used to smaller cars.
Also consider adding 7 seats to your requirements. Helps if there is a friend or family member coming along for the drive.
Mazda 5 is a great car too but I suppose getting on the aged side now.
I'm really all for mpv rather than SUV type. So much more practical.
Edit to add I've had 3 kids with 5 seater, 4 with small 7 seater and now onto a Galaxy which we love for the 7 seats and good size boot combo.
Also consider adding 7 seats to your requirements. Helps if there is a friend or family member coming along for the drive.
Mazda 5 is a great car too but I suppose getting on the aged side now.
I'm really all for mpv rather than SUV type. So much more practical.
Edit to add I've had 3 kids with 5 seater, 4 with small 7 seater and now onto a Galaxy which we love for the 7 seats and good size boot combo.
Edited by GIYess on Thursday 25th August 11:18
C3 Picasso is a great little car with masses of space. Not too bad to drive at sensible speeds, and very comfy.
I bought one about 15 months ago as a "work" vehicle. 2014 1.6 diesel Exclusive, with only 32k miles on the clock, from a Ford/Fiat dealer.
Mechanically perfect, but a few small dings from the elderly owner. I paid £5.6k.
Because I only really use it for relatively local journeys, I've only done about 4k miles at an average of a shade under 60mpg.
It's been perfect, and passed the MOT with no advisories. I think the only issues it has had in the past was a broken exhaust hanger - common problem, and cheap to fix.
The clutch pedal squeaked a bit, so I had the slave cylinder replaced. Cost £140 at a French specialist.
Hopefully it'll see me through to retirement, as I really can't find anything that would replace it, apart from another C3P.
I bought one about 15 months ago as a "work" vehicle. 2014 1.6 diesel Exclusive, with only 32k miles on the clock, from a Ford/Fiat dealer.
Mechanically perfect, but a few small dings from the elderly owner. I paid £5.6k.
Because I only really use it for relatively local journeys, I've only done about 4k miles at an average of a shade under 60mpg.
It's been perfect, and passed the MOT with no advisories. I think the only issues it has had in the past was a broken exhaust hanger - common problem, and cheap to fix.
The clutch pedal squeaked a bit, so I had the slave cylinder replaced. Cost £140 at a French specialist.
Hopefully it'll see me through to retirement, as I really can't find anything that would replace it, apart from another C3P.
CrippsCorner said:
I think you must be thinking about something else. the Multimac takes kids up to 12 and you can get adult seatbelts for them, so basically there is no weight limit.
Funnily enough I did come across a C4 Picasso yesterday, petrol, manual, local, 99k miles for £4k which I thought was still a bit much but okay... then hidden in the advert, it was cat-n! Very poor price for that.
It's been a long time since I looked but looks like it's been developed more. The thing I'd point out is that it appears you can still only be rear facing using their own seat up to circa 18 months. This meets the basic legal requirement but kids are much safer rear facing for much longer. Personally I have 25kg rear facing seats that will take them up to circa age 6-7, 125cm height and 25kgs. Funnily enough I did come across a C4 Picasso yesterday, petrol, manual, local, 99k miles for £4k which I thought was still a bit much but okay... then hidden in the advert, it was cat-n! Very poor price for that.
The Multimac is expensive if course but you can 3 x 25 kg rear facing seats for sub £200 each which is much cheaper total cost than the Multimac. When 7+ high back boosters are £100 or less in some cases. Total outlay is still much less than a Multimac and some cost pushed out to later years.
The other bonus with 3 individual rear seats is that you can still get an adult in one of them which generally you can't in most cars with a bench seat unless you have something the size of a Q7. I always used to light at drivers of Tourans and Picasso's and vowed never to be one of them but ultimately succumbed to the practicality.
You might get bored reading this but quite a comprehensive article/study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Edited by edc on Friday 26th August 21:47
Always nice to see an end result on these threads, so... just picked up a new motor for the missus today.
Not the most exciting thing ever, a Fiat 500L but I got a fantastic deal on it considering the market. 2015, 65k miles, it's the 0.9ltr turbo so cheap tax ticked and it's the even uglier 7 seater version, for a smidge over £3,400.
We will test out the 7 seater configuration but I'm thinking we'll probably still get the Multimac then enjoy the big arse boot.
Thanks all.
Not the most exciting thing ever, a Fiat 500L but I got a fantastic deal on it considering the market. 2015, 65k miles, it's the 0.9ltr turbo so cheap tax ticked and it's the even uglier 7 seater version, for a smidge over £3,400.
We will test out the 7 seater configuration but I'm thinking we'll probably still get the Multimac then enjoy the big arse boot.
Thanks all.
Wow, that sounds like a massive bargain in this day and age. Well done. My Mum drives 2013 500L (ordinary size, not the stretched one, had it since it was a year old) and it has been mostly reliable and very cheap to run. Hers is the 1.3 diesel, and has had a couple of diesel-typical problems, so hopefully you'll be spared those.
Sounds like you've taken the "what's the newest thing I can find which matches my requirements within my budget" approach. Always a pretty sound once. Good luck with the car, and thanks for coming back and updating us, it's always interesting to hear what people end up with in these threads.
Sounds like you've taken the "what's the newest thing I can find which matches my requirements within my budget" approach. Always a pretty sound once. Good luck with the car, and thanks for coming back and updating us, it's always interesting to hear what people end up with in these threads.
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