Change family car

[AmaSco12]

Thinking of changing our current car -4th gen Subaru Outback, it’s just cost us £1000 to get it through the MOT and needs some more work 😢

We currently have 2 kids, a German Shepherd, do around 12,000-13,000 miles a year on a mix of country roads and some town driving. Budget of about £4-5k

Next year we hope to have a 3rd baby and possibly get another Shepherd so need space for all them plus we go on days out with grandparents so ideally need 7 seats (looking to get a multimac for kids as well).

Not fussed on fuel type but we will probably be getting a trailer for camping trips and firewood runs.

Do I change cars? If so, what to? Do I stick with my Scoobie and just deal with the work needing done? I’m confusing myself with all the choice 🤣

[clockworks]

A 7 seater for 4 adults and 3 kids, plus room for 2 relatively large dogs at the same time?

If so, you'll need a van-based vehicle, like a VW Caravelle or Hyundai i800. Hyundai is much cheaper, but the seating configuration isn't as flexible - you need tools to take the seats out, rather than sliding like they do in the VW.

Something like a Galaxy could handle 7 people, but with the foldaway rear seats in use, you'd struggle to get 2 dogs in the boot

[AmaSco12]

Thanks for this, a van was one of my options but no idea about road tax and running costs. I’ve looked at a galaxy and it’s definitely too small, even a XC90 is small for us.

Going to have a hunt locally to see if anyone has one I can go and look at for reference.

[clockworks]

AmaSco12 said:

Thanks for this, a van was one of my options but no idea about road tax and running costs. I’ve looked at a galaxy and it’s definitely too small, even a XC90 is small for us.

Going to have a hunt locally to see if anyone has one I can go and look at for reference.

With a budget of £5k, you'd only get a very old Caravelle. My brother has one, a (painfully slow) 2.5 non-turbo diesel. It has done over 480k miles, and is going a bit rusty. Still worth around £4k though for some reason. Hyundai i800 would be your best bet. Decent enough vehicle, if the seating layout suits your needs.

Other alternatives might be a Japanese "grey" import - Alphard, Elgrande or Bongo. Not sure if £5k is enough to get a good one though.

[AmaSco12]

Thanks, yes I think my budget is going to be the downfall. I’ll have a look at the imports and see what space is like but definitely leaning to a van now.

[ZX10R NIN]

AmaSco12 said:

Thanks, yes I think my budget is going to be the downfall. I’ll have a look at the imports and see what space is like but definitely leaning to a van now.

I'd say that you need to maybe stretch the budget a smidge & you should be able to a decent i800 which will cover all of your needs.

i800:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255732698200?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255712487679?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295195602478?hash=item4...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...