A What Car thread of the child friendly variety
Discussion
Firstly, it'll be interesting to see how many months I've ben a member without posting....
With the recent arrival of our twin girls and also our 2 year old, we've found getting three child seats in the back of the Primera a bit of a squeeze. We can live with it, but when you add in the essentials that are required everytime you go out (a double pushchair for example) the car and especially the boot seem very small. It's not as if a Primera is a little hatchback either.
So I ask the great Pistonheads collective for suggestions on a replacement that can accomodate three child seats in the back and has a boot big enough to actually to be used. Nothing is yet decided (a roof box might be an option as an example) and nothing is ruled out (have been looking at weird Japanese 'luxury' van imports). We have roughly 3K - 5K to spend.
Thanks in advance.
With the recent arrival of our twin girls and also our 2 year old, we've found getting three child seats in the back of the Primera a bit of a squeeze. We can live with it, but when you add in the essentials that are required everytime you go out (a double pushchair for example) the car and especially the boot seem very small. It's not as if a Primera is a little hatchback either.
So I ask the great Pistonheads collective for suggestions on a replacement that can accomodate three child seats in the back and has a boot big enough to actually to be used. Nothing is yet decided (a roof box might be an option as an example) and nothing is ruled out (have been looking at weird Japanese 'luxury' van imports). We have roughly 3K - 5K to spend.
Thanks in advance.
dvl said:
Firstly, it'll be interesting to see how many months I've ben a member without posting....
With the recent arrival of our twin girls and also our 2 year old, we've found getting three child seats in the back of the Primera a bit of a squeeze. We can live with it, but when you add in the essentials that are required everytime you go out (a double pushchair for example) the car and especially the boot seem very small. It's not as if a Primera is a little hatchback either.
So I ask the great Pistonheads collective for suggestions on a replacement that can accomodate three child seats in the back and has a boot big enough to actually to be used. Nothing is yet decided (a roof box might be an option as an example) and nothing is ruled out (have been looking at weird Japanese 'luxury' van imports). We have roughly 3K - 5K to spend.
Thanks in advance.
Think I would be looking at something like a Volvo estate or maybe a VW Type 2 T4 bus with some way of strapping down or partitioning off a luggage area. With the recent arrival of our twin girls and also our 2 year old, we've found getting three child seats in the back of the Primera a bit of a squeeze. We can live with it, but when you add in the essentials that are required everytime you go out (a double pushchair for example) the car and especially the boot seem very small. It's not as if a Primera is a little hatchback either.
So I ask the great Pistonheads collective for suggestions on a replacement that can accomodate three child seats in the back and has a boot big enough to actually to be used. Nothing is yet decided (a roof box might be an option as an example) and nothing is ruled out (have been looking at weird Japanese 'luxury' van imports). We have roughly 3K - 5K to spend.
Thanks in advance.
If you fancy something a little different have a look for a Chevy Astro day van. A big bench seat should have loads of room for the baby seats. Might want to look an an LPG conversion fuel wise though.
We had this problem though with a child seat, booster seat and an 11 year old and we went for a Mondeo because it is wide (practically Granada-size) and has the best deals and the boot is vast enough to swallow a pushchair and currently a bike and two scooters as well.
Prior to that, we had a Mazda 5 which was fantastic with it's rear sliding doors but it would realistically mean employing one of the third row seats and that means losing half the boot space - I also personally feel the child at the back feels "left out" of what's going on up front - which was what led to it being traded for the Mondeo.
The Mondeo does the job but in common with most modern cars is a bugger to see out of rearwards. I'm not saying it's not still a squeeze and the middle perch is not that comfortable either (for me at least).
Prior to that, we had a Mazda 5 which was fantastic with it's rear sliding doors but it would realistically mean employing one of the third row seats and that means losing half the boot space - I also personally feel the child at the back feels "left out" of what's going on up front - which was what led to it being traded for the Mondeo.
The Mondeo does the job but in common with most modern cars is a bugger to see out of rearwards. I'm not saying it's not still a squeeze and the middle perch is not that comfortable either (for me at least).
Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming.
Will certainly look at big estates, although the 3 seats might be an issue. Guess we won't know until we look at some.
I like the idea of a Multipla, however, the boot looks tiny on them. Again, need to view one for a definitive answer.
54 months, that's pretty good.
Will certainly look at big estates, although the 3 seats might be an issue. Guess we won't know until we look at some.
I like the idea of a Multipla, however, the boot looks tiny on them. Again, need to view one for a definitive answer.
54 months, that's pretty good.
+1 for a Toyota Previa.
My parents have run one for the last 10 years (4 kids) and it's been completely bombproof. In 10 years the biggest problems its had is the handbrake failing and a new exhaust.
There's a 7 and 8 seater version. The 8 seater only came with a petrol engine IIRC. My parents have an 8 seat 2.4 auto. It's a reasonable engine, thirsty though.
My parents have run one for the last 10 years (4 kids) and it's been completely bombproof. In 10 years the biggest problems its had is the handbrake failing and a new exhaust.
There's a 7 and 8 seater version. The 8 seater only came with a petrol engine IIRC. My parents have an 8 seat 2.4 auto. It's a reasonable engine, thirsty though.
Just buy a Multimac and get whatever car you like. Expensive, but I imagine there's a ready market for used examples, so you'd be able to recoup some of that initial outlay.
http://www.multimac.co.uk/home
http://www.multimac.co.uk/home
We've just bought a Mazda 5, mainly because the wife likes the look of them for an MPV type thing, but the sliding doors have turned out to be great for kids.
Our 4 year boy finds it really easy to get in and out of, and thinks having a tray in a car like in a plane is brilliant (small things, small minds etc).
Our baby girl is 4 months old, and getting the car seat in and out with these doors in car parks is really convenient.
It is 7 seats, which I don't think we'll use much, but the boot is a large with them down and takes the pram and kid stuff no bother.
It looks very smart in black, with rear tints. It is a 2.0 petrol sport with climate control rear parking sensors etc. Cost £5,200 so thats the top of your budget, 5 years old, 50,000 miles.
We're really please with it as it's a nice drive as well.
Our 4 year boy finds it really easy to get in and out of, and thinks having a tray in a car like in a plane is brilliant (small things, small minds etc).
Our baby girl is 4 months old, and getting the car seat in and out with these doors in car parks is really convenient.
It is 7 seats, which I don't think we'll use much, but the boot is a large with them down and takes the pram and kid stuff no bother.
It looks very smart in black, with rear tints. It is a 2.0 petrol sport with climate control rear parking sensors etc. Cost £5,200 so thats the top of your budget, 5 years old, 50,000 miles.
We're really please with it as it's a nice drive as well.
Risotto said:
Just buy a Multimac and get whatever car you like. Expensive, but I imagine there's a ready market for used examples, so you'd be able to recoup some of that initial outlay.
http://www.multimac.co.uk/home
That's cool. Cancel the vasectomy, I'm going back in!http://www.multimac.co.uk/home
I'm still umming and aahing about what to get to replace my Focus estate, number 3 child arrives in 2 months
Mondeo is big, no doubt, but you are reaching over into that middle seat to put in/get out a kid, maybe asleep
C-Max seems to have a bit higher roofline for that reach, decent sized boot, but much smaller than the Mondeo, or even the Focus estate
then you've got your Berlingo/Kangoos, massive boot area, or bigger again, Fiat Doblo/Ford Connect/Tourneo whatever it's called with the sliding doors on all of these
Most older stuff doesn't have the third 3-point belt in the middle
then there's the Scenic or Almera Tino, then even bigger your Galaxy/Sharan/Espace type things
think I'm going to be getting a cheap Kangoo
Mondeo is big, no doubt, but you are reaching over into that middle seat to put in/get out a kid, maybe asleep
C-Max seems to have a bit higher roofline for that reach, decent sized boot, but much smaller than the Mondeo, or even the Focus estate
then you've got your Berlingo/Kangoos, massive boot area, or bigger again, Fiat Doblo/Ford Connect/Tourneo whatever it's called with the sliding doors on all of these
Most older stuff doesn't have the third 3-point belt in the middle
then there's the Scenic or Almera Tino, then even bigger your Galaxy/Sharan/Espace type things
think I'm going to be getting a cheap Kangoo
The Multimac looks superb and very clever. You weren't kidding about expensive though! Doesn't over come the issue about boot space unfortunately.
Regarding the point about the middle position and a three point belt. I have heard that certain child seats can be fitted using just a lap belt. It is down to the individual child seat though. There maybe additional strapage (probably not a word) to give additional support available, but I might just be imagining that. I shall investigate.
Regarding the point about the middle position and a three point belt. I have heard that certain child seats can be fitted using just a lap belt. It is down to the individual child seat though. There maybe additional strapage (probably not a word) to give additional support available, but I might just be imagining that. I shall investigate.
Good point, actually. The new Berlingo is vast and has a massive low-lip boot though the interior is a bit basic and sparse.
I was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer) but my wife absolutely vetoed it on the basis it looks like a van and it wasn't negotiable. The Mondeo deal was also significantly cheaper. I have hired a C-Max and would dispute the access as the Mondeo is lower - I've actually never worked out the point of the C-Max!
Not tried one but the C4 Picasso is supposed to be roomy too.
I was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer) but my wife absolutely vetoed it on the basis it looks like a van and it wasn't negotiable. The Mondeo deal was also significantly cheaper. I have hired a C-Max and would dispute the access as the Mondeo is lower - I've actually never worked out the point of the C-Max!
Not tried one but the C4 Picasso is supposed to be roomy too.
fathomfive said:
A decent bug-eyed JTD Multipla.
Very underrated cars if you can live with the looks.
Or a big estate as mentioned above.
I would get the Multipla- much underrated but actually bloody brilliant. Pretty decent to drive, reasonable performance for a family wagon - it will cruise at around 90mph easily and still give you reasonable fuel economy. Hugely practical with the removable seats. My wife used to like driving it too as all the controls are light and easy. For its size it's easy to park too. I used mine as family wagon/largeshopping trasnport/rubbish removal van/pick-up truck etc etc.Very underrated cars if you can live with the looks.
Or a big estate as mentioned above.
I wish I still had it, instead I went "up market" and got a P38 Rangie - what a mistake to make!
Passat estate - huge boot and a pretty big car in the cabin as well.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2651948.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2651948.htm
LuS1fer said:
The new Berlingo is vast and has a massive low-lip boot though the interior is a bit basic and sparse.
I was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer)
Good job, he wouldn't have had anyI was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer)
you'd have had to go to the Citroen dealer
MattW said:
Passat estate - huge boot and a pretty big car in the cabin as well.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2651948.htm
I don't think it's quite "3 seats" big though in the backhttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2651948.htm
Hugo a Gogo said:
LuS1fer said:
The new Berlingo is vast and has a massive low-lip boot though the interior is a bit basic and sparse.
I was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer)
Good job, he wouldn't have had anyI was tempted by one myself (never got to the Renault dealer)
you'd have had to go to the Citroen dealer
You're into people carrier territory IME (Twins and a 2 year old too) because most cars have 60:40 split rear seats which effectively means the centre seat is only 20%. Exceptions (bearing in mind budget) are the Berlingo (which isn't that wide and is rare), the 307SW and the Multipla and Honda FRV. Of the 4x4s only the XC90 falls in budget and has 3 full size seats. (And bear in mind that the older stuff with only centre lap belts are no use when your 2 year-old moves onto a booster.)
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