Family car HELP!

King_Jut · Post by **King_Jut** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:42 am

Hey guys, Been pulling my hair out for the last few weeks over this!

Thought I would post on here as I know there are plenty of fathers/parents who love there cars.

Basically we have one boy under 2, and are expecting twin boys anytime in the next few weeks, so gotta get a shift on, we need a car that can fit 3 car seats across the back row.

Budget is max of 6k, it need to be a low tax band, and have really good economy, so gotta be a diese. its gotta be no more than 7 years old. good boot as its going need to take a twin pram, plus all the stuff that goes along with 3 kids.

Been looking at the Renault Grand Scenic, which ticks every box, expect all I can find are horror stories on the car, its poorly built, and expensive to fix.

Having only had german cars for the last 14 years and growing up with Saabs I would feel a lot more comfortable with something like that. maybe even a Skoda octavia? not a VRS tho! boo.

Im not looking for you guys to find me a car, your all too busy, but suggestions, and experiences would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys
J

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:30 am

i have no idea myself.
But most of my neighbours have at least 3 kids and the Family wagon of choice seems to be either a Volvo estate or Ford Galaxy.

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:36 am

3 child seats across is almost impossible in a nearly all normal cars. There is no way we can 3 car seats in the Audi A4. You will really need to be looking at 7 seaters.

As much as it pains me to say, if you want cheap & reliable car to accomodate 3 kids then you can't go wrong with a Ford Galaxy or a Toyota Verso

nickT · Post by **nickT** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:47 am

How about a Fiat Multipla, they are very wide and with your budget you should be able to buy a good one, slam it and run some 19's ! . Not the coolest car I know, but needs must.

Nick. (dad of one)

nickT · Post by **nickT** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:57 am

5k on ebay

butzsi · Post by **butzsi** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:16 pm

Buy a Skoda Fabia(or Octavia) diesel = Great economy + nobody else seems to want to be seen to own one = low price ( I get 50 + mpg on my urban driving and with the aid of a tuning box (250.00)) get performance that is often described as "Seriously Hooligan" by my porsche owning customers that I lend it to.

Chris

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:34 pm

butzsi wrote:Buy a Skoda Fabia(or Octavia) diesel = Great economy + nobody else seems to want to be seen to own one = low price ( I get 50 + mpg on my urban driving and with the aid of a tuning box (250.00)) get performance that is often described as "Seriously Hooligan" by my porsche owning customers that I lend it to.

Chris

problem is you won't get 3 child seats / booster in the back of them

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:14 pm

One way to get around the car seat problem is to put the two new ones in the back with mum in the middle (somewhat cramped) and the other 2 year old in the front (assuming you can turn the airbag off).

A carefully chosen selection of two rear facing and one forward facing can be made to fit across an E39 5 series, it's cosy, but you can shut the doors (just...)

Try to get an extended test drive in your car of choice and then spend an hour at your local mothercare world trying to work out a combination that fits

Good luck.

Four · Post by **Four** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:21 pm

I believe the only car out there which sensibly satisfies your criteria, and won't fall apart, is the Honda FR-V.

It has 3 proper Isofix seats in the rear.

You will be able get a highish mileage example well within your budget. It's economical to run, safe and very Japanese reliable, but sadly looks a bit like a Lego car.

Doug

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:02 pm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/882634.htm

gridgway · Post by **gridgway** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:03 pm

the family Ridgway has relied on galaxys for quite a few years. It's a constant source of frustration to me that modern big cars are all designed for 4 people not 5.

I think you only have a choice of MPV or mini-MPV.

The problem with mini-mpvs like the picasso is that there isn't a huge amount of luggage space, but it might work for you (not necc the picasso though!).

The Honda FRV is indeed good and may be big enough.

The diesel Galaxy or the VW or Seat versions are actually great to drive, reasonably economical, huge boot space in 5 seat configuration and reasonable (although not top notch) reliability. Tows the trailer well, does the trip to the alps well also.

Graham

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:03 pm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/882634.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/889125.htm

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:14 pm

King_Jut wrote:

Budget is max of 6k ...
J

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:32 pm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/901668.htm

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:36 pm

I reckon you've got to go 4x4 size or big people carrier, I don't think A6 Saab 95 would be big enough for 3 child seats across.

We have a few friends with 3+ kids and they all have Disco's

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Family car HELP!

Family car HELP!

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