options for a growing family

jack_spratt_2

Don't forget the Toyota Verso !!!

AdrianHi

Chrysler Grand Voyager or similar with 3 rows of proper seats the only viable option here. MPV's like the Verso the 3rd row of seats are only pop up temporary jobs than take away most of the boot space. Mazda 5 looks great, sliding doors great, the the middle row of seats only has 2 yusable seat spaces, the fold in middle seat is absolutely useless it's so narrow. 3rd row pop up seats again.

A vehicle that fits 4 children and is easy to park is not going to happen.

sarahg1969

We looked at the Voyager and the Kia Sedona, but they both have 3 seats right at the back, and 2 in the middle. So it was no use to us with 3 children, as we'd have nowhere to put the luggage AND children both together. If we took out the rear 3 seats, we'd be able to get luggage in but only 2 children, or we could take out the middle row of 2, and get all the children in, and have a big gaping hole in front of them, but nowhere for luggage.

Rolandtheroadie

sarahg1969 wrote: »

We looked at the Voyager and the Kia Sedona, but they both have 3 seats right at the back, and 2 in the middle. So it was no use to us with 3 children, as we'd have nowhere to put the luggage AND children both together. If we took out the rear 3 seats, we'd be able to get luggage in but only 2 children, or we could take out the middle row of 2, and get all the children in, and have a big gaping hole in front of them, but nowhere for luggage.

I cant speak for the Sedona, that was discounted due to problems a friend had with theirs.
The 3 seater can go in the middle or at the back. Was it the grand voyager you looked at? We looked at both, theres a big difference. The boot space in the grand voyager is also very similar to our mondeo hatchback (in litres). And the side sliding doors are great for getting the car chairs in and out.

anewman

WHat about the Toyota Previa?

AdrianHi

sarahg1969 wrote: »

We looked at the Voyager and the Kia Sedona, but they both have 3 seats right at the back, and 2 in the middle. So it was no use to us with 3 children, as we'd have nowhere to put the luggage AND children both together. If we took out the rear 3 seats, we'd be able to get luggage in but only 2 children, or we could take out the middle row of 2, and get all the children in, and have a big gaping hole in front of them, but nowhere for luggage.

The rear bench is a split fold seat, you can fold a double seat section down leavign a single seat behind.
Our friends who have 3 children and Grand Voyager do it with the eldest child in the single seat right at the back, young 2 in the middle row seats and all the luggage goes in the still quite large rear boot and the floor space opened up by the folded section of the rear bench. They have the "Stow and Go" model where the seats fold into the floor.
If you needed more space after that there is always a roof box.
If this is not enough for you it's going to have to be something like a transit van mini bus.

The Previa is a great option but not as much boot space as the Voyager. Shame Toyota stopped making it a few years ago.

babybimbles

Bumping again

We're in desperate need of a new car. I don't want to spend more than 8K, hubby thinks we should stretch it to £14K but that's a lot of money to put into a car and I really don't want to if there's no need. The only thing I want is an automatic and something that isn't to big. I will be taking the kids out during the week so we won't need all seven seats up except when going out as a family so looking for a good compromise between a proper seven seater and a smaller mpv.

We are looking at the Touran as it's not too big but not sure how it will accommodate two boosters, one 2nd stage and one baby car seat.

Would the Chrysler be a good choice? They sound like buses!!

tia

Armengar

We ordered an SMax due to the need of 3 car seats (can fit 3 stage 2) and the occasional +1 The rear seats are not really permanent seats for kids > 10 as they simply dont have enough legroom. They dont feel flimsy. The main problem is the headrests in the rearmost seats - they are either up or down so you'll need to add a notch using an angle grinder if you want adjustable headrests.

We got a 2.0TDCI but I wish I would have gone for the 2.2 A good car and i'd recommend.

babybimbles

Armengar wrote: »

We ordered an SMax due to the need of 3 car seats (can fit 3 stage 2) and the occasional +1 The rear seats are not really permanent seats for kids > 10 as they simply dont have enough legroom. They dont feel flimsy. The main problem is the headrests in the rearmost seats - they are either up or down so you'll need to add a notch using an angle grinder if you want adjustable headrests.

We got a 2.0TDCI but I wish I would have gone for the 2.2 A good car and i'd recommend.

The SMax is on top of my list but is a bit pricey. Then it's the VW Touran. I think the boot space is bigger in the SMax though.. just don't fancy a galaxy/sharan.

AdrianHi

babybimbles wrote: »

Bumping again

We're in desperate need of a new car. I don't want to spend more than 8K, hubby thinks we should stretch it to £14K but that's a lot of money to put into a car and I really don't want to if there's no need. The only thing I want is an automatic and something that isn't to big. I will be taking the kids out during the week so we won't need all seven seats up except when going out as a family so looking for a good compromise between a proper seven seater and a smaller mpv.

We are looking at the Touran as it's not too big but not sure how it will accommodate two boosters, one 2nd stage and one baby car seat.

Would the Chrysler be a good choice? They sound like buses!!

tia

I would consider total cost of ownership over the period you will use it and not focus on purchase price alone. The Chrysler is big, expensive, very practical but I'd be too nervous about it's reliability record especially if you need to be careful about expenditure. Friend of ours have had 2, some expensive warranty work done on aircon and power steering. Now out of warranty door electric motor on one side failed recently, local dealer gone bust, next nearest so far away they haven't had a chance to fix it yet. Local garages won't give fixed price quote as they would have to strip down and investigate how it all works.

I really liked the ride I had in an S-Max last year, my only reservation is no spare wheel which is same situation with the Touran. My favourite of the MPV bunch is Toyota Verso but it's automatic gearbox is hopeless.
I'll suggest test driving a Touran with the DSG auto box (it's an utterly brilliant auto geabox) if available and try a S-Max.