Vehicle for 3 kids

Heycock

Daughter and Hubby's car is knackered and they need a new one, but due to other impending commitments can only afford a couple of grand for a replacement. Needs to last them a couple of years at most. 2 kids and another on the way. Most saloons aren't big enough for 3 child seats.
Any suggestions? ...They don't want a rear facing extra seat that uses up the boot space.

Own_My_Own

Heycock wrote: »

Daughter and Hubby's car is knackered and they need a new one, but due to other impending commitments can only afford a couple of grand for a replacement. Needs to last them a couple of years at most. 2 kids and another on the way. Most saloons aren't big enough for 3 child seats.
Any suggestions? ...They don't want a rear facing extra seat that uses up the boot space.

I know some people don't like them, but the picasso has 3 individual seats in the back. ( I like mine)

Lum

I assume there is also to be two adults?

Please don't hate me for this but... Fiat Multipla? The new model is much less ugly than the old one that looked like a deformed frog.

ado

Sounds like a fair exchange...when do you want to swap?

Heycock

Thanks#2
#3..yes 2+3. But money is a constraint in the short term. They want to finance it out of savings which aren't considerable. They need to keep their lending power for house extension works already planned before baby no3 decided to influence things! So they're looking at a budget of around 2k. If they can get something to last 18 months, maybe 2 years they'd be happy. By which time they'd go for something more long term.
#4?

bubblegumcola

Lum wrote: »

I assume there is also to be two adults?

Please don't hate me for this but... Fiat Multipla? The new model is much less ugly than the old one that looked like a deformed frog.

I had a Fiat Multipla, second hand and it was great for the space for all the kids car seats. I loved it to drive and the high up position but it started costing me a lot for the upkeep and in the end I scrapped it but I really was sad to see it go. I wish they would bring out a new one, it looked rubbish but it was a good size for a family and all the junk that goes with them!

There are so many different types of car seats I'm not sure of the best way you could go about checking what car is going to fit 3. Maybe look on some parenting forums? There must be loads of families who have 3 kids all still young enough to be in cars seats who can recommend specific cars. 2 families who are friends of ours have Renault espace. Also will they all be in prams/buggies, you'll have to think of the boot space too to try and fit them in. Luckily only one of mine is still in a cars seat now but yeah three is tricky!

fishybusiness

Had a Sharan TDi PD for a year, went well, 42mpg, plenty of space.

Would have another if I could afford it, really should only buy one with a good service history

knightstyle

Renault Scenic is cheap and will do but some have had electrical probs and dashboard going blank. Ours was fine only let us down once with a fuel pump problem but we got rid of it at 110k miles.

forgotmyname

£2000 ??? Gotta be a Mondeo

Heycock

LOL!#9
They HAVE a Mondeo! Never again and it won't take 3 child seats across the back anyway. DMF falling apart, windows with a life of their own, leaks they and the garage can't find...in fact every known and accepted Mondeo problem has gone wrong on their car. Scrap heap beckons!

patman99

Early Multipla with 1.9 TD engine. These are pug-ugly, but Fiat do make the most bullet-proof diesel engines around. Or a Picasso.1.6HDi (although these suffer the same engine issues as the Ford C-Max/Focus 1.6TDCi in which the injector seal starts to leak & destroys the turbo).

A lot of people on 'Mumsnet' also recommend Zafiras (although the boot space is small with 3rd row of seats deployed). Avoid anything with 'Renault' on it as these are real money-pits. Citreon Berlingo's are another alternative if you want a big car.
£2k should buy an 03/04/05 plate motor.