Car Advice - Two Kids

KarachiKid

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are looking to get a new car. We've currently got a toddler and another baby due in around six weeks time. Our car is a Vauxhall Corsa (57) 1.2 TDI. It's relatively cheap to run, but not very spacious and the lack of space is a concern with soon-to-be two sprogs in the back.
I'm a big chap so my seat is way back. My daughter who's three sits behind me because there's not enough space for the baby's seat (it's one where the base stays constantly in the car and the cradle clips in and out).
So we need something bigger. However, my girlfriend is not a confident driver and doesn't want anything big - as in VW Passat or Skoda Octavia sized. The Corsa is roughly about her limit length-wise, so I am thinking vertically.

The Audi A2 ticks most boxes. However, the age is a concern as they only go up to 05 plates. We don't really want a car that old. Also, the insurance - while not astronomical - is higher than the Corsa (group 6, compared to group 3). I've no idea about servicing and what-not, but I imagine the Audi to be a fair chunk more.

The Mercedes A-Class is another one which falls in to that mini-SUV class. My mum has one, but hers is old (51 plate) and isn't in the best condition. I've driven it and didn't like it, though that could be because hers isn't a good example of the model. However, it's a spacious little thing and perfect size-wise inside and out.

I can't think of any others which fall in to that category without being much bigger than the Corsa, so I come to you for ideas. If there's a car - or an entire car class - which I am missing then I'd like to know about it.
It needs to be spacious, but not long. On the lower end of the scale with regards to running costs and up to the value of approximately £5,000. Japanese made would be a boon, but not crucial. My girlfriend and I have had Japanese cars in the past and both like how reliable they were.

Any advice which you can offer would be beneficial and much appreciated.

Thanks.

da_rule

What about something like a Ford C-Max? About the same size as a Focus but taller.

specialboy

Vauxhall Meriva

Syman

specialboy wrote: »

Vauxhall Meriva

+1 for the Meriva.


have had my 06 model from new and had no problems. Boot space big enough to take a weeks luggage for a family of 4 on holiday. Rear seats can be adjusted to easily accommodate 2 full size child seats.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Reconsider a larger car. Larger cars are actually easier to drive, aside from tight parking space parking of course.

Avoid old A class Mercs, infamous gear box problems.

VW Golf and sister variants well worth considering, though check out reviews to identify dubious engine variants. They last well, we have a 12 year old Mk 4 which we bought second hand when 2 years old, still drives well with about 85k on the clock.

waamo

KarachiKid wrote: »

The Mercedes A-Class is another one which falls in to that mini-SUV class. My mum has one, but hers is old (51 plate) and isn't in the best condition. I've driven it and didn't like it, though that could be because hers isn't a good example of the model. However, it's a spacious little thing and perfect size-wise inside and out.

I made the mistake of having one of these once. it was towed so often it started thinking it was a caravan.

fivetide

For small car rather than the bigger stuff the Nissan Note isn't bad. The turning circle isn't great but it is high up, has a relatively flat back, takes two kids no bother and a decent boot (you can move the rear seats to increase boot or leg space as needed)

AdrianC

Meriva is the obvious suggestion, being a Corsa-based sprogbus. B-Max is Ford's Fiesta-based competitor.

postmanpat68

Kia Venga.

gabitzul

I would be looking to future proof by going only ever so slightly to a larger size car. A mid size MPV as suggested would be my choice (Zafira, C-MAX).

The fact that the driving position is higher will help with the parking and general driveability.

Prothet_of_Doom

My wife learnt to drive in a classic mini, drove a mini and a metro and an AX and a polo, and an OXford build (BMw) mini and an MX5 in her 26 year driving career.
Shunned big cars.
Last week she was forced to Drive my massive accord (I wanted the MINI to service it). Admitted that it's easier to drive than any car she's driven.