If anyone hasn't expired from boredom, the current debate is S-Max vs Zafira.

S-Max gets so many great reviews and can have some groovy spec But is big. Is it too big for a family of three plus the occasional MIL?!

Zafira we can afford the top spec But is boring and the back seat is all one piece.

Yes, we really liked our Skoda, such amazing good value for money. DH really begrudged paying VW prices and getting LESS gizmos for MORE money. He's eyeing up a Superb for next time I think.

Piffpaff, I think you might be right about the older model Octavia being smaller. A colleague has a 51 plate Octavia estate, and I don't think it's as roomy as our 60 plate (2010). I take some very tall teenagers on our school run, and there's legroom to spare. I think the Skoda Superb estate has even more room in the back. Some of the Superbs also have a self-parking feature, which has to be seen!

I realise I sound like a Skoda salesman- it's just that we've been really impressed with ours; we've had much more expensive cars in the past which haven't been a patch on it.

VBisme' that's interesting, how old is your Octavia? I realised today that I should have said that our Octavia was a 2001 model and maybe the newer model that came has since then has more space in the back?

We have an Octavian estate, the kids are 170 & 150 and have no issues with legroom, huge boot and leather seats, but easier to drive and manoeuvre than my x type jag.

I've got a new shape Renault Scenic, think they came out about 2009/10. Mine is a 1.5DCi dynamique Tom Tom. It has cruise control, built in Sat nav, blue tooth, can connect your iPod/iPad to the stereo, partial leather seats, 3 full seats across the back, a large boot, lots of cubby holes to store things. DH is 6ft 4 and the DSes can sit behind him quite comfortably at 6ft3, but I can sit very comfortably behind him.

Both of us like driving it, it is not too big, very easy to park and has a 5* Ncap rating.

Ours is an estate but you can get it in saloon form too. The estate boot is HUGE, don't know how big the saloon boot is or if it's flat.

Is that a saloon car?

The Passat is quite good. I like it, and it has heated leather seats which is my second favourite gadget on a car ever, behind the heated front windscreen that is randomly on my otherwise very low-spec CMax.

If Octavia backseat is no good, it's off the list (shame as I was loving all the spec!).

DH has a bit of a wishlist and isn't compromising (yet):

Decent legroom in the back for grownups (this is for MIL who has poorly legs)
Leather seats if at all possible
Huge flat bootspace
Automatic
Cruise Control (he has this now and would miss it)
Non silly driving position (ie sadly not the Citroen C4)
Approx 3 yrs old.

My wishlist is: not too big, long or ckunky round corners. A few exciting spec/gadgets. Also like the cars with three full seats across the back.

We have one DD, 4. The MIL occasionally. A very small chance of another DC appearing (but frankly we aren't buying a car with that in mind).

Today I am liking the S Max but we can't afford one (or not to DH's spec).

DH had an Octavia estate and swapped up to a Passat because we felt the back seat in the Octavia was cramped with not much legroom. Fine for when they are in a carseat but not so good as they get bigger.

I have a C Max, it's great, had a Focus before then but struggled to get the double buggy in it. CMax boot is huge and v high/deep. The only things I don't like about it is the bonnet is really steep so you can't see the front of it when you park. Also, the front pillars are quite thick and I find the front/side view a bit restricted. And the mpg is a bit pants.

DH says the Octavia estate is the same size as a Golf estate; the Fabia estate is smaller.

DH has talked abt the Skoda but I'm worried it's a bit too big, am not keen on huge cars. Will make sure have hecked it out though.

Will also look at the other Citroen but am fighting a losing battle there I reckon!

We had a C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 diesel semi-automatic. We both like driving it, it was economical and didn't have any trouble 'pulling' or when it was loaded up.

As you are looking at second hand, see if you can find a Citroen Xsara Picasso, they are lovely cars. We had one before the C4 Picasso, but they were phased out in about 2009/2010. You would get a lot of car for your money.

Have you looked at the Skoda Octavia estate? We've had one for 2 years and love it - great drive, reliable, comfortable and economical. Also, they usually have 2 years' interest free credit and 0% VAT. Basically, it's an Audi without the badge.

Think would look strongly at focus estate.

Golf estate?

Estates are better, imo. We had an estate & swapped for a people carrier, wish we hadn't.

Well, we test-drove a c max today in highest spec for that age. DH didn't like how poorly the bak seats folded away and we were surprised that the back seats couldn't move back or recline as many others do.

Drawing board again, then.

I'm leaning slightly back towards the C4 but DH still dislikes it. He's now talking about another estate car.

Yep, I do like the sliding doors idea :-)

Looking at Autotrader online there are only 10 Mazda5 automatics for sale in the country!

I am going round in circles. I officially hate car buying. But I have to be there to reign in DH..!

I quite like the Mazda, not driven one but very similar to the Cmax inside. Sliding doors would be a bonus!

And we're still deciding, but the field is widening. DH has decided he definitely doesn't like the c4 so that's out, though you get good spec I reckon.

Today we test-drove a zafira, which was fine apart from we both felt the accelerator pedal was so far towards the driver (and I'm not tall) that we were operating it with the arch of our foot. Dunno if that's just something to get used to...Also the second row out of three is a fixed unit rather than three separate seats, which gves less options.

I just read about the Mazda5 on here! Quite excited about that but hardly any automatics near us.

Grand C Max is out of our price bracket, as is the S Max (which is too big for our needs).

I'd get a Ford over a Citreon. I had a Cmax and loved it.

DH is now looking at the new C Max Grand. On some sort of financey thing. Hmm...

Gotta love a unanimous MN decision!