Disco too small, Caravelle too big...

[Panicmode1]

Our Grande Espace ticks all of the boxes for four children and possible dog, aside from being remotely reliable. It KEEPS going wrong, and every time we take it in, they say, oh yes, that's another known fault.

So today we went to look at a Caravelle and it seems VAST. I really am not sure I want to drive a van. The Espace is big but lovely to drive. We also looked at a Disco 4 but the boot didn't look remotely big enough for our (planned) golden retriever and any luggage....certainly not for trips to France/Cornwall which we often do.

XC90 felt cramped in the back (should point out my DH is 6ft 6 and my 10 year old us already 5ft 6 ish so they will all be tall)...and although we liked the Sharan, have just been told a couple of horror stories on twitter about them. So am stumped....any suggestions, families with tall children? Also, for those who have a dog as well, and have Discos, how big/small are your dogs and where do you put them and your stuff on long journeys?!

[bellybuttonfairy]

We drive a caravelle type vw. I did think it was a bit large but I now love it. Incredibly easy to drive (and Im a crap driver). Easy peasy to reverse, LOADS of room. Get the van!

[harrygracejessica]

We have the tourneo (so 9 seater) to be honest you get used to the extra space and OH has no problem parking it .. I don't drive yet so can't comment :-) but with 9 adult size seats it's fab for leg room.

[littlepeas]

We have a sharan (newer model with sliding doors) and have had no problems with it at all in almost 4 years.

[jenniferalisonphillipasue]

We have 4 and 2 very large hounds. I currently have a kia sedona but we are going for a Caravelle long term. They are pricey but also seem to offer the versatility we need. Apparently a Hyundai i800 is also great and a lovely drive.

[CSLewis]

We have a long wheel base Caravelle, and love it - you can put two buggies side by side in the boot without folding either of them! (I have several sisters with little ones, as well as my own six children ). It IS 5 metres long tho... But you get used to it.

You can get the short wheel base version, which is probably easier to get used to after a 'normal' car. But it doesn't have the fantabulous boot...

[Fresh01]

I have 4 kids and have a Landcruiser. We do regular weekends away and can fit all luggage in the boot - have half the third row folded down.

We hired a Ford S-Max on holiday this year. I was very surprised in the legroom in the back 2 rows in it. With half the third row down there was lots of space for bags etc.

I know 6 people who have got dogs in the past 12 months. We are resisting at the moment! The main factor with dogs in the car seems to be if it is a dog that is kept in a crate or if the have a dog guard up and they roam the boot. If you are trying to fit a crate in the boot, you seem to be left with very little other space.

[Panicmode1]

Thanks everyone - for some reason this didn't show up in my threads, so I had forgotten I'd posted!! The Caravelle is actually only about 5 cms longer than the Grande Espace - the only problem with it is the inflexibility of the bench third seat - with the Espace you can take all of the seats out individually. So, the dealer said that it sounds like what we really want is the Shuttle - the cheaper version of the Caravelle. When one comes in he's going to contact us and we'll see what we think. The Sharan is still in the running, and I hadn't thought of a Land Cruiser - we're in town, and I have an issue with big 4x4s where they aren't 'required', but we're now becoming limited in our options! I think with a dog crate in the back of a car there will be almost no space for luggage in an MPV type vehicle, so it may just have to be the van!

Thanks so much for your help, plenty to think about!