Recommend us a decent family car

[Ivortheengine8]

DH wants to buy a well needed car before DC2 gets here in October and wants to start looking.
Will probably go for a good second hand.

Basically we need something with a good sized boot,economical and suitable for at least two children. He has looked at a couple of MVP which he isnt too keen on but that might be the way to go?
We live in London but rarely use it around London as he uses the tube for work so it would be mainly for long journeys/days out etc.

What do you have?

[WhoTheHellisDave]

We have the Vauxhall Meriva and really love it. I also liked the Ford C-Max. They drive like small-medium cars but you can fit loads and loads in. Worth a look.

[TheSugarPlumFairy]

we have a volvo v70 estate. It takes 3 kids, 2 adults, a (big) buggy and a dog in the boot with a bit of room to spare. It drives well, lovely and smooth on the motorway and good about town too. A full tank costs about £80 and that usually lasts us about 2/3 weeks doing about 10-15km a day. It is not the zippiest of cars but it is still well powered. No problem accelerating to join traffic ect. The only thing i would change on it is that it has the turning circle of a semi trailer. I am forever doing 3 point turns because of it.

Has a lot of leg room. At the moment we have one car seat in the back seat and DSD has just grown out of her booster seat. In March next year we will have a new DC and adding a second car seat with DSD taking the middle seat will not be a problem space wise. Also, you can get a seat that go into the boot so expand the carrying capacity from 5 to 7.

As a family car i would thoroughly recommend it.

[niamh29]

My DH just bought a Ford C-max, it holds 3 car seats in the back and has a big boot and most importantly (to DH) it doesn't look like a big mammy van!

[sparklyrainbow]

we wanted a C-Max but ended up with a Nissan Almera Tino, similar though not quite as nice (and a bit cheaper as a result). 3 seats in back, big boot. Think they stopped making them in 2005 though. 'Twas a bargain!

[thisisyesterday]

everything that sugarplumfairy said! we have the V70 and love it

onoly difference is we have no dog, but we do have 3 kids and lots of big pushchairs lol

[Ivortheengine8]

Thanks ladies, I will pass this on to DH to have a look at. :)
Will let you know too what we decide.

[KATC2010]

We have the ford C Max and really love it! My DH was keen not to go for anything too 'vanny' iykwim (we had gone from a BMW 5 series). The space is fantastic, you can easily get 3 in the back - we only have 2 DC but can seat an adult in between (haven't tried with 3 car seats). Can get a pushchair and loads of shopping and extras in the boot, has some good little features like trays in rear seats for the kids and is great on fuel. We have the 2 litre diesel titanium and it really picks its little feet up as well :)

[malinois]

I would have thought that a V70 is a bit enormous for London. We have a 3-series touring. It's a small estate perfect for 1 or 2 children and lovely to drive. We have the slightly ridiculous 335i which is not exactly economical at all, however the diesels get amazing mileage. Our old 330d would get 50mpg+ on long journeys and the 320d can get 60mpg+.

[SleepyFergus]

We have a Honda CRV (not tbe new style) which we got 2nd hand and it's fab. Very roomy inside with a massive boot, perfect for pushchair, suitcases, shopping.

Don't let the fact the wheel is on the external back bother you. It worried me, but has never been an issue and of course gives you more boot space.

Pretty good petrol wise too, and servicing costs are reasonable. My mum also had a CRV (looks a bit sad when they're parked together!) and also rates it.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Galaxy here. It is about 12 years old but really reliable. The only thing I don't like about it is the colour.

[DegreesCelcius]

We bought a Ford C Max after another addition.
You can get two car seats and an adult in the back with no problem. The adult would have to be small to medium size though as only a certain amount of room.

[pushmepullyou]

If he's not keen on an MPV (can't say I blame him!) How about a family hatch or saloon? Golf, passat, saab 93, mondeo, astra, vectra etc?

[GnomeDePlume]

We have a Toyota Previa. It's the size of a house and is great for driving in built up areas as you can see for miles and absolutely nobody messes with you (the dents in it indicate we dont take prisoners).

We have 3 DCs and a big car is great for holidays, music school (DD1 runs a rescue centre for unwanted guitars), DIY (few other cars can absorb a complete kitchen including worktops), transporting relatives.

We are on our second Previa now and the only reason we probably wont get a third is that Toyota dont make them any more.

[Ivortheengine8]

When I get back I will have a look at all these. I don't think he is keen on estates but who knows.

I wonder also if anyone knows a good dealer in North London area?

[Ivortheengine8]

I like the look of the c max too, it doesnt look too MPV'ish.
Not keen on the toyota previa
I like the Saab 93 too - personally I would prefer something like that and so would he I think.

[CaptainBarnacles]

I've got a Vauxhall Astra estate. Lovely to drive, and masses of room. Diesel and does great milage. I would never get anything with a smaller boot now, it is incredibly handy.

[megkat]

When my DD2 was born I got a Focus (not CMax). There's only 18 months between mine so I needed plenty of room for a double buggy and shopping and everything else you end up toting round - I got all that plus an economical, reliable car. In fact I loved it so much I have only just swapped it (now have a Ka - baby car lol) but would more than happily have another.

Maybe the CMax would be better if you want a bit more space for another adult in the back but I do recommend Focuses in general :)

[mopsytop]

Skoda Octavia. V. economical, huge boot!

[Blu]

Skoda Roomster? Hideous, but incredibly roomy and practical, whilst also being v nippy in town. Also Skoda good value as it has the quality without the added expensive-brand cost.

"It's the size of a house and is great for driving in built up areas as you can see for miles and absolutely nobody messes with you (the dents in it indicate we dont take prisoners)" .

[timetosmile]

Our diesel CMax has now done 123,000 miles and going strong! It's been a real workhorse and I can't fault it.
Big boot for all the kit we and three primary school dc's need to chuck in. Really nice to drive, being just that bit higher/ better visibility than a usual car, but size and fuel efficiency, better than a larger MPV.
Easy to get 3 children's seats in the back, and not too squashy for adults.
There should be some good second hand ones around, as I know some folk are upgrading to the newer on which has extra folding seating to make it a 7 seater.

[MiceHaveFeelingsToo]

Diesel Mondeo estate, 3 yrs old, ex fleet (ie properly maintained), cost about £5k. We get 50-52mpg, cheap to service, cheap parts. Huge boot, can hold a 2m high flatpack bookcase when back seats folded down. Roof bars. Square shape at back means the basic (cheap) bike rack easy to install. Most carseats fit the backseats (we have always had maxicosi seats). Highly recommend!

[Pinkjenny]

Honda CRV gets our vote.

[Fuzzled]

Another vote for the C-Max. Good for driving if you are differently sized to your DH too. I'm 5ft and my DH is 6ft 3" and we can both drive it comfortably. We got ours second hand on the Ford Direct scheme. Only 5000 miles on the clock and 6 months old - half price! Bargain!

[MayDayChild]

Don't get audi a4
Tiny! Hate the fact we've been paying for it for 5 years and it's not suitable. But DH likes safety aspect. Not helped by the fact he also insists on huge Recaro isofix child seats (they've the best ncap ?!? Dontcha know)
Test drive for your life and take buggies, dogs and grannies along too to see what actually fits.
Then consider what room is left for suitcases or overnight bags.
I would have gone for the Mazda 5. Very very clever car. There's a new Seat (alhambra?) out now with built in car seats. Worth a checking out.