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Original poster

Family car

40 replies

MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 20:52

Going round in circles for a family car for our family of four (twin 13yr olds). We are all short!

I like the Qashqai and Sportage, but our budget is 12k and we'd like a car that's a few years old tops. although I love the high position and safety on motorways of MPVs I sigh at the thought of driving a massive car around town.

Currently, I have a 13 yr old Picasso that's dangerous to drive as it cuts out frequently with no warning and loses steering, so I need a car asap.

We bought a Kia Venga as my husband's car in Dec which I like but it has no tech.

I'm thinking of a Citroen Cactus. It has all the tech, a cheapish price tag and would be 2018. It does not have a high driving position, but it's still higher than most hatches.

Questions: Does a family car have to be huge? What about motorway protection?

Does anyone have a Citroen Cactus?
Is the Qashqai (or Sportage) hard to park/manouvere?

Tell me what your family car is!

OP posts:
Mookatron · 03/03/2019 21:00

Can't help but watching this thread as I'll be in the emission zone and my stupid lying by emissions touran won't cut it any more.

MissDai5y · 03/03/2019 21:22

We've just got a Skoda Octavia.

Some numpty rear ended our beautiful fiesta so we took the grown up solution for a replacement (8mth old dd comes with a lot of stuff and we regularly travel long distances to see family)

She's a lovely ride, tonnes of room, a good amount of tech depending on trim but in your price range that shouldn't be an issue with a car 3 years or less old.

They're large cars but not tanks although they are rated very highly in regards to safety and reliability.

We test drove one at car giant and then went to an independent for the one we wanted. Car giant is a good.place to compare and contrast when you're unsure what you want although not sure I'd buy from them as you can usually get similarly priced with warranties elsewhere.

Happy hunting

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 21:22

Ah I hope I get some replies! There are also fewer petrol cars around in those sized cars and my home city is introducing its congestion zone next year.

OP posts:
RomaineCalm · 03/03/2019 21:29

You'd get a 2-3 year old Vauxhall Mokka for that price. High driving position and not too big to park/manoeuvre around town.

The downside is the boot space - fine for normal luggage but probably not big enough if you need camping gear or huge amounts of sports kit.

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 21:35

Thanks Romaine, I'll look into that. We tend to have the usual surf boards, wimd breaks etc on our annual jaunt to Cornwall, but could always get a roof box.

We have fitted fridges, wardrobes and all sorts into the picasso so I think anything else may seem small!

OP posts:
babysharkah · 03/03/2019 21:36

Vauxhall Zafira. Fits dts, dog and all the shite that goes with them, huge boot for driving to France on holiday, nice high position, nit too huge for London driving / parking.

Ugly ugly car but can't fault it otherwise. We've got a new one, think it's called a tourer.

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 21:49

Thanks - will check that one out too!

OP posts:
Tryingtogetitright · 03/03/2019 21:53

We have a Ford Grand CMax. I love it! Big-ish boot and 5 seats, or you can pop up seats in the back and.have 7 seats (barelt any boot space then though). Sliding doors for the back seats which are really convenient with my preschoolers possibly less of a selling point with teens though.

Singletomingle · 03/03/2019 22:08

I have a Cmax, a great car diesel or petrol. The diesels are more economic and cheaper on tax too which may balance out the congestion tax. They are also based on a focus chassis so easy to manage size wise but bags of room internally.

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 22:17

I do like the CMax - I think it was the sliding doors that I wasn't so sure about as I can never do the ones on taxis and my kids aren't much better! Shock

OP posts:
Singletomingle · 03/03/2019 22:20

The standard cmax doesnt have sliding doors only the grand cmax. Really no need for a grand cmax unless you need 7 seats.

ineedaholidaynow · 03/03/2019 22:23

We have a Skoda Yeti, which is quite spacious but not a large car. Previously had a Roomster, which was smaller but more spacious. However, they haven't made them for a few years

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 03/03/2019 23:28

Thanks Single and Indeed. I'm heading back to Auto Trader to have a nose.

OP posts:
TheHallouminati · 04/03/2019 03:31

Another vote for Ford grand cmax here. Sliding doors are just manageable for my 8yr old so once you've gotten used to them you'll be fine I'm sure.
Really easy to drive (I went from a Kia picanto to the cmax with no problems), rear middle seat is not big but I love that you can fold it entirely inside one of the side seats so you have a goodish amount of bag/crap space around the two remaining rear seats and a sort of aisle to the two boot seats Means their stuff is all to hand (not under their legs which is good for long legged teens) and no need to muck about getting stuff from the boot when you're in a rush if that makes sense.

DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 04/03/2019 06:15

The Qashqai is easy to park in my opinion. Most either have sensors or camera and you soon get a feel for the size of the car (I had only had tiny three doors prior to the qashqai).

babycakes1010 · 04/03/2019 06:27

I have a Kuga and dh has a c max and they are both brilliant cars

Phillipa12 · 04/03/2019 06:28

I downsized from a landrover discovery to a kia ceed sportswagon. Best decision ever! Its a mid sized estate car, £35 car tax for the year, fits tonnes in the boot, got a cross trainer in mine last week plus 2 kids and is very fuel efficient.

CaitlinsYellowSocks · 04/03/2019 06:37

We have a Qashqai and really like it. It is quite easy to park (rear parking camera which my last car didn't have - I think some models can even park it for you). I am a terrible parker and don't find it noticeably more difficult than my old Mini.

It doesn't feel particularly big, especially not when crammed full of luggage and baby paraphernalia. But if you have older children who aren't in car seats, and don't need to cart around prams and travel cots etc., then you probably don't need as much space.

mummabubs · 04/03/2019 06:50

I bought a qashqai when pregnant as we needed a family car. You'd definitely get a nice 2-3 year old one within your budget. I love mine to drive, I'm a big fan of higher road position and agree it's easy to park. The only thing that has shocked me given it wins family car awards is that the iso-fix points are high on impossible to locate, however the rear seatbelts aren't long enough to go around a baby car seat so you have to use iso-fix but once you've managed to get it in don't except to get it out again! The bucket style seats meant we had to try several seats to get the fit right, thankfully mamas and papas were really helpful with this and allowed me to return and exchange 2 car seats to do so. If you don't need child seats then I'd definitely recommend it!

mummabubs · 04/03/2019 06:51

*nigh

user1485155939 · 04/03/2019 07:05

We have just changed from a Cmax to a Kia Sportage and the difference is amazing - the sportage has so many features (some I don't even think I'll ever know how to use) we can fit two car seats and an adult in the back and they have so much room. Obviously they do different models but we got one that was 3 years old, top spec and within your budget!

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 04/03/2019 07:17

Thank you for all the suggestions - I'm going to look them up. It was so easy when I bought the Picasso in 2005 as you got a CD player and that was it!

OP posts:
anniehm · 04/03/2019 07:32

We have a dog snd parents who don't live locally so extra considerations - have a Mazda 5 which is technically 7 (if not tall!) but perfect for 4 adults, a 20kg dog (in the middle of kids) and the luggage you expect from teenage girls and the university run! We do use the extra seats a bit eg for my parents but the attraction is boot space - even just taking rubbish to the dump

Original poster
MiddleoftheRoad · 04/03/2019 07:55

Thanks annie

OP posts:
oldmum22 · 04/03/2019 08:00

Have you looked at a Dacia Duster? We had one as a hire car and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it fits all your spec and if you go top of the range you should get a fairly new one for your budget .