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Original poster

The seven seater saga...

41 replies

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 08:09

I've been looking for a car for a few weeks now. (and at this time in my life it's a welcome distraction). I've really liked the Evoque, the XC60, how the Q5 drives (and the virtual cockpit), and potentially the X3, but I still haven't been able to actually drive one. Most of the time it's just me and my 2yo, and I only drive to his nursery and back (10mi total on a daily basis). Two days a week I do a longer school run (which adds an extra 80-90mi on top on a weekly basis). Only one of those days I have all the kids (4) with me. We rarely use the seven seater at full capacity. For many reasons I'm more inclined to get a Q3 and just think the kids should suck up being uncomfortable for 25mins... I do like the Q7 but I'm concerned over running costs AND I'm terrible in narrow lanes which are very common around here, do I think I'll just end up being stressed rather than enjoying my car.

OP posts:

Weenurse · 17/04/2022 08:14

How old are the DC?
I had 2 but ended up sharing child care with 2 other part time Mums.
I had all 6 on a Wednesday after soccer practice. The 7 seater came in handy then.
Kept it from primary school until they finished high school.
Very handy for carting around friends and school bags/ sporting stuff

Toomuchleopard · 17/04/2022 08:15

Why would 4 kids be uncomfortable in a Q3 assuming one is in the front?

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 08:21

We have a 16/12/10/2yo. The 16yo still hangs out with us (very slim but tall), the 12 is adult size, the 9yo is small for her age, and the 2yo sits in a car seat. The back of a Q3 would be small for three kids considering one will be in a car seat.

OP posts:

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AchillesPoirot · 17/04/2022 08:22

@Onlyrainbows

Oh sweetheart.

Get the car that suits you. YOU.

You don’t have 4 kids. YOU have 2.

Let your notsoveryDH get a 7 seater because HE has 4 kids.

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 08:25

Oh @AchillesPoirot you're very wise, I even told my DM about you! Your words of getting a car that works for ME are now a mantra I tell myself regularly.

OP posts:

FromOurHatsToOurFeet · 17/04/2022 08:32

The Ford grand C Max can have 7 seats, but works equally well with less. The second row has two full seats and a 0.75 size one in the middle, which can fold away entirely or be an arm rest. Then there are two seats in the third row. It's got sliding doors which is great anyway and the second row seat oophs forward so you can access the last row. Far better than the Smax where you can't get to the 3rd row easily.

So you can stuff all the kids into it on the rare occasions you have them all but when it's just you and the 2 year old, it's an ordinary car with a large boot.

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 08:38

Thanks @fromourhatstoourfeet but I'm only looking for a premium/luxury brand with an SUV shape.

OP posts:

2Hooves · 17/04/2022 08:45

What about an XC90 or the Tiguan Allspace? Neither are too huge.

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 08:54

I think the XC90 is verging on too big (although I've just looked it up and the Q7 is longer!). I've had a Passat and wasn't a fan, so I'm consciously not going to a VW dealership.

OP posts:

pumpkinmash · 17/04/2022 09:13

My sister has a GLB (Mercedes). Usually it's just a car with a massive boot but it is a seven seater when needed. Might be one to look at - she got a decent leasing deal.

LBOCS2 · 17/04/2022 09:19

The XC90 isn't that much bigger than the XC60 imo - it doesn't feel it to drive, and you don't have to have all the seats up all the time, you can just have an absolutely MASSIVE boot, which I like.

Pennox · 17/04/2022 09:21

When I had 3 kids in carseats we always drove Ford SMAXs - pretty comfortable and 7 seats for occasional time had friends over etc. Now they are older we have an X5 which is very comfortable with 3 hefty teens in the back so we didn't bother getting the 7 seater. You could very comfortably have 3 kids in the back, older one in passenger seat on the one day you have 4. I'd imagine the X3 is similar. All those large luxury SUVs have a ton of technology to help you drive them around. If you get the camera packs they are extremely easy to park. For narrow lanes you'd have to use passing spots as noone can get past cars like that unless they're on a bike.

ledbydonkeys · 17/04/2022 09:23

@Onlyrainbows Have you test driven the Mercedes GLB? 7 seater but smaller than a XC60 or Q7

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 09:28

@pumpkinmash we did try the GLB but the sales guy was very snubby and never called back! (I didn't love it either, and I really wanted to like it). The Audi and Volvo guys have been really lovely, so just from pure salesmanship I think they do deserve their commission.

When I had a discovery sport I still struggled with those lanes (and that one is a tiny bit smaller). What I like about SUVs is that they're higher up, do I have better vision (or so I think)

OP posts:

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 09:31

@ledbydonkeys I did! Didn't love it and didn't like the dealership, I'm happy to travel to a different one, but I don't think I liked it enough. BMW did, which is why we're going to a different dealership even though it's a longish drive for us.

OP posts:

Nidan2Sandan · 17/04/2022 09:33

Have a look at the Seat Tarracco. I have one and adore it!!!

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 09:54

I did look at it @Nidan2Sandan but thought it looked cheap but wasn't THAT cheap. I would prefer a Dacia Jogger, it looks cheap but at least it's actually cheap!

OP posts:

Nidan2Sandan · 17/04/2022 12:01

@Onlyrainbows

I did look at it *@Nidan2Sandan* but thought it looked cheap but wasn't THAT cheap. I would prefer a Dacia Jogger, it looks cheap but at least it's actually cheap!

Wow, rude!!

FromOurHatsToOurFeet · 17/04/2022 12:09

@Nidan2Sandan remember the OP is only looking for "I'm only looking for a premium/luxury brand with an SUV shape"

Nidan2Sandan · 17/04/2022 12:21

[quote FromOurHatsToOurFeet]@Nidan2Sandan remember the OP is only looking for "I'm only looking for a premium/luxury brand with an SUV shape" [/quote]
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

User48751490 · 17/04/2022 12:33

I drive a van with four DC. Loads of leg room as they grow up. You don't get this with cars.

MzHz · 17/04/2022 12:44

I tried a SEAT Ateca but I didn’t like it, to get a half decent one I’d have to spec the bejesus out of it

Horrible drive

I got an XC40, from Carwow actually and got a cracking discount!

Let your H get the bigger car for when you have all the kids, I have a hulking teen, who has hulking mates and can fit 4 super comfortably in my car, 5 would work well too!

My oh has the bigger bmw suv, if we want to go further we take his car.

MzHz · 17/04/2022 12:45

Meant to say, oh had evoque once, awful car, really unreliable and poor visibility

Original poster

Onlyrainbows · 17/04/2022 13:14

I did drove the XC40 again really wanting to like it but felt very underwhelming. I haven't driven the Q3 but thinking I'll get a similar experience. If I don't get a seven seater, my husband keeps the Qashqai. I know the Evoque has a reputation for being unreliable, and there are so many different specs and trim levels it's very confusing to know if I'm paying extra for something I don't actually want/need.

OP posts:

AchillesPoirot · 17/04/2022 15:49

Isn’t it the Qashqai that doesn’t start and you can’t afford to fix?

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