I don’t need a 7-seater (2dc) but I’m tempted for a number of reasons. It would be convenient to be able to carry 4 dc on play dates, and days out; the boot space with the back seats down is considerable. The flexibility of a hatchback/ almost-van would be welcome at times. I like the slightly elevated driving position that I can’t afford otherwise.
But in terms of safety, I’m wondering if 2dc are safer sitting in the back of a normal 5-seater car, ie does the narrow middle seat mean that there is a more generous crumple zone on the side walls of the car? Or are 7-seaters wider than 5-seaters on average?
Buying used, not new, so there’s a difference of at least two years between five seaters and seven in my price range.
There’s a higher chance of getting a petrol engine in a five seater; all the seven seaters in my price range are diesels and most of my driving is tootling around schools and shops.
At the moment I can just about squeeze a small booster cushion between two high back booster seats in the back of my current car. But the seats are pushed out to the side and the seat belts aren’t easily accessible so not very safe. One in the front means I can just about carry four. (I’ve only done this once in an emergency)
If I could take 4 dc comfortably, I’d be able to have double play dates, take friends out on our annual zoo membership, or have multiple play dates. At the moment I can only have more than one extra child over if I arrange to have one dropped over by another parent, or one of my ds are going out on a play date.
But at most, I’m unlikely to have 4 dc in the car more than once a week, maybe twice. In the meantime my 2 ds’s will be using the car and I think my biggest concern is whether their safety is compromised for the occasional convenience of carrying more people.
So AIBU to get a 7seater?
Aibu to consider a 7 seater?
AIBU?
to buy a 7-seat car for 2dc?
Alanamackree · 12/06/2018 21:31
I have a new diesel and the difference between a new diesel and a pre-2014 are massive. Pre-2014 are the ones that are likely to get hit with emission taxes as they are the dirty diesels so you do need to consider that. that’s good to know. My budget doesn’t stretch to 2014 though 
Diesel particulate filters (DPF) tend to need a long motorway run (15 to 20 minutes at a decent speed) in order to get the engine hot and clear the filter. Without this, you can end up with a clogged or blocked DPF. And replacing those can be £0000s depending on the model. thanks for explaining this so clearly. All the sales people I’ve spoken to so far have been a bit foggy in their answers depending on what they’ve been trying to sell me. I drive for 30 minutes on the motorway once a week at high speed so that will probably help (the journey back, also on the motorway is often at slower speeds than the school runs!)
Toyota have petrol Versos, there are petrol Volkswagen Sharans/Tourans, petrol Zafiras from Vauxhall. It’s only when you get to the bigger 4x4s that you find almost 98% of those used cars are diesel useful info, thank you! I think I’ll concentrate on finding a model or models I like and then see if I can pounce on a petrol one if it comes along.
Relieved that I’m not completely mad so! 
Laughing at the idea of giving up on life- I suppose I have giving up the expectation of driving my convertible Porsche through the streets of Monaco with the wind in my hair Love my life though!
So an older diesel over a newer petrol? You'd be mad to do that if you don't have to. This concerns me though.
Whwn I was still with my Ex we had a 6 seater Galaxy and only 2 DC. I bloody loved that car. Prior to that we had estate cars but this was not much longer but much more practical as we could accommodate an extra 2 kids or adults. The best bit was all the seats were individual so it was the end of endless 'he touched me/ he's on my seat/ in my way' that was the previous running commentary on long car journeys
there's nothing that screams "I've given up on life" quite like a 7 seater mum-mobile.
Really 
I don't give a shiny shit what anyone thinks of my car. It fits my needs. Job done.
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I’ve just traded in my Peugeot 5008 as it was diesel and boy do I miss the space and flexibility. To PPs who said they are rubbish to drive should try this one. Didn’t feel like a van - drove like a normal saloon.
When the new version has been put for a year or two more I’m going back to it as o have DGCs on the way. 
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