buying a new (to us) car after a crash is an estate necessary?

[nowwearefour]

We have ruled out a 4x4 on environmental grounds and dh does not like people carriers. our dds are 1 and (nearly)3. Our family is complete and this car will last us for a while. OUr last one was an estate which we found handy but as they get bigger we assume we will have to lug less stuff around? Will we need/ want an estate? any recommendations for cars you have or have used and liked/ disliked? we live in a rural area so really do need one.

When DS was about 2 we went from an estate to a hatchback and found it was fine - once you don't need to take prams, travel cots, highchairs etc around it does get easier to fit stuff in.

Ive had a number of cars over the years - Toyotas, Vauxhalls, Daewoos - and been happy with all of them. It might be worth thinking about servicing etc if you're rural - what garages do you have handy?

thanks for that- really helpful. we went off for a day to do some test drives today. i reckon a hatchback could work. good point re what is near though for servicing....

i have never had an estate and managed fine with a hatcch - even camping and stuff. You kind of accomodate stuff to fit I think.

can't see it being massive problem

We have had hatchbacks or more often saloons (even more tricky) as the main family car and the only time we have ever had a problem has been going on the main holiday. So we got a roof box. We have got rid of that now as the DC are 7 and 4 and it is really not necessary.

we have a Primera which is a family hatchback, massive boot and really strong reliable, so happy with our nissan i bought a little Micra too fo my run around. Even mechanic said when our Primera passed MOT lst time, Its a nissan......they dont break.

before that had a 03 mondeo which was lovely too