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Larger families

Find out all about large family cars, holidays and more right here.

Original poster

Cars for larger families

25 replies

foodaholic · 26/09/2013 23:30

I'm pregnant with DC3 and plan to have another within the next couple of years. We currently have a Renault scenic but I'll need a 7/8 seater to accommodate everyone going forward. Want something reliable & not too pricey. We'll probably buy second hand. I'm concerned about boot space as we have a double buggy. Any recommendations would be appreciated

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Fisharefriendsnotfood · 26/09/2013 23:36

Volvo xc90. Amazing Smile

Original poster
foodaholic · 26/09/2013 23:43

Thanks Fish Smile

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Original poster
foodaholic · 28/09/2013 22:45

Anyone else?

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littlepeas · 30/09/2013 10:14

I have the newer sharan with sliding doors - also awesome! We only have 3, so only use the back row in and out, but they are full size seats - I can see it working well with 4 or 5 dc!

alwaysneedaholiday · 30/09/2013 10:23

FORD SMax is great. Huge boot and still plenty of space if rear seats are used. The rear seats can be put up and down with one finger virtually . It's a great drive too, apparently....I'm not a car expert! Plus it's relatively economical to run.

OodAlpha · 30/09/2013 10:47

We have a Bongo. Looks big but we were parked next to a galaxy the other day and are similar length.
Surprisingly easy to manoeuvre too.
No fancy gadgets though.

EntWife · 30/09/2013 21:55

we have a Kia Sedona. it is a 7 seater with boot space. I love ours.

Captainbarnacles1101 · 30/09/2013 21:57

Ford Galaxy. i have DC4. plenty of space and ultr reliable

Moxiegirl · 30/09/2013 22:02

We have an smax and do like it but thinking of going back to the zafira as rarely have all 7 of us in the car together these days.

Original poster
foodaholic · 30/09/2013 22:20

Great tips thanks. I'll now get started on seeing what's available second hand. Sadly quite excited! Smile

OP posts:
pegster · 30/09/2013 22:22

I love my S-max, really nice to drive, (doesn't feel like a bus!)

busyboysmum · 30/09/2013 22:27

We've just got the new Kia Sorento with 7 seats, love it, 4x4 but as we pull a caravan with it that was our main deciding factor. It drives like a car not a bus which our older Sorento did a bit despite us loving that too.

Only upgraded really cos my dad died and we wanted to be able to fit mum in and take her with us on days out. We have 3 ds.

misdee · 30/09/2013 22:29

I have an old galaxy, and love it.

BadRoly · 30/09/2013 22:32

We have 4dc and have a Ford Galaxy & a Renault Espace.

Galaxy is more spacious for passengers but Espace is much nicer to drive.

Galaxy has better seating storage (fold flat seats) it's a bugger to store spare Espace seat when it's not needed.

Espace has more flexibility in seat layout (we normally run 3 rows of 2) whereas you have to have middle row of 3 in Galaxy.

Ford spares and servicing much cheaper than Renault.

Both have similar luggage/boot space with 6 seats in.

Would love slidey doors though!

Original poster
foodaholic · 30/09/2013 22:35

Thanks for all the info badroly. Lots to think about

OP posts:
misdee · 30/09/2013 23:02

Old galaxy has different seating cconfiguration. I can remove the seats completely, and can place just 2 in the middle. Rear can be 1 or 2.

BadRoly · 01/10/2013 09:51

Sorry I should have said ours is a newer model (not new though) Galaxy Misdee Smile

My friend with 4dc has the Seat equivalent to the older Galaxy model and her seats work more like the Espace seats.

kronenborg · 01/10/2013 10:58

we have 4 children, 2 in booster seats, and two in forward facing child seats.

we looked at many different cars, and one of the few that fitted our specification was the galaxy.

it fits the four kids with ease, and is one of the few people carriers that still has decent boot space with both rear seats in the upright position.

we needed to be able to get all 4 kids in and still have space for a double buggy and bits of other luggage in the boot...we also have a big dog that we need to get in the boot from time to time...and really this left galaxy and very little else.

its not the most glamorous of cars, but it does what it is supposed to do very well, and is surprisingly nippy for such a large vehicle.

as an aside, i also have a 16 year old land rover defender (long wheel base) which has inward facing bench seats in the 3rd row, so when the occasion arises, we can fit 11 people plus luggage and dog in that vehicle! admittedly, not the ideal vehicle for the school run, but dirt cheap, and i love it!

misdee · 01/10/2013 11:56

Badroly, mine is older than dd1, but is in excellent condition, the previous owners took good care of it.

Dillydollydaydream · 05/10/2013 11:41

We have a vw touran for our 4dc. We are thinking about a bigger car though as the boot is teeny tiny, can only just squeeze a quinny zapp in and no room for shopping if all 4 dc are with us.

CrispyFB · 05/10/2013 11:46

We have a Mazda 5 with sliding doors. Love it! It might be a people carrier but it handles like a car.

We can fit the Maclaren into the small "boot" part with all the seats in place, but it's a little more tricky for anything bigger.

Charlottehere · 05/10/2013 11:51

Kia caren...v nice.. Big enough but not a beast

ShoeWhore · 05/10/2013 11:56

Renault Grand Scenic here. Really roomy boot, drives like a car and lots of helpful practical features too. Has also been v reliable.

Knittingnovice · 05/10/2013 12:12

I've got a Hyundai trajet, 7 proper seats, enough boot space for buggy with all 7 seats up, huge boot with only 2nd row, and the driver and passenger seats swivel so you can picnic with the DC

lucybrad · 05/10/2013 14:10

we have a touran, and have invested in a galaxy as well for our 4. touran just not big enough with luggage.

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