Can't believe I'm starting the thread - but JUST IN CASE!

[MyCrazyLife]

If we went for number 4, we'd prefer to get a multimac and keep our 5 seater car, rather than get an MPV. That's all fine.

However, the only multimac that fits in my car is the 1200 - a four seater with NO baby seats.

So would you...

1. Wait until baby no. 4 was about a year old, then get the multimac? In that year, you wouldn't all be able to go out in the car together (you, DP and the kids). The three older kids would have to squeeze in the back (we do this now when going out as a family). The positive of this is that when DC 1 and 2 were at school and nursery, there would be space for adults in the car in that first year.

Or

1. Get a multimac as soon as baby no 4 was born. So the older three are slightly safer in the back, and the baby is in a baby seat in the front (can turn air bag off). However if it was just me, DP and the baby, for example, he wouldn't be able to go in the car.

Nightmare!! Opinions...?

Wow, had to google, didn't know these existed. I'll have to read your thread again, now I know what one is!

How old are your other DCs, Crazy?

How often do you all go out in the car now? Think about your lifestyle and what would have to change? I'd be tempted to change to a bigger car for the first year at least as you will have all the baby gubbins to go with number 4 too

Tbh I'd just get a bigger car! I have 5 dc and a 7 seater car and whilst it's rare we go out all 7 of us together the car is always full! Be it school bags, pushchair, picnic bags or whatever the extra seat is always in use.

They are almost 6, 3 and 20 months.

7 seaters cost so much more in tax/fuel/possibly insurance though don't they?! Ad then you often lose your boot...

We never used to go out in the car together. However now it's a lot more, although still not "regularly" as such.

I have a 9 seater and my insurance is just under €748 (about £600) but I do have my dad as a named driver to lower it!

Honestly, I'd go for a bigger car because it's the most praticial option. We have 2 cars (one is DH's company car. When on family holidays we take both cars just to give the DC some breathing space from each other

Thanks, Multiple! :)

See £600 isn't too bad. DP has just passed his test though so ours may be more than that! (I've been driving 7 years)

I've been driving since I was 18 and my insurance started around £1800 but if I had known to add a named driver who's been driving about 10+ years then ot would have knocked my insurance down by £200 despite being a young driver. Doesn't even have to be a family member.

My insurance crippled me at 18 with a newborn but I'm now 24 and it has lowered than expected.

Also there's a 2 week period in August where insurance is at it's lowest, so look out for it :)

Or could you get a part time 7 seater? A Vauhall Zafira / Citroen C4 / Ford S-Max type thing that has pop up seats in the boot, that way the only time you lose your boot is if you all go out together and they are not so much money to run.

What WhoMovedMyVuvuzela just suggested is a great idea.

Thanks, whomoved. So you mean keep our current 5 seater (I'd love to do this. It's fairly new, has so far been so good, is great to drive and has barely any mileage) AND buy a zafira (for example) to keep on the driveway if and when we need it?

Would buying a v cheap zafira cut it, do you think? (£1000 ish?)

Also could I keep costs down by putting me as the main driver and DP as a named driver on the theoretical zafira?

Thanks!

I would trade in your current 5 seater for a different 5 seater that could accomodate the multimac 1260 www.multimac.co.uk/4_child_car_seat

Never though of that, travelling!

Although I hasten to add that my car still has a couple of years of finance left on it. We MIGHT be paying it off early next month, but the person who has offered us the money isn't the most reliable, so we'll see.

I think WhoMovedMyVuvuzela meant; sell your car and buy a 7 seater. One where seats 6 & 7 can be put down so it becomes a 5 seater. Then for the times when you need everyone in the car you can put up seats 6 & 7 to fit everyone in one vechile. So it's pratical for the times you need it without having two vechiles, without buying an expensive multimac and having to pay for two cars ;)