2nd car (7 seater) helppp

[Florenced12]

Hi! I really hope someone can give me some advice. I've got baby no. 3 on the way and looking at buying a really cheap second car. The car I currently have is a 5 seater mokka and theres no way I can fit 3 car seats across the back row. I could have one in front but with my husband commuting to work every morning at 7am and then school runs it's going to be a bit strapped with a newborn in tow come summer time. So I'm looking at a 7 seater with 3 full size middle row seats. Got about £3000 budget to work with, I know I'm not going to get an amazing car and I'm 100% okay with that. I already have the 1st car so I'm not looking to get the best car going.

Does anyone have experience of 3 in a row fitting in a 7 seater? I have 1 child age 5 forward facing in a harnessed seat and another child age 3 in an extended rearfacing seat and in summer will also have a newborn seat to fit aswell. I'm looking at the Ford S-Max (seemingly most reliable from what I've read), Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and Renault Grand Scenic. Looking at at least 10 years old with my budget, please tell me someone can help 😭

Yep; the answer you are looking for is the SEAT Alhambra.

Ours is ancient - it’s an ‘04 plate but it’s got three car seats across the back (a Cybex for the baby, a Britax RF Römer for our toddler and a Britax FF for our 4 yo) and it’s just passed it’s MOT with flying colours.

In our ancient model there are 3 ISOFIX points; you can get 5 if you replace the two seats at the very back with spare ISOFIX seats from a reliable second hand dealer.

As we don’t need the two seats at the very back we have a massive boot and it can fit a double buggy in as well as two full 20kg suitcases. You can also hold a picnic in the back should you be faced with angry hungry kids.

From what I can gauge the S-Max is very good but the SEAT wins on value.

Thanks! Not one I'd really came across. Going to look into that one, sounds ideal :)

Here’s one if you’re near Notts:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002227604432?modal=description

Ps I’m not some agent for SEAT, Auto Trader is my scroll of choice now I’ve self banned from RightMove and the MailOnline

Citroen c4 Picasso and Peugeot 5008

Ford Smax, three proper individual seats in the middle row and then two in the rear if required. Honestly so much room i love mine and ive come from driving around in a newer bmw ( which hubby has now) x

I'd second a ford s Max. I had one for ages and it was great.

Thanks everyone, got a lot of looking to do. Hopefully will make my mind up soon :)

We have a Kia Sedona had it for the last 10 years and it is outstandingly reliable, trips to France and Scotland included.

Bought if for the sliding doors when trying to manhandle 3 under 4 into the car, and it still works now with a a 14, 12 and 10 yr old!

Smax here too with three large seats across the middle. Giant boot and the two extra seats in the back are really easy to flip out without the hassle of moving around the middle row of seats.

Would recommend, they are everywhere too!

I drive an eleven year old renault scenic. All seats in middle row have isofix and of the small people carriers it has the most boot space with all seven seats up. Also quite economical to run. Renault also has the best safety ratings.
Had an Alhambra before which was much more expensive to run and was less reliable. In older alhambras the seats in last row don't fold away fully so transporting anything big means they have to be taken out - and they are heavy.
Also like fiat doblo (sliding doors)
But as an alternative (if you do not really need two cars and only want to get one to fit three seats in at the same time, have you looked at a multimac? <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.multimac.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiAoP7coOvnAhUSWsAKHXrmAAwQFjAAegQIBRAD&usg=AOvVaw11Maj8g7eBlf3MgeeIch33" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.multimac.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiAoP7coOvnAhUSWsAKHXrmAAwQFjAAegQIBRAD&usg=AOvVaw11Maj8g7eBlf3MgeeIch33