anyone got three kids and a VW golf?

[jasper]

We are looking to buy a smaller more economical car.
Our kids are three, 18 m, and the new baby ( 4 weeks or so) Our current configuration of car seats won't fit in VW golf but it could work out much cheaper to buy new seats than a bigger car on account of the ones we have already!
Anyone got three kids and a VW golf?
Those of you with 3 kids, what car do you have ? WHat car would you recommend/avoid?
Thanks

I have three kids - aged 9 years, 5 years (uses booster seat) and 5 months (carry tot car seat at present).

I have a Hyundai Lanta (a what? I hear you say) - looks like a Mondeo and I find we can all fit in no problem.

My 3 aged 5,4 and 22 mths fit well into my Mondeo and I like it because it's got 3 proper seat belts in the back (easily fits 3 boosters/car seats in the back). Only prob is, I can only fit one other child in with my 3 so lift sharing is difficult (dh was being a tight git and wouldn't get me a people carrier)

Just a quick affirmation of approval for the Renault scenic. It fits 3 small boys in their car seats, plus all their bits, v comfortably and is lovely to drive ( and we had a Mondeo before..)

Jasper - just going through the same thing - 4.5, 3 and expecting new baby soon - and wondered how you got on in the end. I've bought a maxi cosi to go in the middle for the 3yr old until baby is old enough to go in. Converted DS 4.5 to booster seat but still tricky to get your hand in to fasten the belt. Wondered if you can get a booster seat without "arms" as this would remove a lot of the obstruction? Planning to leave baby seat in the car (heavy to lug about anyway and always used to scratch my legs) but means will have to get something else for baby in house. Oh its so complicated........ Haven't checked to see if the baby seat will fit yet. Was exhausted after fitting priori. If not guess I will have to look for a more compact baby seat and use the old on in the house. Any suggestions?

Jasper

I have a golf - 2 kids and a dog. When we have had 3 kids in the back it has been 2, 3 year olds and my 20m dd. There really isn't a lot of room and wouldn't recommend it for your needs - for around the same price I'd look at a scenic or something similar.

jasper, if the space/economy ratio is the biggest consideration, what about a Skoda Octavia? I know a few families who have them and like them. Don't know about the seatbelt configuration though.

Jasper, I have a Golf Cabrio and 3 kids (8,5 and almost 2). I 'inherited' the car from dh when he got a company car, so did not choose it myself. Sadly, although I LOVE it, it is not very practical - 2 doors, 2 belts in back, airbag which needed deactivating in front as ds sits there on booster etc. Before this we had a conventional golf (Swiss line) which would have been more practical but still only 2 belts in back. Shame as they are fab cars and we haven't had any bother with either of ours.

Umm, Jasper was asking in April 2002, so maybe she's bought a car by now? Maybe not though!

Ignore me, just read Katherine's post!

duh! I DO wish people wouldn't do that...

I have a VW Golf 4motion (2.8 V6) very sexy power but complete nightmare with my 3 kids (11,10 & 10mo). THE BOOT IS TINY, far too small for a single buggy never mind a double. My advice would be to avoid a Golf like the plague.

We've just put in an order for a new Mercedes C Class estate, as we found it was small enough to still drive nicely but was large enough to accomodate all the stuff that come with parenthood. If you want something cheaper, how about a Vauxhall Zafira ? Thay have 7 seats but are still quite small and light to drive, you can pick them up for a song as a used buy too !

OH BUM, just realised that this is a REALLY old thread .

Hey everyone - yes it is a really old thread but because I realised that Japset was in exactly the same situation as me and she has presumably long since resolved the problem I posted to try and see what she'd done. Sorry for any confusion.....

I've already got the Golf so please don't tell me to get another car - I love it and wouldn't part with it. Just looking for some tips on fitting three seats and avoiding grazed knuckles. They all fit its just clipping them in. Neighbour has a Kangol booster seat without arms which seems to fit well so going to try and find one of those - or ask her to swap! Only other issue is my baby seat which is quite chunky so need a slimline model if I'm going to be able to take it in and out without having to wear leather gloves to do do IYSWIM.

Maybe I should just start a new thread......

Surely you can fit a buggy in a golf. I used to fit my travel system in a Ka.

it's the width of the boot as well as the depth Bozza. I've got an M&P Pliko with very scratched handles from scraping them against the trim trying to get the thing in.

Sorry we are not talking buggies here - its car seats.....

Sorry we are not talking buggies here - its car seats.....

I realise that Katherine but I was answering Bozza's rhetorical question

And she was responding to the part of the thread I entered before you started asking asking about car seats.

Obviously a case of crossed wires

Katherine we have 3 kids and a golf and have had for 2 years, before that like oxocube we had the cabrio. (We are about to go larger now so we can take kids friends wiht us when we go out and about) however you can get a lapbelt adjuster for the middle seat form Halfords I have posted about this on another thread they are a b**r to fit but you can do it.
I love the Golf and will really miss it. For us when we go off togehter it is perfect but I am really stuffed when the kids want to bring friends along.

Katherine, I've been away; I do love to see an old thread revived ( a good description of myself ).
In the end dh got his way - a peugeot 307 . I HATE IT.(so does dh) Fuel economy is great but I hate it for other reasons too numerous to mention.
Wish we'd bought a golf.

I know this is an old thread but anyone know anything about the new model Renault Scenic?