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Original poster

Small car big enough for a family ?

16 replies

chocohead · 02/04/2008 12:30

I am looking for a smaller car to try and save on tax/insurance/petrol

Can anyone recommend a car which has enough boot space for buggy etc

Just me , dp and dd 2yrs at the moment

Thanks

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 02/04/2008 12:33

i have a mini clubman cooper s, and whilst a bit pricy for the small car market has loads of space for buggy, DS, DD(ie 2 car seats), DH and me (and our dog too)
It's a fab drive
i think sometimes we are seduced by the idea that because you have a family, you have to have a big car

bozza · 02/04/2008 12:36

Just about any car will do - presumably you are on to small buggy by now. I have had a Ka and a Fiesta and now have a Suzuki Swift. Fiesta was biggest. Not sure if Swift would fit a buggy in because DD was 3 when I got it. Have to say though that these cars have only been second cars, - DH has larger company car so we can use that for holidays etc.

nervousal · 02/04/2008 12:41

I've got a Mazda 2 - which is great because it has slightly more headroom so easier for DD and her car seat. boots a fine size too

sweetkitty · 02/04/2008 12:49

I had a Clio up until a few months ago and managed fine with it, with 2 DC and a double buggy at times. Would be fine with just one DC and a buggy in the back.

Plenty of people I know have a Fiesta, Yaris or 206 with one DC. I like those new Fiesta's that have a bit more headroom are they Fusions or something.

Triggles · 02/04/2008 12:59

We've got a little Rover 4 door. Fits 2 carseats easily in boot, and 2 separate pushchairs or 1 double stroller. I think most small cars (except of course a smartcar) will take a pushchair in the boot, wouldn't they?

lilyloo · 02/04/2008 13:05

I have a vw polo and love it. I have 3 dc's and can fit all of them in and have a massive 3 wheeler which fits in boot though not much space for anything else, but if you just have pushchair loads of boot space! It 1 litre so very economical and has been very reliable it's a 51 plate and never had any problems!

HereWeGoRoundTheMulberryBag · 02/04/2008 13:09

Message withdrawn

suedonim · 02/04/2008 13:24

I love my Polo. I don't put a buggy in it but I have no doubt one would fit in quite comfortably as I once transported a futon from Ikea, plus assorted Ikea bits and pieces and a supermarket shop and my two dd's in my Polo!

GrapefruitMoon · 02/04/2008 13:26

I loved my Fiat Punto.... and we hired an Astra last week and it was big enough for 2 adults, 3 kids and luggage...

Twinkie1 · 02/04/2008 13:27

We have a golf - love it and fits all stuff need in the boot including buggy and both DCs - obviously not in the boot - they go on the roof rack!

sarah293 · 02/04/2008 13:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GooseyLoosey · 02/04/2008 13:29

Have a peugot 207. Can fit 3 adults and 2 children in child seats in - a bit of a squash in the back with dh between the seats. Not too much leg room in the back, but if ds is only 2, that would only matter if you intend to keep it for quite a few years.

EachPeachPearMum · 02/04/2008 13:32

Hi- our family is same as yours- me, dh, and dd 2.2. We have a skoda fabia- its a great car- we got a high spec model (adjustable seats- dh and I are very different heights- heated electric mirrors, etc etc).
Its cheap to run as cars go these days- tank holds around 35 litres, and I get 320 miles urban driving (think stop-start all the time) for that- of course that now costs 37 quid rather than the 27 it cost 3 years ago.
They are low insurance class, road tax was 115 this year, though 100 kast year i think.
has been great mechanically- no probs so far. We bought it new march 04.

Unlike some tiny cars- there is lots of interior room, including boot- fits travel system no probs.
rear seats fold down- 60/40 split.
All are 5 door models I think, which we considered an essential with a child to fit in a seat.
It also has isofix points, but we didnt use them with dd's seat.

I know the label puts people off, but they are made by VW Audi group now, and consistently do well in testing.

Of course if you're planning more children- you might want to consider getting something you could fit 2 toddler carseats into AND a passenger in the back, as I really don't think you could, unless the passenger was super skinny.

bozza · 02/04/2008 14:09

I really don't think you need back doors, all my cars have been 2 door models and if anything I find it easier because you can fasten the child in from in front rather than reaching across them. Also easier to shove both children in at the same side and make older one climb across.

Elkat · 05/04/2008 21:52

Our biggest car is a Toyota Yaris. We chose this because the back seat moves forward and backwards, so if I need more boot space, then I just move the boot forward. I have two young children, one in a pushchair and I find it is perfectly big enough for all my day to day needs (because of the moveable boot). Holidays can be tricky, but we calculated that it is still cheaper for us to hire a car for our annual holiday, than to get a bigger car all year round. The otehr bonus is that it is cheap to run and does loads of miles to the gallon.

HTH

Nymphadora · 05/04/2008 22:21

I have a Yaris too, and love it, Elkat has described it better than I could though

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