Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Need a new car to accommodate three children..what's the best?

33 replies

annieapple7 · 27/03/2007 21:52

Just had baby number 3 and our Volkswagen passatt estate is a bit of a squash...can barely get 2 booster seats and a baby seat across the back seat.
Don't really want a mumbus but needs must....what 7 seater is the best?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
geekgrrl · 27/03/2007 21:54

I have a Toyota Corolla verso 7 seater and am v. happy with it, it's spacious inside and accomodates 3 car seats fine in the middle row.

I had a VW Sharan before and much prefer a normal-sized car.

luciemule · 27/03/2007 21:58

XC90 would be lovely but drinks the juice.
There was a similar thread the other week and someone said Citroen Picasso could fit 3 seats across back.
Can a Ford Galaxy fit 3?
Or Volvo V70/Audi A6 - probably same as your VW though.

worzella · 27/03/2007 22:02

our galaxy easily fits 3 - it is a bit like a bus - and drinks the juice too.

However, it's great for camping as you can fit an infeasible amount in it!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General parenting
MilaMae · 27/03/2007 22:23

Our Zafira fits 3 carseats across the back-boooooring I know but it does the job. Pranged it 3 times (always when reversing) though. DP wants the toyota corolla verso but i'm not sure it'll make it out of the drive with me driving. How do you find it Geek??? Is it really wide or long, need a woman's point of view.

Kelly1978 · 27/03/2007 22:25

seat alhambra. Very nice to drive and basically a cheaper version of a VW.

SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 27/03/2007 22:30

Picasso (5 proper full sized seats) is good. We have a stage 0 baby carrier (will check out teh next stage soon) and 2 boosters across teh back nicely. Cheap and a bit plasticy but fully functional.

SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 27/03/2007 22:31

The ahlambra is a virtually identical copy (body wise) of a Ford Galaxy. SIL had one and the computer literally died and teh garage couldn't even start the thing let alone do anything else with it...

Kelly1978 · 27/03/2007 22:40

hey sms, don't you play isketch any more ?

SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 27/03/2007 22:41

I do - but generally not Tuesdays - Life on Mars gets in the way. It is only on 2 more weeks though...I do miss our Tuesday game...

manicmama · 27/03/2007 22:45

A friend just bought the Renault Scenic to accommodate her third and she thinks it is great.

My DH and I have just splashed out on a Subaru estate (my DH can't face buying an MPV just yet)

Also was driven in a Ulysses taxi today that seemed very spacious. Not sure what make that is.

manicmama · 27/03/2007 22:46

The Ulysses is a Fiat with 5 back seats (2 in back row fold flat)

Kelly1978 · 28/03/2007 00:08

my cm had the fiat, it was surprisingly spacious. she said it was good to drive too.

midnightexpress · 28/03/2007 08:56

Another vote for a Picasso. not 7 seats, but an ENORMOUS boot and v cheap.

bozza · 28/03/2007 08:59

Do you really want 7 seats or just 5 decent seats?

DebitheScot · 28/03/2007 09:03

We have a Nissan Almera Tino which is pretty much the same as the Picasso (we didn't like the PIcasso, found it very uncomfy) and we're very happy with it. 5 seats, lots of room and a huge boot. Only thing is, you couldn't buy a newone coz they don't make it anymore.

A Zafira or Senic grande might be good for you, then you could have 7 seats without it being quite as huge as a 'proper' 7 seater. And still have lots of boot space (if you're not using the back 2 seats)

mamalocco · 28/03/2007 09:42

Really like my Renault Scenic - am changing either to a Grand Scenic or a Citroen C4. Both have 5 proper seats. plus 2 which can fold down for even larger boot.

confusedandignorant · 28/03/2007 09:44

It sounds strange now but we had a mini even for three children (the DC's one and two were old enough not to need special seats) only changed as it was getting old.

emat · 28/03/2007 10:34

Maybe a Peugeot 307 sw?
We got a second hand one and just got 6 seats so that we still had room for the buggy. You can get 7 seats but here isn't much boot space then.
I love it because it doesn't look like a bus and you can get it in a 1.6cc. The seats in the back are really flexible so you can put the middle seat in the boot and have your boot space in the middle.

Original poster
annieapple7 · 28/03/2007 20:54

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. I would prefer 5 seats from a style point of view, but am worried about siblings being seated too close together and squabbling, or poking the baby in the face when I am driving!
I was wondering about a Ford S-max or a Citreon Picasso C4 which have had good reviews...anyone drive one?

OP posts:
susie40 · 29/03/2007 15:41

BIL just got a VW Touran - heavily pg SIL can fit in the rear middle seat in between 2 child seats, so plenty of room. It has 2 extra foldaway seats in the back for occasional use. They are very pleased with it.

Original poster
annieapple7 · 29/03/2007 21:43

Thanks I saw a Touran outside school this week - it looks really good.

OP posts:
Flumpybumpy · 29/03/2007 21:48

We have just bought a Kia Sedona. 7 seats bags of boot space and lovely to drive. Got mine 2nd hand 2003 with loads of kit (CD, DVD player, Sat Nav etc...) for £8,500.

Definitely worth a look.......

Kia Sedona

FB x

Flumpybumpy · 29/03/2007 21:49

Meant to say the seats come out so if you only want 4 seats, 5 or six you can move them all around. Only got on Sunday and have already had all the seats in and out!!!!!

FB x

Loopymumsy · 30/03/2007 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
annieapple7 · 30/03/2007 22:26

the kia looks good value and the sliding doors must be fab

OP posts: