Recommendations for an estate please

[LittleB]

I'm pg with DC 2 and have decided that we need to trade in my lovely but quite compact 02 honda civic (which I love) in for an estate, big enough to fit 3-wheeler pushchair and medium size dog in the boot. Any recommendations? Budget will be around 3.5k. looking at Ford Focus, Nissan Primera, that sort of thing, nothing huge and flash please! But reliable and economical are my priorities, what else should I be considering? And how does anyone rate the above? Thanks!!!

I am lusting after a Skoda Fabioa estate. Small car (which I like) with big boot (which I need) and hope to get one when the lease on my company car runs out in December. We have had 3 Skodas in the past and have been very impressed by them in terms of cost (low) and quality (high). The diesels have been really efficient too.

I really rate the Ford Focus estate. Especially the diesel - fantastic mileage. Lots of space.

We have a Ford Focus estate, about 10yrs old, been very reliable in the couple of years we've had it. Fits our buggy in the boot unfolded so quite spacious, not tried with a dog . It's pleasant to drive and although not particularly economical on fuel (not bad but not particularly good iyswim) parts if needed are cheap and easy to get hold of and can take it anywhere to be serviced.

Brilliant, thanks, keep them coming!

Honda Accord Estate, we have one and it's a lovely ride. Ours has had lots of problems sadly, but that's unusual for a Honda. Ours is 7 years old and would be worth around £4k.

Mondeo estate and Passat estate are also highly regarded.