I can finally afford a new car - what should I have? Help!!

[allyco]

finally, after years and years I can think about a new car. Want something about a 1.8 or 2.00 litre with a boot big enough for double buggy and some shopping.

Thinking of a Mazda 6 or something thereabouts in size Any ideas/recommendations/defintite no-nos?.

If possible, and how girly is this, I would like something in a nice colour too

how many children? would anything like a Picaso be any good?

New Ford Focus is excellent and good value for money.

well - 5 children in total but eldest doesn't count cos at uni so really: one fairly big one, one middle-sized one, a toddler and a baby.

Never thought of a Picasso... hhmm..

Had looked at a Focus but thought a bit short on boot space, what do you think? Again, don't know that I would fit three in the back...

I have the older model Focus with 3 kids (one in a bulky car seat), they all fit in brilliantly. Boot space in mine is good compared to other hatchbacks in it's class but I've never tried to fit a dbl buggy into it. Is the estate an option ?

i really do like the renault scenic but it might be a bit big and i must admit, it is a bit boring.

We have the focus C-max (which I keep recommending on here!) and it has good boot space and also fits three car seats accross the back. There were some good deals on them in the summer and so they are well worth a look I think. I can fit various buggys in the back of mine but one thing to watch is that the plastic panels that line the sides of the boot are quite deep so it does reduce the boot width somewhat.

theres also a smaller car than a picasso called a renault Idea. Mum and dad just got one and they are really good value and still quitespacious but not 7 seats I'm afraid.

Dh has a Mazda 6 and we love it. I have an Astra, that is more basic but also excellent, and cheaper. One is silver and the other is dark blue, both lovely, even though we didn't choose them. Not sure either is big enough for your family, though. Why don't you go to a showroom with all seats etc and just try a few cars...?

I've had my new Picasso for a week now and I LOVE it

the c-max, the piccasso, the scenic. these are all fantastic IMO. they are just so practical and nice to drive. smallish but drive like a people carrier. removable seats and little gadgets. i can stuff so much ikea stuff in the back of mine... it's dangerous!

Picasso is great -good sized boot, room for 3 in back seat (even with car seat/booster seats). DD loves ours -thinks it looks like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage .

PS -Daddy Cool -did I see you laugh at my name on another thread?

yup! i just thought it was funny.

ooh does the focus cmax fit three car seats along the back? interesting...

vauxhall zafira

we have an octavia, great value for money (it's a golf, but not at golf prices).
& the boot is VAST, seriously you could lose things in there!!

Found the Fiat Multipla is fab, if you like/can get over the way it looks on the outside - we get a lot of abuse for that, but love it, so practical, you could fit all 5 kids in, lots of boot space, can put baby in front middle seat, much easier than in the back! Can fit 3 car seats in the back if you want/need to, lots of leg room, double sunroof option, all back seats come out to fit loads of stuff in back, could go on, I love it!