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Original poster

Pregnant and in need of a family car... what car do you have?

37 replies

mamabear7 · 05/02/2019 15:20

Hi all,

I'm only a couple of months pregnant but trying to think ahead so I'm not trying to do stuff at 30+ weeks! I've sadly accepted that my trusty, wonderful Fiat 500 just isn't going to work easily with a baby. 3 doors, can't fit a car seat easily, tiny boot.. you get the idea.

I am wondering what well-priced cars you have that work with your children? It needs to fit a Maxi-Cosi Pebble (my friend is selling me her new unused seat and isofix for cheap!) and still have leg room for the front seat. Smile

I'm hoping for something not super expensive or massive! I don't like driving big cars so I'm not after something like a Nissan Qashqai as I wouldn't feel comfortable driving something so big. My thought was a Ford Fiesta or Ford Focus - not sure how they are size wise though, in terms of boot or baby car seats?

Please share with me what cars you/your family/friends have, do they work well for a family, how is the boot size, etc etc?

Thank you so much! Smile

OP posts:
Emelene · 05/02/2019 15:24

I have a Citroen c3 Picasso (a step up from my little ford ka) and I love it. Boot is a great size, feels nice and sturdy without being a huge car. I got it for a good price second hand and it's very fuel efficient. Happy hunting!

Stringofpearls · 05/02/2019 15:34

I have a Fiat 500 and an 8 month old baby, I can fit a car seat and pram in as well as shopping and sometimes my husband, it's like a TARDIS! I know what you mean though, my husband has a VW Golf which is more of a family size, it's been really reliable so far and it's nice to drive. I believe the SEAT Leon is basically the same car too.

Original poster
mamabear7 · 05/02/2019 15:39

Stringofpearls wow that's impressive! Which car seat and pram do you have?

OP posts:
Stringofpearls · 05/02/2019 17:13

We have the Jane crosswalk Matrix travel system. The pram bit fits in the boot with wheels on but only just, it's easy if I remove the front ones. I'm not sure whether or not the pushchair bit will fit when she's in that.

IWouldPreferNotTo · 05/02/2019 17:20

I was considering getting a mid size car but went for the larger car as it's just as easy to drive.

Going down the SUV route was ideal for me as tons of space for passengers, loads of boot space and just very comfy to drive. The other option I liked and a friend went for was the C4 Grand Picasso which is just so spacious even with their twins there's still space for other stuff.

Petalflowers · 05/02/2019 17:22

We had a seat Alhambra (sp?) for a while when I was pregnant. It was great, and easy to get in and out of with a large, pregnant bump. Very spacious also.

skyfullofstars · 05/02/2019 17:24

I'd agree that suv aren't necessarily harder to drive. My Honda Crv is much easier to drive and park than smaller cars.
Failing that have a look at a Toyota Corrolla. Totally underrated cars, I've had 2, so reliable and good safety rating and nice size boot!

rosydreams · 05/02/2019 17:31

we got a peugeot estate 308 sw 1.6 its not gigantic like a mpv but it has plenty of space,good for all the kiddie claptrap and great for trips away.

babyworry2018 · 05/02/2019 17:34

I have a Ford Fiesta and a bugaboo bee. We originally wanted compact buggy as we live in a city and have a v narrow hallway but in the end I was really surprised the bee was the only one from our shortlist that would fit in the boot without taking bits off (we had the newborn carrycot which obviously had to be taken off but it and the pram fit in the boot)

I think the bee is the best thing we bought, in general couldn't believe the size of modern buggies. The bee is really sturdy but nimble, and I honestly couldn't cope with disassembling a buggy while dealing with a screaming baby who hates her car seat with a fogged up brain.

I like the fiesta but if you're considering a focus I'd go C max. I believe you can get three car seats across the back, you could def fit three high backed boosters which could be handy in the future for giving lifts.

ElspethFlashman · 05/02/2019 17:36

Skoda Octavia. Biggest interior in the world but still a normal size car for parking etc and not crazy expensive.

babyworry2018 · 05/02/2019 17:37

Oh and we have a besafe isize in the fiesta, you wouldn't fit more than two car seats and the seats are a bit bucket-y. I'd actually recommend joining the car seat advice Uk Facebook group, though do remember that the cost of the car seat pales beside the cost of any car so even if it's free I wouldn't let the car seat affect your choose of car.

bruffin · 05/02/2019 17:39

I30 is a tardis of a car

TeenTitans10 · 05/02/2019 18:34

Vw golf-- has a surprisingly large boot. Loved mine until I got to 4, now I drive a transporter 😁

PotteringAlong · 05/02/2019 18:42

If you want a fiesta size, don’t get the fiesta, get the B-max with the sliding doors. Honestly, they are amazing with car seats. It’s basically a fiesta that’s higher up and the sliding doors make it. I think they do a C-max version with sliding doors if you wanted slightly bigger.

GemmeFatale · 05/02/2019 18:43

Another one voting for the i30. Its on our short list for a second car if we can’t manage with our current sharing arrangement once baby arrives

fairypuff · 05/02/2019 18:47

Just gonna throw the Lia C'eed into the mix. Great boot size, roomy in the back, affordable and extremely dependable. 7 year warranty too. Have had a kia for about 8 years now (2 c'eeds and now a sportage).

fairypuff · 05/02/2019 18:47

*Kia

PaddingtonMare · 05/02/2019 18:53

We have a focus, which has been brilliant. One of the biggest boots for a hatchback (I had a massive M&P pram) and great for camping trips. I’ve done two car seats and a passenger in the back but it’s tight.

The car has a fluffy carpet (why?) which entangles sticky sweets and hides Lego - not brilliant.

Also - keep a tub of bicarbonate of soda in the car when you have little ones to soak up spills and liquids of all sorts and neutralise smells until you can give a proper clean Grin

Hemlock2013 · 05/02/2019 18:56

Ford C-Max here. Feels lovely in a medium car size kinda way. Loads of room for all the rubbish you plus kids have. X plus dog...

MichelleM30 · 05/02/2019 19:00

Aw I loved my wee fiat 500, they are such great cars. I didn't have that when I was pregnant so wasn't a worry. I had a Peugeot 208, small but cld got the prom and was a five door.

I've just leased a Honda Civic SR, the boot is amazing. We had a look at Kia ceed and I wasn't that impressed with the boot. The civic boot can fit 2 full size suitcases and is roomy inside. I also love it on the outside too so I wld recommend. My husband had a Mazda 3 and that's also a good size family car.

MrsBosh · 05/02/2019 19:04

I have a Fiesta and can't fit the chassis and seat (together) in my boot. I have a Silver Cross Wayfarer. I also can't fit in my nornal size umbrella buggy so have to drive with that in the passenger seat.
I'd like a bigger car so although I love my Fiesta I would say it wasn't great for baby.

buginarug · 05/02/2019 20:25

Suzuki Vitara. Compact SUV so not too big, lovely to drive (the newer model has a turbo charged engine), large boot. It's perfect for me and my 2DC; I love it.

RockinRobinTweets · 05/02/2019 20:37

We have a focus - the passenger seat is very far forward with an isize seat in the back. We’re looking for something bigger and are considering a Toyota avensis, Hyundai i40 or Skoda Octavia

cv01jw · 07/02/2019 11:23

I can second the Suzuki Vitara. Size wise it is no bigger than a Focus (possibly a tad smaller) but it has plenty of space inside and a decent sized boot.

If you can find a preregistered one you can also get a bargain.

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