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Original poster

those of you with 5 or more children - which car do you drive?

29 replies

Pollyanna · 05/01/2008 10:35

We are due to have our 5th child in March and will need a new car.

We currently drive a Zafira and it is too cramped - no luggage space etc (and a pretty crap car too tbh!)

Does anyone have any recommendations of a larger car (or bus?) that we can fit 5 children in, plus pushchairs.

We also need the car for holidays....

Thanks!

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 05/01/2008 10:41

how many pushchairs ? What is your budget ?

Tiggiwinkle · 05/01/2008 10:43

We have a VW Caravelle-it is the only people carrier to offer decent luggage space as well as 7 seats.

Original poster
Pollyanna · 05/01/2008 10:46

Hopefully one single pushchair. 3 in car seats. ALot of coats, bags and junk, and occasional shopping trips. One or 2 longer trips a year with luggage.

We don't have a budget - as we can't afford a new car now really, so not £50k or anything like that - will prob be looking second hand.

I am also a bit anti 4x4 bull bar cars, and am not interested in lots of gadgets and toys and how cool the car is (although dh might be more ). Safety, size, cost and reliability (our Zafira has broken down alot) are the most important things

OP posts:
Tiggiwinkle · 05/01/2008 10:48

I would defintely have a look at the caravelle-they are great and very practical!

nannyL · 05/01/2008 10:59

Crysler grand voyager is pretty big and still has a reasonable sized boot.

Pretty sure you will all fit in

MY aut / uncle have a big family and they have a roof box ffor on top of their people carrier that they use when they go on holiday

137wallis · 05/01/2008 12:35

we have a vauxhall sintra, and have had a puergot 806 which can have 8 seats, we have 5 kids but find the extra seat really handy and you never know when no.6 may come along, we have all been on holiday, (with a roof box) with pushchair for newborn, stroller for toddler holdall each for kids, plus suitcase for us food ect and still been comfortable, they both have sliding doors aswell, great for parking and getting kids out! and we need 2 carseats and 2 boosters, had to get a forward facing britax for ds4 which fits with just a lap belt though!

UniversallyChallenged · 05/01/2008 12:52

toyota previa

great boot space - enough for a double and single buggy

also has bench seats so more roomy for bigger dcs

largevirginbirthandtonic · 05/01/2008 13:04

I second the Toyota We have one and 6 children, it has fantastic boot space and they all sit on booster\car seats with no problems. We went camping in the summer and managed to fit it all in tent and all!!!

Congratulations

Slacker · 05/01/2008 13:28

XC90, but know several people with the Caravelle and they do look very spacious.

Elphaba · 05/01/2008 13:37

We have a Chrysler GV which has 7 large, comfy seats and a good boot.

juuule · 05/01/2008 15:15

If we all need to go anywhere together then we borrow a car, giving us 2 cars.
Apart from that, we either can't all go together or we walk.
We did have an espace for a while which was great. Lots of room. But then it became too small. (There are now 11 of us)

Original poster
Pollyanna · 05/01/2008 17:46

I am now thinking that 6 children wouldn't be such a bad thing LGAT! (haven't had no 5 yet, so jumping the gun a bit I expect...)

Do they still make the Toyota previa?

OP posts:
NAB3wishesfor2008 · 05/01/2008 17:50

Grand Scenic has 7 seats but you would loose on boot space if you used the boot 2 seats all the time.

largevirginbirthandtonic · 06/01/2008 12:07

They do still make it Pollyanna, a lovely sparkly version. Ours is a Jap Import and pretty old but does the job

Course we are trying for #7 now and will need another seat! Hve no idea what to get next, reluctant to change it really. I do not want a minibus...

Original poster
Pollyanna · 06/01/2008 14:57

dh is saying we have to get a minibus - he had a very enjoyable couple of hours yesterday looking at the commercial vehicles websites of each manufacturer

I would like to look at the Chrysler Grand Voyager, but dh says it is too small (and too expensive)

OP posts:
MABS · 06/01/2008 15:13

Pollyanna!!! wash your mouth out m'dear! 6 children !!

mumo75 · 07/01/2008 18:59

VW CARAVELLE-- up to 8 seats

VW TRANSPORTER-- up to 9 seats

we have both,i have the transporter Shuttle with 9 seats and DH has an 8 seater Caravelle.

Best in the world wouldnt have any other ones,can and have carried 8-9 adults or 8-9 children in car seats

sugar34plum · 07/01/2008 19:05

i ave a chyrsler grand voyager and i love it. I have had a few other 7 seaters but to me this is perfect.

Lots of room and pure comfort. Driving this is like sitting in a comfy armchair and gliding a long the road its lovely.

mumo75 · 07/01/2008 20:11

VW's--- i can fit my double Mountain Buggy in boot without folding it!!!

Original poster
Pollyanna · 07/01/2008 20:14

sugar34plum if all the seats are full/occupied is there much luggage space in the Grand Voyager?

OP posts:
kittywise · 07/01/2008 20:16

Mercedes vito traveliner- 9 seater

kittywise · 07/01/2008 20:17

I can put a double buggy in the boot without folding, plus a single buggy and lots of other crap

miniandme · 07/01/2008 21:19

We have 3 kids and are expecting twins in the next couple of days and have invested in a 9 seater transit minibus. Its perfect we can both drive it on our licences we hold, we have 1 booster seat for DD,2 0-4 yr car seats now fitted for impending twins and ds1 and ds2 can bothe have their own seats away from each other!!
This allows for all the rubbish that goes in tow with kids plus the huge double pram we have

sugar34plum · 08/01/2008 09:28

pollyanna

there is loads of room. I used to have a mothercare twin 3 wheeler pushchair which is huge and it fitted in the boot with room to spare!

imo its the best 7 seater cr there is.

Original poster
Pollyanna · 08/01/2008 09:37

I haven't got the mercedes on the list yet - I will look at that too.
dh wants us to get a minibus

(I can't see that he will want to drive it to work every day though)

OP posts: