Estate cars - does anyone have a Toyota Avensis, Mazda6, or a new style Mondeo

[MuffinMclay]

and do you like them?

Looking to change our car in the next few months. Key considerations are:

1. good sized boot, able to fit double pushchair and at least one springer spaniel (ideally 2).
2. ease of parking - visibility, blind spots etc
3. fun to drive (as estate cars go)
4. flexibility of drivers seat positioning to suit one short and one tall driver

Rear passenger leg room not important. Depreciation/resale value not important.

Bump.

No, but I've got a Skoda Octavia estate and am very pleased with it. Chose this one on the basis that, at a slight push my husband could sit behind a seat which he could drive from - we can easily adjust the drivers position (upwards as well as forward/back). We've got the ambiente diesel version, so not top of the range, but still find that its got a good deal of speed when its required (rather fun burning off 'sporty hatch-backs' at traffic lights). Have mb (although single) and that goes in either across the width or up the side of the boot. Dog normally sits in foot-well (about same size as springer, but not quite as heavy), although the boot is fine - but she rattles around and prefers the footwell. Going on holiday now fantastic - all luggage fits in boot, ds and dog on back seat. Bliss!

Not keen on the lip in the boot of the Octavia, so we rejected that from our shortlist. We did test drive one and like it from a driving point of view.

We have the Mazda 6 TS Estate. Got it when it first came out, and despite the fact that I would usually never hold onto a car for more than 4-5 years I can't bring myself to look for another car.

I don't have springer spaniels, but the boot is a good size - have had 3 buggies in there when giving lifts etc. I have the reverse parking sensors, but even though I am short I find it fairly easy to park. There is a 12 inch height difference between dh and I, and we can both drive this comfortably. Equally it was still easy to drive when I was pg.

Sounds good. Any niggles with it?

As we bought new I wanted it serviced by a Mazda garage, but the nearest one is miles away so that is always a faff. But actually no, no niggles with the car. In fact I'm not sure that I would find it easy to improve upon, hence my lethargy is looking for a new car.

Got the pre-facelift Mondeo estate 2005. Diesel Ghia. No complaints - easy to drive, excellent visibility, easy to park and transport two boys (aged 6 and 4). Loads of space in the boot too for luggage and bits.
Not overly exciting but very economical, and no surprises! Easy to sort out seating for two height challenged drivers.
HTH