Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Nosey question ~ If you have one or two children and only have one car for you family - what is it?

34 replies

TodayToday · 04/06/2008 11:43

Our large saloon is on its last legs and we'll need to get a new (for us) car this year. We have two children and we're beyond the bulky baby equipment stage.

We're wondering if we can get away with getting a smaller car. We'd have to get a roof box as we got camping a few weeks per year but it seems silly to buy a car with a large boot just for a few weeks camping. However, I wouldn't want a tiny boot either.

So what do you have and what do you like about it? Am I missing something? Do we need a 'family' car? Is there such a thing as a small family car?

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 04/06/2008 11:47

We have a Vauxhall Zafira. We also have a top box.

We used to go to France for 2-3 weeks every summer, as well as short breaks away golfing, (often with 5 adults in the car) so having a large boot was pretty important.

We also have to drive 200+ miles to see my dad and 120+ miles to see PILs, so again, a larger car/bigger boot was important.

I also wanted a car that could seat at least 6 for when our parents came to visit.

I used to drive Renault Scenic, which is a smaller family car, and that was great - just couldn't accommodate 6 people. I think they're a bit bigger now, so this might be more feasible?

Bink · 04/06/2008 11:48

Audi (A4, but ds (9) is so huge we think we might have to move up to A6).

Like 99.9999999999% of people we know...

iwouldgoouttonight · 04/06/2008 11:50

We have an old Honda Civic but it only has three doors and is a pain to get DS into his seat in the back (one or both or us always gets a bumped head!). Its on its last legs anyway so thinking about getting a Ford Fiesta (5 door) as my parents have one and we can easily fit everything in theirs. Possibly a Ford Focus has a bigger boot though?

Twinkie1 · 04/06/2008 11:50

We have a golf but will be getting a volvo or audi next year - car not too small but are getting a dog and need one fo those cage things in the back.

Golf is excellent though and they don't lose much value!

MuffinMclay · 04/06/2008 11:53

Ford Focus?

Original poster
TodayToday · 04/06/2008 11:56

Ah - I forgot to add that we plan to get a dog in about a year. Probably a medium sized dog. I guess we need to take that into account.

OP posts:
hanaflower · 04/06/2008 11:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

preggersplayspop · 04/06/2008 12:00

We have a Honda Jazz, with its 'magic' seats. Apparently holds its resale value very well. Not much ooomph but very easy to drive.

OrmIrian · 04/06/2008 12:07

We have a Renault Laguna for 5 of us. It's OK. Big boot, enough leg room (for now). But it's very very old and we might have to bite the bullet and get a new one. We're toying with the idea of a MPV but I'm a bit worried about the tax implications and the petrol costs.

mumoftwo37 · 04/06/2008 12:11

We have a Citroen Picasso as DH is 6' 4" and I am disabled so we need room for wheelchair etc, we have 2 DSs who are quite tall too.
My sister has a Golf with 3 kids and they find that ok but they don't put their dog in it.
OrmIrian don't know about tax implications but our car is a 1.6i diesel and we get agout 650 miles to a tankful if that helps - we had a scenic before and it was nowhere near as economical.

CatIsSleepy · 04/06/2008 12:11

we have a ford focus, and one child-we're still carting travel cots etc about and it's fine

not sure where you'd put the dog though!

StarlightMcKenzie · 04/06/2008 12:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

frogs · 04/06/2008 12:15

Have a 10 year-old volvo V70 (the big boxy one). I love it (it has the extra fold-down seats in the back for extra children). It is very thirsty though.

We have three kids (school-age) and fill the boot up even if we just go away for a weekend. Ds plays the cello, which takes up a lot of space. Big boots are great, you can always find something to put in them.

Fanella · 04/06/2008 12:16

We have a nice little Daewoo Lanos plus a roofbox. It's fine for us when travelling - me, DH, DD and small dog. I think it would be too small for 2 dcs plus dog though.

sarah293 · 04/06/2008 12:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
TodayToday · 04/06/2008 13:23

I'd better make sure none of the children take up the cello then

Would a Citroen Picasso take a dog in the boot?

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 04/06/2008 13:27

I heart my Nissan Qashqai, but they're only really new at the moment, don't know if that's an option for you. Or you might get a used one in a few months.

It's fab, plenty big enough but not too big, it's an absolute dream to park, and you're fairly high up as well, which is nice. We have got the basic model which comes with all sorts, including bluetooth which is great. And we have a dog as well as a DS.

I don't work for Nissan I promise!

bozza · 04/06/2008 13:40

We have a Volvo S40 which is fine for us. When the DC were little and needing equipment we had a roof box. But we have not use this since summer 2006. However with a dog in the equation an estate (so the V50) would probably be better. Volvo going this weekend though and being replaced by new Audi A4 which looks quite big IMO.

Am cheating though because we also have a Suzuki Swift which is much too small for a family car.

Blu · 04/06/2008 13:48

1 child, Fiat Punto.
Can just about squeeze camping stuff in without a box on top.
You need to really look at boot capacity - some are much bigger than others.

MrsBumblebee · 04/06/2008 14:17

1 baby, 1 car. Golf 1.4 (I wanted the 1.6 but DH put his foot down...). Love it. Plenty of room for all DS's crap (so far).

Cappuccino · 04/06/2008 14:18

Citroen Berlingo

two kids

wheelchair

camping stuff

the boot is huge

suedonim · 04/06/2008 14:32

I have a VW Polo, which is adequate for our needs (I once carried my two dd's, a futon from Ikea and a supermarket shop in mine!!) and I've been on holiday with it. We also had an Astra at one time, also a good workhorse car.

If space is an issue for holidays, hiring a larger car for a week or two is always an option.

katz · 04/06/2008 14:40

we have just changed from a scenic to a micra! best decision ever, cheaper to tax, insure and run. we decided to go small for day to day and look to hire for that once or twice a year we might need a bigger car.

katz · 04/06/2008 14:40

should say we have a 3 year old and 5.5 year old

Washersaurus · 04/06/2008 14:51

2 children and a Citroen Xsara Picasso (AKA the badger-mobile) - fairly cheap to run and LOADS of room