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Original poster

Car for 4 under 4 plus double buggy - what will fit us all?

26 replies

accessorizequeen · 09/06/2008 20:31

DP and I are trying to figure out which of the people carriers might be big enough for all 6 of us plus a double buggy when dt's born in Sept. We're prepared to change some (all?) of our car seats rather than buy a more expensive car but v.keen on isofix for the dt's.

We will need two group 0, one group 1 and a high back booster. We have all maxi cosi at present (Group 0, Cabriofix/Group 1 Priori and Booster Rodi).

I am thinking of buying a phil&teds side by side double which will be fairly bulky when folded I imagine. Could be swayed into a 2nd double suitable for car I guess.

I think the Citroen C8 might fit as I know someone with one and they have 4 kids plus a double. What else is out there please and if you have one or have tried it out please give me your pros and cons!! Very grateful indeed, I do not want to trek around car yards in the heat unnecessarily!

OP posts:

Ecmo · 09/06/2008 20:39

We have a Peugeot 806 which is great for most of the time.

It doesnt have much space behind the back seat thou (we have a bench seat at the back but also have the 2 individual seats to go there too). The seats are also quite heavy to take in and out.
We do manage to go away in it with 4 children and a dog cage! I got the Peugeot because of the sliding doors which are absolutely brilliant and so convienient when parking.

If I was able to buy anything. I would probably go for a VW Caravelle or whatever the VW MPV is called now! HTH

LoveMyGirls · 09/06/2008 20:41

Not much of a clue about cars but I do have a renault espace (an old one) and it has 7 seats I currently have 4 0-4yr old car seats plus 1 booster and I've taken the middle seat out for more room (dp has his own car) and I have a double buggy in the back.

I think the problem you will have is getting a people carrier which will accomodate rear facing seats in the back of the car, I can only have 1 baby in the passenger side in mine. The seatbelts in the espace aren't long enough to go all the way round a rear facing seat.

Hope someone more helpful comes along soon.

LoveMyGirls · 09/06/2008 20:41

Hope someone more helpful comes along soon.

Twelvelegs · 09/06/2008 20:47

I have a new grand espace and it has easily movable seats and individually seat belted seat, independent which means the seats move with a child strapped in them. You can take out any of the seats with ease and so I would remove one at the back for your buggy.
It's not the cheapest option.

snooks · 09/06/2008 20:50

We've got a Chrysler Grand Voyager (7 seats) with 3 dcs ranging from 3.8 to 6 weeks. Also a P&T tandem buggy - the boot is HUGE, buggy fits in practically without folding it.

Ours is oldish though, would def buy another Grand Voyager again, hopefully one with electric doors and swivel seats![wishlist emoticon]

Original poster

accessorizequeen · 09/06/2008 21:36

Ooh, thanks, some I didn't know about there although I think dp mentioned a chrysler which I am assuming is v.pricey! We have a Peugeot 307SW now and I love it to bits, sliding doors sound good too, I can see the advantage there.

DP has his own car too, but we want something for days out as a family really, that's quite important to us.

I'm not sure that the rear facing seatbelt problem would be one as we'd be using isofix for the group 0 seats?

Lovemygirls & twelvelegs, how do you find the espace for driving & comfort?

I think the vw mpv is the Touran, but there's one in our street & it didn't look like there was much boot space once all the seats in?

Worth thinking about whether seats have to be taken out or can fold down from this - ds1 will be at school come sept so I was thinking I could maybe fit some shopping in if just taking the dt's with me (ds2 at nursery a few days). Was that a factor for anyone?

OP posts:

mumo75 · 09/06/2008 21:40

ive got 2!!
hubby has a VW Caravelle 8 seater
i have a VW Transporter 9 seater

both are great and you can get a 6-7 seater Caravelle, i can fit a double mountain buggy in both of the boots without folding it

ive fitted 8-9 adults in ours

and ive also had 5 child seats
2x 0-9months
2x 9months-4 yrs
1x 4 yrs -??

Original poster

accessorizequeen · 09/06/2008 21:43

Ooh, two more good ones there mum075! I thought Touran was biggest. Would be extra good if we could put another booster in there for one of ds1's friends to come out with us or am I being ambitious taking 5 kids out for the day! I shall look at both of those, how do you find them otherwise to drive, park - I tried a Mazda 5/6? when pg last time and it felt like a bus to me but I guess I was moving from a Yaris!

OP posts:

mumo75 · 09/06/2008 21:49

it took a while to get used to parking etc, but now i wouldnt have anything else!!!

the driving position is great ,i can see over most of other cars so can see whats coming

im a foster parent and i have 5(nearly 6) of my own children, and buying one/both of these cars/vans/people carriers has been the best thing we as a family have ever bought

MuchLessTiredNow · 09/06/2008 21:51

just got a new galaxy. Love it, and can get a double buggy behind the rear 2 seats with all 7 seats in it (and Fords are v cheap to service and spare parts_).

MuchLessTiredNow · 09/06/2008 21:53

galaxy can get 3 big seats in side by side in middle row too.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 09/06/2008 21:53

Fiat Multipla has 3 individual seats at the front and 3 at the back. The boot space isn't too bad either, although I don't know about a double buggy.

Original poster

accessorizequeen · 09/06/2008 21:54

Ah, I understand now about the two people carriers mum075! I never thought I'd love a station wagon, so I guess I can get used to a people carrier!

Thanks, muchlesstired now, I'd peeked at a few galaxies but couldn't be sure what would fit. They don't seem that enormous to me, well worth a look.

OP posts:

StudentMadwife · 09/06/2008 21:58

uggh, but that is soooooo the ugliest car ever made

StudentMadwife · 09/06/2008 22:00

along with the berlingo of course, but the multipla wins the top ugly award definately

Original poster

accessorizequeen · 09/06/2008 22:01

Aren't they all though? I do yearn for my little ford ka pre-kids though some would say equally ugly!

OP posts:

CristinaTheAstonishing · 09/06/2008 22:03

SM, couldn't agree more, it's an ugly thing and I used to point and snigger. But once inside I fell in love with it and 2 weeks later I had bought one!

Teaandcake · 10/06/2008 08:47

Hello AQ, I don't have any useful info to answer you question about cars but I see you are looking at the Phil & Teds side by side buggy.

We've had loads of returns with this model and as a result we don't sell it anymore. It seems incredible that the tandem P&T works so well (it is a great buggy) but the twin model is so poorly built.

Sorry, just wanted to warn you.

Twelvelegs · 10/06/2008 09:18

Chrysler Grand Voyager get less than 2 stars in NCAP tests, basically in a collision the driver would have legs and chest crushed.

sorkycake · 10/06/2008 09:27

I covet a CGV they're beautiful! Def the best looking of the MPV's, BUT the NCAP is horrific.

The new 08 model looks awful too.

From 02 I think they improved the rating to the 2 stars they have now. Pre-02 you stood a god chance of being decapitated in a collision. Now it's just severe chest & leg injuries!

They look great tho.

Does anyone know what the ncap is on a galaxy?

Original poster

accessorizequeen · 10/06/2008 09:29

Eeek, twelvelegs, thanks for the headsup.

Teaandcake, I'm v.sorry to hear that, rats! Haven't come across many who own it, and this is probably why!

OP posts:

Turniphead1 · 10/06/2008 09:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Twelvelegs · 10/06/2008 10:11

Ford Galaxy NCAP report

Twelvelegs · 10/06/2008 10:14

NCAP results

large MPV
small MPV
large family car

sorkycake · 10/06/2008 21:39

Oh 12legs you star!

Thank you so much

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