Advice on 7 seater MVP please!!!

[WentworthMillerMad]

Hi - we had our third baby in feb, have just had huge bill for existing car (v old) and have decided to trade in for a MPV. We need a car that can fit 3 car seats in the back as all kids are under 5!!! then 2 seats in the boot so it can become a 7 seater.
so far i have considered volvo XC 90, toyota verso, honda stream, VW touran.
Anyone got any experience with these cars / advice????? I am not a car person but I need a safe car with room for the 5 of us. want to buy used car, cheap to run blah blah many thanks mummyneters

When we were choosing an MPV (3LOs under 6) it was a very long-term purchase, so we decided that we wanted to be able to carry adults in any of the seats. Dh and I are tall so our LOs are likely to be tall teenagers. We also wanted to have all 7 seats in the car at the same time, not have to take the back 2 out, find somewhere to store them, lug them around and struggle to fit them etc etc etc. The only car we found that could do this was the new model Ford Galaxy. We're very happy with it! It also has a huge boot as a 5-seater, and a respectable one as a 7-seater.

Not any of the cars you're considering, but perhaps of relevance to you (if you also have tall family).

I'm with pretty candles re: size - if we could have afforded it we would have bought a new galaxy (although not strictly correct - prob would have gone for an XC90 or a LR disco!) Anyhoo....we ended up with a seat alhambra - same body as vw sharan and old galaxy but really reliable, cheap to run, ugly as sin (sorry, sorry!) but I love the butt faced darling. WE're all tall and couldn't fit the kids in the rear seats and in the boot seats too as we sit too far back in the front. Not that wide so easy to park, quite long but we fitted parking sensors as I cound't see a thing...best thing ever! Good luckx

Love my Zafira!!! handy cos you don't take the 2 back seats out/in - they slot under the middle seats (back seast in a normal car). It's fab!

Enid made me buy a Multipla - 3 under 5 and we've not regretted it. (Thanks Enid).

We're now expecting number 4 and it will still take us all. DC 1 and 2 will take turns in sharing front middle seat.

We have a Mercedes V Class. Seats in the back face each other and it makes it easy to get dc in and out.

www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/mazda/5-2005.aspx I've only heard good things about this]]

I mean this

Ok, so far for our three under five's we have had a Toyota Picnic, a Vauxhall Zafira, a Fiat Multipla and now have a Peugoet 307 SW. Picnic was good but couldn't fit three seats in very well. The Zafira I found fiddly to do up belts, hard work getting kids in and out and the extra back seats are v hard to get into and useless for children and adults(can only fit some highback boosters on the seats). Multipla ok, seats good, room good, boot ok, but oh so ugly. Hardto park too as wider than normal car. Anyway have just upgraded and after much searching for something non bus like I plumped for the 307SW. Has three seperate seats, same size extra seats in the boot and easy to get in to. Boot good as 5 seater and I can get a pushchair and a few bits in with 7 seats up. 1.6 HDi is v economical and not sluggish. I did test drive the verso though and really liked it, but a little out of our price range this time.

Thank you all so much, it gives me lots to think about, just spotted a ford galaxy on the school run and actually like the look of it (as much as you can like a MVP)!!!!! I think the Honda has 3 seats n the front and this puts me off, like the idea of all 3 in the back for some reason - will starts trawling the second hand show rooms etc

Ps love the Volo xx 90 but its 27k second hand!!!!!!!!

Kia are really good value. Their sedona and carens are both 7 seaters.

i love my mazda5. small, comfortable, sliding doors are great and fairly cheap. hasnt broken down on us yet and the kids love it. we got ours 2 yrs ago and would see another one for ages, but now they are everywhere.

Another vote for the Galaxy ... fabulous car!