Car help needed

[mummywarburton]

Hi all
I've currently got a very old but much loved BMW 3 series. I've got about 4k to buy a new car and have decided against a scenic or szara or other MPV and want to get something a bit different.
I am 6 months pregnant and have a 20 month old. So there will be two car seats and a phil and teds tandem sport to fit in to the car, as well as all the usual stuff such as shopping etc.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a slightly funky, reliable second hand car. I've been thinking about the RAV4, the Audi A2 and the Mercedes Aclass but can't find info on the boot sizes (proper info as to whether my pram will fit) so could do with some honest help and advice.
Thanks in advance. Be brutal. I don't want to regret my purchase.
Sarah and Maggie

i have a 2003 vw golf and can get 3 group 1 car seats in the back, a teutonia spirit s3 in the boot with bags etc and shopping. the book is bigger than i thought but yes stay away from the renault range-very unreliable hence i'm now in a golf with 4 kids!

Why don't you go to the dealerships with the carseats and buggy and test them out? When I was pg with DD3, DH and I visited Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Saab (which was what I had already - still miss it!), Ford, VW and god knows where else, and none of the salespeople batted an eyelid about us testing the stuff in the cars. Even when it ruled them out straight away

Ended up with an MPV though

We took the dog and it's crate around dealerships to see if we could get it all in

I think that funky/reliable/2 DC and paraphenalia is a dream I am afraid!

Merc A class has shocking safety record I think - something to do with engine not being at front.

Does the A2 have three rear seats?

Reliable - Volvo or VW

RAV4 does not have much boot (neighbours had one). I can't conceive of getting a double buggy in there (except maybe MaClaren umbrella folder).

agree with C?larice - funky, reliable, spacious and

how about one of those Minis with the double rear doors? [rummages] the Clubman?

oh, or one of the original-shaped Multiplas?

Or just get a Morris Traveller

Thanks very much. I reckon i am dreaming and having just looked at the rav4 again the boot does look tiny.
Hmmm, i was thinking ford focus cmax which whilst it's not exactly going to set the world on fire it does look really comfy and big.....i was initially thinking the scenic but then read some reviews and there are a lot of problems with the electrics apparantly.
Wish i could keep my bmw but reckon it's going to start costing a bomb and there's just no point in keeping a car that will cost more than it's worth to keep on the road.
CRV was something i looked at but it looks boxy and not as fun as the rav4....also looked at the citreon c3 but that's also been panned on the review sights.
Was going to look at saab too but now they've gone bust i'm assuming they will be super expensive to get parts for?!?!?
Anyone had any dealings with a Landrover Discovery, they are popular and big and look nice but again i've heard some horror stories about their reliability......

We've just bought a Fabia Estate for £4k but its a diesel, so you could probably get the same petrol version for less. Its as big as a focus on the inside - decent bootspace and sufficient room for two child seats comfortably. My co. car is the Octavia Estate - and that has a boot that is all-encompasing! Mountain Buggy used to go in with no problem. Probably would fit the Fabia too although it is slightly shorter and narrrower....

yes, the fabia estate is the same size as the focus estate, give or take - my diesel focus estate was £3k (5yo iirc).
Yesterday I had the big 3wheeler, the carrycot, the Zapp and all the shopping in the boot, a Stage 1 seat and a babyseat (on base with leg) in back, 2 adults in front, and yet it is as nippy, torqey and fun to drive as a Golf-size hatchback. Fab.

Discos are ridiculously thirsty and I doubt you;d get a decent one for £4k. And tbh unless you live somewhere really rural there is no excuse for driving something quite so antisocial, imo.

if you want a landy why not get a Defender? def a bit different!

Defenders are ENORMOUS. My husband was all over them until I pointed out that we really didn't need it and it would make me cry every time I put petrol in it - every day :O)

Thanks people I really do appreciate all your help.....