5 door automatic to fit 3 small kids

slipstream

Looking for a reliable 5 door automatic for 5 - 10k.

Has to be able to fit 3 kids (5/3/6months) in the back!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Honda FR-V

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-fr-v-1-7-litre-petrol/9807176



Expensive in auto format, could get a manual for €2k less but one pays for their luxuries sometimes

slipstream

would a jap import version be a problem?

also, would the 1.7 petrol version be the one to get?

I don't think the jap import factor would be an issue.
Regarding the engine, unless you are doing mega miles I can't see the 1.7 being too heavy on petrol or anything.

The FR-V is a great option imo as even with all the kids in the back there's still the 3 seats up front, admittedly the middle one isn't wonderful but it's quite adequate for a 10 / 20 minute spin.

slipstream

Augeo wrote: »

I don't think the jap import factor would be an issue.
Regarding the engine, unless you are doing mega miles I can't see the 1.7 being too heavy on petrol or anything.

The FR-V is a great option imo as even with all the kids in the back there's still the 3 seats up front, admittedly the middle one isn't wonderful but it's quite adequate for a 10 / 20 minute spin.

yeah, the format sounds good but from reviews the rear visibility isn't great so maybe a parking sensor would come in handy.

i'll try to organize a test drive and see what the family think.

thanks for the advise!

slipstream

I talked to one of the Japanese importers of automatic Honda FRVs.

A couple of issues are that the radio cannot be replaced as its built into the dash and an FM band expander cannot be used due to terminal shape mismatch.

Also, the dash display and GPS cannot be converted from Japanese to English and Irish maps.

I would imagine I should be able to hook up my phone to an input so I wouldn't be hugely concerned about the radio or dash display/GPS issues.

A bigger concern would be getting parts in the future. Anyone know what this is like for Hondas?

Also, any other tips on other cars that would suit?

Cheers!

bazz26

Toyota Corolla Verso is worth a look though the MMT gearbox is not great:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla-Verso/1.8-Luna/154614289338418000/

slipstream

bazz26 wrote: »

Toyota Corolla Verso is worth a look though the MMT gearbox is not great:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla-Verso/1.8-Luna/154614289338418000/

Not sure I like the sound of the MMT gearbox based on the first couple of articles I read!

bazz26

You choices in cars that can seat 3 kids across the back with a decent automatic gearbox are fairly limited.

Audioslaven

You will get three kids in the back of a Toyota Prius. A super car that will give you very little grief, very economical as well. I know its not what your looking at in your post but this is what i would go for

slipstream

Audioslaven wrote: »

You will get three kids in the back of a Toyota Prius. A super car that will give you very little grief, very economical as well. I know its not what your looking at in your post but this is what i would go for

My missus had a Prius years ago in the US and the back seat didn't look very big. Are you sure we could fit 3 child seats across the back?

bazz26

VW Touran:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Touran/1.4-AUTOMATIC/31113524799971660/

road_high

slipstream wrote: »

I talked to one of the Japanese importers of automatic Honda FRVs.

A couple of issues are that the radio cannot be replaced as its built into the dash and an FM band expander cannot be used due to terminal shape mismatch.

Also, the dash display and GPS cannot be converted from Japanese to English and Irish maps.

I would imagine I should be able to hook up my phone to an input so I wouldn't be hugely concerned about the radio or dash display/GPS issues.

A bigger concern would be getting parts in the future. Anyone know what this is like for Hond

Also, any other tips on other cars that would suit?

Cheers!

So basically no radio at all? Sounds horrific to me, that would drive me insane!! I think Id try seek an Irish or UK example and pay that bit extra. And least you could have some way to check history/service. I don't think those jap imports add up at all unless for very specialist cars. They are in the main auction fodder sold off cheaply in Japan.
My family had two if these in the past (both Hondas, a Jazz/city and a Civic). Both were poor buys in retrospect as they add problems that were never solved. I was only a kid at the time so obviously had no input but from that experience I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
Incidentally, my Ma stick with Honda, but all dealer/Irish cars. Those were ultra reliable by comparison.

slipstream

road_high wrote: »

So basically no radio at all? Sounds horrific to me, that would drive me insane!! I think Id try seek an Irish or UK example and pay that bit extra. And least you could have some way to check history/service. I don't think those jap imports add up at all unless for very specialist cars. They are in the main auction fodder sold off cheaply in Japan.
My family had two if these in the past (both Hondas, a Jazz/city and a Civic). Both were poor buys in retrospect as they add problems that were never solved. I was only a kid at the time so obviously had no input but from that experience I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
Incidentally, my Ma stick with Honda, but all dealer/Irish cars. Those were ultra reliable by comparison.

I'm looking at a Jap import FRV at a dealer tomorrow (Tom Walsh in Baldoyle) and will ask for definite information on the radio.

I'd much prefer an Irish/UK version but the last time an auto FRV was sold on adverts.ie was over a year ago so it could be a long wait!

road_high

slipstream wrote: »

I'm looking at a Jap import FRV at a dealer tomorrow (Tom Walsh in Baldoyle) and will ask for definite information on the radio.

I'd much prefer an Irish/UK version but the last time an auto FRV was sold on adverts.ie was over a year ago so it could be a long wait!

If you can compromise on the auto box, I've seen a few nice examples of Irish reg cars online of the FRV. I just think those Jap imports are not all they appear to be, but I'm sure lots of others have had likely had positive experiences in contrast to our own families.

slipstream

road_high wrote: »

If you can compromise on the auto box, I've seen a few nice examples of Irish reg cars online of the FRV. I just think those Jap imports are not all they appear to be, but I'm sure lots of others have had likely had positive experiences in contrast to our own families.

My missus can only drive automatics which makes finding a suitable car a lot more complicated!

unkel

Only in Ireland where folks buy / advise people carriers / MPVs when their first child is on the way :rolleyes:

@slipstream - large slightly older normal cars are very cheap to buy here (cheaper than anywhere else in the world) and will have loads of space. I have 3 kids myself and fortunately I never followed the advice to buy a people carrier. For very little money you can buy excellent cars like a Mercedes E-class, BMW 5-series, Volvo S80, etc.

slipstream

unkel wrote: »

Only in Ireland where folks buy / advise people carriers / MPVs when their first child is on the way :rolleyes:

@slipstream - large slightly older normal cars are very cheap to buy here (cheaper than anywhere else in the world) and will have loads of space. I have 3 kids myself and fortunately I never followed the advice to buy a people carrier. For very little money you can buy excellent cars like a Mercedes E-class, BMW 5-series, Volvo S80, etc.

Thanks for the advice unkel.

I know next to nothing about car maintenance.Which of those automatics would you say would have the lowest risk of costly mechanical issues?

Also, I forgot to mention that I would only be doing 10k miles a year.

I would only be carrying the kids a few days a week so a 7 seater would be over the top for me.

I like the idea of the flexibility of the FRVs but, having looked at some Jap import automatics, the combination of an unusable radio/display/GPS, unknown potential issues with parts and expensive specialist insurance (as most insurers don't like jap imports) put me off!

bazz26

Nissan Note:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Note/1.6-SVE/152614273056798640/

slipstream

bazz26 wrote: »

Nissan Note:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Note/1.6-SVE/152614273056798640/

thanks for the suggestion bazz.

my brother has a 2006 manual. i would say it would be a tight squeeze for 3 in the back but i will give it a go the next time we see him.

slipstream

bazz26 wrote: »

Nissan Note:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Note/1.6-SVE/152614273056798640/

would the cmax be a similar size/width in the back? and is the autobox on either reliable?

bazz26

C Max will be wider and have more room than the Note. Automatics didn't sell in big numbers though.