Recommendations for a car for up to 2 kids (+ are saloon roof lines too low?)

Andrewf20

Hey folks,

We are looking into buy a car for up to 2 kids and we were looking for some advice.

What are peoples opinions of the low roof line of a passat / octavia etc versus a higher roof line of a Quasqai / Tiida etc? Some parents we know recommended a high roof line, as its less stress on the back while taking kids in and out of the child seat. What is the general feeling on this?

Also - what would you's recommend as a car? I was thinking of maybe going for something like a 2010 Nissan Tiida. Awful looking car but seem good value 2nd hand and a relation of ours recommended one.

Heres our criteria:

Budget: 8.5K euro
<80K miles
Petrol 1.5 - 2L (will be doing low mileage)
Reasonably sized boot.

Any other tips welcome.

Thanks.

colm_mcm

It is true about the higher roof being handy.
I'm not buying an MPV or a fake jeep though


Please don't buy a Tiida.

NIMAN

Golf Plus has a higher roof, hasn't it?

colm_mcm

It does, Seat Altea same idea but probably easier to find

Atlantis50

Nissan Note has a higher roofline than the Tiida and is a better car to drive. Also more child friendly.

You could get a 2010 or 2011 one on your budget.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/note

Andrewf20

Cheers guys. Yep the Nissan note and the seat altea also look like options. Also the Honda Jazz. Im a little concerned about the boot size in them for buggies and shopping etc although they do have vertical space despite the lack of boot space in the over hang like a Tiida.

colm_mcm

The Altea has a huge boot to be fair, the Jazz and Note are from a size class below the Tiida-Golf Plus-Altea etc.

TRS30

Have you looked at a Ford C Max? We have a 09 1.8 petrol and have had no issues since purchase in the last year. It's nice and high so easier for the missus to lift the car seat in and out and also higher driving position so she feels safer driving. Boot is big enough for buggy and shopping. Are two ISO FIX points in the back.

It's not the most exciting and will win no driving awards however is solid and reliable and cheap enough to run.

walus

What age are the kids? Will they get into the seats themselves and what class of the child seat they are in?
Higher roof line is one thing to consider. Others are height of the seat (how far you need to bend over with the kid in your arms - inversely proportional to the pain in the back) and how wide the door open.

I know for the fact that MPVs are best at those. SUV are second best. That is of course if the driving experience is way down on your list.