Confused looking at cars - help

maidmarian

So looking at changing my car to a seven seater as baby number 3 due in March. Getting so confused looking at cars and finding it harder to decide what to buy. Hoping if tell you what I need someone might point me in the right direction?? Most important thing is to be able to fit the 3 kids across the middle, so that a high back booster, maxi cosi baby seat and stage 2 seat. As I am becoming a sahm for a while it needs to be economical to run, ie fuel, tax, insurance etc. Need a decent sized boot to fit double buggy etc and also reliable as won't be changed for a while. Hoping to get a 2013 and may look at going up north if it's worth my while. Anyone got suggestions before I stress myself out, tia

colm_mcm

Ford a Grand C Max?

Have you got all the seats already?

Dia1988

Hello Marian,

Some more details would be helpful such as what you currently drive and your budget.

How much mileage will you be doing? Although most likely anything 7 seater will be diesel.

Do you really need a 7 seater with 3 kids?
How long do you plan on having it?

Any features you require gadget wise ?

The important thing is to remain calm and not to stress into buying something you regret later.

maidmarian

colm_mcm wrote: »

Ford a Grand C Max?

Have you got all the seats already?

Yes have the car seats already

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Ford a Grand C Max?

Have you got all the seats already?

Grand C-Max is a bad option - you cannot sit three kids in the 2nd row, and the boot will require magnifing glass when the 3rd is used...

I would turn my attention to the French trio - Peugeot 5008, Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and Renault Grand Scenic. All typically installed engines in there - 1.5 dCI, 1.6 HDI and 2.0 HDI are good motors.

• 1.6 HDI have bad reputation here - can be costly if not serviced properly - but it applies to the older 16V variant. The newer 8V version (from 2012) is much better, but bad smell stays.
• Similarly 1.5 dCi is known for lubrication issues, but that has been fixed around 2011...

Alternatively S-Max would be a good choice, as well as a Toyota Verso. But they hold the value very well, and I could not justify paying that much money for a used car...

I don't think you would want an adult 7-seater - such as Ford Galaxy or Seat Alhambra. I would not touch SUV 7-seaters - they are much less roomy inside than MPVs.

maidmarian

Dia1988 wrote: »

Hello Marian,

Some more details would be helpful such as what you currently drive and your budget.

How much mileage will you be doing? Although most likely anything 7 seater will be diesel.

Do you really need a 7 seater with 3 kids?
How long do you plan on having it?

Any features you require gadget wise ?

The important thing is to remain calm and not to stress into buying something you regret later.

Budget is around 16k, not huge I know hence the reason I'm thinking of looking up north, driving a 09 diesel corolla at the minute, mileage shouldn't be too high for now but I will have to look at going back to work at some stage so it may change then. Was thinking it will be more practical with 7 seats, more boot space with the back 2 seat down or the option to have friends or even granny travel with us but the most important thing will be fitting the three car seats in safely. Hope this car will do at least 5 years. Not fussy on gadgets, value and safety priority but of course a nice looking car is always more appealing. Trying my best to keep level headed and not panic but baby due in a few weeks and would love to have something something sorted before then.

colm_mcm

grogi wrote: »

Grand C-Max is a bad option - you cannot sit three kids in the 2nd row, and the boot will require magnifing glass when the 3rd is used...

I would turn my attention to the French trio - Peugeot 5008, Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and Renault Grand Scenic. All typically installed engines in there - 1.5 dCI, 1.6 HDI and 2.0 HDI are good motors.

• 1.6 HDI have bad reputation here - can be costly if not serviced properly - but it applies to the older 16V variant. The newer 8V version (from 2012) is much better, but bad smell stays.
• Similarly 1.5 dCi is known for lubrication issues, but that has been fixed around 2011...

Alternatively S-Max would be a good choice, as well as a Toyota Verso. But they hold the value very well, and I could not justify paying that much money for a used car...

I don't think you would want an adult 7-seater - such as Ford Galaxy or Seat Alhambra. I would not touch SUV 7-seaters - they are much less roomy inside than MPVs.

Booster in the middle and seats either side?

Dia1988

Have you looked at the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira Tourer? (The new model)

They're quite spacious!

slave1

SMax, we were in same boat and three full seats all independently movable for baby seats and boosters, we had her 5 years I think and it was bulletproof for us, sold her two weeks back 09 for €8k with 139k Kms so that may give you an indication of value

maidmarian

slave1 wrote: »

SMax, we were in same boat and three full seats all independently movable for baby seats and boosters, we had her 5 years I think and it was bulletproof for us, sold her two weeks back 09 for €8k with 139k Kms so that may give you an indication of value

I love the look of the smax, did you have the 1.6 or 2l.

James Bond Junior

Neighbour is in your exact position and bought an s max. Delighted with it

Lantus

What about a large saloon like an Octavia. I have friends with 3 kid seats in back and boot is gargantuan. Solid and reliable and you'd get a lot for your money for 16 k

grogi

Lantus wrote: »

What about a large saloon like an Octavia. I have friends with 3 kid seats in back and boot is gargantuan. Solid and reliable and you'd get a lot for your money for 16 k

There never was a saloon Octavia.

maidmarian

Thanks for everyone's replies, put a deposit on an smax titanium today, hoping I made the right choice!

Dia1988

maidmarian wrote: »

Thanks for everyone's replies, put a deposit on an smax titanium today, hoping I made the right choice!

Congrats!

In fairness, the S-Max is the pick of the bunch!

Post a pic here of it when you collect it!

Btw, What garage is open on Sunday or was it a private sale?

slave1

maidmarian wrote: »

I love the look of the smax, did you have the 1.6 or 2l.

1.8 diesel, 1,000kms+ on a full tank with mixed driving

jlm29

How is the smax on rear leg room? We are a family of tall people! The galaxy is an awful tank of a yoke, and I really don't want one. I find that extended rear facing seats take so much from passenger the passenger seat, at the moment I'm driving a focus, and the front seat is barely usable. I need a bigger car now, with three full back seats, and the smax is the front runner at the moment!

grogi

jlm29 wrote: »

How is the smax on rear leg room? We are a family of tall people!

C4 GP, with it gigantic wheelbase, is an excellent choice as well. We are tall family as well, have 195cm and can travel in comfort in every seat in that car...