Family expanding, estate or suv? 20k to spend.

#2 on the way in Feb, will get by for a while on the cars we have (4 year old ASG, 11 year old Golf), but come the summer will need to look for an upgrade.

Was always thinking SUV, second hand Sorento or the like with enough space in the back to take 2 baby seats plus occasionally an adult - my mum. Just never liked the look of the estate, convinced myself that the elevated drive in the SUV really matters etc.

But friend of mine has a Kia Optima estate and thought it looks nice, I won't be doing huge mileage anyway (my wife does, so she'll get the ASG), maybe for the 20k cash I'd get more for my money in terms of year, specs, etc. with an estate than an SUV, and it might simply be more practical?

Any thoughts? And whichever you prefer, estate or SUV, what make and model would you go for with 20k cash? And any economist forecasting whether NI or UK (are they in the same bracket for VRT) will still be attractive for second hand cars in a few months?

Thanks.

wersal gummage

Don't really have any advice for you, but just to say for the SUV type, I find it handy having the kids up that bit higher when lifting them in and out of the back seats, same for the boot, less bending of the back to get at the deepest parts of the boot. Maybe of no interest to you, but if either of you have any back issues maybe something to considered. I haven't a clue about the the models you mention, but would imagine generally that there might be better boot space in a large estate than in one of the typical small-ish SUVs alright.

Would the newer shape superb combi be in your budget?

wersal gummage

wersal gummage wrote: »

Would the newer shape superb combi be in your budget?

Thanks, had a look at them, think I'd have to go for 2015 and think that's older shape (though that wouldn't bother me too much). However combination of leaving it another few months and going to NI might make it possible.

fits

I think the big estates are more roomy than most 5 seater suvs. We got an suv as I needed something that could tow in a field occasionally ( got an Audi Q5) but otherwise would have been looking at the likes of Mondeo or superb estates. That said the height of the suv is nice.

lotsobear

[Deleted User] wrote: »

#2 on the way in Feb, will get by for a while on the cars we have (4 year old ASG, 11 year old Golf), but come the summer will need to look for an upgrade.

Was always thinking SUV, second hand Sorento or the like with enough space in the back to take 2 baby seats plus occasionally an adult - my mum. Just never liked the look of the estate, convinced myself that the elevated drive in the SUV really matters etc.

But friend of mine has a Kia Optima estate and thought it looks nice, I won't be doing huge mileage anyway (my wife does, so she'll get the ASG), maybe for the 20k cash I'd get more for my money in terms of year, specs, etc. with an estate than an SUV, and it might simply be more practical?

Any thoughts? And whichever you prefer, estate or SUV, what make and model would you go for with 20k cash? And any economist forecasting whether NI or UK (are they in the same bracket for VRT) will still be attractive for second hand cars in a few months?

Thanks.

What about a VW Passat 2L estate, I know a few families who have them and find them a good car.

RootX

2x carseats won't leave much space for a 3rd person to squeeze in the middle, perhaps a small 7-seater like c-max, verso, etc would be more practical if you have to carry an additional passenger occasionally .

kerten

Be careful about the adult in the middle scenario as it is not about how wide the car is interior wise. It is more about how seat belt buckles are positioned in rear seat and how flat the foot well is. MPVs are the best for those but not all of them have full seat in the middle.

Did you consider a S-Max ?

fits

By the way. When we want to carry another adult we put one of the car seats in the front. With airbag disabled. Then two adults can comfortably go in back.

Mooooo

Best way on practicality would be bring car seats with you and sit between them, how easy ibwoukd be to get in and out. Getting kids in and out if an suv type car is much easier than estate on the back anyway but they tend not to be much bigger in space after unless you go for a mpv

ba_barabus

Excuse my ignorance but what's an ASG?

ba_barabus

ba_barabus wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance but what's an ASG?

Sorry - ASX.

A few people have suggested the Superb estate, must have a look...

Squeaksoutloud

I took a look at this and few weeks ago and it looked quite nice..went with a new one in the end though. Acres of space, one if the nicer looking estates on the road and great spec:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-highline-high-spec-finance-arr/17522725

Not sure what keeping it clean with kids would be like but probably manageable.

Switching from an SUV as think Bette value and space in estates.

Zoney

Just a suggestion based on my own experience. Third car seat will be used shortly here and though three stages of car seat will fit in the big estates (with the right seats/arrangements), in the end, we wanted to keep the option of giving a lift to one or two people.

Not a fan of the idea of mpv (vowed to avoid them at all costs), but test drove a renault scenic with the three seats and the practicality was undeniable. Didn't like the drive though. Instead went for a Citroen C4 grand Picasso, fantastic comfort and visibility. So much space inside (this was a must as the previous car, a Laguna, had a roomy comfortable cabin).

Made up for mpv/diesel driving by getting a 2 litre engine with lots of oomph, and top spec with all the comfort features to make the switch from the old car a dream.

Already we've chucked the booster seat in the third row a few times (a very quick switch of arrangements) to give lifts. Also brought the Christmas tree home no bother (each second row seat is individually adjustable/collapsible).

Return trip from Christmas hols had three full size suitcases in the boot. Umbrella stroller plus full size buggy. Two full laptop bags. Full shopping bag. Kids scrambler. Two small boxes. All behind the second row with boot cover in place. Three car seats across the second row with no hassle getting in.

Cape Clear

fits wrote: »

By the way. When we want to carry another adult we put one of the car seats in the front. With airbag disabled. Then two adults can comfortably go in back.

Worth noting the law here if putting a car seat in the front.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Campaigns/Current-road-safety-campaigns/No-Child-Car-Seat---No-Excuse/The-Law/

d31b0y

There's no law against putting a car seat in the front is there?
I thought the only law was about putting a rear facing car seat in front of an active airbag.

Rear-facing child car seats must not be used in passenger seats protected by anmactive frontal airbag. An airbag which deploys (opens up) in front of a rearward-facing child car seat can cause serious injury or even death if there is a collision.

There is no law against children sitting in the front seat, as long as they are using the right child restraint for their height and weight. However, as above it is illegal to use a rearward-facing child car seat in a passenger seat protected by an airbag.

fits

Cape Clear wrote: »

Worth noting the law here if putting a car seat in the front.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Campaigns/Current-road-safety-campaigns/No-Child-Car-Seat---No-Excuse/The-Law/

I specifically said airbag was disabled!