Good car for baby, dog and potholes

s7ryf3925pivug

I need to get a car that can comfortably fit a baby carseat, a labrador sized dog, a big pram frame and two adult humans. I live in the country where the roads are a bit crap and jarring potholes are a regular feature. I'd like to not jar my baby's head when we are unable to avoid one.

I have a golf tdi. It just about fits the above with the dog in the boot, pram in passenger seat, second adult in back seat. The suspension is good compared to a lot of cars but I'd prefer better when driving with baby. We need a second car one way of another.

Our dog would need to be in the boot; she wouldnt be safe to be on the back seat. She might try getting into the front, or might drool on the baby.

Suvs or crossovers seem the way to go. Dogs hips are getting stiff with age so we need to train her to use a ramp regardless of boot height.

Going to look at some 2015 Qashqais at the weekend. See if the buggy will fit in the boot with room left for the dog. Not sure how to assess potholes well, given a test drive most likely wont be over **** roads.

Budget is probably about 20k. Maybe 30k at a push if there's a compelling reason to spend more.

Any suggrstions? Especially interested in recommendations for cars that deal well with potholes because that's harder for me to assess myself.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I cant recommend any particular cars/crossover vehicles but i'll advise you to avoid the Mokka if your driving on poor surface roads as they have fairly stiff suspension and are not comfortable. I've driven an iX35 and found it very comfortable and a friend has a 152 Qashqai which is comfortable also. I'd also avoid any of the qashqais with the upgraded 19" wheels and low profile tyres as they will reduce comfort.

SmithySeller

55 or above profiles on the tyres are a must, anything below doesnt cut the mustard on Pothole infested Kildare roads.... 25k might get you into an entry level 172-181 3008 SUV 1.2 manual petrol. Entry level spec could be higher level than a 3 year old high spec car. You could also try a dull as dishwater Skoda Octavia Combi, they are practical if nothing else!

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/3008/used-2017-172-peugeot-3008-active-1-2-dublin-fpa-201803274969475

Im sure you'd get more off the above with the right deal, beautiful car and thats a step above entry level. 2008 worth a look also in the face lifted model 'perhaps'.

Heres Johnny

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-x5-2007-7seater/18259137

Would going back the years to something like this float your boat? I'm biased towards older versions of expensive machines but when I hear of people willing to spend 30k on a Qashqai or a sportage or ix35 I feel compelled to let them know what's out there. Sister has a Sportsge, good mate has a Qashqai and I just don't get the appeal. They're no more practical than a golf but I guess the higher driving position is good for some people.
The x5 is much bigger and will suit your needs for the family and the dog.

8k for the above, 4.5k for 3 years tax, get 4k back on resale in 3 years I would imagine. Although the running costs will be higher I concede that.
25k taking the midpoint of your budget for a 2015 crossover will be mostly devoured in depreciation.
You'd run one overall for overall less price, better car, more suited to your needs just an older reg plate.

I don't expect agreement but have a think about it!!

s7ryf3925pivug

Would the 2013 qashqai +2 be a good choice?

ba_barabus

OP I'm in a very similar predicament. Crossovers like the Ix35 and Qashqai are small inside. You're not gaining much space tbh. You'd be much better off to consider estate cars which is probably what I'll end up with. Mondeo, 508, Superb, Mazda 6,, i40 and Avensis all offer a huge amount of space.

curiousb

An estate will give you much more boot space than an SUV typically.

I have a Subaru Outback and love the space in the boot for the dog/shopping/rubbish for the dump etc...

It is 4 wheel drive and the suspension is very comfortable so could fit the bill nicely.

Zubeneschamali

Here's a 2017 Skoda Octavia Scout - high suspension, sensible wheels, 4WD, estate car with 2.0 diesel and a DSG autobox, all for €24K.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2017-koda-octavia-2-0tdi-184ps-scout-estate/18157384

Edit: 24K Sterling up north, missed that first time.

s7ryf3925pivug

Was looking at octavia before, but high suv better for putting baby in and out of and is safer, plus my wife prefers them and she'll be main driver.

Zubeneschamali

Graysen Lazy Bartender wrote: »

Was looking at octavia before, but high suv better for putting baby in and out of and is safer

No, they really aren't safer than a similar sized estate. Much more likely to roll in an accident.

ba_barabus

Graysen Lazy Bartender wrote: »

Was looking at octavia before, but high suv better for putting baby in and out of and is safer, plus my wife prefers them and she'll be main driver.

How old is the baby?

Lantus

Most SUVs have small boots and are no safer than a normal well made car.

If you want an SUV look at 7 seaters to get as near a normal sized boot as you can such as the karoq or the ateca is good in its class.

Get normal tyres. The low profile ones will jar and easily suffer damage and punctures.

Your best bet is an Octavia estate or superb estate which are like small vans in terms of space. Very safe and great to drive.

Maybe a 5008 with the rear seats removed or down? Car but high.

Or a child seat that can easily unclip like isofix or swivel to improve access if your unable to fit a child into a normal car.

razorblunt

CX-5s are really comfortable, big boot, really comfortable ride.
Slight strange issue in that some baby seats feel a bit squashed in the back, so bring it with you to try out (for all cars obvs).

s7ryf3925pivug

Baby’s adjusted age is six weeks.
Yeah we’re bringing the seat and pray (we’re just using our imagination for the dog though).

Safety would come down to comparisons between individual cars I guess. The Qashqai is reportedly v safe and has features like side airbags on this regard. I read about the roll alright but they also put the people in the car above the normal point of impact in a collision.

The qashqai +2 is the top of our list right now which is a seven seater alright. I prefer this idea because of the extra space.

Haven’t ruled out estates yet. Possibly we’ll get both since apparently the estate version of my own car is actually cheaper second hand, so I might exchange it as well. Offset the cost of the second car a bit and have two roomier cars.

s7ryf3925pivug

Yeah the qashqai boot is too small. The advertised +2s were already gone.

After actually looking, we liked a Ford C-Max 2013 2l diesel. Probably will get a c-max...

Looks like the tax and insurance on the 2l version might be about 600 higher than a 1.6 turbo diesel version. Wondering if it would be more sensible to look for one of those. Purchase price probably similar. Any ideas about other differences?

AMKC

Graysen Lazy Bartender wrote: »

Yeah the qashqai boot is too small. The advertised +2s were already gone.

After actually looking, we liked a Ford C-Max 2013 2l diesel. Probably will get a c-max...

Looks like the tax and insurance on the 2l version might be about 600 higher than a 1.6 turbo diesel version. Wondering if it would be more sensible to look for one of those. Purchase price probably similar. Any ideas about other differences?

Lovely car the C-Max. Is it just the standard C-Max or the Grand C-Max you are looking at.

The S-Max is a lovely car too.

A Citroen C4-Cactus could be another one worth considering.
Maybe both 2nd hand and new. The new one has a new type of suspension that makes it ride very good over bad roads.

s7ryf3925pivug

Getting the 2.0l 2013 c-max I mentioned (for a lot less than the numbers I mentioned before). Happy with it. Thanks all for the input.