Old_Fart

We've an 8 year old, a 5 year old and a 20 day old. We'd like a car that we could fit 3 child seats in the back row. They won't fit in the Forester, they won't fit in a Legacy, hell they won't fit in a new E class merc!
Without moving onto a massive horrible MPV or 4X4 can anyone suggest a car that might suit? Wife wants something small-ish, considered Toyota Corolla Verso thingy, but not too keen on it.
Other option we are considering is an Audi Allroad with extra 2 seats in back..but lots of money for a tarted up A6.
E class estate (270D) was bludy 'orrible to drive, not worth £36k
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SPEN555

Hum Vee!!! Must be wide enough

Dracoro

Can only suggest looking at all the large execs. Many estates may have option of extra row of seats.

Omega, 9-5, Lexus GS or LS, Volvo etc.

But does an 8 year old really need a kiddy seat????

Old_Fart

Nicki wants him on a booster seat..they are recommended for the first 10 years...booster seats are wide
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Nigel H

Chuck

Renualt do a 7 seater Grand Scenic which would take all your lot. Depends if you class this as an MPV They can be quite cheap too if you look around.

Also what about a Citroen C5

PS When is the motor show at Canary Wharf - you may get an idea or two there?

Old_Fart

Motorshow is June sometime...somehow I never get past the exotica to look at the mundane there though LOL
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camk

5 series BMW will take 3 seats. However depending on the 8-YO size you could get a booster seat rather than a full on seat, which takes up a little less room.

the moose

I've fitted two full car seats and a booster in an A6, though it's a squeeze.

Why bother with an Allroad - worse handling than standard. 2.5TDI is fine, 3.0 petrol is quick, S6/RS6 very quick.

ianc

Have a 4yrd old, a 2yr old, and a 9mth old... they sit (snugly but not squashed) across the rear of my Octavia 4x4turbo without any problems.

Given that seatbelts allow childseats to move if driving quickly but smoothly, it's quite nice to have some that are close.

Ian.

Brendan Hughes

Does your sense of humour stretch to a Fiat Multipla? The new one has had the mutant frog look removed, and the old one got rave reviews apart from the looks. The theory is a winning combination.








...nah, thought not.

gregjd

They should fit in an E Class Merc, we have two in ours and after playing around with them the other day I found a 3rd should go in. Wish I'd had the extra row of seats though. Was it the latest E Class estate you test drove? Mine's the 3.2 Avantgarde diesel (new shape), which, whilst no Scooby in the twisties of cliche-land, is a decent drive. Mine runs on 17's with sports suspension, which no doubt helps a bit. I'm interested to look at the new 5 estate, and A6 saloon which both came out a bit late for me. Had I got my £37K to spend again I maybe would have bought something like a Touran and also chopped our "little car" (a Clio) in for a 2nd hand 911 for me to have fun in. Couldn't talk the wife into this at the time though!!

Tiggs

i gave up on this when i couldnt fit the 3 kids in the back of the 540...even when your 8 year old is out of a seat its still no fun sat next to two that are still in them.

i sold the 540 and got a Galaxy. Not ideal but 6 leather captains chairs and every extra going helps a bit....also does the same MPG as the 540!

thecirsch

Chuck,

Easy peasy, in the Forester you put the two seats in the back, the booster seat in the front, Nicki in the drivers' seat and you in the 22b or Porker

Andy Hall

We have a Volvo 850 with integral child seat in the middle, has plenty of space either side for boosters and child seats, our kids are 6, 4, & 3. We have the 7 seat kit in the back, but will only use it on a short ride in an emergency.

Old_Fart

Right..plenty of diverse opinions..and thanks. Will try some of the built in childseats..definitely couldn't live with the arrangement in the E class. The problem is every car we've seen has a very narrow middle seat...the distance between the seatbelt buckles is probably only 2/3rd's that of the 2 outside seats. The kids can't plug the belts in with anything in the middle seat..
The Touran is also tempting..just wish it had a nicer engine available.
Brendan...LOL
Nicki is being awkward as she doesn't want to use the 22 as a daily driver (car park dents) and won't use the porker untill she's driven it on a trackday (feels she needs to know the limits LOL), so wants the family car to be small enough foreveryday, yet big enough for weekends away and horsebox hauling. I think I'll need to get her a full size Lego Racer, so she can change config to suit LOL
I will go look at the new 5 series touring this weekend though..
Will be sorry to let the Forester go, suprisingly good car
The Legacy Sports Tourer (3 litre flat 6) is also very nice to drive..and the interior is Audi-esque, honestly! Would have one in a shot if it could work.
Chuckles

Tiggs

5 series middle seat is tiny....as our all cars lilke that- seems odd that my wifes old scenic had more room in the middle than the 540!

imlach

Surprised at the E-Class.
Thought it'd do better.

Brendan Hughes

Horseboxes? Would have thought that would rule out a lot, including all Sharalaxies except the V6.

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

You won't like the answer,.....the Xsara Picasso has three individual rear seats & a decent boot. Recently bought a 2.0 Hdi for Mrs Dunk & its does what it says on the tin, it'll shortly be remapped to 120bhp & will still give just under 50 mpg. Citroen virtually give 'em away, excellent VFM IMHO.

D

Tiggs

agree with the above, picasso/scenic are good......but it depends on your kids- mine hated being squashed together in one row- no matter how wide the centre seat- hence the galaxy, they now sit in leather captains chairs dotted round the car...and out of "hitting each other" range!

Old_Fart

LOL
I think running 2 car convoys everywhere may be the real solution, of course my wife will think otherwise hehehehe
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