VERY Spacious 2 Baby+Clobber Car - Used - £16K???

[rhodos]

I'm looking to change wifey's 2006 Golf for something much more spacious for 2 babies + clobber + shopping. Golf OK but with a single buggie and baby paraphernalia its fully loaded already thus with number 2 baby here in 5 weeks it wont cope.
The motor will only do about 100 miles a week so fuel economy not an issue. Looking for something quite new and wouldn't want one with more than 3 years/25K on it.

Just want bags of space to take two babies, a double decker buggie + all the clobber and easy access BUT also want it to look the bizz (sorry) and dont fancy an estate or people wagon. Was thinking a Freelander 2 or something similar? Any thoughts.

Must be parking friendly, low maintenance, safe, and reliable as I can just about put fuel in and thats it.

Thanks for any pointers. Looking to buy in next 4 weeks and trade the golf.

 

[richard plumb]

so you want it parking friendly, which means compact, don't want an estate or people carrier, which means compact, but you want tons of storage?

Just checking

 

[DPinBucks]

Sounds like something has to give. You've just specified a people carrier.

IMO the Freelander won't be big enough.

Obviously you need a diesel. Look at the S-Max, C-Max or equivalent.

My wife has a Zafira 1.9 Sri (150). It's overall blah, but handles well, is quite quick, 40+mpg, swallows MiL's wheelchair, and is supremely adaptable. Will certainly meet all your needs, but I'd forgive you if you went for something with a bit more pzazz.

 

[qwerty321]

Sounds like something has to give. You've just specified a people carrier.

IMO the Freelander won't be big enough.

Obviously you need a diesel. Look at the S-Max, C-Max or equivalent.

My wife has a Zafira 1.9 Sri (150). It's overall blah, but handles well, is quite quick, 40+mpg, swallows MiL's wheelchair, and is supremely adaptable. Will certainly meet all your needs, but I'd forgive you if you went for something with a bit more pzazz.

Why does the OP obviously need a Diesel? Its only 100 miles a week.

My dad does more miles than that in a 1.6 Grand Scenic with no issues. Yes it isn't the fastest and a bigger engine would be nice but it still manages fine. Even with the whole family (6 of us).

Saying that though, a Diesel would be better because of the pulling power with the torque.

I would recommend the Scenic (5 seat) or Grand Scenic (7 seat). They aren't huge cars, nice driving position, comfortable and loads of space. Seats are very good as well because you can fold them or take them out inviduially. In the 7 seater, the reat 2 seats fold into the floor.

One of my Dad's friends had a 56 plate Zafira (2.0 CDTI I think) and in comparison to the Scenic I didn't find that comfortable at all! He liked the high driving position in that as well because he drives quite a bit but for comfort the Scenic is better.

Also, unless things have changed, I dont think the Zafira has invidually folding seats which is quite helpful at times.

 

[DPinBucks]

Why does the OP obviously need a Diesel? Its only 100 miles a week.

My dad does more miles than that in a 1.6 Grand Scenic with no issues. Yes it isn't the fastest and a bigger engine would be nice but it still manages fine. Even with the whole family (6 of us).

Saying that though, a Diesel would be better because of the pulling power with the torque.

I would recommend the Scenic (5 seat) or Grand Scenic (7 seat). They aren't huge cars, nice driving position, comfortable and loads of space. Seats are very good as well because you can fold them or take them out inviduially. In the 7 seater, the reat 2 seats fold into the floor.

One of my Dad's friends had a 56 plate Zafira (2.0 CDTI I think) and in comparison to the Scenic I didn't find that comfortable at all! He liked the high driving position in that as well because he drives quite a bit but for comfort the Scenic is better.

Also, unless things have changed, I dont think the Zafira has invidually folding seats which is quite helpful at times.

Yeah, OK, maybe I went a bit OTT with 'obviously'. It's just that I'm a recent & big convert to diesels (from 645Ci to XF 'S'), and can no longer see any justification for petrol.

Our Z (09 plate) has individually folding seats: either side rear with or without the centre folded as well; plus of course the extra two folded away in the boot floor.

Rather than damning the Z with faint praise, I'm more inclined to praise it with faint damns. Apart from the seating flexibility, which is exceptionally good, it does everything else well or quite well without actually setting your pants on fire. It could do with cruise control and climate, though.

=== EDIT ===
Oh, no, you're right. The rear seat backs fold individually, but the seat itself doesn't. Bit silly, that. We've never had cause to need it, which is why I forgot.

 

[qwerty321]

Yeah, OK, maybe I went a bit OTT with 'obviously'. It's just that I'm a recent & big convert to diesels (from 645Ci to XF 'S'), and can no longer see any justification for petrol.

Our Z (09 plate) has individually folding seats: either side rear with or without the centre folded as well; plus of course the extra two folded away in the boot floor.

Rather than damning the Z with faint praise, I'm more inclined to praise it with faint damns. Apart from the seating flexibility, which is exceptionally good, it does everything else well or quite well without actually setting your pants on fire. It could do with cruise control and climate, though.

=== EDIT ===
Oh, no, you're right. The rear seat backs fold individually, but the seat itself doesn't. Bit silly, that. We've never had cause to need it, which is why I forgot.

No probs. Im a Diesel fan as well!

With the Scenic seats, the back folds down on each seat and then the whole unit flips forward. Should you need to transport large items around (like my Dad often does) it comes in very handy. Does depend on what you will use it for.

One thing I found with the Zafira and Scenic is the leg room of the back 2 seats. The Zafira gave more leg room but less comfort but the Scenic more comfort and less leg room.

Im not that tall (5ft 8") but find sitting in the back most seats of the Scenic made me feel somewhat claustrophobic. Best way I can explain it. However, my sister, who is about 5ft 5" can sit in them with no problems even for upto 2 hours!

Our Scenic (05 plate) has plenty of cubby holes as well. 2 storage trays under the driver and front passenger seats. 4 in the floors as well. With the 2 in the front that get cool with the air con when it is on.

 

[rhodos]

Thanks for thoughts - will look at Scenic and Zaf (my brother has a ZAF - think its about 7 years old now though).

To first reply I wasn't trying to be awkward - by parking friendly I simply mean has park assist to be honest while not having the dimensions of the Q7 or X5 (outside of budget anyway).

I am just sick of struggling with everything and I'd gladly give up some fn the 'niceness' of my A4 or wifey Golf for the sake of just throwing it all in the motor and not struggling like its a complex jigsaw every weekend.

 

[petrolheed]

used bmw x3 2.0d would maybe suit in that budget. with parking sensors wont be too bad, no longer than a saloon.
The zafira is poorly built unreliable noisy cheap plasticy crap with pathetic storage areas for the type of car it is. I had one for 2 years/115k miles.

 

[qwerty321]

Thanks for thoughts - will look at Scenic and Zaf (my brother has a ZAF - think its about 7 years old now though).

To first reply I wasn't trying to be awkward - by parking friendly I simply mean has park assist to be honest while not having the dimensions of the Q7 or X5 (outside of budget anyway).

I am just sick of struggling with everything and I'd gladly give up some fn the 'niceness' of my A4 or wifey Golf for the sake of just throwing it all in the motor and not struggling like its a complex jigsaw every weekend.

You could deffo get parking sensors on whatever car you buy.

Renaults also have something called Variable Power Steering. When you are at town speeds (under 40mph) the steering is quite light. Makes turning and manouvers easier. Above 40 it stiffens so you dont end up all over the road at the lightest touch!

 

[Amal99]

Honda Accord?

 

[Deleted member 27989]

Something a bit different, a Nissan Murano...Sure it has a 3.5V6 but you did say fuel consumption doesn't matter We've had ours 5 years since new and always amazed about the amount of space in them, much more interior space than an X5 or ML for example yet looks smaller on the outside...

All come standard with full leather, dvd satnav, bose stereo with subwoofer, reclining seats in the back as well, sunroof etc...And very parking friendly a rear view camera with guides in them....

My tip, different, fast, very very spacious, but not an mpv and incredibly quiet...and well within your budget....And if you mind his opinion the only other car Jeremy Clarkson gave 5/5 besides a certain Aston....

 

[stu.artd]

We have a CRV, 2 child seats in the back and although the space between them isn't big enough for another child seat it's OK for a couple of bags. The rear floor is flat which makes it good for stowing other items as well.

A single seater buggy (silvercross s4) takes up under half the boot so I'd imagine a double buggy would fit instead.

It's easy to park, has parking sensors front and rear and a reverse cam if you can get an EX. Honda's tend to get a good write up as far as reliability is concerned as well.

 

[dan54]

If it was me I'd be looking at the S-max.

 

[FZR400RRSP]

If it was me I'd be looking at the S-max.

Same here, S-Max all the way.
Only MPV worth bothering with, IMO.
CRV is nice as well, but don't know if £16k would get you a later model one.
The old model does nothing for me.

 

[Deleted member 27989]

If it was me I'd be looking at the S-max.

Same here, S-Max all the way.
Only MPV worth bothering with, IMO.
CRV is nice as well, but don't know if £16k would get you a later model one.
The old model does nothing for me.

Good as it may be, it is still a people carrier

 

[FZR400RRSP]

Good as it may be, it is still a people carrier

A good looking one though, inside and out (with the right wheels)
And they drive damn well too.
I've driven one a few times, always make me smile.
Honestly, they don't handle anything like a Zafira/Espace/Picasso.
No 'wobbly boat' feelings.
Just more like a Focus, which is a good handling car.
I bet you could humble many a 'sportier' car in an S-max, if the driver's a bit of a plum.

 

[duffy78]

S-max for a good looking people carrier.

Touran for a best of all worlds but ugly.

Toyota Verso has plenty of space but car dimensions. Early ones look dreadful inside though.

We ran a mk5 golf gti for 2 years with 2 kids and had a double buggy in the boot. I cant really see what your problem is????

We recently changed to a touran after test driving everything that could fit 3 seats in the back. The s-max 2.5 t was the pick of the bunch. 2,0 tdi touran 170 a close second.

 

[ste v p]

Good as it may be, it is still a people carrier

If you want to carry people and stuff you might have to bite the bullet and get one. It's not you that has to drive it I've heard the Freelander has some problems (thought that might be the old one).

You could always look at the next size up in the car range - Passat, Mondeo etc. The boots are big in those, probably just as big as a Freelander.

 

[rhodos]

I'd landed at the S-Max tbh after some of these comments and a sniff on the internet. But wifey is now on the stick with the Golf option. Trial running the P&T vibe at the weekend in the Golf. I guess its kids or shopping and not both. Still would be nice to have space to throw the lot in the motor for a weekend away once a quarter..... thanks at least for letting me know all carriers dont look like transits these days.

 

[duffy78]

We drove to france last summer in our mkv golf. fair enough we had a roof box on but it was a pleasure.

We've been using an i candy pear as our double buggy, we're getting a silver cross duo as a smaller option. give it a look.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Best car you will get to your spec is a Ford S-Max. And for £16k, you should get a very well specced one, especially if you go for a 2.5T engone one as used on the Focus RS.

 

[Solomon Grundy]

What about the bigger Qashqai?

 

[FZR400RRSP]

Best car you will get to your spec is a Ford S-Max. And for £16k, you should get a very well specced one, especially if you go for a 2.5T engone one as used on the Focus RS.

No doubt the 2.5T S-max goes like stink, but it would also cost a bomb to run and depreciate like crazy.
My pick of the bunch would be the humble 2.0 tdci diesel.
If you find the standard 140bhp lacking, it's easily and relatively easily chipped up to around 180bhp.
But even as standard, the 2.0tdci has as much torque as the 2.5T.
They are 236lb/ft and 239lb/ft respectively.
Let's face it, the S-Max isn't a car primarily designed for performance, so why bother with an out-and-out performance engine?
The 2.0tdci wafts you along at a decent rate, going by the test drives I've had.

 

[duffy78]

i can echo the above comment.

We tested a few different flavours of s-max.


What stopped us buying it is that the maxi cosi priorifix child seats we use are not suitable to be used in an smax, this is due to the cubby hole at the foot of the rear seats. The anti rotation leg rests on the lid of the cubby hole.

Something for you to consider.

 

[Jamie]

TBH I can't see why you can't manage with the Golf. We have an Audi A2, A 2 year old and a 6 month old and manage fine.

Admittedly I've bought a roof box for holidays but day to day the A2s fine for shopping etc etc. We use a Bill and Teds Excellent pushchair with the inline double option (Sorry I meant Phil and Teds ) which isn't exactly the most compact one available. The rear footwells on the A2 are huge though which helps.