Club Arnage

We've got 2 kids (5 and 2) and one on the way. Our 'big' car is a 2006 Golf, and we're not sure about getting the requisite number of child seats in the back. - The 5 yr old will be on a booster, the 2 yr old will be in an isofix forward facing chair, and the baby will be in a rear facing isofix seat.

My wife has already bought the smallest booster seat she could find, and it's too big - it won't fit between the other 2 seats and let you do up the seatbelt, which is a bit of a problem. She reckons she'll be able to fit, and the 5 yr old will go in the front, but I haven't worked out how to say the words no woman wants to hear to her yet.

Budget's about 14K for a replacement, I want something safe, diesel, decent to look at, good to drive, and not French or a Zafira (See good to drive, and decent to look at)

Age and miles aren't too much of a problem, but the newer and fresher the better.

Currently thinking of the A6 avant, Volvo XC90, S - Max / Galaxy / mondeo estate etc. Estate's required as we've got a gargantuan labrador. RWD not popular as she's hamfisted, and there's snow / ice on the ground for a fair proportion of the winter up here.

And ideas (Apart from a vasectomy, that's already in the pipeline, if that's not a bad pun)

Based on a friend's experience, I would sugest the Galaxy. Becasue the rear seats are all individual you will have no problem fitting in any combinations of child seats and boosters.

There are plenty around, too.

Plus they are big enough (especially if you remove the two rearmost seats) to fit all the associated 'stuff' that you will need to carry around.

Just my 2p.  :)

S-max!!!!!!

You can get 3 kids seats across the middle row of individual seats, and still have the 3rd row avaliable for friends etc.

Never thought I would say this about a Ford, it's brill, it handles like a proper car not a brick like most mpv's.

We have had ours for nearly 3 years, and if it was written off tommorrow would buy another on Thursday.

The only reason to go for a Galaxy is if you need to transport adults in the third row of seats.

It's also got a very good owners club.

http://www.smaxownersclub.co.uk (http://www.smaxownersclub.co.uk)

If what you need to find out isn't on this site. then nobody knows, not even Ford.

There are at least 3 members of CA driving S-Maxes.

If you want to join the dark side try the 2.5T engine [not available on the Galaxy]

That has the same engine as the Focus ST in other words a Volvo 5-cyl unit developing 217 bhp.

<<<<<<<<<< that's a pic of mine.

Paul

Heard lots of good things about the S-Max

Mrs JPC drives a Galaxy and I have to say it is the most versayile vehicle we've ever had! Loads of apsce when going on holiday, takes  afull size fridge/dishwasher/washing machine etc stood upright (saved £20 delivery charges at least 5 times in the last 7 years) and when you take all 5 of the rear seats out it's like a mini van!!

Highly recommended!!

But if you do need a diesel, we have been very pleased with the 2L, suits the car well.

pity you said not french.
My wife has had a 607 for the last 5 years.It has the most amazing list of extras ive ever seen on a car and is massive inside and in the boot.We drove down thro France and Spain last year with the two kids,all our luggage and two sets of golf clubs.
It mega comfortable and quiet and has been very reliable>they are so cheap to buy too.
Mine was a year old and i paid £11000 for it

PM

Does it have the usual electrical fires and constant smell of burning from the wiring?  ;)

The Ford Galaxy is a damn good car but the basic design is over ten years old now. Bit of the old wobblies round corners compared to more modern stuff...

Ford S-Max is definitely the way to go. Paul Z has one, it handles like a sports car, bags of space, great engine, safe, all quite amazing really. I cannot think of another car that comes close on all your major requirements.  :)

Oh and Nick, if you buy an Audi I will never speak to you again.  >:(

Andy

Many thanks for your input.

I for one would never wish to pass my existence without your conversation and wit, and as such I shall tailor my requirements directly.

Odd queston now for the S max owners, What's the PCD on the wheels?

Cheers

PCD?

Pitch centre diameter?

5 x 108

Should have known that one  :-[

Super. Thanks.

What about the Vauxhall alternative -

http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/asp/index.asp?adid=11640866&lnk=110_2&desc=Vauxhall%20ZAFIRA%20MPV%202008&orderby=price%20desc&makeid=96&modelid=983&maxprice=14000


its the quick diesel engine, has whats called the XP pack on and there cracking cars. If you want a little more go you can add a tuning box that will make it 200bhp and a lot of torques :) great forums for advise and cheap ish running costs.

You can't fit 3 child seats across in the 2nd row of seats in a Zafira, it's to narrow.

They are also smaller as based on the Astra platform as opposed to the S-Max which shares it's underpinnings with the Galaxy, V70/XC70 and S80.

That middle bench seat is a pain to move, if you want to get in/out of the rear seats you have to empty the middle bench seat!

I thought the galaxy was based on the S-Max platform? ;)

In the S max, can you definitely fit 3 full size brat restrainers side by side in the 2nd row?

A lot of people have done it, best to take your childseats to the garage to check they fit, they should do.

And what did you buy ?

Ah, I was just thinking I should update you all.

Happily, we decided not to buy another car. It would apear that our eldest doesn't need a restraint other than the 3 point adult belt. (There is a clause in the law what says that a 3rd booster is not required if the presence of 2 other child restraints preclude the fitting of a 3rd.)

Most of the time the passenger seat airbag is turned off, and she'll be in the front seat. It'll only be when we're out as a family that she'll need to sit in the back.

Having said that, and with #3 imminent,(ie days) we're test driving an S Max tomorrow, mainly to check re. the clild seats and the general feel of the thing on the road. We won't be buying that one. (Aberdeen prices are preposterous)

Secondhand S-Max prices are stupidly high at the moment.

Not just in Aberdeen.

Many SMAXOC members have found it cheaper to buy new.

Have you tried Deal Drivers & Drive The Deal?

Paul.

hmmmmmm. I shall check.

Have just sent you a PM on the SMAXOC site.

Rgds,

Paul

We found the S max to be a bit too big, is is to be herselfs car after all. It'd just end up scraped and battered.

VW touran gives us enough space, and with the DSG box, a 2 yr old one's about 14, which is about where our budget is.