MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Looking for a practical family vehicle so 5 doors, big/biggish boot and room for 3 car seats. Two of our kids have the booster seats with a back, so not huge car seats, but we have a new born in tow as well now.
Petrol or diesel, but preferably the latter. I have a preference for an estate but not a deal breaker either way.
I've had a Civic, Mondeo, Mazda 6 and Octavia and all have been good in their own way but would prefer something different and a bit more enjoyable to drive.
Budget up to £8k, which may rule out a BMW which is what I'd really like. Not got deep pockets for cost of ownership either to be honest.
How much of a last model 5-series estate would 8k get you? Not exactly a looker, but a lotta car. Cost of ownership might be high I suppose if you're unlucky and get a turkey.
Not looked that hard yet, but will do. I did promise myself a BMW as next car, but circumstances may mean setting my sights a little lower.
8k will get you plenty of Beamers if ytou are willing to go for an older car.
3 car seats plus two adults may mean an mpv?
I have an older 2004 mondeo and no way we would get 3 child seats across the back of that they are just too bulky when they are younger.
With 3 kids in seats I'd be looking at a people-carrier type vehicle, just easier.
Just had a look on boughtotrader - seems to be plenty out there - budget 7k, so haggle down from 7.5ish, stick the other grand into a savings account for eventualities. Heh. It's so much easier to tell some other fella how to spend his money isn't it? 🙂 lotta lotta car...
3 car seats plus two adults may mean an mpv?
We manage with the current Mazda 6. As I said above, the bigger kids are in the booster seat kind rather than full blown jobbies
MG ZT-T 260
Audi A6?
A6? Nice motorway mile münscher, but from a year's ownership, utterly uninspiring (in my Eco model anyway). I regret not getting a 5-series.
If you fancy a bmw get it bought on my second one now, and cost of ownership really isn't that bad, in fact it's pretty reasonable don't go for a massive engine and the fuel economy is acceptable as well. Regularly see 40mpg out of my 2l petrol. Don't let the snow horror stories scare you either, they aren't that bad as long as you remember what you are driving.
That 3 series touring looks good for the money. But 3 series are not a bench type back seat, they are not flat enough for 3 seats side by side IMO
For this doubting three kids seats in a normal car, change your car seats. Far cheaper to buy narrower seats. We saved a friend a fortune who was about to buy a new mpv to cope, a conversation and a trip to a baby seat emporium widths tape measure.....
Op, looks like your heart is set on a 5 Series. Do it.
You cant sit 3 adults comfortably in the back of a 3 series (for long) the seat is partiality sculptured in to the rear wheel arch. Maybe the 5 series is different
BMW +1
I've recently bought a cheap old E46 and it's a revelation. You will not get 3 seats in a 3 series, but follow Matt's advice re narrower versions and you'll get them in a 5
Well this could take an interesting turn. My wife and I found ourselves looking admiringly at the undeniable practicality of a 7 seater people carrier on Saturday. Take me outside and shoot me now 😆
[edit] the smiles and giggles of a 5 and 7 year old playing with their own special fold-away seats is an unfair persuader 🙁