Family car £10k, massive boot

[BigGingerBob]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to replace my f20 1 series with a large family car. It will need space for two car seats and a double pram.

We have a g20 3 series saloon too but it's a bit on the small side. With a car seat in the back the front seats have to be really far forward.

I'm thinking 2011/12 5 series, maybe a 5 GT if the budget can stretch that far, Mondeo estate or a Superb.

What recommendations do you have? A curve ball is always appreciated, I have looked on AT for those Infiniti FX things too but the boot may not be big enough.

I would also like to to be reliable. Breaking down with my wife and two small children wouldn't be too clever.

Thanks!

[yellowbentines]

I was going to suggest a Skoda Superb estate.

Leftfield I'd suggest a Ford Edge. £10k gets you a high miler, a little budget creep a newer/lower miles example. My sister has one, easily transports 2 adults and 3 kids and all of their gear around the Uk and Ireland on holidays.

[JQ]

Curve ball would be a Volvo XC70 D5 in SE Lux trim. Not the most exciting of drives but enough poke, huge boot and a very comfortable place to sit. You'd want post 2012 for the 215bhp engine and updated infotainment system.

[David_M]

BigGingerBob said:

I'm thinking ... Mondeo estate

Some time ago now I had a Mondeo Mk3 hatchback (which I really liked) and it had a huge boot. I could put a tandem bike in the back (from memory I had to take front wheel off) without messing up front seating position.

The estate is even more cavernous.

[CivicDuties]

Skoda Superb estate every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[The Dictator]

Straight out of left field - Mercedes Viano

I have one (Japanese import) with a 3.5l V6 petrol engine, 7 leather seats, 2 electric sliding doors (you can set either to open from the key) x2 screens. 4 captain's chairs, huge boot and general storage, 3 sunroofs, rear electric pop open windows, heated front seats, air con with separate fan and controls in the rear, curtains in passenger compartment, flat floor makes cleaning out the kids crap easy as it just brushes straight out.

It's actually quite good fun to drive with over 250bhp and more torque - the children absolutely adore it and it would have been really useful when they were smaller with all the paraphernalia that goes with small children.

It's ULEZ compliant and tax is about £28 per month.

I am inclined to keep it indefinitely as it is just so versatile, we would all really miss it.

[yellowbentines]

David_M said:

Some time ago now I had a Mondeo Mk3 hatchback (which I really liked) and it had a huge boot. I could put a tandem bike in the back (from memory I had to take front wheel off) without messing up front seating position.

The estate is even more cavernous.

With the back seats down? I'm unimpressed, my first car was a bubble shape Nissan Micra (K10) - seats down I used to carry 2 mountain bikes without removing the front wheels :

In all seriousness It's a good shout, I had a Mondeo Mk3 myself and did 18k a year all over the country in the few years I had it.

[Tymb]

Really boring, but I've found mine very comfortable, might be worth looking at a Nissan Xtrail, rear doors open really wide for loading, being a bit higher can make it easier getting in and out, stage seating so rear passengers get a good view out and the legroom is massive, boot is a good size (get a bit more space with the 5 seat version, about the same as Superb estate). I'm just about to put 100k on mine in the last 4 years, 2018 1.6l auto diesel. Tekna spec has enough toys, particularly like the led headlights. Only costs have been servicing, 2 set of tires, 1 set pads and discs.

[LightningBlue]

As well as the Mondeo and Superb Vauxhall Insignias are very underrated cars

[Ankh87]

You've got a range of cars really.

Vaux Insignia Estate

Skoda Octavia/Superb Estate

Mazda 6 Estate

Audi A6 estate

Kia ProCeed/Optima


Now it depends on what you want and need in a car. The Optima is a huge car but isn't exactly going to light the tarmac on fire.

[66HFM]

A Superb Estate is always a good shout but perhaps an option is its slightly smaller brother of an Octavia VRS, either hatch or estate as the hatch is huge...

[ZX10R NIN]

508 GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...

Insignia Elite Nav, the hatchback will swallow a double buggy & kit with ease:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404108...

1.5T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403308...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404238...

Mondeo Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404299...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404058...

[BigGingerBob]

Are insignias and Mazda 6s that big? I always thought they were 3 series size. A lot of options then.
Nothing too exciting but I know how something boring that is exceptionally good at it's job can get under your skin.

Whilst I would drive the Viano, I don't think my wife would be too impressed 😁

[ZX10R NIN]

The Insignia is bigger than a 3 series, the Mazda is a little smaller.

[LightningBlue]

BigGingerBob said:

Are insignias and Mazda 6s that big? I always thought they were 3 series size. A lot of options then.
Nothing too exciting but I know how something boring that is exceptionally good at it's job can get under your skin.

Whilst I would drive the Viano, I don't think my wife would be too impressed ??

The estates have cavernous boots. Used to get them as hire cars when needing to transport some large items for work. They’re a lot of car for the money.

[edc]

Do you intend to seat an adult or another child seat needing friend in the rear seats alongside your 2 child seats? If so then you will struggle with nearly all the above.

[Ankh87]

Insignia boot is huge even as the hatchback. The estate boot is even bigger at 560 litres.

I've got a mk1 hatchback and I've taken loads. Boot filled and I mean filled. Fits practically everything I've thrown at it. If you can get a mk2 which is 2017 onwards, then the boot is completely flat. Also comes with android auto and that. There's a fair amount for around £10k and under as well.

[Simon_GH]

The Dictator said:

Straight out of left field - Mercedes Viano

I have one (Japanese import) with a 3.5l V6 petrol engine, 7 leather seats, 2 electric sliding doors (you can set either to open from the key) x2 screens. 4 captain's chairs, huge boot and general storage, 3 sunroofs, rear electric pop open windows, heated front seats, air con with separate fan and controls in the rear, curtains in passenger compartment, flat floor makes cleaning out the kids crap easy as it just brushes straight out.

It's actually quite good fun to drive with over 250bhp and more torque - the children absolutely adore it and it would have been really useful when they were smaller with all the paraphernalia that goes with small children.

It's ULEZ compliant and tax is about £28 per month.

I am inclined to keep it indefinitely as it is just so versatile, we would all really miss it.

I’m curious to know what the mpg is like for a V6 petrol van? Sounds lovely.

[Kinky]

How about an F45 2 Series Active or Grand Tourer. You can slide the rear seats forwards/backwards to give you more rear passenger and/or boot space.

[Uncle boshy]

Ford s-max, good to drive and you’ll never run out of space