I've now got three kids and the rear seat of my Octy 1 just ain't big enough for all the child seats. I'm not sure SWMBO will enjoy squeezing in the middle on long journeys while one of the kids rides in luxury up front. I need to get the airbag disabled if I do this to. Another problem I have is my lack of funds for a replacement car, £2,500 max and the fact my old, battered 152,000 mile octy won't add much to that. I'm open to suggestions on cars that will fit three child seats in the back, be reasonably economical and with any luck, as reliable as my Octy has been. I've looked on the internet but as I'm abroad in a place where 'normal' cars are rare, I can't check if the seats would fit and there are no friendly dealers who would let me check even if I had the seats with me. I've looked at the Mazda Premacy but unsure about that one, I don't like the Scenic/Picasso (just don't like French cars). I don't want to end up down the Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra/Espace route or any other really big cars unless I have to (would be a waste of 2 seats as the middle 3 are big enough). If I had more cash I would go for an S-Max though. I have however, against what I have just said about big cars, looked at VW T4's.... any ideas? How big is the rear seat in a Superb?

I've been in this position before with trying to get three in the Octavia. I looked briefly at the Multimac, but couldn't justify the expense or loose the ability to put the seats down to carry stuff.

I refuse a to drive a people carrier as the Octavia is my only vice in life and existence without it would be very dull. How old is your eldest? Are they old enough for a simple booster seat? If the older two can make do with a booster, then it's just the youngest that needs a 'proper' car seat.

Mine are 5 years, 3 years and 10 weeks. My 5 year old is on a booster, I did try two booster seats and the baby thing as we already have a booster for my middle child for when he is a bit bigger, but still no joy. It's frustrating, even though my Octavia is old and tired, it refuses to give up. 152000 miles and all thats been changed, other than servicing stuff like brake pads etc, is 1 shock absorber, the window regulator plastic bits (an reoccurring job) and the battery (twice). Not even the clutch or exhaust has given up in 13 years.

That's amazing service the car's given you! It's crazy that three little people can't fit in an Octavia due to the design of seats. Back 'when I were a lad', we used to sit four across the back of a Mk2 Escort. Now cars are bigger, we somehow fit less people in them. If you have a family any bigger than the average you need a vehicle the size of a van to fit them in. I know it's all down to safety etc, but to have to change your car goes against the grain for me.

So, two boosters and the baby carrier didn't fit? Not sure what you can do then. How often does the whole family travel together? Or if you do, what length are the journeys? Squeezing the wife inbetween the two youngest might do for a few miles, but longer journeys would be a pain.

I'd considered the crazy notion of hiring a bigger car for the once every other month that we both do a long journey and have everyone in the car. I did some sums and worked out that it was cheaper to keep the Octavia, put half the money I'd have to spend on changing the car into an account and then use it to hire a people carrier every now and then. Most of the time, it's just me going to work, or me and one other child in the car going to clubs etc during the week. It's not very often we all have to cram into the car.

That's amazing service the car's given you!

Thats the main reason I don't want to get rid of it, and the fact its not worth anything now. I think the wife will have to suffer a little, or a lot depending how far we go. Got a nice 3 hour trip in February she can look forward to!

I would try and keep it if you can - it sounds like a good car and once the kids are older you will certainly be able to fit them all in. The other benefit is you know the car from new, so changing to something 2nd hand might be more hassle than its worth.

The other benefit is you know the car from new, so changing to something 2nd hand might be more hassle than its worth.

That's pretty much the conclusion I came to also. Buying within the 2.5k budget would just be taking on someone else's problems. You may find a trouble free car, but how would you know before handing over the cash? I'm not a gambling man - I went to Vegas and didn't spend a dime on the machines - so I'd stick if you can.

I know this sounds a bit off the wall as a suggestion, but have you looked at a FIAT Multipla ?

I am expecting the usual Fiat jokes after this comment, but having just owned a FIAT, i can in all honesty say that there has been a vast & huge improvement in build quality.

I have seen a few of these around where I live & whilst quirky, given their fugly exterior design, Interior wise, I think Skoda missed an additional trick for the Yeti with its practicality.

Not sure of 2nd hand prices but thought it might be worth a bit of investigation.

How interesting.. i am in almost exactly the same position!

Only i dont need the space for kids, just stuff! Mountain bikes, dogs etc.

Had my octy vRS for 5 years, has now done 135,000 miles of almost completely faultless driving. Has been an absolutely superb car and couldn't ever fault it, but it needs lots doing to it and imo its not worth doing. The car is practically worthless now, but doesn't owe me anything.

I have been looking at diesel mondeo estates around 2002/3 as they can be had for cheap. Its only a stop gap for 6/8 months until we are in a position to buy something newer (superb estate).

what about a superb 1.9tdi 130

I found a Superb in my price range, lots of miles on the clock but that doesnt bother me if it's been looked after. I'm home in a few days so will see if the seats are big enough. The Octy will still have to go though, I can't afford to run two cars. The Fiat Multipa is a wide car that doesn't fit in parking spaces very well, but I havn't ruled them out. I'm still thinking about a T4 van with a set of seats in the back, I may have found a source of ex AA vans which are a crew cab kind of arrangement complete with 3 point seat belts for the rear seats. Still, it's probably a bit large for what I really need. I may just take the advice of skinnyman and hire a car for my longer journeys.

The Honda FR V springs to mind. Not too ungainly and designed to sit 3 abreast in the front and the rear. Plus Honda reliability and residuals, which is the sticking point. The cheapest ones on auto trader are between 4.5 and 5 K so may be out of your price range. Still a decent car though.

Thanks for the advice, now I'm back home it's a little easier to check out cars. I like the FR-V but not found one I can afford yet. Nearly got a Scenic on a 05 plate but appart from it getting sold 2 hours after I looked at it I have found they are very problematic cars! May have been a good thing it went, I did like it though.

For my budget it looks like I may end up with an Alhambra or Galaxy.

wot a dilemma

i found my old 55 reg superb was MASSIVE in the back loads of room

id try and find one private and check the seat situation 1st

for gods sake dont buy a multipla

hows about this one.....my baby seat fits in the middle of my fabia estate and ive had 4 adults in too (bit tight)

......but the blooming baby seat wont fit in the middle of my A6 avant..MAD init

good luck

I am also in practically exactly the same situation!

Eldest is 5 and in booster seat in the front (airbag disabled). Then have 2 year old in back seat front-facing, wife in middle, and 3 month old in rear facing the the back seat. It's just about managebale for now, but resigned to getting a new car when baby moves up to forward facing seat.

Had a look in Superb about 6 months ago, and while there is stacks of legroom it's not a massive amount wider. Don't really want an MPV if possible, so will probably start looking at 4X4's later this year.

I have got a Scenic 2004 1.9 DCi Privilege, it's not bad but I'm going to miss the old Skoda. I do get the feeling that I won't get quite so many trouble free miles with the Renault.... It's had the new dash already which isn't a good start.

It'll be little things that go, things not worth getting fixed.

Watch the engine, they coke up if you're not doing a lot of long journeys.

The front fogs have stopped working already, and the illumination for the heater controls, 3 days after buying. I do hope it's not a sign. The Octy is sitting on the drive laughing at me, problem free but without insurance anymore as I can't afford to insure both.

I am also in practically exactly the same situation!

Eldest is 5 and in booster seat in the front (airbag disabled). Then have 2 year old in back seat front-facing, wife in middle, and 3 month old in rear facing the the back seat. It's just about managebale for now, but resigned to getting a new car when baby moves up to forward facing seat.

Had a look in Superb about 6 months ago, and while there is stacks of legroom it's not a massive amount wider. Don't really want an MPV if possible, so will probably start looking at 4X4's later this year.

I wanted the smallest thing I could get that fitted everyone in. My wife only managed a few miles squeezed into the middle of the Octy before she told me it had to be replaced. The Honda CR-V is a popular choice in my area, I would much prefer an XC-90 or is that just showing my age?

Get rid of the Renault imo mate while you still got the Octy to fall back on.

Well, I have just traded in the Octy for a VW Touran Sport (170PS) with DSG. Fitted 3 seats across the back nicely and was "OK" to drive, although I guess comparing to the VRS it was never going to stand up

I would have liked a Touran but it was a little out my price range. I got a French shed to give me plenty to fix over the comming years.

I would have liked a Touran but it was a little out my price range. I got a French shed to give me plenty to fix over the comming years.

Thae main question is, can you all fit in and is the wife happy?

we had this, I originally bought the ocy as our "family car" but the missus found the back too cramped so I bought her a hyundai Trajet and kept the ocy as a toy. Must say that although the Trajet is crude and slow and not so good on fuel, it was cheap, is huge, a good cruiser and has been very reliable.

Thae main question is, can you all fit in and is the wife happy?

When you put it that way, I guess it's perfect.