Which family vehicle

[Fellstoflats]

Volvo V90.

+1 for Volvo- we've had 3 various ones over the years (XC70, V40, and now an XC90)

XC90 is too big for us- if you're in the market for a Chelsea tractor type thing though, this is the one

V40 was ace, but perhaps a bit tricky for carseats as its quite low.

XC70 was my favourite- regular Estate car size, but with AWD for a bit more grip/safety/traction.

We've both said we'd never buy another brand. Yes they can be a little more expensive, but they hold value 2nd hand, are very reliable, and the minute you shut that door, and see the thickness/bulk of the door in the door mirror, you realise how flimsy all other modern cars are by comparison.

 

[Courier]

Unless you truly have a serious need for 4wd just make sure that you use a “Cross-climate” type heavy treaded tyre at least on the driven axle and change them as a pair soon after they reach the 3mm tread depth.
A vehicle such as the Renault Trafic Crew Van will do everything you need and give you better than 35mpg even driven hard with a bit of towing.

 

[Courier]

Leyland sherpa had plenty of room for kiddy seats and sheep in the back.

As a kid I used to get told tales of Philip Outhwaite taking ewes to Otley market in the back seat of his Rolls Royce

 

[alomy75]

Wife has a XC60 4wd. Lovely car; especially if you find a D5. Don’t be put off by a DCPU though; I have an amarok and it’s got isofix; my lad much prefers it as he can see out of the window (seat higher in relation to the window compared to the Volvo). Definitely get isofix; bases can be bought used for peanuts so just buy the actual seat new when they’re tiny. Then once they’re big enough into a swivel seat which also picks up the isofix. Wouldn’t be without my truck but if you want to do serious off-roading a DCPU is not the right choice….I got stuck in Cereals car park once…

 

[moo-baa]

We have a Mitsubishi L200. It has isofix for 2 seats in back. We also had one of the swivel car seats so baby can face backwards when tiny and turn forwards when at the right age/weight. Turns sideways for getting them in and out so no bending or faffing around with straps. They are a bit pricey but really saves the back. L200 are okay for towing but not the best. Pick ups are good for if you have a dog too. Not so good for shopping. You need to put something in the back to stop everything flying everywhere.

 

[Greythundercloudys]

We're getn a xc60 volvo, probably end of the month.

 

[Bill the Bass]

We have a pick up and a little seat Leon hatch, it’s enough for two kids under 5. I suspect the bigger car you have the more shite you will take with you on your travels. A lot depends on age of kids though we only have one in a buggy but if you needed two in a buggy I guess you need more space.

congratulations anyways, but cars are the least of your worries now!

 

[D14]

Hi all as title we are in a bit of a dilemma as to which family viechle to go for. I currently run a 2 seater van and my partner has an Audi a3. We are hopefully just shy of 10 weeks away from having our first child. We are wondering what to replace the Audi for as I want my partner to be able to get anywhere she wants to be able to come and see me at work down lanes across fields etc and also feel comfortable doing shephearding duties and we are also getting in the position now where we really need to be able to tow aswell. The question is what do we go for? Is a twin cab pick up impractical for a new born child seat?

Twin cab pickup is fine. It's what I have used since my children were born and now on my 4th vehicle.

 

[fermerboy]

We used to have two under 5 in a Golf. Most of the time it was fine, but there was always so much crap to take that filled the boot up.
My folks have had Honda CRV and I'd have one of them as a family car, ridiculously reliable, plenty of practical room, good value used, and can pull a trailer if not too big. I've a XC60 Volvo now and it would break me to have toddlers messing it up.
I run a double cab, a Ranger and now a Hilux, and I always think they are just a compromise. Rubbish car, (clumsy, cramped, greedy), and rubbish pickup(short bed), but its just the handiness of one vehicle that makes them popular. I'd run a 4x4 like a swb shogun if it wasn't for the need to move kids at times.