missuscluck Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Hi all. I thought I would ask the all knowing Omletteers for advice being as we are all so clever and all knowing Im thinking of changing my car. From September onwards I will be doing a longer school run with 3 large children morning and evening. Im thinking that a small car with 4 doors that can sit 3 kids in the back might be a good move. I dont really want an MPV though as I like the idea of low tax and running costs. I am hopeless at cars though and am mostly interested in colour I was pondering on a Fiat Panda, Citroen C3 or the like. Has anyone got any of these of cars of a similar size that you might reccomend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Got a panda & love it BUT it doesn't have a middle lap strap,although I am sure you could get one fitted. Its a super car,really nippy,very economical & reliable too Also it has a glass roof, so is bright & light inside & is a very,very BRIGHT BLUE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 BTW having looked into it for a previous car I found that generally cars with existing lap belts in the middle are really hard to convert to proper seat belt in the middle May be some exceptions but unless a garage confirms they can do it on that model of car (and are willing to quote a price) assume middle lap belts not convertable which may be an issue depending on size/age of children. No idea how easy to fit a lap seat belt into a car with 4 seat belts and no middle belt though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Toyota Yaris 4 door diesel and seats 3 in the back comfortably £35 yearly car tax and over 60 mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I have a Kia Rio and it has 3 proper seatbelts in the back. I love it, the new model is only £35 a year tax too Cheap to run, cheap to buy and cheap to insure - brilliant! Also much higher spec than other cars in the same price range, a similar spec fiesta we looked at was £4000 more than the Kia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I have a Kia Rio and it has 3 proper seatbelts in the back. I love it, the new model is only £35 a year tax too Cheap to run, cheap to buy and cheap to insure - brilliant! Also much higher spec than other cars in the same price range, a similar spec fiesta we looked at was £4000 more than the Kia! I had a Kia Rio as a hire car on holiday, nearly broke my heart to leave it at the airport! What a smashing car drives like a much bigger car but with all the benefits of the small size, comfy and with a useful boot space, I would highy recommend it too I also had a Renault Clio 1.5 diesel for a couple of years which was a fab little car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 Goodness My brain is now boggled. Done a few dealers today and have come home armed with lots of glossy brochures. Really not sure at all now what to do. The Panda is really cute and better quality than I expected given the price. A really good bargain I think and eco friendly and £35.00 a year road tax. They do do a third seat belt option if I want one and for me the only real draw back is the size of the back seat. A strong contender. I didnt make it to Kia today but will go and check out the Rio when I get chance. I also liked the Honda Jazz, Nissan Note and Renault Modus. I liked the Vauxhall Meriva but thought it was a bit pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I have a corsa diesel ecoflex, feels like driving a big car £35 year tax 60+ mpg, fold down seats, I love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Go on as many test drives as possible - you might like the look of the car but it might be different to drive it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Definitely do test drives and test them with passengers too! Then you'll get legroom and things like that covered, and ceiling height! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenp Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Try to get more than the 10 minute test round the block. As you are going to potentailly spending a lot of money with one of the dealers, make them work for you. Some do weekend test drives which will be a really good way of seeing which is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 How about a Ford Focus? Yes, i know Clarkson commented that they were more common than Wayne Rooneys sister but they are really roomy, easy to drive, comfortable and low tax bracket. So many people cant be wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Im going to try and make time to check out Ford today and see whats on offer. Im still ummming and arrring. Im not the best decision maker on the planet I have booked a test drive on Saturday for the lovley Panda but Im worried it might not be big enough. Im planning on booking a test drive for tomorrow hopefully for the Nissan Note and the Renault Modus. I think my biggest problem is I will be parting from my lovley (all be it a bit batterd) Mini. A car is a car is a car to me unless its a mini Im trying to be grown up and practical which dosent always come easy I dont want something too big still but I have this school run is September to do with 3 or more kids and it would be just my luck one of them takes up the drums or something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My first car (many years ago) was an old style mini and I had a boyfriend who played drums in a band I drove him hundreds of miles to gigs around the country - him in the back seat with a drum on his knee, drums cymbals and stands carefully packed in around him and the bass drum on the passenger seat beside me. Everything had to be loaded and unloaded in a certain order to fit it all in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Sounds familliar. I have always had a mini (a classic one) with one or two variants thrown in over the years when we were at the pram stage with the kids. The way you pack things in is key I have a bmw mini too now which is the one thats got to go. Went shopping today and came back surrounded with bags of food. I go round corners and end up with food on my knee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
