Ok, so slightly sooner than expected/planned, we're gonna have a third kid. That means we'll definitely have outgrown our Honda Jazz, so I need a new car. Anyone with experience of 3 kids have any recommendations on what to go for? I've never really fancied driving an MPV, but I'm thinking I might have to go that way. Or could I get away with something a bit smaller?

Not sure on my budget yet. I think I can definitely get £4k plus for my Jazz, but wouldn't want to chip in too much of my own cash as my wife will be back on maternity come August, having only gone back to work in mid-Jan! So, probably a £6k budget max, although I might be tempted to spend more depending on how much cash I have in a couple of months time.

I have three aged 2, 5 and 7 and got away with a Ford Focus plus a box top on the roof rack for a long while - just bought an Astra Estate ( ) but only cos it came up ridiculously cheap.

I've got a BMW 525 (get that part out of the way to stop any piss takes)

Mrs Sted did have a Scenic up until last year, which was a very good car, but has now got a Toyota Estima (basically a Jap import Praevia).

I've not got a bad word to say about it. 1998, cost about £2000 runs very well, and more cup holders and space than you'll ever need.

It's a bit of a bus, but with 3 kids it's amazing how much extra crap you need to carry about, and Mrs Sted reckons it's as easy to drive as a mini.

Thanks for that. Been having a look at a Ford S-Max after looking at an earlier thread. Will give those Toyota's a look too.

My citroen picasso is very roomy for 5 and lots of boot space for double buggies etc

whilst there are only 2 of us I have just got an octavia greenline, very economical on the diesel and a tonne of space in the back and in the boot!!!

Which child did you put in the box on the top?

Unfortunately I don't think there will be many S-Max kicking around for 6K unless they've been absolutely hammered into the ground.

Great cars though.

All three: then pump up the stereo and off you go

2 in the front and three in the back. Most cars fit that criteria
I have 3 children and we cope quite easily with a Clio.

Not really safe unless you have 3 seatbelts in back which go from shoulder down to waist.
Having just a lapbelt in the middle seat as you have in clios will cause untold damage if you are in a serious accident.

The problem comes when going on holiday doesn't it? Especially if push chairs and travel cots get involved!

We managed with the Focus though plus a roof box for 7 years ...................... I must say that having the Astra Estate, much as i didn't like the car, is great for the extra space and no roof box.

Except of course i can't find the thing in car parks! Got used to just looking for my roof box above all the other cars!

Very ungreen of you!

Roof boxes are appalling for aerodynamics and hence fuel economy (and doublehence your wallet). Take them off when not in use.

Actually it makes jack difference for urban speeds (i got the same mileage before and after buying it except on motorway comparisons) and secondly its far far far far (did i mention far?) greener than buying a new car or a second hand bigger car.

Thirdly where do you put the box exactly? London terraced houses are not over flowing with space.

Fourthly I use about a tank of fuel a MONTH - public transport to and from work (when i had a job) and walk kids to school.

THE least green thing you can do is buy a new car. Even a Prius eff s up the environment more than an entire life of a car in the manufacture process.

If no one bought new cars tens of thousands of people in the Midlands and the North East would lose their jobs

We have three children and when they were growing up we had a Renault Scenic. After keeping it for 6 or 7 years we decided to do our bit for the economy and buy a new one, or something similar. We fancied a change so we test drove several people-carriers from all the main dealers, but in the end we bought another Scenic because frankly none of the others came near it in terms of space and functionality.

Of course. Its a balance between there being too many of us humans and the pressures we all put on the planet we all live on.

Just pointing out that for urban low use having a box top uses pretty much the same fuel as without one and if it delays buying another car its green plus that if you can buy a second hand car, rather than new, its a green thing to do.

As humans we throw away lots of functional cars and they are scrapped ..................... the process of building a new car damages the environment more than its entire life of emissions and so on.

But i'd not critisise you for buying a knew one if you needed it - but if we all tried to buy less knew cars then the planet would be better off even if the new car industry suffered a little.

We all should try to use our cars less if we can.

you'll fit 3 kids in the back of most cars, the hassle you're going to have is boot space when you have to take them, and pram(s) and grab some shopping etc etc

when our 2nd came along I went for a Skoda Fabia estate, cracking car. 60+mpg, cheap insurance, loads of room, can shift when needed....

You may well not in good quality high safety rating car seats - worth a measure

The Clio does have 3 shoulder to waist seat belts.
I do have a 9 year old disabled child who can't walk, hence we have to put her chair in the boot. Practice makes perfect. It's amazing what you can fit in to a small car.
What makes it more practical is the fact that it takes less space in the parking bays, hence giving more space to unload. Finding a parking space is easier hence less time spent in car looking for a suitable space. Plus we don't block other cars views at roundabouts, or take up all the road when going down country roads. It's cheaper insurance, less maintenance costs and of course more economical.
The biggest advantage is people not trying to hassle for a spare seat when your heading somewhere No space for the inlaws. or brothers sisters and parents.
Fat friends can't even get in it hence making the journey less straining on the engine

Yep, what Groomy says. If none of them needed car seats, our Jazz would be fine, but we've already tried adding an extra car seat to the two we already have, and it ain't happening. Shame, as I really like the car, and it's the first (out of three) that the missus hasn't scraped. So far........