Help! Need advice on best family car

Hi guys...

Ok so dh and I have decided its time to ditch the old commodore (bomb) and get ourselves a new car (YAY!). Problem is..were overwhelmed with what the best choice car would be for our family. So we have 2 kiddies atm (2 year old and 4 month old) and I would love a 3rd at some point so need a car spacious enough to fit 3 car seats. Has to have good boot space to fit double pram, shopping etc, would prefer brand new and our budget is $35,000...

ATM were thinking of Honda CRV or Toyota RAV 4...Mazda 6 was in the running till we saw the anchor points so thats out. Would love to hear any other suggestions and those who own a CRV or RAV 4 would love to hear your thoughts too!

Thanks!:D

i def think if ur gonna buy a new car n want more kids the best options are 4wd or station wagon types due to space n boot space also...
i have a mazda 3 hatch back n i have 2 seats n it is very limited inside.. the boot is now taken up by the pram so nothing else really fits unless its small or skinny lol
i had a mazda 6 n i absolutley luv those bloody cars lol!!
maybe a cx7?? or a new holden hatch?? my friend has one with all kids in car seats n there is 3 of them n they all fit perfectly..

I don’t think that a CRV, Rav, Mazda 6, Outlander will be big enough if you’re thinking of 3. We have to upgrade (our #3 is on the way) and we are looking at the next size up, Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory, or a commodore omega wagon, something like that.

Good luck! :goodluck: Ergh, I hate thinking about cars, it does my head in, so b.o.r.i.n.g.!

The latest rav 4's seem to be a similar size to mine, (Hyundai Santa fe but they are only diesel now). We are changing over in 6 months and are looking at the rav4.

Ford Territory has 3 anchor points in the back seat and if you get a 7 seater they have them in the 2 far back seats too. They are also wide enough to fit 3 car seats across the back. I loooooooooove ours, its awesome to drive. A lot of people at school have them too and everyone I know who owns one loves it.

We have a Toyota land cruiser. Was $21000, 2002 model and in excellent condition and an absolute score. I wouldnt rule out a used car, If you shop around you can find a bargain.
I love my car. I can fit DS in, his pram, an 80L engel, a German shepherd and a weeks worth of groceries in it all at once and I don't have to worry about curbing it!

Go the Territory!

Territory's are heaps roomier than they look. My friend has one and it's a great car. So that gets my vote!

Thanks for your replies ladies :) Will definately check out the Ford Territory...might need some convincing as DH is a Holden boy..lol...but i just want best value, reliable family car roomy enough for 3 kiddies...

Epacris: Out of curiosity what car do you have now?

Helle: I think we will most prob go the used car route...cars lose so much value the minute you drive away...will miss the new car smell tho! :/

Thanks again girls u have been a gr8 help!

We have a Mazda MPV and absolutely love it!!! :D

Mambo, I've got a Mitsubishi Lancer station wagon that I LOVE. We bought it (second hand) just before DD was born and thought it would see us through for a while. But now with #3 on the way we have to upgrade again, there is no way three car seats will fit across the back.

We will be buying a car from the government auction sometime this month. If you google “Government Car Auctions” you will easily find the website, there is one for each state. There are some amazing bargains there, it is well worth a look IMHO. :D

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We have a Mazda MPV and absolutely love it!!! :D

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:ROFL: Mel, pretty sure I have seen this exact quote in ALL the other car recommendation threads too :lol: In fact, I saw a new one of these on the road the other day and you popped into my head straight away, it actually looked Ok!!

If you have 2 kids now and considering a third, I would definitely look into a 7seater. Your 4yr old will probably be at school either next year or year after that and you may end up with a couple of extra's at pick up time :D

The Holden Captiva is a 7seater, the new Nissan Dualis + 2 is also a 7seater (review wasn't great on it on though). Both these brand new you could get for $35,000.

Only thing with Territories is the petrol bill, not sure if they have improved and the size if you are moving up from a commodore.

We are in the process of getting a Nissan X-Trail. I test drove a Rav and found it really squishy. The xtrail has LOADS of boot space and 3 anchor points on the back on the seats.

Just googled the Mazda MPV and its MASSIVE!! What if i dont have a 3rd! LOL

Epacris: Our old commodore was bought from the government auctions and thats what DH is planning to buy from again..like u said u can find some gr8 bargains there so I wont discount it...just need to decide on the best car! Goodluck with your car hunt...the amount of research and thought that goes into getting another car just does my head in! But i sooo cant wait to get rid of our commodore!

The Territories are not the most economic, the Captiva has better fuel economy, but the Mazda CX7 is again better, and isn't built in Korea, like the Captiva ;)

The commodore station wagon is big enough for 3, and will be cheaper all round as it isn't a 4wd - is there a reason you want a 4wd - like will you actually use it??

As for new/used etc, check our the used stuff on car sales - you will find a lot of 12-24month old cars, in brand new condition, but a fraction of the price because of the depreciation ;)

Well between this thread and DP I had a dream he surprised me with a territory turbo in ego colour. Ergh lol

we have a santa fe and love it. yeah the new ones are diesel, so that may be something you don't like, but i love ours! we got the manual, and it has plenty of room. we've had two rear facing car seats and an adult in the back with room to move. i think it we went a third car seat it would be fine, especially if we were using compact car seats. we fit the pram, car fridge and shopping in the "boot" with the ccover still over everything, and can fit a hell of a lot more if we leave the cover off.

Just out of interest, what is the problem with the Mazda 6 anchor points?