Overactive in the bedroom. Car advice needed.

[Kev_mk3]

What about the Vauxhall alternative -

http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/asp/index.asp?adid=11640866&lnk=110_2&desc=Vauxhall%20ZAFIRA%20MPV%202008&orderby=price%20desc&makeid=96&modelid=983&maxprice=14000

2008 (08) Vauxhall ZAFIRA 1.9 CDTi SRi [150] 5dr [Exterior Pack], 18910 miles, Black, Diesel, Manual Transmission, £12994

its the quick diesel engine, has whats called the XP pack on and there cracking cars. If you want a little more go you can add a tuning box that will make it 200bhp and a lot of torques great forums for advise and cheap ish running costs.

[Barry]

You can't fit 3 child seats across in the 2nd row of seats in a Zafira, it's to narrow.

[landman]

They are also smaller as based on the Astra platform as opposed to the S-Max which shares it's underpinnings with the Galaxy, V70/XC70 and S80.

That middle bench seat is a pain to move, if you want to get in/out of the rear seats you have to empty the middle bench seat!

[Barry]

I thought the galaxy was based on the S-Max platform?

[nickliv]

In the S max, can you definitely fit 3 full size brat restrainers side by side in the 2nd row?

[Barry]

In the S max, can you definitely fit 3 full size brat restrainers side by side in the 2nd row?

A lot of people have done it, best to take your childseats to the garage to check they fit, they should do.

[Robbo SPS]

And what did you buy ?

[nickliv]

Ah, I was just thinking I should update you all.

Happily, we decided not to buy another car. It would apear that our eldest doesn't need a restraint other than the 3 point adult belt. (There is a clause in the law what says that a 3rd booster is not required if the presence of 2 other child restraints preclude the fitting of a 3rd.)

Most of the time the passenger seat airbag is turned off, and she'll be in the front seat. It'll only be when we're out as a family that she'll need to sit in the back.

[nickliv]

Having said that, and with #3 imminent,(ie days) we're test driving an S Max tomorrow, mainly to check re. the clild seats and the general feel of the thing on the road. We won't be buying that one. (Aberdeen prices are preposterous)

[landman]

Secondhand S-Max prices are stupidly high at the moment.

Not just in Aberdeen.

Many SMAXOC members have found it cheaper to buy new.

Have you tried Deal Drivers & Drive The Deal?

Paul.

[nickliv]

hmmmmmm. I shall check.

[landman]

hmmmmmm. I shall check.

Have just sent you a PM on the SMAXOC site.

Rgds,

Paul

[nickliv]

We found the S max to be a bit too big, is is to be herselfs car after all. It'd just end up scraped and battered.

VW touran gives us enough space, and with the DSG box, a 2 yr old one's about 14, which is about where our budget is.