Any advice on which new (to me) car?

My DD has had three different cars since her twins were born, and is now back with a Golf. She finds that as long as there's a decent boot capacity and four doors (the most important feature, in her view) the actual make isn't important. She did try a Citroen Picasso but found it too cumbersome.

I'm thinking of swapping my 13 year old Peugot 306 and was considering a golf.

I've had 2 Golfs and currently a Polo.I will soon need to replace or stop driving.
A friend has recently changed her Golf for a Skoda (I believe acquired by VW).
She is delighted with the performance and petrol consumption.

I have a (very scruffy) Toyota Yaris, a typical 'elderly lady's' car, but remarkably reliable and low maintenance. I would rather like to go even smaller and have an Aygo or even a Fiat 500, since I have now given up driving long distances.

I've got a trusty Mercedes A150, with twin car seats in the back. The boot is big enough for a large twin stroller and shopping, and it's a real workhorse. A dream to drive. The front seats are quite high, so great for iffy middle-aged knees. Does 45/48 mpg on motorways. My daughter has one, too, and is picking up her new A150 on Friday.

My other daughter, who also has twins, has a Ford Focus Cmax (sp?) which is proving ideal for twins, stroller, shopping and baggage.

DD test-drove a Ford Focus recently, but had got used to a lower driving position and went for the Golf - of course now her twins are 6 she doesn't need buggy-space. I prefer a high seat as well, when, but I suppose it depends on each driver's preference.

Both my DDs have a Citroen Piccasso which are fantastic. Three proper child seats fit in the back, as there are three separate seats so if you have two child seats an an adult can fit in well too. Can highly recommend them x

My DD moved up from a VW Golf to a VW Touran when she had her second baby - they have been very happy with it. It is larger than the Golf but smaller than an estate.

We have a Yeti that is the same engine as a Golf. It has many nice features - including 4x4 if it snows. Not fantastic fuel economy though - not very aerodynamic.
We also have a 10 year old mercedes 220 estate that does better mpg. Both are deisel.

Sorry, I thought a yeti was an abominable snowman?

My Focus has loads of room for car seats, 3 full seatbelts in the back, big boot, very reliable.

I have a Streetka - a Ka convertible. It was my "sod it" car when I finished chemo - DH's idea, not mine! But I love it; it is dark green, with cream leather upholstery, and very nippy - I commuted happily in it for 5 or 6 years. But it does little mileage now, so I'm running it right down and am then thinking of something like a Yeti or Panda 4x4 (Greatnan has one) in case of snow and mud etc. big change, eh? That will stop me posing for good!

Oh I would love a Streetka. I had a KA for ages & loved it then the DGCs arrived and I got a 5 door Fiesta to fit the kiddieseats in. Boot is tight for some buggies and wheels (of buggies) have to come off to fit! It is an efficient car but a bit dull! DH has a Focus which is roomier! As soon as my DD2 passes her test and I am needed less for transporting her and kids to various place I may go back to a KAor even a Streetka!

I have a Honda Jazz, my third in succession. They are popular with our age group, having innovative storage options.
Following a shoulder injury I went for an automatic, which I love and would recommend to anyone -it is impossible to stall and you never find yourself trying to pull away in the wrong gear, which I admit to occasionally doing before ! I would never go back to a manual gearbox.

I had a Ford Fiesta for years and loved it! I even got the twins' double buggy in the boot so not sure how big your buggies are, nanej!

I like my Renault Clio. I am on my third Clio now and my first and second cars were Renault 4s. The worst car I ever had was a mini.

I'm on my second Toyota Yaris and I absolutely love it.
It's very roomy and goes like Billy Whizz!

DH has a Toyota IQ - very tiny and economical. It doesn't feel small and drives well.

I have a 7 seat (as we need a big boot) Nissan Qashqai which is quite ecomonical too. The best bit is the huge panoramic glass roof which can, apparently, take the weight of a bear Obviously, that was the main selling point as far as I was concerned.

I don't know anything about cars apart from how to drive them but did hear this week that the biggest selling car is the Fiesta followed by Astra.

Friend has a Golf and hates it.
DH has a Passat and loves it.
I love my posy Peugeot.
Friends Astra blew up.
I think all the latest tiny cars have great styling.
DS1 has a Fiesta and 2 young children and gets on fine with it.

There you are, you have my entire knowledge of cars which is probably no use to you at all.

Thanks very much for all the comments. Really interesting to read. So many factors to consider. I am too tall for a Ka which I found claustraphobic when tried out a while back. Passat estate was great when kids were young but too expensive on fuel for current lifestyle/income! Hated the Astra I had for one year. Likewise an older version of Polo which did my back in. DH has recently bought a Daihatsu Sirion which is a lovely little car for his use for work (200 miles plus a week) but too small for the type of travel with grandkids/DD that I am concerned about.

I have just seen a Golf Plus in a nearby street and the owner says it is a great car so if I can find one near to test drive that's my next step.

Also interested in a Skoda Yeti but not the 4x4 which I don't need for regular driving mainly in cities/motorway. They have had great reviews but have not seen many around. Called Big Foot in USA!

Anyone with experience of Yeti or any other ideas?

I can't remember the make but it's a 3 wheeler and we have to take one back wheel off to get it in & close the boot..I could take the shelf off I suppose!

Tha is the buggy i am talking about ...not the car!

I know someone who drives a Quashqai [sp] and can only agree with what kittylester said about how economical it is [surprisingly so for such a large car]. My favourite car ever was an old red Fiesta which gave me back my confidence when a horrible metro with evil gearing resulted in me upsetting every other road user. My current Yaris is quite disappointing in the fuel consumption department but it was a good buy at the time as I was saving up for a new car and they had a 0% finance deal at the time; meant I was able to buy it straight away. It's lovely to drive, though, although I find the all round visibility a bit of a problem [but I think all cars are the same these days].

Thought you were recommending a Reliant Robin there nanaej ...