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New Grandchild-friendly car needed.

(58 Posts)
Eartha Sat 01-Jul-17 14:42:40

My present car (a Suzuki Swift) has finally given up the ghost and I am on the look out for a suitable replacement. I look after my 3 year old grandson at least once a week so need a practical, economical 4 door car with a decent sized boot.

I am hoping you lovely Gransnetters can help me with your recommendations.

grannylyn65 Sat 01-Jul-17 16:00:19

hope boot not for DGS !!!!!

Teetime Sat 01-Jul-17 16:57:26

We find the Qaushquai (not sure how its spelt) excellent for loading all kinds of stuff/persons and very economical to run.

shysal Sat 01-Jul-17 17:02:36

I have driven a Honda Jazz since having grandchildren, changing it a few times for a newer model. It is just the right size as far as I am concerned, and has room for 3 in the back. One feature which I find very useful is the 'magic rear seats', which individually or together fasten upwards a bit like a theatre seat revealing a good floor to roof space for child's bike or tall objects.
I expect most of us think our own car is ideal, so happy car hunting!

Nandalot Sat 01-Jul-17 17:48:05

After being quite snooty about Fords for a number of years, when our twin grandchildren came along we opted for Ford Focus S max. Probably too large for you, but then our daughter got a Ford Focus C max for herself. It has room for the two car seats and another small person in the back in an emergency. Why I like it is because it is a higher floor car which I find easier to get in and out from. Also when you are strapping the children into the car seat it is less of a strain in your back.

Norah Sat 01-Jul-17 18:08:05

I have a Volvo XC60. The perfect car for loads, good with petrol.

tanith Sat 01-Jul-17 18:59:12

We have a Qashqai too and its excellent for carting around all sorts including babies/children it is fitted with Isofix for securing child seats and they are easily fitted. The boot is copious and its really economical to run I love mine.

Greyduster Sat 01-Jul-17 18:59:46

Honda Jazz is great. Had two while GS was small and never had a problem with pushchairs, baggage etc. I'd have another in a heartbeat.

Marydoll Sat 01-Jul-17 19:48:27

I bought a new Honda Jazz a couple of months ago, after driving Honda Civics for years. I wanted a smaller car, but one which would take car seat and pram for DGD. I love it. The height of the seat makes it so much easier for me to get in and out.

Greyduster Sat 01-Jul-17 20:23:19

Isofix points for anchoring a car seat were one of the things I considered a priority. Probably most small cars have them now, but the Jazz certainly has.

Jalima1108 Sat 01-Jul-17 20:56:51

I don't know your budget; I have a Toyota Yaris and it has Isofix for the car seats; whatever you choose try to find one with Isofix. The boot is not large but it is adequate.

However, before you know it, he will be in a booster seat! (much easier)

Jane10 Sat 01-Jul-17 22:04:59

True Jalima- just discovered today that the youngest GS has outgrown the car seat and only needs the booster one. He can even do the seat belt for himself now too. Changed days!! I've got a Golf but I don't love it although I'm sure it's a perfectly good car I think it's ridiculously overcomplicated.

paddyann Sat 01-Jul-17 23:25:01

the law changed re car seats llast year ,they have to be in a seat with a back up until they are 12 years old unless they are over the weight recommendation .Boosters are only acceptable for emergency use

Eartha Sun 02-Jul-17 08:31:39

Thank you so much for all your responses. Really helpful. The Honda Jazz is looking favourite at the moment.

Paddyann thanks for the info, wasn't aware of the new law.

manic Sun 02-Jul-17 09:22:45

I have a Skoda Yetti and look after 5 yr old and large Labrador plus grand daughter and all the things that go with them Brilliant cars xx

GrandmaL Sun 02-Jul-17 09:33:15

I recommend the new Citroen C3, love mine ( as does my 3 year old DGD!)

Elderlyfirsttimegran Sun 02-Jul-17 09:34:01

I have a car seat that swivels which makes it much easier to got 2 year-old in and out. Isofix makes me feel more confident about safety.

Chimaera Sun 02-Jul-17 09:35:05

As a road safety officer who fits lots of car seats - I'd give the C Max a vote (I have one myself). It's a bit higher up than a Focus and with more head room so less chance of knocking your head (or your grandson's!) as you get in and out of the car. The B Max is also good - more like a Fiesta size, but higher up as well - and has no 'B' door pillar in between the front and back seat so getting children in and out is easy.
Don't worry too much about ISOfix points - yes they make car seat fitting easier but a correctly fitted belted seat is just as safe as ISOfix.
If you are getting a car seat to go in it - go for the best you can afford, and a reputable make - Britax, Maxi Cosi, Joie etc.

quizqueen Sun 02-Jul-17 09:53:46

It was be better for the future of this country, especially after Brexit, if people bought products made in this country- USE IT OR LOSE IT, FOLKS -so I suggest you look at a Vauxhall Corsa. Vauxhall give a lifetime warranty too if you buy from new. It really saddens me that all the suggestions here are for foreign cars. Although Vauxhall is a subsidiary of General Motors, it's is made here so provides lots of employment. PLEASE think about supporting British producers in all fields- our farmers and British owned supermarkets instead of rushing to save a few pennies at Aldi or Lidl. Using Mr Trumps' phrase- BRITISH FIRST.

toscalily Sun 02-Jul-17 10:01:54

I don't tend to post comments very often but had to on this one. I am now on my second Honda Jazz and have found them to be wonderful for transporting grandchildren, pushchairs, sports equipment & dogs, not to mention garden waste including fencing etc., As shysal mentioned the folding seats are so good when needing to put in larger items. Only this week on a visit to youngest son who has recently moved house and still had lots of boxes I offered to help with getting rid of them so DIL & I did some garden clearing while new baby grandson sat and watched in his push chair then loaded that and lots and lots of flattened boxes into car and took to the nearest tip. Left son behind to watch grandson & get on with renovating and contemplate what he can now put in their empty shed. smile

Jalima1108 Sun 02-Jul-17 10:06:11

I would have liked the Honda Jazz but it was just out of my price bracket. However, I am very happy with the Yaris but if you need a lot of boot space it may not be enough.

jacalpad Sun 02-Jul-17 10:26:42

I am another Ford C-Max fan! Great family car.

Marianne1953 Sun 02-Jul-17 11:01:47

I've got a Hyundai i20 and it's similar to the Jazz, but has a bigger boot and 5 year guarantee. We've had two cars and are very pleased with it.

Ruby41 Sun 02-Jul-17 11:16:02

Another vote for the Honda Jazz - have had mine for 10 years and it accommodates GCs and a lot of other stuff for such a small car - I wondered when I bought it why it was so popular with 'older' people - I think the young see it as a granny-car!!

icanhandthemback Sun 02-Jul-17 11:24:45

Another vote for the Honda Jazz. Just the way the seats fold did it for me and, for the size of the car, the boot is a cavern. We are really pleased with it. As for seeing it as a granny car, our 16 year old is as proud as punch to call it "his" car as he gets ready to learn to drive and always asks for us to go places in it rather than our Ford crossover.