Tall folk + baby seat = thoughts welcome

[mgmrw]

As per title really. Me & the good lady are expecting our first in a month or so, and typically none of our 4 cars will accommodate us AND an infant carrier.

I'm 6ft6 & the Mrs is pushing 5ft11 and has a bad back, so legroom helps.

Current 3x dailies are;

06 Saab 9-3 vector sport TiD saloon (with baby seat in, front seats touch the dash nearly)

01 Celica vvti ... Yeah, just no.

04 Honda CRV VTEC sport SE. Seemed great, until 22-25mpg hit home, expensive insurance and parts. Plus the baby seat means the front seats again lose legroom, to the point where anything over an hour, will be uncomfortable/painful.


So, my thoughts are to punt on the CRV. Options for replacement are;

Lexus GS300/400/430
Volvo V70 or S80
Mondeo estate (eugh, really?)
BMW 7 series

Have I missed anything obvious?

Really looking for something that will take a Maxi-Cosi pebble plus infant carrier, and let the front seats go all the way back.... Dreaming?

[PandaSelecta]

What about an Alfa 166. Seats are very comfortable for us "lankies" and I can fit in the front and without adjusting the seat, I can also fit in the back!

[ratchart]

Fiat Multipla!

[mgmrw]

Alfa - good call, reliable? Could do with at least one of the fleet being "no fuss"

Multipla - i did see a 2006 plate 1.9jtd (same engine as my Saab) which was.... Funky (?) But fair maiden isn't exactly a fan.

[grizz]

Break the mould....

Try out a Berlingo/Partner. Different but similar to Multipla in that they are deceptively useful tools.

Go on...... think about at least looking at them.

[SmokeEm]

W210 Estate - there is even a V8 one for sale on here but even a small engined one will swallow everything you could ever need and still be comfortable and sensible on fuel. I have a saloon and even they would let you sit right back.

[lufbramatt]

Firstly congratulations!

I'm 6'2" so not quite as tall as you but I've had experience with the Maxi Cosi pebble as we had one for our son (and is about to be put back into use in 3 weeks time!)

The familyfix isofix base makes life much more difficult as the extra height means there's more chance of a clash between the front of the carrier and the back of the front seat. Without the isofix base, using the seatbelt instead, it will go in most cars. Also lifting the carry handle up slightly can help.

With the isofix base it was ok in the back of my e39 5-series behind me (might not work for anyone taller than me though!), but doesn't quite fit in the back of my Honda Jazz so it has to go behind the passenger seat, not much in it though. Without the base it fits fine but makes it less convenient to get in and out. Rear legroom isn't actually great in the e39 but it works as I have the drivers seat as low as it will go so the front of the baby seat ends up poking just over the top of the drivers seat.

Another thing to bear in mind is the size of the boot, some pushchairs can be pretty chunky even when folded and the ones that fold up small are flimsy and uncomfortable for the little one. Our silver cross surf (second hand bargain!) is fine in my e39 and was ok in my old Passat but is a struggle in the jazz, have to take the wheels off. Also useful having a nice big flat boot for impromptu nappy changes while you're out

Skoda Superb would make my shortlist. Long wheelbase Passat with a different badge. Or an A6 if you're feeling flush.

Good excuse to get a long wheelbase uber barge like a 750iL

[mgmrw]

Apr 11, 2017 8:54:26 GMT grizz said:

Break the mould....

Try out a Berlingo/Partner. Different but similar to Multipla in that they are deceptively useful tools.

Go on...... think about at least looking at them.

I like the idea. Her ladyship, no chance.

[mgmrw]

Apr 11, 2017 9:07:40 GMT SmokeEm said:

W210 Estate - there is even a V8 one for sale on here but even a small engined one will swallow everything you could ever need and still be comfortable and sensible on fuel. I have a saloon and even they would let you sit right back.

What's the 210? Even class on 2000 ish plate?

If so, they were on my radar

[mgmrw]

Apr 11, 2017 9:18:02 GMT lufbramatt said:

Firstly congratulations!

I'm 6'2" so not quite as tall as you but I've had experience with the Maxi Cosi pebble as we had one for our son (and is about to be put back into use in 3 weeks time!)

The familyfix isofix base makes life much more difficult as the extra height means there's more chance of a clash between the front of the carrier and the back of the front seat. Without the isofix base, using the seatbelt instead, it will go in most cars. Also lifting the carry handle up slightly can help.

With the isofix base it was ok in the back of my e39 5-series behind me (might not work for anyone taller than me though!), but doesn't quite fit in the back of my Honda Jazz so it has to go behind the passenger seat, not much in it though. Without the base it fits fine but makes it less convenient to get in and out. Rear legroom isn't actually great in the e39 but it works as I have the drivers seat as low as it will go so the front of the baby seat ends up poking just over the top of the drivers seat.

Another thing to bear in mind is the size of the boot, some pushchairs can be pretty chunky even when folded and the ones that fold up small are flimsy and uncomfortable for the little one. Our silver cross surf (second hand bargain!) is fine in my e39 and was ok in my old Passat but is a struggle in the jazz, have to take the wheels off. Also useful having a nice big flat boot for impromptu nappy changes while you're out

Skoda Superb would make my shortlist. Long wheelbase Passat with a different badge. Or an A6 if you're feeling flush.

Good excuse to get a long wheelbase uber barge like a 750iL

That's the one, the isize isofix base thing too.

5ers were on the radar, but noted they were compact.

7series appeals, but the v12 isn't doable for miles I fear

Superb - good call. Looked at these on bay last night, couple of high miles ones, 2.5tdi auto. With all the toys

[SmokeEm]

Apr 11, 2017 9:56:55 GMT mgmrw said:

Apr 11, 2017 9:07:40 GMT SmokeEm said:

W210 Estate - there is even a V8 one for sale on here but even a small engined one will swallow everything you could ever need and still be comfortable and sensible on fuel. I have a saloon and even they would let you sit right back.

What's the 210? Even class on 2000 ish plate?

If so, they were on my radar

Yes, the 96-2000ish E Class - here is my saloon one.

I even managed to get onto a classic car policy easily - 5000 miles limited mileage but fully comp, ok for work etc for £140 a year! They drive so well and in estate form, will swallow most peoples possesions in one load!

If you are nearby, feel free to pop over and try mine for size - my Dad has my estate as well so can sort one of those to try too.

[mgmrw]

Cheers for the offer, miles away though.

Think I'll service the crv this weekend, then send what it fetches. Then offer the Mrs a few ideas, see what she likes. As she'll drive it Monday to Friday

[thebaron]

The rear seats are only part of the issue as noted above. Depending upon your buggy choice, boot space can be a pain.

I'm not vertically extreme as you are and my wife is small. 6`0 and 5`3 so we don't need cockpit length and went for the RS4 Avant and an X1 respectively which both have reasonable (not massive by any stretch) luggage space.

My young fella is 2 and bump is due in June and neither offer much rear passenger room but are fine for sprogs up to 10 I'd guess.

A long winded intro to the point but (not knowing your budget) I think you would be well served with an estate such as the Superb or v70 mentioned above or also an A6.

If you are more of a saloon family (my wife is very anti estates for some reason so sees my RS4 as my being very sensible - Ha) you need to look for an L A8 or 7 series. The thing is I note all your dailies are 00 and above so the big "L`s" might be a bit old for your taste in a daily.

[mgmrw]

Estates are fine, neither of us have issues with them. Mrs is a bit "anti chintz" so doesn't like anything with beige or cream leather, or gold bits etc.

I've browsed A8s, 7series and E & S class. All late 90s at newest.

Budget is £2,000 maybe £3,000 for something "mint".

Your points re: space are noted, and agreed.

CRV is brilliant for the practical stuff, and legroom is manageable around town. But the driving position is cramped for me, 45 minutes and I've had enough. Plus insurance, tax, fuel and parts are all triple that of the Saab or Celica. Which is irritating on a car that is dull beyond salvation.

A v70 t5 appeals, especially with towbar as I'm MTB loving, so bike rack options are better.

The Saab is staying put, Celica is up to wife as hers. Tempted to punt that and the CRV on together, then got more cash to play with.

[grizz]

All the wrong ingredients:

[thebaron]

Here's one: www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volvo/v70/volvo-v70-2-4-d5-se-geartronic-5dr/6882666

[PandaSelecta]

Apr 11, 2017 8:43:35 GMT mgmrw said:

Alfa - good call, reliable? Could do with at least one of the fleet being "no fuss"

Multipla - i did see a 2006 plate 1.9jtd (same engine as my Saab) which was.... Funky (?) But fair maiden isn't exactly a fan.

Problems only seem to arise with a lack of servicing, but can say that about any car

[VW]

Apr 11, 2017 9:56:20 GMT mgmrw said:

Apr 11, 2017 8:54:26 GMT grizz said:

Break the mould....

Try out a Berlingo/Partner. Different but similar to Multipla in that they are deceptively useful tools.

Go on...... think about at least looking at them.

I like the idea. Her ladyship, no chance.

I'm 6'3" and have a bad back. My berlingo was the worst car Id had for my back problems.

Most comfortable car ive bad for tall people and people with bad back was a mk1 scirocco but thats no good to you!

[mgmrw]

That multipla is all sorts of awesome.

W/r front seat comfort, 2up the Saab is hard to beat. But both seats are nigh on touching the rear seat, probably 2"-3" gap.

CRV is fine for the Mrs to drive, but I'm too tall and stocky. My knees touch the dash, and my throttle foot is at a 90degree angle, so locks after half hour or so.

Then when we tried the Maxi-Cosi pebble plus i-space and appropriate isofix base, the NSF seat had to be put forward a good 4". Which took legroom to a fairly small amount.

Would suspect that a passenger under 5ft8 would be OK, but our lass is blessed with plenty of legs, so her knees/shins are against the glovebox.

When i can get photobucket working I'll post pic.

[dikkehemaworst]

Can' t beat an S-Class barge. There so refined. Or an E klasse estate 430. All the V8 power you need without the AMG premium. Have them both again without a doubt but swmbo wanted a C max 🙁