My family situation has changed and I will be needing a car capable of transporting 5 adults + wheelchair. My current thoughts are a series 3 touring, or an A4 avant. Would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions on my options. This would be my daily driver and on occasions needed to transport 2 border collies around. I know I'll receive a number of honest replies as this forum is a great place to be but please I don't want to start any arguments. Thanking you all in anticipation.
What to choose as a daily driver.
- Thread starter Porthoz4
- Start date
Serpentine722
Member
Another vote for the Nissan qashqai. My sister has one and the space and build quality is excellent. It's also nice to drive and the spec is excellent - hth
My Lad was in wheel chair for 9 months and the 5 series Touring was excellent (520d). Plenty of room for a folding chair and a good width car for 3 adults in the back. Also if you go 2013+ you'll get the electric tailgate option, which will be essential if youre opening the boot on every journey
Great MPG too.
Great MPG too.
Porthoz4 said:
Budget??
An Audi A4 Avant (2011 model) won't accommodate an adult wheelchair in the boot with out resting propped up against the back seat. I have personal experience of this. Which means you cant have the load cover in and could be dangerous for passengers in a emergency brake/accident etc. You would need to go something bigger to lie one flat in the boot.
Plus you way want to consider the fact that even the bigger estate cars suffer from a big intrusion of the transmission tunnel making the middle rear seat uncomfortable for kids, never mind adults. I think if it were me I would be thinking SUV or even 4X4, possibly something like a 5 series GT might fit the bill as well.
Plus you way want to consider the fact that even the bigger estate cars suffer from a big intrusion of the transmission tunnel making the middle rear seat uncomfortable for kids, never mind adults. I think if it were me I would be thinking SUV or even 4X4, possibly something like a 5 series GT might fit the bill as well.
Thanks for the replies , certainly a wide range of advice. The budget is around 20k and I don't really want to go much older than 2 years, that of course restricts my choice somewhat. As I enjoy driving I was also interested in your comments/experience of comfortable with decent performance driving cars . I know I don't want much but hey-Ho if you don't ask!. Thanks again
You really need to consider distance, size of adults, etc. Will wheelchair user be able to easily get in?
I purchased a B max for parents with a wheelchair as sliding door makes for ease of access. For family I had an X5 as space is the key factor.
Really think you'll have to go with big crossover, people carrier or 4x4 and ditch any idea of stylish estates unless you pick a real big one.
Reckon you'll struggle to get style, badge, space <2 year old and c£20k so perhaps some compromises.
I purchased a B max for parents with a wheelchair as sliding door makes for ease of access. For family I had an X5 as space is the key factor.
Really think you'll have to go with big crossover, people carrier or 4x4 and ditch any idea of stylish estates unless you pick a real big one.
Reckon you'll struggle to get style, badge, space <2 year old and c£20k so perhaps some compromises.
foregoneconclusion
Member
+1 for something bigger than an estate.
Have a Mondeo estate at the moment and it's big, but to be honest I think we're pushing it with only 2 kids and 1 dog! A recent trip up north for a few days meant taking two cars (great excuse to take the Z4
).
Other than the Skoda Superb I can't think of another estate that offers more space than what we've got, so when the time comes to change I think we'll have to go bigger (if the Skoda doesn't work)........possibly the S-Max.
Have a Mondeo estate at the moment and it's big, but to be honest I think we're pushing it with only 2 kids and 1 dog! A recent trip up north for a few days meant taking two cars (great excuse to take the Z4
).Other than the Skoda Superb I can't think of another estate that offers more space than what we've got, so when the time comes to change I think we'll have to go bigger (if the Skoda doesn't work)........possibly the S-Max.
Mazda CX5 AWD 4x4 crossover ... wife has one and it comes with all the toys and is superb ! Good fuel economy, good performance and well made. She had a Toyota Avensis estate before that which was also far better than we expected, with all the toys ... and huge !
Failing that a 5 series or E class would be ideal if the budget stretches to it. A 3 series would be too small.
Failing that a 5 series or E class would be ideal if the budget stretches to it. A 3 series would be too small.
I owned two C-Max back to back for 7 years to use as a family carry all and comfort cruiser, they drive surprisingly well and with the 2.0 tdci are very capable. I miss the thing on a weekly basis and will probably head back to one or something very similar because of the huge versatility they offer for modest money used and with low running costs.
Another option would be the 3GT, the platform it's built on is the X5 and it's very spacious inside. The boot is huge and it has a really nice driving position. It was something I considered to change for. Not sure what they are going for but I'm sure you could possibly pick up a 2 to 3 year old one from BMW with warranty within you budget. The 5GT mentioned before is massive! Rather ugly to boot.
Wtf did you take?foregoneconclusion said:+1 for something bigger than an estate.
Have a Mondeo estate at the moment and it's big, but to be honest I think we're pushing it with only 2 kids and 1 dog! A recent trip up north for a few days meant taking two cars (great excuse to take the Z4
Other than the Skoda Superb I can't think of another estate that offers more space than what we've got, so when the time comes to change I think we'll have to go bigger (if the Skoda doesn't work)........possibly the S-Max.
I went for a 3 weeks to Burma with only hand luggage!
Few votes for the Qashqai on here. I'd say do not get the Qashqai! I have one for work and it's a god awful car. Build quality it nothing short of crap, interior rattles, cheap buttons, very noisy at motorway speeds and if you were to get the 1.5dci you'll become frustrated with the lack of power and rather tapperty engine. On long journeys the lack of power and quite long throw on the gearbox becomes quite tiring. The major problem are the electrics. Mine has been into the garages some 8times and has been in the garage since last Monday for more electrical faults including requiring a new satnav, DAB touch screen unit costing £2500! Front sensors which continuously go off for no reason (only way to fix is to drill a hole into the sensor allowing water to drain), parking brake has failed.
The boot isn't big enough for a wheel chair, you have to take out the false floor and have it standing up which restricts a lot of your rear view (parents also have a Qashqai and need a wheelchair and often struggle).
I'm 5ft10/11 and in my driving position an adult can not sit behind in comfort so actually they are quite small on the inside.
I'd go a large German estate
The boot isn't big enough for a wheel chair, you have to take out the false floor and have it standing up which restricts a lot of your rear view (parents also have a Qashqai and need a wheelchair and often struggle).
I'm 5ft10/11 and in my driving position an adult can not sit behind in comfort so actually they are quite small on the inside.
I'd go a large German estate