Can anyone personally recommend a 7 seater car?

[tigwig]

I am a childminder and care for 3 young children and pick up another 4 from school using a double (or triple if I had the room) buggy. So I need a big car. At the moment I have a VW Touran which has the fold away seats in the boot. The contract hire on this comes to an end next March but this car is no longer big enough for me. I want to have the 7 seats permanently up but still have room in the boot for at least a double buggy. At present I have to put it on the floor in the back which is a nightmare. Sliding doors would also be a bonus and also something that doesnt guzzle fuel. There is quite alot of choice out there but I would like others recommendations rather than just looking at the different cars in a showroom. I would be leasing the car again too, can afford up to £300 per month.

[sherrardk]

Dont know how much it would cost to lease, but I have a Chrysler Grand Voyager and it has loads of space inside and in the boot (boot can hold a double buggy and a weeks worth of shopping). Parking it is a pain though.

[redcrx]

the voyagers are lovely, though very thirsty with fuel and tax is pricey on the new models.

I love my Galaxy, but the boot space will be tight and thats going to be the issue for most of them. The seats do slide forward though, giving a little bit more room. Its the 2.0 petrol and i get 30-35mpg from it.

[yogi-bear]

Hi tigwig,

One of our cars and the one we use when we all go out together ( we're a family of 6 ) is a Toyota Previa 2.4 8 seater and I love it....plenty of space inside and really comfortable and good boot space too. We have the column steering Automatic version but manuals are available too. Have had it a number of years.....no problems at all. :0)

[yogi-bear]

Forgot to add that we have sliding doors on ours too, tig :0) x

[redcrx]

my sister in law loved her previa, though if youre looking at leasing then i presumed you are looking at new and i dont think the previa is made anymore.

[Dr Wu]

Sorry, may be missing something here but it might be important so bear with me......

You say you want a 7 seater car?

You have to accomodate the 3 young children you care for plus have to pick up another 4 from school?

And you have to drive the car yourself?

Isn't that 3+4+1=8?

so you need an 8 seater car?

[tigwig]

Lol that should be another 3! We've decided to go for a Renault Grand Scenic. the only one we can afford that fits the double buggy in the boot with seats up, just. Its nice though the dynamique tom tom 1.6 dci model. Only downside is bloody insurance group 21.