Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

We've just been driving around in my FIL's 2019 Citroën C4 Cactus for a bit, including driving it from SW France, through Italy all the way to Malta and back. Though it's not really my kind of car, if you only had one car it would be pretty hard to beat for its combination of size, comfort, practicality, interior style, performance and economy. It could do with more buttons (having to use a touchscreen to change the aircon temperature or put recirc on is stupid), and fewer nonsense messages that take over the screen ("You have put the wipers on" - Yes, I bloody know!) but that minor gripe aside I was seriously impressed by it.

You've now got me looking at C4 Picasso/SpaceTourers....

A4
Octavia
Leon
Golf

Basically the same car, no? Would probably feel cramped and low after the C-Max.

Yeah, hence them all coming up as option. The cramped issue is likely why the C4 now appeals. If I didn't need internal auditor approval, I'd probably be on the phone to a dealer right now.

can you buy C4, drive and tell me if they are any good?

Yeah. I think Golf / Octavia etc aren't viable as the primary family car.

I do find myself wondering what we'll replace our Leon estate with if we have another sproglet - no way a car seat fits behind me when driving, and with the boot full of dogs it'd be a roof box for anything more than a day trip. A van, I suppose.

If you give me a lift to Bilston in your Load 60...

Got to say I think the complete opposite. We have a Golf, a 3yo and a 5yo. While for some trips it's full to the rafters, the reality is it's perfect. And when this one goes I'd probably get another (although EV complicates everything).

I'd love an estate, but in reality for those times I need extra space I just put the roof rack on. The biggest thing holding ours back is that the roof bars are clip on, so only rated to 70kg or something. We used a soft roof box to go to Butlins one year for Xmas, but that was mainly because of all the food and presents. Since having a hard roof box we haven't used it - including long trips down to France. Now we don't have to worry about a travel cot (not that it was massive anyway) it seems even less of an issue.

With kids seats as they are, a wider rear would be good, but for that you seem to need a proper step up to a massive suv or an MPV.

Obvs I can appreciate stevo might need something with a bit more room in the front.

I'm kind of spoiled by the C-Max in that it takes two full sized suitcases easily and I can fit full length 2x4's inside without any faffing around. I have a roof rack and box, but 99.9% that is just storage. Opened it the other day for the first time in ages and found three folding chairs I meant to take to the dump and my brother in law's mouldy body board from a shared holiday about 4 years ago. And yes, the driver's seat is fully slammed unless someone needs to go behind me, in which case I have to move it uncomfortably forward. I do love the height and visibility also. C4 Picasso/SpaceTourer looks to have 3 actual seats in the back, which appeals. Although even with the C-Max 2 3/4 type rear, that's been enough for the rare occasion there are 5 in the car (ferrying friends or inlaws mainly). I wouldn't be against a 7 seater either if the extra seats could be folded flat. I do like the ability to carry stuff should the need arise.

Again, I do actually still like the C-Max, if it could be the same form factor and 10 years younger, I wouldn't even be looking.

What about one of the last module C-Max's then?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126250140395?

Not auto

Galaxy

Yeah but without looking like I've given up

5 series / e class etc have enough room for 6ft adult and rear facing child seat behind

Yeah, I think it'll be an e-class. Cross that bridge as and when.

Beware the offset steering wheel.

If you've got two kids, you have... ;)

Vicious....utterly vicious.

Was that an s212 issue? Don’t remember it being a problem in my s213

I would vote 5 series having had 2 and one e class - better in every way apart from having a slightly smaller (30l? maybe) boot

Assuming we are talking non-M and non AMG of course…

If you've got two kids, you have... ;)

💀

I think Golf / Octavia etc aren't viable as the primary family car

too small? I have been contemplating swapping our Superb for an Octavia when I can afford to trade in, which isn't right now. But perhaps I'd miss the extra space?

Too narrow, too low.

lowness isn't really a problem for us.

Our kids are adults (ish) now anyway buy i've never really bought into the idea that just because you have kids, you need an SUV or 4x4 height vehicle.

Narrowness might be an issue, as could be leg room. only one of the four of us is less than 6' tall.