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

I imagine it’s to compete with BMW/Merc/Audi

It's actually a hatchback

Superb estate is 100% what I'd do in your shoes. We will be in similar shoes soon enough in a Seat Leon estate (equivalent size to an Octavia) and it's not really big enough for an adult to be comfortable in the rear with 2 car seats. Obviously this depends how bulky or not your car seats are, though. Ours are Joie 360 swivel seats which are bulkier than most.

The estate is very nice, but unless prices have come down, it's a big premium over the hatch for the Superb estate. @Mickie_Cricket you're welcome to come have a look at my Superb or borrow it for a weekend even if you want to work out if it's the right size or right car for you?

Such an awesome offer. Unconditional love for the forum right there

C-Max does not have a "proper" middle seat (it has got better since my model, but still narrower). Though it is better than most.

To get that, best bet IMO is C4 Grand Picasso/Space Tourer. Unless you want to go down the Tourneo Connect route.

I have been looking as my 2007 C-Max is up for MOT in a couple of weeks and I'm quietly hoping it's doomed.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135524641

Any chance I could borrow it weekend of 3 March? I have some errands to run/fly-tipping to do?

Cars are such a minefield.

Could I possibly buy one in decent shape for about £4k?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325995863558?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=x7hC2_gYRDi&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=9cfbyGwdQ6K&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Project car?

Any estate will do.

Based on your middle seat requirement, this is 100% incorrect.

If that is a firm criteria, then I would do some searching for internal rear seat width and come up with a list. Once you remove SUVs it will be quite a short list. Then get input on those couple of options.

It’s going to be something adjacent too or based on a van. Or, a massive car.

Could I possibly buy one in decent shape for about £4k?

Three proper seats but not as cavernous as the Grand Picasso

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026165004

This is a good shout. Kind of thing I’m looking for.

Could I possibly buy one in decent shape for about £4k?

I think that will be a significant stretch. French van derived likely to be a better shout on that budget.

Why are cars so expensive?

Because that is what people are prepared to pay for them, plus a large dose of brand snobbery. It's perfectly possible to buy a low mileage sports car that will do double the speed limit for 5k or a small runabout for 2k, I have done both.

What if I stole a car? I can see why people do it now.

an unanticipated holiday

sorry to hear that. I wish you success in your new ventures.

C4 Picassos are terrible cars. A Berlingo is a much better choice.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402206763528?

From my position of complete ignorance, why is that?

Mazda 5 should be cheap, we borrowed one once and my partner sat comfortably in the middle (my son wants her next to him at all times when in a car). Grand Picasso was the best for interior / practicality though, by far, I'd rent that again if needed.

All this chat has me looking at Tourans.

why is that?

Forum fetishisation of cult vehicles.

It's a van with seats. You're also effectively limited to diesel, as although there was a petrol option, only about 12 were sold.

Growing up, my dad drove a Mazda 626 Station wagon. Man, that was a family car! We’d drive back from the family, a family of 6 plus a couple of stragglers in the back, a couple of sacks of maize, sugar cane, sacks of oranges.
What’s the Mazda 626 Station Wagon equivalent these days?

maybe a 15 year old E class estate?

I've always wanted one of those.

I’m looking for ulez compliant 2 kids and a dog type cars. Cheap as chips as if won’t be used beyond “let’s try and go on a trip somewhere” and then the idea will be forgotten.

Ideally would drive to France. By itself. And no one would get car sick. Ever. And it would actively clean up every mess made in it.