Best used car for big family?

[Nzy]

 

I don't think B&B jap got isofix connectors lah.

 

Have. My previous Toyota also have.

[Pazzinov2014]

 

magnetis : a bit cold door, not fc friendly

sonata : same as above

 

camry /accord : easy maintain, decent fc/performance

cefiro : petrol guzzler/expensive parts

maz6 : best handler of the lot, reliable, fc not so good but rest of package make up for it

legacy : maintenance....

 

Thanks, looks like mazda6 is a good choice if not mpv but limited to sedan

[BabyBlade]

This is totally off topic but it's good to see really sincere and helpful replies in this thread instead of the usual (some) troll comments which have been around for quite awhile, and can be intimidating to newbies.

 

Good job MCFers!

 

Happy New Year in advance to all and your family!

[Enye]

honestly, u would be better off with an MPV with 2 in the back plus a child-seat, maybe u can take a look at the Ford S-Max, many good reviews, just park carefully as a new driver, otherwise i think u will be fine on the road

You are suggesting a 240hp mpv to a new driver to drive his family around?

 

😱

[Pazzinov2014]

If you use a baby/child seat, then yes, you'll need a bigger, or more specifically, wider car or else it's gonna be not too comfortable for the adults sitting besides the child seat.

 

But since you're a new driver, you should look at your comfort level in handling a bigger car. If you had learnt driving in a small sedan, then you might find it a challenge to immediately drive a larger car.

 

One option for used car might be Honda Edix, which is wider than normal sedan, but not much - if at all - longer than an altis. It is wider as the front row can sit 3, so can take 3+3 legally, meaning 2nd row is also more spacious hence can be comfortable even if you use a child seat.

 

But note that it's wider than average, so parking must be careful. In fact, even driving too...

 

If catering to growing family, then this is a decent choice too, as it can still tide you over for a short while should you need to put in another baby seat, albeit more cramped definitely (but at least it's possible, unlike most other mid-sized sedans).

 

Thanks for the reply but I find not much pros on Edix. The cost (in term of dep) is same as Wish/Stream, or much higher than Cefiro/Mazda6. Another drawback is I feel a bit weird to have 3 ppl sit in front.

[Pazzinov2014]

I drove my dad's Odyssey when my in-law's are here during last year CNY. i was a p plater, I didn't face any problem handling it on road, only be abit slow in parking. Compare to my Optra, it's much powerful car even with 7 adults inside.

 

If your budget allows, go for 2 ltr bah. Alot of difference in acceleration, when fully packed or overtaking.

 

good, so you gained experience from driving Optra for a few month and find now capable to drive big Odyssey? That's my desired outcome!

honestly, u would be better off with an MPV with 2 in the back plus a child-seat, maybe u can take a look at the Ford S-Max, many good reviews, just park carefully as a new driver, otherwise i think u will be fine on the road

 

 

Thanks, but Ford S-Max is not available for 2006/2007 group and quite expensive on annual dep (12k-14k). is it competitive to Wish/Stream?

[Pazzinov2014]

This is totally off topic but it's good to see really sincere and helpful replies in this thread instead of the usual (some) troll comments which have been around for quite awhile, and can be intimidating to newbies.

 

Good job MCFers!

 

Happy New Year in advance to all and your family!

 

 

Fully agree! Happy New Year to all of you!

[Bairen]

 

Agree, buy a small MPV (Freed, Sienta), buy a GPS and keep away from the right lane.

 

i think as a newbie, best not to straightaway go for big cars... or at least thats what i did..

 

my optra seat 4 adult + 1 child seat, still ok...

 

unless u every other day drive to kl or further, i think should be fine with a normal sedan..

 

a small-ish mpv (freed or sienta) would oso be nice. (which is on my wishlist too)

 

perhaps should also think about how frequently 4+1 would be in the car..... would it be often just 2+1 ?

[Dice]

You are suggesting a 240hp mpv to a new driver to drive his family around?

 

😱

it is always the driver not the car or the horsepower... driver CMI, a 98hp car also a hazard on the road...

[inlinesix]

Thanks for the reply but I find not much pros on Edix. The cost (in term of dep) is same as Wish/Stream, or much higher than Cefiro/Mazda6. Another drawback is I feel a bit weird to have 3 ppl sit in front.

 

Other that depreciation, what is important is that it is likely you need to fork out cash to buy.

[Pazzinov2014]

 

i think as a newbie, best not to straightaway go for big cars... or at least thats what i did..

 

my optra seat 4 adult + 1 child seat, still ok...

 

unless u every other day drive to kl or further, i think should be fine with a normal sedan..

 

a small-ish mpv (freed or sienta) would oso be nice. (which is on my wishlist too)

 

perhaps should also think about how frequently 4+1 would be in the car..... would it be often just 2+1 ?

 

only travel with 4+1 on weekends. Seem optra is quite spacious. Did you use safety seat? Thanks.

[David85]

Hi You might want to consider Honda freed.

[Atrecord]

Thanks for the reply but I find not much pros on Edix. The cost (in term of dep) is same as Wish/Stream, or much higher than Cefiro/Mazda6. Another drawback is I feel a bit weird to have 3 ppl sit in front.

 

OK, ok… Actually I didn't check out the dep on the various cars - just made the suggestion given your considerations and circumstances, as well as my own experience.

 

I drove a G9 Corolla till 2nd kid was born, when the elder one was 20 mth old. Needed 2 car seats, and wife needed to be besides them on back seat. She had to sit with body slanted/tilted sideways for that few months while waiting for a change…

 

Oh, my parents stayed in the same block so there would be times when we went out together. Now they stay with me, so my situation is pretty similar.

 

I was quite a seasoned driver, so went ahead to get a Wish. The car is now almost 9 yo, and we had 3 instances where someone kissed our rear bumper. No serious damage apart from the bumper and alignment.

 

Now, another reason why I suggested Edix (when I chose Wish over it previously): while wish prevails obviously when it comes to passenger space, be aware that for such a compact (mid-sized) MPV, the 3rd row is v near the rear windscreen. In fact, the headrest of 3rd row when fully extended, is barely ~2 cm from the rear windscreen.

 

In the event that there should be strong impact from the rear, and if the 3rd row is occupied, my worry is that safety might be an issue.

 

Taking into consideration that you're a new driver, i thought it might be better to be safe and to get a car with a full boot (as in Edix).

 

But you are the best judge.

 

On the issue of sitting 3 in front, i can imagine what you mean. I only remember experiencing it when I was young and sitting in taxis in M'sia where front row is a full bench too and can sit 3. Or in the vans/lorries. You are right in that it might feel weird, and needs getting used to.

[Enye]

it is always the driver not the car or the horsepower... driver CMI, a 98hp car also a hazard on the road...

Didn't TS say he is a new driver?

 

So what is your point?

 

He shouldn't drive or its ok for new drivers to buy powerful cars to drive around to gain experience?

[Pazzinov2014]

 

OK, ok… Actually I didn't check out the dep on the various cars - just made the suggestion given your considerations and circumstances, as well as my own experience.

 

I drove a G9 Corolla till 2nd kid was born, when the elder one was 20 mth old. Needed 2 car seats, and wife needed to be besides them on back seat. She had to sit with body slanted/tilted sideways for that few months while waiting for a change…

 

Oh, my parents stayed in the same block so there would be times when we went out together. Now they stay with me, so my situation is pretty similar.

 

I was quite a seasoned driver, so went ahead to get a Wish. The car is now almost 9 yo, and we had 3 instances where someone kissed our rear bumper. No serious damage apart from the bumper and alignment.

 

Now, another reason why I suggested Edix (when I chose Wish over it previously): while wish prevails obviously when it comes to passenger space, be aware that for such a compact (mid-sized) MPV, the 3rd row is v near the rear windscreen. In fact, the headrest of 3rd row when fully extended, is barely ~2 cm from the rear windscreen.

 

In the event that there should be strong impact from the rear, and if the 3rd row is occupied, my worry is that safety might be an issue.

 

Taking into consideration that you're a new driver, i thought it might be better to be safe and to get a car with a full boot (as in Edix).

 

But you are the best judge.

 

On the issue of sitting 3 in front, i can imagine what you mean. I only remember experiencing it when I was young and sitting in taxis in M'sia where front row is a full bench too and can sit 3. Or in the vans/lorries. You are right in that it might feel weird, and needs getting used to.

 

Thanks, Indeed that's why I prefer to buy a sedan rather than a hatchback for my first car. At least it may be less impactful when being hit seriously from behind. You mentioned your wish was kissed 3 times from behind but left with no serious damage. Are you referring to heavy hit or really light kiss?

[Lala81]

 

Have. My previous Toyota also have.

 

which toyota? Auris?

Even previa or Camry don't have ISOFIX/LATCH

And if they have any connectors, they will be LATCH cos of american market.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Lala81

[Darryn]

you shortlisted cars' size almost same or bigger than normal MPVs, such as Wish, Stream, etc,

only deiff is 5 seat instead of 7 seat,

as new driver, better start from mid-size sedan, like Altis, K3, Avante, Elantra,

Wish length is 4,590

Camry is 4,850

 

I think you should be going for something like Wish, Stream, maybe the Suzuki APV,

 

They are very easy to drive and park...

[Achtung]

I own the Edix as a 2nd family car. To me, it is not werid having 3. In fact, I find it a plus point!

 

For 7 seaters, more often than not, when the last row is raised, that leaves little boot space for barang barang. also, leg room is sometimes for short farts or kiddos. I also shuddered at the thought of a rear collision. For some who owns 7 seaters, the last row is for throwing your shopping on.....

 

Having said that, most Edix shall perish in 2006/7. I am now thinking what's gonna be my next having enjoyed the convenience of a 6 seater....

 

 

Thanks for the reply but I find not much pros on Edix. The cost (in term of dep) is same as Wish/Stream, or much higher than Cefiro/Mazda6. Another drawback is I feel a bit weird to have 3 ppl sit in front.

 

I love the APV when u try to cup corner... it cannot defy gravity :P

 

Wish length is 4,590

Camry is 4,850

 

I think you should be going for something like Wish, Stream, maybe the Suzuki APV,

 

They are very easy to drive and park...