Three Child Seats. What Are The Options?

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 07 May 2009, 12:36

It's official, my missus doesn't like the Scenic. She reckons it drives like a van, and that my Xantia with the dodgy pressure regulator and thirst for oil is "a dream to drive" in comparison.

The Scenic's not exactly spacious in the back just now with one full-size child seat and two baby seats. When the twins graduate to full-size child seats I'd say I'll struggle to close the doors... The boot's tiny too.

So where do I go from here? Anybody on here got three child seats installed in something other than a people-carrier?

Of course the obvious choice is a Xantia estate if three full-size seats will go in...

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 07 May 2009, 16:40

C5s are very wide cars, you might get 3 child seats across the back seat in one of those?

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 07 May 2009, 18:49

I'm pretty certain I could have got 3 car seats in the Xantia estate.

Although the rules say that if you can't fit 3 child seats then the 3rd child doesn't legally need one (should be the eldest IIRC).

Unread post by **myglaren** » 07 May 2009, 19:10

My daughter found that my C5 estate was considerably wider than her BMW 525. Not sure how many seats she put in but I'm reasonably sure it was three.

Why not test drive one and see?

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 07 May 2009, 20:02

Thanks guys. For some reason the C5 didn't even enter my mind...

I had thought of the Laguna estate alright although the sheer amount of 'spares or repair' examples on ebay kinda put me off that idea.

Seems to be either kippered head gaskets on the petrols or turbos going kaboom on the diesels.

I wish I had the time for taking test drives myglaren. Three kids under the age of three kind of limits my leisure time.

I don't suppose anybody with a C5 estate could go out with a measuring tape and tell me how wide the back seat is?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 07 May 2009, 20:09

138cm.

Why didn't I think of that

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 07 May 2009, 20:22

The C5 is one of the widest cars in its class, so im sure that will do the job.

Yes, Lagunas do have quite problematic issues on them, unfortunately.

As does the C5, but generally they go forever with very few faults, providing they are well looked after. I cant believe how good value for money they are too.

Ill go out and measure our C5 estate rear seats, should be the same as mine but then i have not measured those

Ill go try find a tape measure!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 07 May 2009, 20:23

Ive been beaten to it i see

Id recommend a C5 estate

Unread post by **myglaren** » 07 May 2009, 20:27

Citroenmad wrote:Ive been beaten to it i see

Id recommend a C5 estate

Had five tape measures in the boot - I think it must be a breeding ground for them

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 07 May 2009, 20:28

Ah well, can you send one this way please, i cant even find one

Im not sure what other car i would suggest really, not many are as wide as the C5.

If you do go for one, the 2.0HDi 110 is very economical and the least problematic, no FAP filters for one thing.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 May 2009, 20:55

myglaren wrote: Had five tape measures in the boot - I think it must be a breeding ground for them

It's where they all go to hide... Lost tape measures are all pre-programmed to make their way to Washington...

Someone might well post to say they have a bootful of odd socks next..

Who has the bootful of biros then?

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 07 May 2009, 21:57

Thanks for the measurements

I went to compare the Scenic measurements but couldn't find a measuring tape anywhere. And I know I've got three or four of the bloody things...

So I went and looked up the Parkers website instead, and sure enough the C5 estate is about 1cm wider than the Scenic. Based on that, three seats should fit ok but I suppose I better make some time to take the seats for a test drive.

Anybody want to do some babysitting this weekend?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 07 May 2009, 22:01

A C4 Picasso out of consideration?

Here, I'd be suggesting a 505F, but suspect they're all long gone in your neck of the woods.

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 07 May 2009, 22:09

addo wrote:A C4 Picasso out of consideration?

Here, I'd be suggesting a 505F, but suspect they're all long gone in your neck of the woods.

Out of my price range more like. And SWMBO has decided that the MPV thing isn't for her.

505's? They're doing taxi duty in Nigeria now, along with all the old Merc 190D's.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 08 May 2009, 08:46

The C5s exterior width is 72mm wider than the Scenic.

The newer shape scenic is wider than the older shape, it also drives much better. You could always get a grand scenic and put one in the back

Then again, its an MPV.

C5 looksto way to go then ...