Being tall's a pain in the @rse sometimes!

[HeyWayne]

Here is my 'minibus' - I'm not too technical about cars, however, according to my OH, we get very good mpg out of this (I drive it to work everyday), and even he says that it drives well (he drives a Seat Leon, previously an Audi A3)

Each to their own of course, but let's look at comparisons.

Looking at that photo I'd say that is a Seat Alhambra? (the centre caps look like a Seat "S") - which is the same as the Ford Galaxy (and VW Sharan I think).

Comparing the Ford Galaxy with the Ford Mondeo estate:

Mondeo
Length - 4804mm
Width - 1958mm
Weight - 1562kg
MPG - 44 (2.2 ltr diesel)
CO2 - 166g/km
Luggage Capacity - 540ltr
Wheelbase - 2754mm

Galaxy
Length - 4641
Width - 2142
Weight - 1724
MPG - 42 (1.9ltr diesel)
CO2 - 178g/km
Luggage Capacity - 330ltr
Wheelbase - 2835

I picked the "fastest" car in each model as it's the nearest measurment to performance I can get.

As you can see, in most respects on paper - the Galaxy doesn't meet the Mondeo (I will concur that it is possible it will have greater legroom due to the longer wheelbase).

Just an example, but hopefully illustrates my point?

[HeyWayne]

's all those brains!

I wouldn't take that as a given - he has the same sized head as me.

[OverWyreGrower]

Each to their own of course, but let's look at comparisons.

Looking at that photo I'd say that is a Seat Alhambra? (the centre caps look like a Seat "S") - which is the same as the Ford Galaxy (and VW Sharan I think).

Yup, Seat Alhambra (1.9 TDi PD Stylance)
Length 4634 mm
Width 1810 mm
Height 1730 mm
Weight 1831 kg
MPG 37 (1.9ltr diesel)
CO2 - 196g/km
Luggage Capacity - 256ltr
Wheelbase - 2841

Mondeo
Length - 4804mm
Width - 1958mm
Weight - 1562kg
MPG - 44 (2.2 ltr diesel)
CO2 - 166g/km
Luggage Capacity - 540ltr
Wheelbase - 2754mm

However, Mr OWG swears we get better mpg than that (I have no idea) and I'm not sure how the measure the luggage capacity, as we've never run it with the 6th and 7th seat in, so we have a huge boot space. We managed to get all sorts of baby items in for our nephew (I never knew you needed so much stuff!)

Mind you, I just knew that I wanted a car that wasn't really high up (not a 4x4), could get the dogs and accoutrements in comfortably (which an estate couldn't), and that we could take camping without a roof box or trailer. I suppose it is horses for courses!

You sound like Mr OWG with cars... to pick his company car, we had multiple spreadsheets, bazillions of copies of What Car?, Parkers etc, and we went to so many garages and on test drives it was unbelievable... I wish he didn't have to change it every 3 years!

[HeyWayne]

You sound like Mr OWG with cars... to pick his company car, we had multiple spreadsheets, bazillions of copies of What Car?, Parkers etc, and we went to so many garages and on test drives it was unbelievable... I wish he didn't have to change it every 3 years!

He sounds like a perfectly sensible and upstanding member of society!

[pigletwillie]

Dear PW,

There are many other cars I would love to drive if only I had the money, which I do not. The car suits our budget at the moment and fits in with everything we need. We can all dream! What car do you drive PW?

A 10 year old vectra estate chuck, and despite your choice or circumstances, French cars are still pants.

The vectra estate is very roomy and even with the seat quite away back there is room to sit on the back seats.

[digthatchick]

I'm 5' tall - inside leg: 27" - waist: 30" - chest you so don't want to know

Who says?

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I'm 5'9'' but hubby is 6'6' - we have a Picasso. Very roomy BUT back seats are only suitable for small people with small bums and legs. Only one person we know finds the back seats comfy and she is short. Everyone else gets out the back with a bad back - you sit precariously on wee dinky seats - think sitting on a wall.

[bubblewrap]

[QUOTE=pigletwillie;349766]A 10 year old vectra estate chuck, and despite your choice or circumstances, French cars are still pants./QUOTE]

Even this one Piglet?
Google Image Result for http://lotpro.com/blogphotos/Misc%20Article%20Images/Citroen%20Traction%20Avant.jpg

[Matt.]

We have a maxicosi car seat (as do loads of friends). This fits in fine to most cars and you don't need the special base. Initially fitting the seat seems impossible but you'll find that tipping it towards the back of the car to get the belt round and then repositioning does the trick. Once you've done it a dozen times its second nature. Beware of the bases because thy might take up more room?

On the size thing the seat still makes it difficult to position behind the driver. We upgraded to a ford C-max but in my opinion its not big enough. Its great for round town but for holidays and carrying lots of stuff its not quite big enough. Also the body roll is a bit of an issue. It tends to bump up and down a lot over pot holes but then again it is the low spec model. Higher specs have different suspension so maybe better. Round corners shouldn't be an issue unless you want them to vom in the back!! We also have an older mondeo and when that dies I'll be buying a newer estate version. If and when we have two kids there is no way we'd be able to take everything without it.

[allotmentlady]

Wayne

cut your losses and go for the mondeo estate, I deeply regret not getting one, check if they are available in what you want b4 'bean' arrives as sometimes they have to order them in. Our local ford garage had a 5 month wait last year!!

[HeyWayne]

Wayne

cut your losses and go for the mondeo estate, I deeply regret not getting one, check if they are available in what you want b4 'bean' arrives as sometimes they have to order them in. Our local ford garage had a 5 month wait last year!!

Oh they're available alright - not buying new, can't afford it. Plenty on Autotrader - already checked.

[Mikey]

You wouldn't drive in that position if you'd seen the nasty leg injuries it can cause in a crash. ( been working in trauma recently - shocking)

Sorry lainey lou, I don't get it, whether I drive horizontally or upright, my legs are still on the pedals and in the footwell, so surely the injuries would be inflicted on all irrespective of their driving position?

[HeyWayne]

Sorry lainey lou, I don't get it, whether I drive horizontally or upright, my legs are still on the pedals and in the footwell, so surely the injuries would be inflicted on all irrespective of their driving position?

I think she means due to the fact you can't see where you're going when laying flat.

[Peter]

I think Land Rovers only score 4 stars in the NCAP tests. Bigger doesn't always mean safer....

Wrong!

The current Freelander scores 5.

I bought one June 2007 and it is very roomy and versatile, big plus is mine has heated seats which do my prolapsed discs a world of good.

My dealer just sent me a pack of loyalty vouchers, not as I hoped to get cheaper servicing, but offering two to three thousand off a new vehicle, one ticket for each type of Land Rover.

Transferrable to friends, Wayne me old buddy..........

[MrsC]

A 10 year old vectra estate chuck, and despite your choice or circumstances, French cars are still pants.

The vectra estate is very roomy and even with the seat quite away back there is room to sit on the back seats.

Each to their own PW. I drove a Renault Clio prior to this (for 7 years) paid out about £300 on a couple of repairs during this time, not bad going in my opinion. But, I have owned a few makes, including Vauxhall, BMW, Ford, Seat and Honda. My car suits me fine though.