Hi..newbie Here

[ffoc cb]

Hi all, Newbie here.

I'm currently an active member of www.ffoc and own 2 very modded Foci. Pic of them at TRAX last year if you are interested.

Due to an existing child and a set of twins on the way we need to get rid of our much loved ST170 and replace it with something that will easily accommodate 3 child seats in the back.

The Rav4 Looks like it is capable of this quite easily. Any advice from you guys on any aspect of the Rav4. i,e buying and what to look for would be much appreciated. Give me a focus and I can tell you the VIN number by looking at the tyre tread pattern (well not quite but you get my drift) but when it comes to a 4x4 I have no experience.

Many thanks for your time.

[ulysse]

Hi There

If I were you, I would go for a car with sliding back doors!

I used to have a FIAT ULYSSE people carrier When my kids were young. Doors on either side that slide open. This makes it very easy to open in a tight parking spot and the babies/kids are put in at a decent height (no bending over, easy to get kids in and out).

The option to take the rear two seats out and have a massive boot is then there. This means double pram/pram just throws into the back up or down!

The RAV will be fine for your needs but I really do think the above is the most practical option for you!

[scwelsher]

Beware! The centre seat belt pulls down from the roof, might be really difficult to mount kids seats, I have 2 cherubs but only 1 in a seat, the boot space is surprisingly restrictive, depending on how many prams etc. don't get me wrong, i love my rav, but with three tiddlers, I don't think this car is an option. how about the Zafira?

[celtictricky]

Beware!  The centre seat belt pulls down from the roof, might be really difficult to mount kids seats, I have 2 cherubs but only 1 in a seat, the boot space is surprisingly restrictive, depending on how many prams etc.  don't get me wrong, i love my rav, but with three tiddlers, I don't think this car is an option.  how about the Zafira?

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Moving from a Focus to a Rav will be quite a change!!!!! Space wise I'm sure you'll find it great - especially with the sliding rear seats - gives that extra bit of room when you need it. Also - for a long trip - you could remove just one of the rear seats to allow for the extra baggage that comes with such a small baby.

Reliability is not a question, and of course if you are getting rid of the two Fords, then no doubt you'll be looking at a new rav, so you could go for the XT5 with maybe the sports exhaust (See my garage) which will remind you of your good ole ford days (Ex-XROC Member speaking here!!!).

As an alternative - you could look at the X-Trail - space wise these seem to be better - just at the time of me chanign they were not willing to do any good deals.

hope that helps.

Celtic.