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Hi, we're after 2 cars to kind of be be the "until the kids leave home" cars (...or until the cars die!).

I hope I'm not being unrealistic here but we're looking at a $15k budget... eep!

Car 1) Family SUV - this will be my husband's work car and our family holidays car with 2 toddlers (*maaaybe* 3 in future...) that can fit all the stuff kids come with - including a double stroller. Haven't checked anything in person yet but gonna look at Mitsubishi Outlander/Holden Captiva/Kia Sorento/Hyundai Santa Fe/Nissan Quashqai for 7 seaters, but need some recommendations for not-7-seaters as hubby is not sold on 7 seats "to save us taking two cars out for dinner when our folks come stay twice a year" - fair enough! This will be the car we spend the majority of our money on.

Car 2) An everyday car to just fit me and the 2 kids for kindy drop-offs/play groups/supermarket runs etc. I have *NO* idea where to start for this car... Can be small (i.e. does not have to *comfortably* fit hubby as it would only be really short trips if all of us used it) but does need to allow for a double stroller, the groceries, and 3 car seats (for if we do decide to have another kid). This car needs to be super cheap (but obviously safe for precious cargo). I am actually happy to replace this car in a few years if it dies for another cheapie - I just need to fit our budget.

Thanks so much! :)

Hi,
Hmm let me consult my list of ideal cars... :-)
The Mitsubishi Outlander is actually one of my top 7-seater picks that we know has good reliability and room. The downside to having a 7-seater of the smaller SUV style is that with all the seats in use, you tend to lose any boot space. This goes for the Mazda Premacy and Honda Stream. But with the rear most seats folded, you may have more room than normal. I would not recommend the Captiva, Sorento and Santa Fe are quite spacious from what I can see, they don't really come up in conversation/ complaints and so I don't really have any plusses or minus to work with. The Nissan will have a (one-speed) CVT transmission and may not be pleasant to load up and take on trips. People either love or hate these types of transmissions.
Car 2, May need to be a European car for the safety aspect, like Audi A3, or VW Golf, BMW 1 series. Older cheaper Japanese cars often don't have the same safety features.