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We currently have a 1996 Nissan Terrano that is nearing the 200,000k mark so thought it best to get rid of it before it reaches that milestone. I love the big boot and currently cart around a pushchair and 2 kids bikes, more because I have the space than due to necessity. I like the idea of a 7 seater of some sort and wanted 7 full seatbelts as we will add to our family soon, & often pick up friends kids after school but I hate having to put them in the front seat. It seems like a big ask in our original price range of $10,000 – $12,000. The VW Touran, Opal Zafira and the like are just too compact. I had been looking at Mazda Premacys and more recently Toyota Isis 2005 or newer under 80,000 ks but they both have a lapbelt in the 2nd row, not ideal but a good price and good fuel economy, and there is the Mitsubishi Grandis which seem to have full seatbelts in the 2nd row but not as good on fuel economy. None of them are my dream car but are ok for the purpose of to and from school and short trips around town. To throw a spanner in the works we had a friend come over with a new to them 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander 7 seater, with 98,000 k’s on it and they paid $17,000. Both my husband and I really like the look of it so have talked to the bank and been approved for finance so can up our price range to $18,000. The other cars are practical but uninspiring but the outlander we both love the look of, but is more expensive and higher in km’s. Do you have any words of wisdom on any of these cars or something you think may fit the bill better. Thanks.

The Toyota Isis and Mazda Premacy are good cars to consider but the second-row seats have a lap strap seat belt and the seat is small - it's more like six seater. The Mitsubishi Outlander will be a better option for a seven seater. The Outlander is one we often recommend, the other being Hyundai's SanteFe, for its good record of reliability and its modern looks. The SanteFe will unfortunately be more expensive. In this price range I recommend you stick with the Outlander. I suggest you look for as low a mileage as your money can buy and get aAA Pre-Purchase Inspectioncarried out to ensure you aren't buying a lemon.

Hi back again :-) we have had a look at a Toyota Isis and a Toyota Ipsum and like both and the pushchair will fit into the boot when the 3rd row of seats are up too so that is great. I have also spotted a few Peugeot 307 sw listed on Trade Me and love the look of them and the saftey featuers (tons of air bags, traction controll etc.) I have yet to see one in prson but they come up quite cheep at around 12k and under for the same sort of year etc. Any one I mention the Peugeot to says don't buy a European car due to expensive maintance. Do you have any thoughts on any of these cars please. Thank you again :-)

For reliability the Toyota Isis or Ipsum are good choices but the Peugeot 307 isn't too bad either. We are not aware of any major issues with the Peugeot 307. Maintenance costs are a factor to consider as generally European cars do cost more to run than the Japanese vehicles.