1976 Cadillac Brougham....really spacious and very interesting...!

I agree with Oli rag, but I'd add the Skoda Octavia and Ford Mondeo: both have huge boots and there are plenty to choose from within budget. Stick to petrol power.

I sympathise - babies take up room in inverse proportion to their size.

I bought a Saab 9-3 about a year ago and would highly recommend them. I have 2 teenage sons, who fit in the back no problem. Mines a saloon and they have an impressive boot for a compact car. The sportwagon offers plenty of load space if you need it.

Mines a 2.0T Aero, so comes with all leather and all the toys. A friend has a 53 2.2 diesel (which is what got me interested in one in the first place).She carries a family around too.

Stick with petrol for your mileage. You don't indicate what performance level you're looking for, but there is a 1.8 and 2.0 LPT version. They are really easy to drive too - you really feel at home in it. Smooth and quiet too. Great stereo.

And you can't argue with Saab seats for comfort. Or their safety level - more airbags than you can count and there's that Elk tested roof structure!

Despite having a Maptun stage 1 tune, i can still get 34 - 38mpg on a run (cruise on about 80 -85). I'm sure the smaller petrols and a lighter foot would be quite a bit better.

the only thing I'm upset about with the car is that when I bought it I hoped it would be the first of a series of Saabs. Now it'll probably be my first and last, but I hope to keep it at least 12 years.