[DougR]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone here use an i30 as their main family car. I know 'family' hatchbacks are all the rage in Europe. But how practical is an i30 with two small children in tow - especially on a long trip or holiday. I think the diesel with the safety pack looks like a pretty good option for a family car (we don't need to carry a pram anymore). My wife isn't entirely convinced (she drives a huge falcon wagon). Most 'softroaders' really don't seem to offer much extra in terms of cargo space or legroom (forester cargo area is only about 100 litres larger than i30; Tiguan is about the same as i30). I'd definately buy another Hyundai - my 1996 excel is still going strong and has never let me down. I would be interested in the experiences of any i30 owners with kids.
Cheers,
Doug

Doug,

We went through the same anguish in deciding to buy the i30.  We had a Pathfinder 4WD which we used for towing a Jayco Camper.  We went loooking for an economicla car for me to drive to work (I do 150km per day).  The Getz is what we were looking at.

We ended up with a Getz for my wife (to replace a Diahatsu Mira) and an i30 CRDi for me to drive to work.  Now we have a Jayco Camper for sale.

We are a family of 4 with two teenage girls.  Recently we travelled to Qld with enough luggage for us all and we had no issues.  Yes, it was a tight fit and we had to make sure we did not take excess.  There was plenty of room in the back for the girls.  Passenger space is one feature of the i30 that is a highlight.  It has more leg room than many large Australian made family cars.

Hans Tholstrop recently towed a small camper behind an i30 CRDi all the way from Sydney to Melbourne.  Do search of this forum for further details including the fuel economy figures.  I think Dazz posted it.

Bob

[EymaTeapot]

Hi Doug,

I totally agree with Bob. The Hyundai i30 works fine for a small family car. That is a small car for a small family. I dont think i would like to lug along 3 kids in the back to often but for two kids, its fine. I have two boys, 9 & 11 years. Now that they are old enough that we are not needing to take Prams, porta cots ect, we are finding that there is plenty of room. We have had a couple of family holidays since getting the car back in Febuary and are planning a trip to Coffs Harbour in November.
Australian families now days generally consist of 1 or 2 kids, and for these smaller families, the i30 is definatley worthy consideration.

[DougR]

Thanks for your replies. I thought it would rate pretty well. The Mrs is starting to see the sense in an i30. Only problem now is the wait to get one. From other threads it seems like the average wait is about 12 weeks in Australia (I'm in Sydney). Anyone confirm. From previous experience the dealers tell you 'a coupe of weeks' which inevitably ends up more like a couple of months after signing up.

[Lakes]

Thanks for your replies. I thought it would rate pretty well. The Mrs is starting to see the sense in an i30. Only problem now is the wait to get one. From other threads it seems like the average wait is about 12 weeks in Australia (I'm in Sydney). Anyone confirm. From previous experience the dealers tell you 'a coupe of weeks' which inevitably ends up more like a couple of months after signing up.

Hi Doug i'm in Sydney too, i ordered a SX CRDi i30 they told me at the time 6 to 8 weeks, but i got it in about 4 or 5 weeks was freash  off the boat. i been happy with the deal and happy with the delivery. and i'm very happy with the car and the economy, i have only 8,500k up now but the car just improves as it gets older.
John