Baby on the way? Need a bigger car? Pah!!

Baby on the way? Need a bigger car? Pah!!

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Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Have had several friends go from pretty decent sized cars to hulking great 4x4s or estates etc as soon as the tiny feet began to patter.

What's changed?

Me and my Brother and all the gear we ever needed were carried around in one of these for years and never once had a problem!



One of my friends rushed out and purchased an MPV when his first child arrived and another got an Audi A6 estate!

Do people need to fill them with all the toys from the garden these days or something? hehe


Alex_225

6,234 posts

200 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Cars have got bigger in general really and many parents love the idea of an SUV/4x4 so kids are an excuse to have that mum tank they always wanted.

I drive an E Class as a family car and I personally think it's an ideal size for comfort and practicality. I did use a Megane 225 for that kind of things when my daughter was smaller. My car is far from full of stuff though but there is room for there adults and a child, with a boot big enough for a holiday away.

That said, back in the 60s, my dad, his two brothers, mum and dad all fitted into a motorbike and side car for a camping trip! I have no idea how the hell they did it but they all remember it.

stongle

5,910 posts

161 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Yes, but there was no such thing as a bugaboo donkey in the 60/70s. The more space you can buy or lease the better. I was ferried around in a Wartburg as a kid. I must be mentally scared because I have no problem funding the baby chariot Toerag wife needs because "high up".

I also remember that sodastream marked you out as us upper middle class. These days it's Fentiman mixers, maybe the world moved on?

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Not like it was in my day blah blah blah

Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
stongle said:
Yes, but there was no such thing as a bugaboo donkey in the 60/70s.
No, but there were prams the same size as the car with bike sized wheels which didn't fold up at all hehe

My folks just used small, folding, pushchairs apparently. You can still get those today, too. She would ask "Why do you need a bugaboo?"

Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
Not like it was in my day blah blah blah
I don't really care. I'm just bored. Plus, today still is my day!

Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
Alex_225 said:
That said, back in the 60s, my dad, his two brothers, mum and dad all fitted into a motorbike and side car for a camping trip! I have no idea how the hell they did it but they all remember it.
thumbup

h0b0

7,559 posts

195 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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These threads are a little irritating. They are suggesting that the parents of the 1960's wouldn't swap their Gilman imp for a 2017 FFRR. They would. In fact they would swap for a 1970 FFRR. Why didn't they then? Because cars have become more affordable due to finance?

It's like saying "what changed? I grew up in a 2 up, 2 down and was fine. Why do people want a 5 bedroom house?"

V8 FOU

2,970 posts

146 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Digby said:
No, but there were prams the same size as the car with bike sized wheels which didn't fold up at all hehe

My folks just used small, folding, pushchairs apparently. You can still get those today, too. She would ask "Why do you need a bugaboo?"
What the fk is a bugaboo?

When I was a cub in the early 60's, 5 cubs + cub leader type person squeezed into an A35 for a trip from Rainham,Kent to Greenwich.

How did anyone survive without these damn SUV things? I reckon it's a badge - "Look at me I'm family man"

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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When I was born my parents had two original Minis. I was flung loosely on the back seat in a carry cot.

When my sisters arrived we 'upgraded' to an allegro estate, so even 40 years ago people were upgrading to far bigger stuff when kids arrived. Not sure what the problem is? wink

Mike

SteveSteveson

3,209 posts

162 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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People spent a lot less time in their cars and than they do now. More people have to drive to get to go shopping or see parants than did in the 60s. Therefore they want a car that is easy to fit all the stuff in, their child and shopping etc, and do it in comfort rather than cramming everything in and suffering it once or twice a year for a holiday.

ChemicalChaos

10,360 posts

159 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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h0b0 said:
These threads are a little irritating. They are suggesting that the parents of the 1960's wouldn't swap their Gilman imp for a 2017 FFRR. They would. In fact they would swap for a 1970 FFRR. Why didn't they then? Because cars have become more affordable due to finance?

It's like saying "what changed? I grew up in a 2 up, 2 down and was fine. Why do people want a 5 bedroom house?"
You have to admit its a bit stupid though. Our neighbour has just changed her BMW 135 for a 335 estate solely due to having a baby. How fking much extra room does she need?
My mum also upgraded when I was born - from an original Mini to a MK2 VW Polo, solely because even a folding pushchair wouldnt fit in the Mini.

Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
h0b0 said:
These threads are a little irritating. They are suggesting that the parents of the 1960's wouldn't swap their Gilman imp for a 2017 FFRR. They would. In fact they would swap for a 1970 FFRR. Why didn't they then? Because cars have become more affordable due to finance?

It's like saying "what changed? I grew up in a 2 up, 2 down and was fine. Why do people want a 5 bedroom house?"
There were many larger cars available to my parents and they did buy larger and larger houses, but they only had an interest in nicer houses due to them being in nicer areas; It was never about required space.

They never once purchased a bigger car due to me and my Brother, either. I think four doors was only a suggestion because my 'sensible' Dad liked the idea it would be easier to get out of if ever we rolled over! We ended up with an Allegro due to that train of thought laugh

I remember it costing the same as the much larger Rover it was sat beside.

My Mum said she never remembers anyone in our street upgrading a car due to children. It never really crossed their minds.

Maybe it's more to do with Supermarkets and 'monthly' shops these days?








Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
SteveSteveson said:
People spent a lot less time in their cars and than they do now. More people have to drive to get to go shopping or see parants than did in the 60s. Therefore they want a car that is easy to fit all the stuff in, their child and shopping etc, and do it in comfort rather than cramming everything in and suffering it once or twice a year for a holiday.
I agree completely, but why would you consider something like a Qashqai to be too small for two people and a baby?

My friend said the same about his Zafira.

mike9009 said:
When my sisters arrived we 'upgraded' to an allegro estate,
Sitting in an Allegro today is similar to going back to your Jr school and looking at the desks and chairs and height of the coat hooks etc; you suddenly realise just how tiny things were! biggrin

Edited by Digby on Saturday 21st January 21:54

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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So what car/cars have you got then Digby?

Sheepshanks

32,530 posts

118 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Digby said:
My folks just used small, folding, pushchairs apparently. You can still get those today, too.
Fine for older kids. Child cruelty for babies.

Daughter has a Honda Jazz, a toddler and new baby. She couldn't fit the stuff she needed for an overnight stay into her car. Its magic seats are useless when the back of the car is filled with two huge child-seats.

deltashad

6,731 posts

196 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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What is that anyway. A Cresta?

My mum had a mk1 Fiesta back in the late 70s when I was a nipper. It was massive! Dad had a Capri. That was a sensible family car for two young boys smile

Sheepshanks

32,530 posts

118 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
deltashad said:
What is that anyway. A Cresta?
Viva. Cresta's were huge.

Digby

Original Poster:

8,230 posts

245 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
So what car/cars have you got then Digby?
Picking that up next weekend due to the other half wanting a Chihuahua.


DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Digby said:
DoubleD said:
So what car/cars have you got then Digby?
Picking that up next weekend due to the other half wanting a Chihuahua.

So im guessing that you own a large car then?