Becoming a Dad + next car quandary
Discussion
MagneticMeerkat said:
In the far off, halcyon days of long ago - this was never that much of a problem. In fact in world terms it wasn't long ago at all; given that I'm now 26. Why the fascination for buying the largest car on the market?
My parents had the choice of a Mk1 Fiesta (later upgraded to a Mk2 XR2) or a Mk2 Escort that didn't work properly. Both were tiny cars, by modern standards, and the Escort was a standard saloon - so no large load area etc. My Dad eventually upsized to a Mk2 Cavalier hatchback! This carried me, friends, stuff and so on all over the country - propelled by a wheezy little engine. We went on camping trips, on holiday, to France, wherever.
So all the decrees of 'Buy an SUV' or 'You need to go everywhere in a motorhome' seem a little wide of the mark. I'm not being nostalgic; it's just that in the real world most people cope with completely normal cars - then and now. My friends have a baby, and a Ford Focus. It's all good. So just get whatever takes your fancy.
And when when I was a kid cars had vinyl seats that burned your arse in summer and bottle warmers, activity gyms or even car seats (or rear seat belts come to think of it) had been invented. Roof racks on the other hand were already invented and so were trailers. In fact my Dad towed one behind his classic Range Rover on our way to summer holidays. Things haven't changed that much over the past 35 years.My parents had the choice of a Mk1 Fiesta (later upgraded to a Mk2 XR2) or a Mk2 Escort that didn't work properly. Both were tiny cars, by modern standards, and the Escort was a standard saloon - so no large load area etc. My Dad eventually upsized to a Mk2 Cavalier hatchback! This carried me, friends, stuff and so on all over the country - propelled by a wheezy little engine. We went on camping trips, on holiday, to France, wherever.
So all the decrees of 'Buy an SUV' or 'You need to go everywhere in a motorhome' seem a little wide of the mark. I'm not being nostalgic; it's just that in the real world most people cope with completely normal cars - then and now. My friends have a baby, and a Ford Focus. It's all good. So just get whatever takes your fancy.
Ved said:
It's not just about transporting a baby on a booster seat any more but you could do that in any car.
Porquoi? Has the human race evolved in some way since the booster cushion era? As I clearly remember that's how we used to do it in the nineties. If so nobody's told me....Edited by Ved on Sunday 19th October 09:17
Having been through this loop (not with twins), early on there is a lot of faffing with child seats with you contorted at odd angles depending on how close the car is to another one. It helps if these seats are fairly high up to save your back.
You can get special rubber mats to go between the kiddy seat and the car seat. These help save them from marking upholstery. I did not shed a tear when I hurled my kiddy seats into the skip a few weeks ago as my son finally grew enough to use a adult seatbelts.
By the time the twins are four they won't be needing pushchairs, nappies and most of the other junk they needed as babies.
So the wagon requirements are not forever.
You can get special rubber mats to go between the kiddy seat and the car seat. These help save them from marking upholstery. I did not shed a tear when I hurled my kiddy seats into the skip a few weeks ago as my son finally grew enough to use a adult seatbelts.
By the time the twins are four they won't be needing pushchairs, nappies and most of the other junk they needed as babies.
So the wagon requirements are not forever.
MagneticMeerkat said:
Porquoi? Has the human race evolved in some way since the booster cushion era? As I clearly remember that's how we used to do it in the nineties. If so nobody's told me....
I'm guessing you haven't seen the size of modern rear facing car seats and ISOfix bases? The tilt ones that are up to 4 years are huge, but also the safest - which is the only factor that counts. If you want to transport kids like we used to back then you're in the minority. The Forester can squeeze one in with the passenger seat forward and the same goes for the Legacy I tested too. Not a knobby comment MM, I promise, but do you have kids?
If you can keep a car clean and tidy with little kids, and don't mind bolting on a roof box or dragging a trailer along , good on you, don't sell the 911 or Focus RS.
I too remember family holidays in a small car, I recall at trip to Galloway in a Fiat 127 and France in a 2CV. But those decades weren't all about epic treks in Austin Acorns. I also remember late 70's and 80's family holidays in a converted Dennis ambulance, a VW Variant estate and a Volvo 240.
Other than the Aero, I took a performance car sabbatical to accomodate kids for a while. Partly because I had significantly less disposable income. 9 years on, now they can hold their own sick bags and only require a tablet or iPad to hone their social retardation I've got a Fiesta ST arriving on Thursday.
I too remember family holidays in a small car, I recall at trip to Galloway in a Fiat 127 and France in a 2CV. But those decades weren't all about epic treks in Austin Acorns. I also remember late 70's and 80's family holidays in a converted Dennis ambulance, a VW Variant estate and a Volvo 240.
Other than the Aero, I took a performance car sabbatical to accomodate kids for a while. Partly because I had significantly less disposable income. 9 years on, now they can hold their own sick bags and only require a tablet or iPad to hone their social retardation I've got a Fiesta ST arriving on Thursday.
Edited by captainzep on Sunday 19th October 10:06
Congrats on the twins :-)
Wish I had bought an estate when our little un arrived! Swapped a 3 door clio for a Honda Civic Diesel in preparation. First family holiday the following summer, as sad it is, boy did I wish I had bought the 2011 plate 1.6 petrol Octavia estate I saw with only 2,100 miles on it for £9,200 instead! As much I love the Civic, it's our only car as the OH doesn't drive, the boot is tiny and was full with just the pushchair and baby rocker in it! Ended up with suitcase, crib and all the other stuff in the back with the daughter! Praise the lord for the magic seats!
Wish I had bought an estate when our little un arrived! Swapped a 3 door clio for a Honda Civic Diesel in preparation. First family holiday the following summer, as sad it is, boy did I wish I had bought the 2011 plate 1.6 petrol Octavia estate I saw with only 2,100 miles on it for £9,200 instead! As much I love the Civic, it's our only car as the OH doesn't drive, the boot is tiny and was full with just the pushchair and baby rocker in it! Ended up with suitcase, crib and all the other stuff in the back with the daughter! Praise the lord for the magic seats!
You do want (need?) A family bus really - all the reasons above are valid. However this car is for mum - your car merely needs 4 seats because it will only be used for nursery runs, commuting and putting the little buggers to sleep.
On that note the most effective engine note for knocking kids out ive experienced is a subaru flat four echoing through a 4" drainpipe. I imagine a v8 would be similarly effective
On that note the most effective engine note for knocking kids out ive experienced is a subaru flat four echoing through a 4" drainpipe. I imagine a v8 would be similarly effective
Hoddo said:
The C63 has been lurking in the back of my mind ever since an old acquaintance (fellow PH member) suggested it in an earlier post.
The 4dr M3 V8 is also tempted, i'm just anxious the rear space would not meet my requirements. Probably need to head down to the dealership with the pram + additional baby crap and see what space there is.
The e90 M3 Does the job perfectly, boot space is more than enough.The 4dr M3 V8 is also tempted, i'm just anxious the rear space would not meet my requirements. Probably need to head down to the dealership with the pram + additional baby crap and see what space there is.
Edited by TheHound on Sunday 19th October 11:06
captainzep said:
They will puke in it. They will place raisins, crisps, banana, juice and mucus in upholstery crevices. Constellations of stickers will appear. Crayoned cave paintings will be evident. Little piles of plastic crap known as "McDonalds Happy Meal toys" will accumulate whether you attend the hateful drive-throughs or not. Long journeys will become a sonic triumvirate of Disney film soundtracks, crying that drills the soul and "I need a wee, I'm DESPERATE" SOS calls.
Take it from me. Buy the most comfortable, relaxing, spacious car you can which you simultaneously cannot give two f
ks about. Then tolerate it for a few years. My V70 fitted the bill perfectly.
Don't under estimate this point. As the owner of only one 2 year old, it never ceases to amaze me how much sticky crap fills the car. You cannot be precious about it. We've got a 12 year old 330i tourer worth about £2k which has done an excellent job, although sometimes wish we'd got a 5 series. Take it from me. Buy the most comfortable, relaxing, spacious car you can which you simultaneously cannot give two f
ks about. Then tolerate it for a few years. My V70 fitted the bill perfectly. Edited by captainzep on Sunday 19th October 08:36
Ved said:
AvonRise said:
Yet most of us will have grown up crammed into an Escort or Cortina. This recent phenomenon of buying a behemoth of a car to carry tiny children in always puzzles me.
Stroller + chassis + labrador + Car seat + two adults + "all her crap" adds up a lot. On a trip to Cornwall the whole Forester was rammed and the dog had to go in kennels. It's not just about transporting a baby on a booster seat any more but you could do that in any car. Edited by Ved on Sunday 19th October 09:17
Thank you for all the feedback. Looks like we're in agreement that space is a must.
Ved - thank you for your kind offer. I'll come back to you.
Had not considered the XC90 V8, may also have a look at the VW Touareg V8, does anyone have any experience of these?
Had a poke around a B8 S4 Avant today. Wonderful car, but reading the above comments about the mess little people make certainly puts me off spending a heap of cash on a lovely car only for it to be destroyed.
If I can find one I would love a gen one S6 4.2 Avant, however they appear incredibly rear.
Ved - thank you for your kind offer. I'll come back to you.
Had not considered the XC90 V8, may also have a look at the VW Touareg V8, does anyone have any experience of these?
Had a poke around a B8 S4 Avant today. Wonderful car, but reading the above comments about the mess little people make certainly puts me off spending a heap of cash on a lovely car only for it to be destroyed.
If I can find one I would love a gen one S6 4.2 Avant, however they appear incredibly rear.
alolympic said:
An Octaviawill be a perfect family car, so will you ever need to put the kids/whole family in your car?
If your wife needs to use a car on her own, and you are left to take the kids somewhere, just do a car swap for that journey?
^^^ This.If your wife needs to use a car on her own, and you are left to take the kids somewhere, just do a car swap for that journey?
If you have a short term need for a family car buy something to fill the gap (E class estate etc), but you only need one family car.
I'd go for a 2nd fun car you can fit one twin in. That way you use the Octavia when doing family duties, but can still travel if you need to take kids separately.
A car which meets your needs and meets them well can be very satisfying to own. You're not going to be exploiting your car's handling while carrying your wife and children. Not because of safety concerns (I am sure you can drive fast and well) but because they'll complain about it. I would look for high quality, high functionality and high comfort. The driving satisfaction will come from having the right tool for the job. My wife and small children and I love our old Mercedes estate for this reason. There is no better family car. It's also quite nice to drive by myself (if about as far removed from a Lotus Elise as it is possible to get).
How you raise your children is up to you. Regardless of how disciplined and strict you are, they will cack up the back of the car. The answer is a seat cover for the base of the rear seat. They don't need a lot of crap but many of us nonetheless insist on carrying it all round. The biggest waste of money in my life was the enormous Bugaboo buggy we bought (being middle class clones) for more than the price of the damned car. After two months, neither child went in it again. The best thing my wife ever bought me was a Baby Bjorn pappohuse (i.e. one of those things with which you strap the child to your chest). But, of course, you're going to have two children. More generally, I'd recommend the Baby Bjorn stuff. It's very well designed, especially the strapless high chair. I digress.
Isofix seats are useful.
To be honest, given your circumstances, the 100HP seems ideal in combination with the forthcoming Skoda estate. Really, though, you need three cars: two family cars and a sports car.
How you raise your children is up to you. Regardless of how disciplined and strict you are, they will cack up the back of the car. The answer is a seat cover for the base of the rear seat. They don't need a lot of crap but many of us nonetheless insist on carrying it all round. The biggest waste of money in my life was the enormous Bugaboo buggy we bought (being middle class clones) for more than the price of the damned car. After two months, neither child went in it again. The best thing my wife ever bought me was a Baby Bjorn pappohuse (i.e. one of those things with which you strap the child to your chest). But, of course, you're going to have two children. More generally, I'd recommend the Baby Bjorn stuff. It's very well designed, especially the strapless high chair. I digress.
Isofix seats are useful.
To be honest, given your circumstances, the 100HP seems ideal in combination with the forthcoming Skoda estate. Really, though, you need three cars: two family cars and a sports car.
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