The Mrs is pregnant - does a 3 door hatch work?
Discussion
AlexKing said:
OK - my family fleet from when my daughter was aged 0-3 was basically an XKR and an MX-5. The XKR was the 'family car' and the MX-5 was used when only two needed to travel. Neither me nor my wife have experienced any back problems as a result.
The maxim is that the crap expands to fill the space provided. Go of a Maclaren buggy and a small infant carrier initially, or you'll wind up with a monstrous pile of scaffolding that you just don't need consuming space in your car, house, and any cafe or restaurant you bung up with your needless, shiny, big-wheeled contraptions (also known as 'travel systems').
Here's the thing; your baby doesn't care, and by the time they grow out of that infant carrier they can at least help themselves into that child seat, and by about 16-18 months my little girl was climbing in by herself (though the lower seat of a sports car made this easier for her...)
A good rule of thumb is to set out the stuff you think you need to have with you at all times, and then take half of it with you. You'll manage. Anyone who thinks you need some massive SUV just because you've got one or two kids is just being silly. If you've secretly always wanted one and want to use having kids as an excuse, then fine, but nobody 'needs' anything bigger than a Golf for family life of two small kids or less. Three doors is fine if that's what you want.
At last - the voice of reason!The maxim is that the crap expands to fill the space provided. Go of a Maclaren buggy and a small infant carrier initially, or you'll wind up with a monstrous pile of scaffolding that you just don't need consuming space in your car, house, and any cafe or restaurant you bung up with your needless, shiny, big-wheeled contraptions (also known as 'travel systems').
Here's the thing; your baby doesn't care, and by the time they grow out of that infant carrier they can at least help themselves into that child seat, and by about 16-18 months my little girl was climbing in by herself (though the lower seat of a sports car made this easier for her...)
A good rule of thumb is to set out the stuff you think you need to have with you at all times, and then take half of it with you. You'll manage. Anyone who thinks you need some massive SUV just because you've got one or two kids is just being silly. If you've secretly always wanted one and want to use having kids as an excuse, then fine, but nobody 'needs' anything bigger than a Golf for family life of two small kids or less. Three doors is fine if that's what you want.
I'm actually sat in the maternity ward as I type, my wife is in labour with our first.
We are its self employed and work from home quite a bit so will be sharing the child care duties. I drive a XKR and she drives a Z4. We are not changing our cars
Goodsteed said:
Got the news last week. Naturally the first thing that comes to mind is I may have to sell my beloved Clio 197 in favour of something dull with 5 doors and a boot capable of swallowing prams et al.
The better part of me thinks it's rather silly buying a bigger car for the sake of a 9lb person. Be good to hear from those of you who have kept the 3rd hot hatch as a family wagon and those who didn't...
Don't fall for any of the hype. The better part of me thinks it's rather silly buying a bigger car for the sake of a 9lb person. Be good to hear from those of you who have kept the 3rd hot hatch as a family wagon and those who didn't...
Buying a different car just because you now have a baby (congrats) is a luxury at best, frivolity at worse. It is not a necessity.
If you like the car you have and there is no true reason to change it then you catagorically do not need to change it.
First of all, 3 doors is fine. While the child is in the baby bucket you put it in the front seat and one of you travel in the back.
Secondly, when they are a little older a three door can actually be better in some situations as you are not standing out in the rain, leaning in buggering your back trying to do up harnesses but have hopped in to the back with the child and can just take your time strapping it in properly.
Re Kit: first rule of baby kit is that if it isn't needed to specifically keep the baby alive then it isn't specifically needed. You do not actually need a buggy as you can use a baby Bjiorn carrier or put the baby bucket in a trolly etc. and if you do want the convenience of a buggy then you just buy one that fits easily in the boot rather than buying one for the label to display to random strangers.
As for any other kit? Well, what is there that doesn't fit in a small back that goes on the floor behind a front seat? Nothing.
When it comes to babies the marketing firms have the holy grail of ignorance, fear, desire to spend and expectation to spend all coming together and they will sell you millions of things that you have no actual need of.
Question everything. Change nothing. Add lightly and intelligently.
Basic rule, if you wouldn't take it on a short haul flight then you don't need it.
Don't go throwing away thousands of £s in a baby when that money is far importantly used when they are a child.
Good luck managing the boss' expectations.
C.A.R. said:
An interesting recurring theme of this thread is complaints of back problems. I wonder if that's because the age of new parents is getting older on average? If you're having back problems raising a baby you are either seriously unfit or "getting on a bit".
What about if it's neither of those, and, for example, your wife's body was affected so much by the process of child bearing that she can't walk more than about 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain, or can hardly lift her child?optimal909 said:
My wife is expecting twins, but fortunately I have no worries.
The Crown Vic Police Cruiser swallows the large pram with lots space to spare (although I had to remove the spare tyre). And I still have the V8, a limited slip differential...
Congrats on the twins! Hard work at the beginning, easier as they get older. I don't think of ours as twins- they're just 2 boys who are the same age, best friends, and constantly entertain each other. They woke up about 7am on Sunday, I heard them playing lego, and when I finally got my lazy backside out of bed found they'd made a lego bloodhound ;-) The Crown Vic Police Cruiser swallows the large pram with lots space to spare (although I had to remove the spare tyre). And I still have the V8, a limited slip differential...
FD3Si said:
C.A.R. said:
An interesting recurring theme of this thread is complaints of back problems. I wonder if that's because the age of new parents is getting older on average? If you're having back problems raising a baby you are either seriously unfit or "getting on a bit".
What about if it's neither of those, and, for example, your wife's body was affected so much by the process of child bearing that she can't walk more than about 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain, or can hardly lift her child?I'm an older parent and swinging sproggs about has brought back back problems form injuries playing sport in my youth. I also look around and see that most fathers are desk jockeys so won't have the natural strength of manual labourers of old and that there are very many fathers older than I am with toddlers.
We are also getting taller due to our affluent diets and this will naturally increase the occurances of back issues.
Back to the 3/5 door argument, I actually found a three door hatchback much better than a 5 door because the door opened so wide and I could climb in the back with the child so never once was i twisting my back.
The two door Rangie is better than my 4 door now the kids are walking as I can hoist them in and climb in behind them. Thus, I'm not leaning or more importantly for London, standing out in the road for ages doing up belts. The 2+2 TVR I bought to replace the 2 seater when the first child came along is a doddle to get two babies in and out of and plenty of space to carry any kit required for a weekend break.
Let's face the true reality that the fundamental reason that blokes change their car when they have a baby is that they are told to do so. Fun is over you must drive a minivan. And it also means you are less likely to be abducted by a big tired blonde, which is her biggest paranoa.
Go and by a sports car instead and keep her on her toes. She'll be more keen to drop that weight back off afterwards as well.
Krupp Stahl said:
M5 Touring. The ability to accelerate out of trouble is as important a safety feature as braking.
You haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Gutless cars are dangerous. On the daily nursery run my wife makes a right turn from a country lane onto an A road. There is a rise to the left so you can't see cars coming until they are 50m away...approaching at 70mphYou haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kids
As said you will be fine with a 2 door a 5 door hatch/estate is easier . It depends how nimble and strong you are as well, lifting the baby gets tireing, I wouldn't want my misses having to put the baby seat in all the time on a 3 door but wouldn't bother me. I guess it depends how heavy your little on gets as well.
I have a 6 month old, 2 x teenagers & 2 dogs and run a few years old Seat Leon hatch !
Its small, but does the job. We are rarely in the car all together, mostly its me on my own, or just misses me and baby and is fine. Dogs don't come out often, its a pita when they do, but we have managed it with 5 of us, 2 dogs, a huge pram , weekend stuff in a Golf sized car once!
I found an ISOFIX seat base the best thing for making it easier with a baby. I would much rather have a 3 door with ISOFIX than a 5 door and have to strap the seat in!
I use a newish XC70 for longer journeys when we are all in the car and year it makes you realise how small the leon is, but we still get on fine.
I think the tipping point is if you have 2 x young kids or 3, then you need a bigger car as the baby seats take a lot of space and as does accessories
I have a 6 month old, 2 x teenagers & 2 dogs and run a few years old Seat Leon hatch !
Its small, but does the job. We are rarely in the car all together, mostly its me on my own, or just misses me and baby and is fine. Dogs don't come out often, its a pita when they do, but we have managed it with 5 of us, 2 dogs, a huge pram , weekend stuff in a Golf sized car once!
I found an ISOFIX seat base the best thing for making it easier with a baby. I would much rather have a 3 door with ISOFIX than a 5 door and have to strap the seat in!
I use a newish XC70 for longer journeys when we are all in the car and year it makes you realise how small the leon is, but we still get on fine.
I think the tipping point is if you have 2 x young kids or 3, then you need a bigger car as the baby seats take a lot of space and as does accessories
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Thursday 12th March 09:56
When we had number 1 we had a 3 door Aygo. ISOFix was an absolute must. Travel system fitted in the boot without the parcel shelf.
Getting the little man out the back wasn't too awkward with the ISOFix, and our car seat was quite heavy (Mammas n Pappas), so maybe we should have chosen another brand, but the rest of the travel system worked well.
The worst thing about a 2/3 door car was parking in normal spaces and trying to extract the babyseat. My Mrs didn't drive at the time but I imagine getting the seat in an out daily would have been a huge hassel. Especially when you return to your car and find some t
t has parked too close to the door to get you're son's seat in. We eventually changed it for a BMW 330i Touring (E46) and it just made life so much easier, and it was a much better car to drive as well 
.
Getting the little man out the back wasn't too awkward with the ISOFix, and our car seat was quite heavy (Mammas n Pappas), so maybe we should have chosen another brand, but the rest of the travel system worked well.
The worst thing about a 2/3 door car was parking in normal spaces and trying to extract the babyseat. My Mrs didn't drive at the time but I imagine getting the seat in an out daily would have been a huge hassel. Especially when you return to your car and find some t
t has parked too close to the door to get you're son's seat in. We eventually changed it for a BMW 330i Touring (E46) and it just made life so much easier, and it was a much better car to drive as well .DonkeyApple said:
Don't fall for any of the hype.
Buying a different car just because you now have a baby (congrats) is a luxury at best, frivolity at worse. It is not a necessity.
If you like the car you have and there is no true reason to change it then you catagorically do not need to change it.
First of all, 3 doors is fine. While the child is in the baby bucket you put it in the front seat and one of you travel in the back.
Secondly, when they are a little older a three door can actually be better in some situations as you are not standing out in the rain, leaning in buggering your back trying to do up harnesses but have hopped in to the back with the child and can just take your time strapping it in properly.
Re Kit: first rule of baby kit is that if it isn't needed to specifically keep the baby alive then it isn't specifically needed. You do not actually need a buggy as you can use a baby Bjiorn carrier or put the baby bucket in a trolly etc. and if you do want the convenience of a buggy then you just buy one that fits easily in the boot rather than buying one for the label to display to random strangers.
As for any other kit? Well, what is there that doesn't fit in a small back that goes on the floor behind a front seat? Nothing.
When it comes to babies the marketing firms have the holy grail of ignorance, fear, desire to spend and expectation to spend all coming together and they will sell you millions of things that you have no actual need of.
Question everything. Change nothing. Add lightly and intelligently.
Basic rule, if you wouldn't take it on a short haul flight then you don't need it.
Don't go throwing away thousands of £s in a baby when that money is far importantly used when they are a child.
Good luck managing the boss' expectations.
I agree that you shouldn't change a car just because you're having a baby, unless you only have a two seater or one that won't physically fit a child seat in. You can manage with most cars. However if you have two cars and one is your wife's then when you come to change it she may wish to get something more practical. My wife managed with a 5 door Focus and then a Mazda 6 but last time we changed we got a Corrolla Verso. It is just more convenient and easier to transport the kids round in. People used to manage fine with out washing machines and freezers, that doesn't mean that life isn't easier with one Buying a different car just because you now have a baby (congrats) is a luxury at best, frivolity at worse. It is not a necessity.
If you like the car you have and there is no true reason to change it then you catagorically do not need to change it.
First of all, 3 doors is fine. While the child is in the baby bucket you put it in the front seat and one of you travel in the back.
Secondly, when they are a little older a three door can actually be better in some situations as you are not standing out in the rain, leaning in buggering your back trying to do up harnesses but have hopped in to the back with the child and can just take your time strapping it in properly.
Re Kit: first rule of baby kit is that if it isn't needed to specifically keep the baby alive then it isn't specifically needed. You do not actually need a buggy as you can use a baby Bjiorn carrier or put the baby bucket in a trolly etc. and if you do want the convenience of a buggy then you just buy one that fits easily in the boot rather than buying one for the label to display to random strangers.
As for any other kit? Well, what is there that doesn't fit in a small back that goes on the floor behind a front seat? Nothing.
When it comes to babies the marketing firms have the holy grail of ignorance, fear, desire to spend and expectation to spend all coming together and they will sell you millions of things that you have no actual need of.
Question everything. Change nothing. Add lightly and intelligently.
Basic rule, if you wouldn't take it on a short haul flight then you don't need it.
Don't go throwing away thousands of £s in a baby when that money is far importantly used when they are a child.
Good luck managing the boss' expectations.
I also agree about not getting sucked in to buying all the extra crap that you are made to feel is essential, however one persons crap is another persons essential and vice versa. We have a baby Bjiorn carrier and it was a waste of money because neither my kids nor my wife could get comfortable in it. However I accept that some people love them.
It's easier when you have a second though, because you know what worked for you and what didn't.
DonkeyApple said:
Anomalous though. The recuring theme of back problems amongst men is almost certainly down to either being older or less fit.
I'm an older parent and swinging sproggs about has brought back back problems form injuries playing sport in my youth. I also look around and see that most fathers are desk jockeys so won't have the natural strength of manual labourers of old and that there are very many fathers older than I am with toddlers.
I had back problems all as a result of being out of shape and having a desk job. Then i started cycling to work and haven't had so much as a twinge since.I'm an older parent and swinging sproggs about has brought back back problems form injuries playing sport in my youth. I also look around and see that most fathers are desk jockeys so won't have the natural strength of manual labourers of old and that there are very many fathers older than I am with toddlers.
However when my wife had both of our children she ended up with back problems and actually slipped a disc with our second.
DonkeyApple said:
FD3Si said:
C.A.R. said:
An interesting recurring theme of this thread is complaints of back problems. I wonder if that's because the age of new parents is getting older on average? If you're having back problems raising a baby you are either seriously unfit or "getting on a bit".
What about if it's neither of those, and, for example, your wife's body was affected so much by the process of child bearing that she can't walk more than about 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain, or can hardly lift her child?ks.Goodsteed said:
Got the news last week. Naturally the first thing that comes to mind is I may have to sell my beloved Clio 197 in favour of something dull with 5 doors and a boot capable of swallowing prams et al.
The better part of me thinks it's rather silly buying a bigger car for the sake of a 9lb person. Be good to hear from those of you who have kept the 3rd hot hatch as a family wagon and those who didn't...
The better part of me thinks it's rather silly buying a bigger car for the sake of a 9lb person. Be good to hear from those of you who have kept the 3rd hot hatch as a family wagon and those who didn't...
You have it all to come, take it this is unplanned?
Some people can get away with having a little hot hatch but issues you may find with your plan.
1) 3 doors tend be difficult to get child car seats in and out. You may find this a nightmare I did briefly owning a 3 door.
2) You may find that some car seats don't fit the seat our the one you other half wants won't fit. Renault and isofix can be hit or miss but you dont have a child friendly car.
3) Next will you able to get a the pram your other half wants in the boot worth checking before buying.
chappardababbar said:
Krupp Stahl said:
M5 Touring. The ability to accelerate out of trouble is as important a safety feature as braking.
You haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Gutless cars are dangerous. On the daily nursery run my wife makes a right turn from a country lane onto an A road. There is a rise to the left so you can't see cars coming until they are 50m away...approaching at 70mphYou haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kids
I bought an orange MPV when the kids came along.
Plenty of room in the boot for a buggy, scooters, bag of clothing and kit, plus shopping or our bags if going away.
Easy to get two children in and out.
400bhp/tonne makes it appropriate for general use.
And as you can see it even offroads.
What you did forget to mention is the importance of having your child seats colour coded to the vehicle. You'd be amazed how many people neglect this essential detail.
Devil2575 said:
I agree that you shouldn't change a car just because you're having a baby, unless you only have a two seater or one that won't physically fit a child seat in. You can manage with most cars. However if you have two cars and one is your wife's then when you come to change it she may wish to get something more practical. My wife managed with a 5 door Focus and then a Mazda 6 but last time we changed we got a Corrolla Verso. It is just more convenient and easier to transport the kids round in. People used to manage fine with out washing machines and freezers, that doesn't mean that life isn't easier with one
I also agree about not getting sucked in to buying all the extra crap that you are made to feel is essential, however one persons crap is another persons essential and vice versa. We have a baby Bjiorn carrier and it was a waste of money because neither my kids nor my wife could get comfortable in it. However I accept that some people love them.
It's easier when you have a second though, because you know what worked for you and what didn't.
Yup, completely. Change when it's genuinely appropriate. I also agree about not getting sucked in to buying all the extra crap that you are made to feel is essential, however one persons crap is another persons essential and vice versa. We have a baby Bjiorn carrier and it was a waste of money because neither my kids nor my wife could get comfortable in it. However I accept that some people love them.
It's easier when you have a second though, because you know what worked for you and what didn't.
The real problem today is that mothers take their advice from moronic friends and screaming vegetables on Twitter instead of asking their grandmother. And modern fathers aren't any better.
As a bloke there are two truths about babies:
1. They don't need any of this s
t. 2. They bounce.
Great work
If you choose to only have one car, I think this is how it works for PH brains:
1. 0-2 years - really do need 4 doors and a decent book but I think it's only for 2 years. M3 4dr, RS4 Avant, C63
2. 2 years - 3 years the sweetspot when they can get into the car themselves, and undo the belt / open the door etc. They have plenty of space, you don't always need the buggy. This is when you can get a 2+2 = Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and clearly TVR
3. 3-8 years, as they grow up you need to carry more stuff, you may have two of them by this point and things are getting tight
4. 8 years plus - CLS63 shooting brake, RS6, panamera, M5
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kidsYou are both very correct.
I bought an orange MPV when the kids came along.
Plenty of room in the boot for a buggy, scooters, bag of clothing and kit, plus shopping or our bags if going away.
Easy to get two children in and out.
400bhp/tonne makes it appropriate for general use.
And as you can see it even offroads.
What you did forget to mention is the importance of having your child seats colour coded to the vehicle. You'd be amazed how many people neglect this essential detail.
If you choose to only have one car, I think this is how it works for PH brains:
1. 0-2 years - really do need 4 doors and a decent book but I think it's only for 2 years. M3 4dr, RS4 Avant, C63
2. 2 years - 3 years the sweetspot when they can get into the car themselves, and undo the belt / open the door etc. They have plenty of space, you don't always need the buggy. This is when you can get a 2+2 = Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and clearly TVR
3. 3-8 years, as they grow up you need to carry more stuff, you may have two of them by this point and things are getting tight
4. 8 years plus - CLS63 shooting brake, RS6, panamera, M5
DonkeyApple said:
chappardababbar said:
Krupp Stahl said:
M5 Touring. The ability to accelerate out of trouble is as important a safety feature as braking.
You haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Gutless cars are dangerous. On the daily nursery run my wife makes a right turn from a country lane onto an A road. There is a rise to the left so you can't see cars coming until they are 50m away...approaching at 70mphYou haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kids
I bought an orange MPV when the kids came along.
Plenty of room in the boot for a buggy, scooters, bag of clothing and kit, plus shopping or our bags if going away.
Easy to get two children in and out.
400bhp/tonne makes it appropriate for general use.
And as you can see it even offroads.
What you did forget to mention is the importance of having your child seats colour coded to the vehicle. You'd be amazed how many people neglect this essential detail.
chappardababbar said:
Great work
If you choose to only have one car, I think this is how it works for PH brains:
1. 0-2 years - really do need 4 doors and a decent book but I think it's only for 2 years. M3 4dr, RS4 Avant, C63
2. 2 years - 3 years the sweetspot when they can get into the car themselves, and undo the belt / open the door etc. They have plenty of space, you don't always need the buggy. This is when you can get a 2+2 = Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and clearly TVR
3. 3-8 years, as they grow up you need to carry more stuff, you may have two of them by this point and things are getting tight
4. 8 years plus - CLS63 shooting brake, RS6, panamera, M5
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kidsYou are both very correct.
I bought an orange MPV when the kids came along.
Plenty of room in the boot for a buggy, scooters, bag of clothing and kit, plus shopping or our bags if going away.
Easy to get two children in and out.
400bhp/tonne makes it appropriate for general use.
And as you can see it even offroads.
What you did forget to mention is the importance of having your child seats colour coded to the vehicle. You'd be amazed how many people neglect this essential detail.
Seems very logical although at step 4 you would have them boarding by then and moved onto the non child bearing, younger wife, so be looking at the top end 2 seater products from Italy etc that you couldn't afford in your twenties. If you choose to only have one car, I think this is how it works for PH brains:
1. 0-2 years - really do need 4 doors and a decent book but I think it's only for 2 years. M3 4dr, RS4 Avant, C63
2. 2 years - 3 years the sweetspot when they can get into the car themselves, and undo the belt / open the door etc. They have plenty of space, you don't always need the buggy. This is when you can get a 2+2 = Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and clearly TVR
3. 3-8 years, as they grow up you need to carry more stuff, you may have two of them by this point and things are getting tight
4. 8 years plus - CLS63 shooting brake, RS6, panamera, M5
DonkeyApple said:
chappardababbar said:
Krupp Stahl said:
M5 Touring. The ability to accelerate out of trouble is as important a safety feature as braking.
You haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Gutless cars are dangerous. On the daily nursery run my wife makes a right turn from a country lane onto an A road. There is a rise to the left so you can't see cars coming until they are 50m away...approaching at 70mphYou haven't only got yourself to think about now you know.
Basically you need at least 300bhp when you get kids
I bought an orange MPV when the kids came along.
Plenty of room in the boot for a buggy, scooters, bag of clothing and kit, plus shopping or our bags if going away.
Easy to get two children in and out.
400bhp/tonne makes it appropriate for general use.
And as you can see it even offroads.
What you did forget to mention is the importance of having your child seats colour coded to the vehicle. You'd be amazed how many people neglect this essential detail.
FD3Si said:
What about if it's neither of those, and, for example, your wife's body was affected so much by the process of child bearing that she can't walk more than about 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain, or can hardly lift her child?
I work with a lady in the office something happened during child birth result she cannot drive anywhere has to take certain drugs daily which result in her being uninsured. So hubby takes her everywhere - they have a Galaxy I think. Ten years or so ago another girl hurt her back from the constant lifting of the baby be it off the floor changing nappies leaning in to put baby into the cot holding back in a certain position in bed to enable breast feeding. Result back spasms utter agony.
Some ladies (ahem) suffer back problems from large lady lumps
Generally it does appear that the trend of this thread is generally those without or to have don't want to have any impact on their own lives and seem to think baby will simply make do and back pains is for all those unfit people.... Shot over the bow please don't be so naive / and you put the baby first no onwards not your own personal desires for material things. Obvious really but overlooked strangely.
We managed with a Rotweiler and a 5 door Focus for a while, without the dog a Focus sized car is perfectly fine.
We have a 2006 ML now though as when loaded up for a weeks holiday we would have needed to put stuff on the back seats aswell, which just isn't safe imo. With the dog we still have to pack neatly but without him, it's nice having the space to just chuck stuff in instead of playing Tetris at every stop.
Dave!
We have a 2006 ML now though as when loaded up for a weeks holiday we would have needed to put stuff on the back seats aswell, which just isn't safe imo. With the dog we still have to pack neatly but without him, it's nice having the space to just chuck stuff in instead of playing Tetris at every stop.
Dave!
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