The Mrs is pregnant - does a 3 door hatch work?
Discussion
Had to sign up and reply to this - it's sounding too much line mumsnet!
When we had the same news two years ago we had to upgrade the MX5 to something larger. So we went out and bought a 9-3 convertible.
Been absolutely fine and we don't intend on changing it now that number two is on its way.
When we had the same news two years ago we had to upgrade the MX5 to something larger. So we went out and bought a 9-3 convertible.
Been absolutely fine and we don't intend on changing it now that number two is on its way.
We ditched the Fiesta ST and Cooper S convertible before getting married as we thought with kids being an inevitability we'd need something practical. We bought an A4 saloon, and in hindsight checking that the rear seats folded down and actually being able to get anything in the large boot might have helped!
All good as we now have an XF which is doing nicely chauffeuring a black lab around, and if kids do come along there is plenty of room for the extra gubbins!
All good as we now have an XF which is doing nicely chauffeuring a black lab around, and if kids do come along there is plenty of room for the extra gubbins!
So have we decided if it's one car for the whole family that's needed, or one car each for mum and dad?
Assuming that it's just one car for everything, then I'd going to echo lots of sentiments and comments on here, that it's not essential for a small person to automatically require a huge wagon/SUV/people carrier, with a boot the size of a garden shed.
Something that perhaps you are a little less "attached to", where you'll not cringe every time it's loaded with dirty buggy wheels, and sticky hand prints. If you're an obsessive detailer, then a small person might drive you to breaking point.
The number of doors need not be a problem either, however you'll be cursing a lot every time you return to find that another parent has diagonally parked their armoured personnel carrier within 6" of your door, so that you can't fit little person and/or seat through the gap. Shorter doors on four / five door cars definitely make a difference there. Once again, however, this should not be essential, so long as you're happy with the potential scenarios that could crop up.
Finally, whilst the environment in the back of a Clio 197 isn't going to be the quietest or the least jiggly place for little person to start his motoring life, he will have lots of photos in the future to show his mates how cool his dad was, and what he got driven around in when he was little. Besides, from his PH origins, he's gonna be the next BTCC / WRC / F1 star anyway.
My parents have pictures of me stood on the drivers seat of my dads Cortina 1600E, barely up to the top of the rim of the wooden wheel that had been added, and one with a James Hunt Texaco sticker on the back of my buggy. Those picture explains a lot about my subsequent car fascinations ..... Don't let your kids grow up with family shots of them "learning to want to drive" in a Picasso!!!!
Assuming that it's just one car for everything, then I'd going to echo lots of sentiments and comments on here, that it's not essential for a small person to automatically require a huge wagon/SUV/people carrier, with a boot the size of a garden shed.
Something that perhaps you are a little less "attached to", where you'll not cringe every time it's loaded with dirty buggy wheels, and sticky hand prints. If you're an obsessive detailer, then a small person might drive you to breaking point.
The number of doors need not be a problem either, however you'll be cursing a lot every time you return to find that another parent has diagonally parked their armoured personnel carrier within 6" of your door, so that you can't fit little person and/or seat through the gap. Shorter doors on four / five door cars definitely make a difference there. Once again, however, this should not be essential, so long as you're happy with the potential scenarios that could crop up.
Finally, whilst the environment in the back of a Clio 197 isn't going to be the quietest or the least jiggly place for little person to start his motoring life, he will have lots of photos in the future to show his mates how cool his dad was, and what he got driven around in when he was little. Besides, from his PH origins, he's gonna be the next BTCC / WRC / F1 star anyway.
My parents have pictures of me stood on the drivers seat of my dads Cortina 1600E, barely up to the top of the rim of the wooden wheel that had been added, and one with a James Hunt Texaco sticker on the back of my buggy. Those picture explains a lot about my subsequent car fascinations ..... Don't let your kids grow up with family shots of them "learning to want to drive" in a Picasso!!!!
irob said:
McLaren style buggies are just horrible! Top heavy with poor handling.
I repainted mine (avec dubious graphics), changed the wheels, and lowered the wing mirrors, and it was a big improvement. Saying that, I still managed to crash it, albeit trying to get away from some Mr Peloton chap who kept following me asking for details about the folding mechanism.phil1979 said:
I had to sell the Alfa GT after 6 months of 'making do' - 3 doors became a pain in the arse. Bought the 159 wagon instead, and will keep this for many years to come - so much less hassle.
I'd read quite a few reviews saying there isn't actually that much space for a car seat in the back in these (the 159) or is this not strictly true? I'm in a similar situation to the OP at the moment, originally had a Celica and an i10. Still have the Celica but changed the i10 for an ix20 for the wife. Currently I'm looking for an Octavia vrs petrol estate; BMW petrol touring or A4 avant. Clearly the bigger the engine, the better - but living on the south coast there isn't much selection without travelling up to Manchester / Birmingham.
We managed with the i10 as the fmaily car for about 7 months - but managed was the word. We couldn't have taken anyone else in the car with us. As the majority have said, it's possible but a ballache.
Miocene said:
phil1979 said:
I had to sell the Alfa GT after 6 months of 'making do' - 3 doors became a pain in the arse. Bought the 159 wagon instead, and will keep this for many years to come - so much less hassle.
I'd read quite a few reviews saying there isn't actually that much space for a car seat in the back in these (the 159) or is this not strictly true? I'm in a similar situation to the OP at the moment, originally had a Celica and an i10. Still have the Celica but changed the i10 for an ix20 for the wife. Currently I'm looking for an Octavia vrs petrol estate; BMW petrol touring or A4 avant. Clearly the bigger the engine, the better - but living on the south coast there isn't much selection without travelling up to Manchester / Birmingham.
We managed with the i10 as the fmaily car for about 7 months - but managed was the word. We couldn't have taken anyone else in the car with us. As the majority have said, it's possible but a ballache.
MrRee145 said:
Butter Face said:
We've bought one of these..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AEaRIcUZT80
Boot space is saved!
And shopping is done online anyway!
sorry for the thread hijack... with Sprog 2 on the way... I love that...https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AEaRIcUZT80
Boot space is saved!
And shopping is done online anyway!
ST150HB said:
All good as we now have an XF which is doing nicely chauffeuring a black lab around, and if kids do come along there is plenty of room for the extra gubbins!
Saloon or sportbrake?The depth of the Saloon boot is nice, but the restricted height and short opening makes it surprisingly difficult to fit buggies into compared to the boot of my previous Leon.
Worked for us. Thirty years ago, both my wife and I managed with a small three door hatch. Our concern being the youngsters would be unable to open back doors if not there. A fold down buggy slotted easily in the back hatch along with other toddler stuff. The rear seat belts were used to hold the kiddy seat in place. Quick release and easy to remove. Not inertia seat belts back then so when pulled tight they stayed tight holding the detachable kiddy seat securely. The three door was used mostly by my wife and myself for the youngsters even though we had a larger four door saloon available all the time.
When we got the news that our first was due, it was obvious that my TT Roadster would have to go.
My version of a practical family car was a 5L V8 CLS 500 :-)
We now have 2 and have a 4.4 V8 X5, 1.25 Fiesta (my commuter car - 5dr of course) and my "toy" a 1981 Mercedes 500 SEL.
I don't really take them in the SEL anymore due to the lack of airbags and it having 33 years old safety technology.
That said the amount of legroom in the back meant that there was no way they could kick the back of the seats :-) in fact a 6 footer would struggle.
Good luck
Charlie
My version of a practical family car was a 5L V8 CLS 500 :-)
We now have 2 and have a 4.4 V8 X5, 1.25 Fiesta (my commuter car - 5dr of course) and my "toy" a 1981 Mercedes 500 SEL.
I don't really take them in the SEL anymore due to the lack of airbags and it having 33 years old safety technology.
That said the amount of legroom in the back meant that there was no way they could kick the back of the seats :-) in fact a 6 footer would struggle.
Good luck
Charlie
Baby Tickle is coming up for 9 months old now. We have managed fine with three/two door cars only. I generally don't look after our baby through daytime week days as I am in work, so my car(s) don't have to be very practical as I am the only person who ever goes in them (an Aygo and an Elise).
The OH has a fiat 500 and it has not been any hassle at all, quite surprised how much stuff you can get in it really. We don't go on holiday in this country so there is no need for us to pack the car up for weeks away, however we have stopped over at a few weddings and we manged.... just.
I could count on one hand the amount of times we could of needed a bigger car, I don't think we could justify buying a car to go to weddings in.
When the time comes we will no doubt get a bigger car for the OH, but we haven't felt the need for a bigger car just yet.
Not sure if there is an answer to the O/P's question, as everyone's circumstances are different.
The OH has a fiat 500 and it has not been any hassle at all, quite surprised how much stuff you can get in it really. We don't go on holiday in this country so there is no need for us to pack the car up for weeks away, however we have stopped over at a few weddings and we manged.... just.
I could count on one hand the amount of times we could of needed a bigger car, I don't think we could justify buying a car to go to weddings in.
When the time comes we will no doubt get a bigger car for the OH, but we haven't felt the need for a bigger car just yet.
Not sure if there is an answer to the O/P's question, as everyone's circumstances are different.
Edited by Tickle on Tuesday 10th March 12:21
Edited by Tickle on Tuesday 10th March 12:41
As they get older, lifting them in/out of car seats in a 3 door is not great for the back.
We started with a 3 door and my wife moved onto a 5 door within a couple of months.
Also a bigger boot is handy. I had an A6 Avanr when they were nippers and it did a good job as a people movers.
She then discovered the practical delights of an MPV and hasn't looked back. Result for me, means I can drive around in whatever now.
We started with a 3 door and my wife moved onto a 5 door within a couple of months.
Also a bigger boot is handy. I had an A6 Avanr when they were nippers and it did a good job as a people movers.
She then discovered the practical delights of an MPV and hasn't looked back. Result for me, means I can drive around in whatever now.
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