Sporty, 4 door car and takes a pram - Golf GTI/Audi S3?
Discussion
I've had my S3 (current 8V version) for just over a month now and so far i'm really enjoying ownership. I've got the three door version which more or less flies under the radar looks wise (which i like).
The interior is a lovely place to be (especially with the "super sports" seats) and it's quite refined in terms of wind noise when on the motorway. Docile around town too with the DSG gearbox. However It goes like absolute stink if you put your foot down. Highly recommended!
The interior is a lovely place to be (especially with the "super sports" seats) and it's quite refined in terms of wind noise when on the motorway. Docile around town too with the DSG gearbox. However It goes like absolute stink if you put your foot down. Highly recommended!
Assuming the Bugaboo is non-negotiable then definitely take it round with you and see how it fits.
I don't think there'll be much room in the boot once it's in. It does fold flat but it means taking the wheels off, so it's pain to then assemble, and the adapters for the car seat (maxicosi?) need to be taken off each time as well or they damage the car seats and seat belts don't seem to fit well with them in place.
If you can talk her out of it then the Concord Neo system is a lot better thought out. We swapped from Neo to Chameleon and wish we hadn't....
I don't think there'll be much room in the boot once it's in. It does fold flat but it means taking the wheels off, so it's pain to then assemble, and the adapters for the car seat (maxicosi?) need to be taken off each time as well or they damage the car seats and seat belts don't seem to fit well with them in place.
If you can talk her out of it then the Concord Neo system is a lot better thought out. We swapped from Neo to Chameleon and wish we hadn't....
I was bored of my MkV Edition 30 in a matter of months, and the boot wasn't really big enough to take my wife's 'travel system' buggy and anything else that you wanted to put in at the same time.
Buy her an estate (Volvo V70 in our case) and keep your fun car as well. Incidentally the V70 ticks most of your boxes, it's bloody comfortable, great seats, lots of gadgets and so long as you get a D5 (either 175 or 205hp) it's pretty nippy in a straight line as well.
Buy her an estate (Volvo V70 in our case) and keep your fun car as well. Incidentally the V70 ticks most of your boxes, it's bloody comfortable, great seats, lots of gadgets and so long as you get a D5 (either 175 or 205hp) it's pretty nippy in a straight line as well.
It rather depends on how big your pram is, and how much other clutter you plan to carry around.
We tried a 2013 Astra, 2015 Focus, several generations of 1-series, a Qashqai, a 2103 A3 sportback and a Volvo V40. All were too small to fit out pram, plus some bags. The 1-series wouldn't even fit our car seat and isofix base in it at all.
A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
We tried a 2013 Astra, 2015 Focus, several generations of 1-series, a Qashqai, a 2103 A3 sportback and a Volvo V40. All were too small to fit out pram, plus some bags. The 1-series wouldn't even fit our car seat and isofix base in it at all.
A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
AdvocatusD said:
I've never really had to buy a 4 door car before and now I have to buy a 4 door car that can take a pram as well!
It would appear than an Audi S3 or a GTI seem to meet all these criteria?
Neither are four door.It would appear than an Audi S3 or a GTI seem to meet all these criteria?
IanCress said:
But then we bought a Ford Kuga, which is neither sporty or particularly luxurious.
Nor four door.caymanbill said:
I've had my S3 (current 8V version) for just over a month now
And it doesn't have four doors.Dan Gleables said:
Mk2 Focus RS? Almost depreciation proof motoring!
Count the doors.tommyjj said:
We tried a 2013 Astra, 2015 Focus, several generations of 1-series, a Qashqai, a 2103 A3 sportback and a Volvo V40. All were too small to fit out pram, plus some bags.
And none had four doors.tommyjj said:
The 1-series wouldn't even fit our car seat and isofix base in it at all.
A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
OMG - the first four door of the thread! Get a 5 series, OP A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
blugnu said:
AdvocatusD said:
I've never really had to buy a 4 door car before and now I have to buy a 4 door car that can take a pram as well!
It would appear than an Audi S3 or a GTI seem to meet all these criteria?
Neither are four door.It would appear than an Audi S3 or a GTI seem to meet all these criteria?
IanCress said:
But then we bought a Ford Kuga, which is neither sporty or particularly luxurious.
Nor four door.caymanbill said:
I've had my S3 (current 8V version) for just over a month now
And it doesn't have four doors.Dan Gleables said:
Mk2 Focus RS? Almost depreciation proof motoring!
Count the doors.tommyjj said:
We tried a 2013 Astra, 2015 Focus, several generations of 1-series, a Qashqai, a 2103 A3 sportback and a Volvo V40. All were too small to fit out pram, plus some bags.
And none had four doors.tommyjj said:
The 1-series wouldn't even fit our car seat and isofix base in it at all.
A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
OMG - the first four door of the thread! Get a 5 series, OP A4 Estate, 2011 5-series and Mercedes SLS were all big enough, but we ended up going full-middle-aged and got Mondeo estate, which sounds dull but is actually really good and quite cheap. Fits all our crap in with room to spare.
Anyway.... OP we kept our fun car and practical e39 528i for child duties... Then we sold both and got a edition 35 gti, perfect in every sense, we have quite a large pram (not sure of brand) and it fits absolutely fine with room for shopping, you won't regret it
She doesn't need a bugaboo.
Seriously. Reassess. Posh prams are a massive rip off. We had one, then we had an icandy. They're impractical and bloody expensive for what they are. It the iPhone of prams.
The only one I would have again is in the later stages get a Quinny Zzapp. It's awesome and folds down into the smallest space of any stroller iirc.
But take it to the dealer. That's what everyone else ends up doing.
Seriously. Reassess. Posh prams are a massive rip off. We had one, then we had an icandy. They're impractical and bloody expensive for what they are. It the iPhone of prams.
The only one I would have again is in the later stages get a Quinny Zzapp. It's awesome and folds down into the smallest space of any stroller iirc.
But take it to the dealer. That's what everyone else ends up doing.
Fluffsri said:
Im guessing he does mean 5 doors but for the pedantic above, the S3 does come in 4 door.
But out of budget. If pointing out that almost every car fits neither the thread title or the listed criteria is pedantry, then I suppose I might as well point out the OP wants to spend less than £18k.It's pretty difficult to get much sense of occasion in any of the 5dr hatchbacks. Golf R32 getting on a bit, m135i has a good engine at least. You'd get the latest Leon Cupra for £18k but probably doesn't fit your luxurious need. I'd find the best Mk 7 Golf Gti you can find, ideally with performance pack and see if the pram fits.
Why, OP, are you after a performance car? Do you only have room for one?
As a parent you will not be driving in a spirited manner, you will be driving in a way that causes the least disruption to your child as possible, within the constraints of not having had enough sleep.
You know all those people with 'dull' cars? A lot of them thought like you once.
"As you are now, we once were, as we are now, you shall become."
Your priorities change when you have children.
As a parent you will not be driving in a spirited manner, you will be driving in a way that causes the least disruption to your child as possible, within the constraints of not having had enough sleep.
You know all those people with 'dull' cars? A lot of them thought like you once.
"As you are now, we once were, as we are now, you shall become."
Your priorities change when you have children.
OP. You are in a similar space to me right now.
I need to trade in the E91 for a car with the safety rating of a chieftain tank, which is small as a 1-series, MPG of a Nissan Leaf, looks of a mclaren P1, build quality of the germans, sense of occasion as a rolls royce, and as big as a truck. All for pocket change.
Second hand appears to be the market to shop in. You are also sadly going to have to realise you are going to need to trade something for something else - probably size.
Tiguan?
X1?
3 series?
I need to trade in the E91 for a car with the safety rating of a chieftain tank, which is small as a 1-series, MPG of a Nissan Leaf, looks of a mclaren P1, build quality of the germans, sense of occasion as a rolls royce, and as big as a truck. All for pocket change.
Second hand appears to be the market to shop in. You are also sadly going to have to realise you are going to need to trade something for something else - probably size.
Tiguan?
X1?
3 series?
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