2 seaters + kids conundrum
Discussion
Arse it.
The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
ChrisH72 said:
I'm 5'8 and can't sit in the back. I'd guess the limit is probably about 5'4 without head touching the rear window. Most kids are taller than that by age 13-14. The other option if your OH isn't very tall is she could sit in the back? I think my wife would just manage.
For kids under 11 you'd usually need a booster cushion but I wonder if you'd use one in the TT. Would that be illegal? There's no head rest and the belt looks quite low at the shoulder.
I'm the same height as you, and I still have bad memories of travelling in the back of a Mk1 TT on the way to the RAC rally in Wales years back. I had to sit at an angle with my head tilted to one side, and it wasn't much fun at all in fairness. For kids under 11 you'd usually need a booster cushion but I wonder if you'd use one in the TT. Would that be illegal? There's no head rest and the belt looks quite low at the shoulder.
A mate of mine has used these twice on his parents cars. Said they were easy to fit once you get past the anxiety of drilling holes in your back bumper!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dolphin-DPS400-Reverse-Pa...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dolphin-DPS400-Reverse-Pa...
Legend83 said:
Arse it.
The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
Option 3 wife gets better at parking. The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
cerb4.5lee said:
My 370Z doesn't have rear parking sensors, and I have to admit that I do miss having them to be honest, because I'm so used to having them in the other cars.
It's annoying because I think I just assumed it had them and I realise now it was because they are listed in the ad! I am checking with the dealer again to see if it's an error in the ad.I looked at the ad you posted.
Front and rear parking sensors are listed in the description but you can see from the pics that it has neither.
It's a short car and there's hardly any overhang beyond the rear windscreen. I wouldn't worry about it. Or I'd just sort some aftermarket sensors which wouldn't be expensive. The dealer might even be willing to fit some? I know some do.
Front and rear parking sensors are listed in the description but you can see from the pics that it has neither.
It's a short car and there's hardly any overhang beyond the rear windscreen. I wouldn't worry about it. Or I'd just sort some aftermarket sensors which wouldn't be expensive. The dealer might even be willing to fit some? I know some do.
The car isn't particularly rare so if parking sensors are a deal breaker for your wife I'd wait and find one that has them.
Unless you're a keen DIYer the aftermarket ones will be a faff. Not sure if they might put some buyers off in future too (some people get nervous about aftermarket stuff, others won't).
Unless you're a keen DIYer the aftermarket ones will be a faff. Not sure if they might put some buyers off in future too (some people get nervous about aftermarket stuff, others won't).
For those who have children but want a convertible.
I went to look at a new-shape (2017-2023) E class convertible. It has loads of space, front and back. I (6 foot) could easily sit behind myself and, just as importantly, the seats and headrest etc were comfortable, no odd sculpting of the seat base or sides intruding. I would say there is as much space as, say a Fiesta or whatever, easily enough for small children. I bet we could even get the rear-facing seat my youngest currently uses in behind my wife, and then 5 year old would go behind me. Boot space wasn't huge, not enough for a full size pushchair but, with the roof divider up, enough for a travel/compact one and day-bag, coats and everything else you need. The header rail did intrude a bit but you get used to that, the seats had loads of adjustment, they went from too low for me to easily high enough for my wife (5' 4'') to be able to see out, she said she would be comfortable and happy driving it. I was a bit disapointed with the interior quality. Yes, it all looks very nice but the buttons etc are no nicer than in my Mondeo, and the leather/general interior finish didn't look as good as some other cars I have seen mand not up to the level I would expect really.
Overall I'm really happy. I now know there is at least one car out there that is not outrageously expensive (they start at sub £20k, though I would want a 6 cylinder petrol, those start at £25k) special enough for those very rare weekends away with the wife or when going out to dinner, yet practical enough to do the school run when needed and everything in between; driving to the office, going out with the family on a summers day etc etc. Just got to finish the new kitchen (and extension for it to go in....) and I'll be seriously looking. In the meantime I'll still check out a 6 series.
I went to look at a new-shape (2017-2023) E class convertible. It has loads of space, front and back. I (6 foot) could easily sit behind myself and, just as importantly, the seats and headrest etc were comfortable, no odd sculpting of the seat base or sides intruding. I would say there is as much space as, say a Fiesta or whatever, easily enough for small children. I bet we could even get the rear-facing seat my youngest currently uses in behind my wife, and then 5 year old would go behind me. Boot space wasn't huge, not enough for a full size pushchair but, with the roof divider up, enough for a travel/compact one and day-bag, coats and everything else you need. The header rail did intrude a bit but you get used to that, the seats had loads of adjustment, they went from too low for me to easily high enough for my wife (5' 4'') to be able to see out, she said she would be comfortable and happy driving it. I was a bit disapointed with the interior quality. Yes, it all looks very nice but the buttons etc are no nicer than in my Mondeo, and the leather/general interior finish didn't look as good as some other cars I have seen mand not up to the level I would expect really.
Overall I'm really happy. I now know there is at least one car out there that is not outrageously expensive (they start at sub £20k, though I would want a 6 cylinder petrol, those start at £25k) special enough for those very rare weekends away with the wife or when going out to dinner, yet practical enough to do the school run when needed and everything in between; driving to the office, going out with the family on a summers day etc etc. Just got to finish the new kitchen (and extension for it to go in....) and I'll be seriously looking. In the meantime I'll still check out a 6 series.
I think the issue is more a 'sports car' than a convertible.
I also had a go in the older shape E class convertible last year. It was a 350d, about 2013 I seem to remember. Nice enough car and I managed to get in the back with no problem. But it was barge like to drive which is fine if you're after a big comfy cruiser. Probably similar with the Audi A5/S5 convertible. I'm fine for space in those too. Both of them would be best with a large petrol engine so you get a good bit of noise and straight line speed.
I also had a go in the older shape E class convertible last year. It was a 350d, about 2013 I seem to remember. Nice enough car and I managed to get in the back with no problem. But it was barge like to drive which is fine if you're after a big comfy cruiser. Probably similar with the Audi A5/S5 convertible. I'm fine for space in those too. Both of them would be best with a large petrol engine so you get a good bit of noise and straight line speed.
Legend83 said:
Arse it.
The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
Just have them retro fitted it's at best half a day without the car.The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
I don't see where the faff is?
ZX10R NIN said:
Legend83 said:
Arse it.
The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
Just have them retro fitted it's at best half a day without the car.The one thing I forgot to test in my excitement was if the parking sensors worked. In my head I didn't recall hearing a beep when I put it into reverse.
Turns out it doesn't have them...not an issue for me, but a deal-breaker for the wife who will be driving it a fair bit. It's not a big car but she is not the most confident when parking..
Options presumably a) look at a different car; b) retro-fit but what a faff?
I don't see where the faff is?
The Dolphin kit I linked to is cheap. Here's a guy who will come and fit them at your home for £117
https://www.parkingsensorsfitted4u.co.uk/product/d...
Or any decent auto electrician.
ChrisH72 said:
Agreed.
The Dolphin kit I linked to is cheap. Here's a guy who will come and fit them at your home for £117
https://www.parkingsensorsfitted4u.co.uk/product/d...
Or any decent auto electrician.
Great find thank you! That gives me some peace of mind it's not a big financial outlay to get it done if needed.The Dolphin kit I linked to is cheap. Here's a guy who will come and fit them at your home for £117
https://www.parkingsensorsfitted4u.co.uk/product/d...
Or any decent auto electrician.
.ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Have you ever looked in the back of a TT, no way would anyone ever want to sit in the back. I have a 3 door car which my teenage children rarely sit in the back of and even that is a pain.
If I was regularly having to ferry children about I would have to go for a four door car.
Have to agree on this. The other half and I always had a big sensible car for longer haul journeys and tried for a little while to cling onto something fun as a second car for occasional kid transport. Tried a 996 and a 3dr Golf GTi. The 996 was lovely but it was heart breaking watching the kids clamber over the back of the folded seat to get in and in fairness to them there wasn't an easy way to avoid doing so. And they were pretty cramped in the back once the novelty factor had worn off. It was a fun experiment but didn't really work. Same with a 3 door hot hatch really. You can manage of course but it's a bit of a pain, particularly with younger kids that might need some help. Have very much come to a scenario of having horses for courses. Fun cars for weekend fun (rare but it's nice to have the option) and 2x 4/5 door cars for the daily duties. If I was regularly having to ferry children about I would have to go for a four door car.
Gad-Westy said:
Have to agree on this. The other half and I always had a big sensible car for longer haul journeys and tried for a little while to cling onto something fun as a second car for occasional kid transport. Tried a 996 and a 3dr Golf GTi. The 996 was lovely but it was heart breaking watching the kids clamber over the back of the folded seat to get in and in fairness to them there wasn't an easy way to avoid doing so. And they were pretty cramped in the back once the novelty factor had worn off. It was a fun experiment but didn't really work. Same with a 3 door hot hatch really. You can manage of course but it's a bit of a pain, particularly with younger kids that might need some help. Have very much come to a scenario of having horses for courses. Fun cars for weekend fun (rare but it's nice to have the option) and 2x 4/5 door cars for the daily duties.
Fortunately I have checked and my tallest kid fits ok in the TT...for now.If it wasn't for the fact I can count on one hand the number of times I have taken more than one person out in the run-around, I would be following your sound advice - actually I wouldn't because we don't have a drive/garage or space for three cars, so I would be buying a Focus and saying FML
.Agreed a deal for asking price, subject to:
a) cambelt / waterpump replacement with OEM parts and photos to prove
b) Magride suspension workshop inspection (I'll get this done again anyway but wanted some photos)
c) new radiator fitted as they spotted a small leak when they moved it out the storage facility today
d) 12 month MOT
Don't feel short-changed to be fair when I compare to other prices I have seen on Auto-trader (mostly private sales) - what I don't have to do in the above goes towards retro-fit PDC for the wife
.
Dealer has been excellent would highly recommend, from letting me spend over an hour with the car by myself, no hard-sell or add-ons, open and honest about what was the limit they could do on price while also doing the above.
All being well, I'll be doing a new readers cars thread in the near future!
Thanks for all the advice, I'm sure there will be many more questions to come...
a) cambelt / waterpump replacement with OEM parts and photos to prove
b) Magride suspension workshop inspection (I'll get this done again anyway but wanted some photos)
c) new radiator fitted as they spotted a small leak when they moved it out the storage facility today
d) 12 month MOT
Don't feel short-changed to be fair when I compare to other prices I have seen on Auto-trader (mostly private sales) - what I don't have to do in the above goes towards retro-fit PDC for the wife
. Dealer has been excellent would highly recommend, from letting me spend over an hour with the car by myself, no hard-sell or add-ons, open and honest about what was the limit they could do on price while also doing the above.
All being well, I'll be doing a new readers cars thread in the near future!
Thanks for all the advice, I'm sure there will be many more questions to come...
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