2 seaters + kids conundrum

[horseshoecrab]

We are a family of four and last year I managed to write off the family ford focus.
I was in the similar situation as you and wanted a convertible preferably a 2 rather than 4 seater. I come close to a Fiesta ST or GT86 but in the end I bought a MX5 to run over summer and if it didn't work I'd move it on after summer with the itch scratched.

It's been a revelation. You'll need an alternative 4 seater family car but 99% of the time it's just me an one other and it's even been fine for trips to tesco. You need to fill the boot like a game of Tetris but it's never been an issue and you do need to make some compromises but that's part of the fun. When my children were small I ran a 23 year old XJS as a daily so this wasn't anything new to me plus my wife as a Beetle and that's not the most practical thing either.

Edited by horseshoecrab on Friday 12th April 12:30

[Legend83]

Lil_Red_GTV said:

How about a BMW E93? I am currently running a 2009 325i as our main family car (plus a small EV as our second car). It's a full size four seater, the boot is reasonable with the roof up, and at the touch of a button the roof drops, turning it into a fun motoring experience (albeit more cruiser than hardcore sports car).

As a compromise for the family man car enthusiast that needs something semi-practical I think it's not a bad shout.

More bork factor than an MX-5 admittedly, but it's no use having an MX-5 if you hardly use it.

I think this might be the way forward...

Shortlist - any thoughts?

M135i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402156...

135i - couple of bodywork issues and high mileage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311174...

330i - nice looking well kept car without the bork-factor of the N55

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...

325i - lovely looking car with BMW warranty but worried I'll always hanker for the extra power of the 330/335...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312305...

[ChrisH72]

Out of those I'd probably pick that 330i.

You'd just want to check that it's the N52 and not N53. Same with the 325i. I had a 325i coupe with the N53 and unfortunately it did suffer the notorious injector problems. Very expensive.

I'm in a similar position with the 2 seat sports car. We only have one child and I know it could work 99% of the time. Not easy to convince my wife though as she always says the three of us can't enjoy it together. So I run a Fiesta ST instead. And I can count on one hand the amount of times the three of us have been in it over the last 4 years! The only time it's been necessary was when our family car was off the road for a few days waiting for a part to arrive.

Our boy will be 9 later this year. I'll probably wait until he no longer needs a car seat at which point a 2 seater will be easier to manage. As he gets older it tends to be me that takes him to various places and if we all go out we just use my wife's MPV.

[Legend83]

ChrisH72 said:

Out of those I'd probably pick that 330i.

You'd just want to check that it's the N52 and not N53. Same with the 325i. I had a 325i coupe with the N53 and unfortunately it did suffer the notorious injector problems. Very expensive.

N53...

[LowTread]

Ran an M2 as my car for a while. Wife had an M135i at the same time.

We have 2x boys. We both work full time. I commute once per week. She travels all over.

M2 was v practical. Surprisingly good boot. Plenty of back seat space.

If i could only have one car i'd struggle to look past them.

Considered a mustang, 911, GT86, etc but all failed on rear seat space.

Kids didn't like the noise or the ride quality and i got fed up putting petrol in it!

I now run a Tesla Model 3 LR with a towbar for a bike rack as my daily. Kids love it. Elise in the garage for me. Wife runs an Ioniq Hybrid.

[Lil_Red_GTV]

None of those are within the OP's £10k budget, though. He might just about get a Specialized e-bike for £10k, but I don't think that's going to cut it for family duties!

[LowTread]

Ahhh crap. Sorry OP. Didn't spot that.

[Mr Tidy]

Legend83 said:

Mr Tidy said:

For your situation a hot hatch looks like the simplest solution.

But if you really wanted a Z4 (which I can understand as I'm on my 3rd) it depends if you wanted one enough to deal with the inevitable compromises that would come with it.

Enjoy whatever you get.

Hi Mr Tidy you probably saw my intro post on the Z4Forum! I did have 2 seater permission at that point but it's been withdrawn again!

Re: your comment, herein lies the problem as I'm just not a hot hatch type...

... another option is a 6 series which is a Z4 Coupe in 2+2 form essentially but feel like the bork potential goes up a significant notch!

I remember reading it. Consent got withdrawn pretty quickly though.

I have a 2005 330i as a daily that has the same N52 engine as the 3.0Si Z4 and it has been a great car, although it doesn't drive like a Z4. Maybe an E92 330i would work, or a 335i if you are feeling brave!

From what I have read the 6 Series is only bigger externally.

[eddietiv1]

I've got two 2 seaters and 2 kids, it works for me 99% of the time, that's good enough for me.

[Ken_Code]

We’re facing the same issue, and I think that the two-seater cinvertible (650s) gets little enough use that it needs to go.

I’m thinking of getting a 2+2 instead, which doesn’t give many options.

I may put the 650 into storage and come back to it later.

[cerb4.5lee]

eddietiv1 said:

I've got two 2 seaters and 2 kids, it works for me 99% of the time, that's good enough for me.

Same. Although having 2 other cars that are a 7 seater and a 2+2 certain helps though for me I think.

[OutInTheShed]

If you want a two seater, get condoms, not conundrums.

[Legend83]

Ken_Code said:

We’re facing the same issue, and I think that the two-seater cinvertible (650s) gets little enough use that it needs to go.

I’m thinking of getting a 2+2 instead, which doesn’t give many options.

I may put the 650 into storage and come back to it later.

I wish I had this specific problem! I read 650 and thought, "I'm sure the BMW 6 series is not a 2-seater...", then read it again more closely...OHHH.

[Legend83]

Mr Tidy said:

I remember reading it. Consent got withdrawn pretty quickly though.

I have a 2005 330i as a daily that has the same N52 engine as the 3.0Si Z4 and it has been a great car, although it doesn't drive like a Z4. Maybe an E92 330i would work, or a 335i if you are feeling brave!

From what I have read the 6 Series is only bigger externally.

In fairness the OH was keen but we both had a good chat about it and decided head over heart.

E92/93 330i is the current front-runner - maybe it's because I have not bought a car in ages but are 15 year old BMW's still changing hands for north of £7.5k? To be fair, I have increased the criteria to sub-60k miles to give me the option of the BMW Insure Warranty as most I have seen have been N53 which I am a little nervous of...but still, options in my area seem pricey in isolation:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

£10k!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402046...

Almost tempting at those prices to blow the budget and get a much newer and faster M235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312154...

(absolutely love the red)

[cerb4.5lee]

OutInTheShed said:

If you want a two seater, get condoms, not conundrums.

It is a conundrum for sure, because being a parent isn't much fun for 95% of the time anyway...so you'll need a 2 seater...so that you can clear off out on your own without them!

Well that works for me anyway!

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

OutInTheShed said:

If you want a two seater, get condoms, not conundrums.

It is a conundrum for sure, because being a parent isn't much fun for 95% of the time anyway...so you'll need a 2 seater...so that you can clear off out on your own without them!

Well that works for me anyway!

That's why I have motorbikes so I don't even take the OH

[Uncle boshy]

Only two practical options if you want a 2 seater at this stage of life

1: get three cars

2: put the kids up for adoption

Anything else is just grief

[Ken_Code]

This is what the 2+2 configuration is good for.

Fiat do a nice one, the Portofino.

[GreatGranny]

I'm into older BMWs so it would be the best E46 330i I could find.

Clubsport (not the best colour but looks in great condition)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403027...

[ZX10R NIN]

Legend83 said:

In fairness the OH was keen but we both had a good chat about it and decided head over heart.

E92/93 330i is the current front-runner - maybe it's because I have not bought a car in ages but are 15 year old BMW's still changing hands for north of £7.5k? To be fair, I have increased the criteria to sub-60k miles to give me the option of the BMW Insure Warranty as most I have seen have been N53 which I am a little nervous of...but still, options in my area seem pricey in isolation:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

£10k!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402046...

Almost tempting at those prices to blow the budget and get a much newer and faster M235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312154...

(absolutely love the red)

For your original budget this would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...