Becoming a Dad + next car quandary

Becoming a Dad + next car quandary

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Discussion

Hoddo

Original Poster:

3,797 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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My last 4 cars have been an Elise 111R, R53 Cooper S, Elise S, Panda 100HP. They have all been fantastic, free revving, raw, fun little cars.

This side of Christmas I am expecting twins so I need a car with space. Today I tested a B6 3.0 Quattro Avant and a B7 S4. Both were fine cars yet felt a little underwhelming. Wafty in nature, lacking raw thrills. I don't know what I was expecting (has been while since I drove a V6 or above). I suppose having done over 30,000 miles in an Elise over the last few years will make most cars feel disconnected. In addition my current commute is 8 miles of B roads and the 100HP is great fun.

I would love a V8 but happy to settle for a V6. Need to drive more and appreciate them for what they are. C350, R36, S4, S.

Anyone else gone through this transition? What did you end up in? Any regrets?

Cash budget is up to around £10k but happy to finance vehicles so will consider anything up to £25k if the right car came along.


Finally - running two cars is not an option. I'm expecting twins, I'd never use the second car. I regularly travel with work and this will increase in 2015, I will not have time or opportunity in the next few years to enjoy or justify a second car.

wormus

14,509 posts

202 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Congratulations, your world is going to change significantly and for the better! Forget sporty, you'll need an estate as the amount of crap kids need is incredible. I say RS6.

AvonRise

50 posts

113 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Just checking, but it's not you personally 'expecting', is it?

In which case, I'd assume the person expecting is also likely to need a car.

So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.

Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.

Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.

HannsG

3,031 posts

133 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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I bought an M3 coupe when my son was born 15 months ago. Its an excellent family car GT. We do have a SAAB estate also. But the M3 is supremely capable and is always the first car of choice for family duties.

Hoddo

Original Poster:

3,797 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
AvonRise said:
Just checking, but it's not you personally 'expecting', is it?
No. Mrs. Hoddo. But thanks for checking.

AvonRise said:
In which case, I'd assume the person expecting is also likely to need a car.

So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.

Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.

Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.
Mrs. Hoddo gets a new company car in May. Front runner is a Skoda VRS Estate.

I only do 3,000 4,000 a year, so my car can be as uneconomical as it wants.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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I had an impreza WRX when I had my young un. Managed fine, no need for a large car with just the one...

iwantagta

1,323 posts

144 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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VXR8?

AvonRise

50 posts

113 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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If the other half has an Octavia vRS, surely you can run something smaller and a bit silly?

Buying a big barge doesn't really make a lot of sense.

BGARK

5,493 posts

245 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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I had Cerbera because of the two small seats in the back smile

dazwalsh

6,095 posts

140 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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You are into family cars territory now OP, dreary stboxes in comparison to your previous motors. All i can suggest is you make the change to a big wafty estate/ SUV with a bit of grunt and enjoy the comfort rather than the speed when karting the family about. Some people will cry that you don't need a huge car for this but trust me it helps.

Gruber

6,313 posts

213 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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We've just been through the same ordeal (sorry... ummm... life-changing joy), although we only had one, and I went for an e39 Alpina B10 V8. 350ish bhp, a lovely comfortable ride and bags of room.

I thought about another e46 M3, but I'm actually glad we didn't - even though it would have been a more dynamic drive. Back doors makes a huge difference.

The S4 I found just a bit too "safe" feeling (dull, even), from a driving dynamics perspective, and it's not that zingy an engine,

The other thing to consider is that while they're tiny you might find the OH wants to travel in the back with them, so you'll need something with plenty of width across the back seat, which suggests a 5 series / E-class / A6 sized thing.

Edited by Gruber on Saturday 18th October 21:50

Gruber

6,313 posts

213 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
Leptons said:
I had an impreza WRX when I had my young un. Managed fine, no need for a large car with just the one...
Twins usually means two.

Hoddo

Original Poster:

3,797 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
Gruber said:
Leptons said:
I had an impreza WRX when I had my young un. Managed fine, no need for a large car with just the one...
Twins usually means two.
The gold star goes to Gruber

Hoddo

Original Poster:

3,797 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
AvonRise said:
If the other half has an Octavia vRS, surely you can run something smaller and a bit silly?

Buying a big barge doesn't really make a lot of sense.
Whatever Mrs. Hoddo ends up in will not arrive till May at the earliest so we have a gap of 6 months. Hence the need for me to get something a tad more practical.

S6 V10 has been recommended. Need to go see one but they appear incredible value.

Hoddo

Original Poster:

3,797 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
iwantagta said:
VXR8?
Good shout. Had forgotten about that.

stumpage

2,099 posts

225 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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If your better half has a Octavia VRS Estate it really is all the car you will need. The boot is huge and the rear seats very spacious.

So just keep your toy and enjoy your new arrivals.

MissChief

7,095 posts

167 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Some sort of AMG C class estate? Or even E class?

DSLiverpool

14,672 posts

201 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Not so simple as buying the missus a Zafira as you may find yourself on nursery drop off or collection duty as I was, coupled with the fact it was a farm nursery down a muddy road and I totally over reacted swapping an ideal BMW 760 for a SUV that just was not needed.


Escy

3,907 posts

148 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Buy a couple of grands worth of Volvo V50 T5 as a short term stop gap. Then something fun for you and the Skoda for family duties.

TheHound

1,759 posts

121 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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E90 M3 is the answer you are looking for!