Off-the-wall family car; what is the petrolheads choice?
Discussion
Hi guys, we will be adding our first junior PHer to the family in September, and looking at the growing pile of "baby stuff" in the living room, I now realise why people rush out and buy an enormous MPV to carry a 9lb baby around in.
However, I sincerely hope to avoid buying anything mundane, and although I have a relatively small budget (3-5k), I don't do a lot of miles so MPG is not a major concern. This opens the way to a selection of V8 saloons, impreza wagons etc. I already have a Fury for trackdays, so absolute performance is not the main concern. I have been looking at the following . . .
E39 540: Touring version has loads of space, V8, manual box available, great looking IMHO.
Bentley Turbo R: All my non-PH friends have been waiting with relish for me to grow up and buy something sensible to carry the kid around in, I would love to see their faces when I pull up in this! However, a 5k Turbo R must be an absolute money-pit, right?
Lexus LS400: Judging by how good my old 250,000 mile, £700 one was, a newer one would be an awesome bit of kit. However, auto only, and not that fast despite the V8.
Subaru Legacy: I love the hot turbo ones, but I'm not entirely sure what version is the one to go for on my budget. Any advice appreciated!
Subaru Impreza: The cheapest quick estate out there, but is the boot big enough?
Golf GTi/some sort of hot Focus: Compact package with reasonable performance, how practical and spacious are they?
I guess I am more drawn to big saloons like the LS400 and E39, but are they practical for getting pushchairs etc in and out of the boot? Also, how important is ISOFIX fixings? I think that means post-2002, which rules out a lot of interesting older heavy metal.
I would love to hear feedback from people who have "thought outside the box" and successfully carted their family around in a bargain barge or similarly quirky conveyance.
However, I sincerely hope to avoid buying anything mundane, and although I have a relatively small budget (3-5k), I don't do a lot of miles so MPG is not a major concern. This opens the way to a selection of V8 saloons, impreza wagons etc. I already have a Fury for trackdays, so absolute performance is not the main concern. I have been looking at the following . . .
E39 540: Touring version has loads of space, V8, manual box available, great looking IMHO.
Bentley Turbo R: All my non-PH friends have been waiting with relish for me to grow up and buy something sensible to carry the kid around in, I would love to see their faces when I pull up in this! However, a 5k Turbo R must be an absolute money-pit, right?
Lexus LS400: Judging by how good my old 250,000 mile, £700 one was, a newer one would be an awesome bit of kit. However, auto only, and not that fast despite the V8.
Subaru Legacy: I love the hot turbo ones, but I'm not entirely sure what version is the one to go for on my budget. Any advice appreciated!
Subaru Impreza: The cheapest quick estate out there, but is the boot big enough?
Golf GTi/some sort of hot Focus: Compact package with reasonable performance, how practical and spacious are they?
I guess I am more drawn to big saloons like the LS400 and E39, but are they practical for getting pushchairs etc in and out of the boot? Also, how important is ISOFIX fixings? I think that means post-2002, which rules out a lot of interesting older heavy metal.
I would love to hear feedback from people who have "thought outside the box" and successfully carted their family around in a bargain barge or similarly quirky conveyance.
Zafira VXR was the first thing that came into my head 
The Zafira is not what I'm after, it's just an MPV but a bit faster. I love all the luxury toys and torquey waft-factor of big V8 saloons. I also really like japanese stuff (I've had Supras, MR2, S14 200SX in the past) so the Legacy has a strong appeal. Can I sell it to the missus on "practicality" grounds though?
I've never had to shop for a family car before so I have no idea what vehicle styles will work, and what will be irritating to live with.
I've never had to shop for a family car before so I have no idea what vehicle styles will work, and what will be irritating to live with.
Edited by aww999 on Sunday 11th July 22:23
I got an Octavia VRS. Mine was new but I'm sure you can pick older ones up. It's a nice car to drive and with the VW powerplant plenty of modding options are available. Drives well for a hatch and is cheaper as a newer car. Getting something older risks more breakdowns, which is something to consider with the little one onboard.
Otherwise, you want a big boot (hatch preferable for ease of access) and that's about it. I'd say from your list the focus or golf would be a struggle (we consider them and actually ran a Focus for a while). Not saying it's not possible, just harder than it needs to be.
Otherwise, you want a big boot (hatch preferable for ease of access) and that's about it. I'd say from your list the focus or golf would be a struggle (we consider them and actually ran a Focus for a while). Not saying it's not possible, just harder than it needs to be.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1850894.htm
And yes it is my car for sale but it ticks most of the boxes
And yes it is my car for sale but it ticks most of the boxes
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