Buba On Board, What Car, Sorry Very un PH

[djt100]

Ok, Just found out that in 7 months a little one will be needing lifts everywhere, SWMBO's current MR2 Roadster is not going to be upto the job. So the MR2 is going, but what to replace it with.

Needs to be
4/5 door.
1.6 or under (or poss Diesel).
New as possible .
Reliable.
Economical.
Be ok for the odd weekend away.
Budget about £3k or less, depends on what the MR2 goes for.

I'm stuck on this as it's not something I would like to actually buy but needs must. Only things I can think of are Honda Jazz, Toyota Corolla, Focus

Any suggestions welcome, No people carriers. I really don't think it's needed for one child

[ewenm]

Focus - supposed to be a good drive, plenty around.

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 15th July 10:54

[djt100]

I've tried the Skoda, but she is being a badge snob, so out of the question, Although I'm tempted to get one for myself, but thats another Thread!

[Garlick]

You really have him on board?



Sorry, I should know better.....

[Silver940]

You need a 7 seat MPV

Edited by Silver940 on Thursday 15th July 11:00

[mikefacel]

Audi A3, Alfa 147?

[ewenm]

djt100 said:

I've tried the Skoda, but she is being a badge snob, so out of the question, Although I'm tempted to get one for myself, but thats another Thread!

Golf in that case, or perhaps a SEAT? Same(ish) cars, different badges.

[300bhp/ton]

Is it me, or does this seem all very much déjà vu????


Sure this exact same thread (different name, but identical OP) was posted yesterday or day before, although Search can't seem to find anything...

[MrLou]

djt100 said:

Only things I can think of are Honda Jazz, Toyota Corolla, Focus

Any suggestions welcome, No people carriers. I really don't think it's needed for one child

My wife has a 2002 Jazz as a baby wagon, the 1.4, and loves it. The seats fold quickly and easily, the fuel economy is excellent and it's never given us any trouble.

I had a 1.6 Focus a few years back, it was a 2002 model and not a patch on the Jazz. Later Focus is probably better, but I haven't driven one so won't comment.

Will it be your only car? I find with the Jazz is the ride is quite harsh and I wouldn't fancy doing more than 2hrs in it at a time.

[djt100]

Not our only car but will be our only baby carrier most likely, as i've got my head / heart set on a little 2 seater. My celica's no good for buba otherwise we'd prob just swap.

[DaveL86]

Volkswagen Polo?

Leggy'ish (~80-90k) 1.4 TDi if 70mpg is your thing.
1.2 Polo 55/65bhp, will return 50mph driven right (vw claim ~58mpg)

Pretty safe cars since you'll be carrying a little one in and the badge hopefully will keep her happy.

Unless the badge is an issue you could look at Seat Ibiza in the same engine, but might get a newer car for the money, same chassis and engine.

[Matt UK]

At £3k budget, a 5-door Focus hatch.
Or an Astra if you prefer
Or a Golf / A3 / Seat / Skoda
Or a Corrolla.
Or whatever other 5-door hatchback appliance you care to mention...


For me it would be what ever turned up locally, was in good nick and was a good price - then I could buy it, give the keys to the wife and think no more aobut it.

[djt100]

She had 2 polo's before, both a complete nightmare and nothing but trouble and expence... Never again. Oh, and we brought the second one as thought the first one was just a lemon, but second one was no better, so either we were really unlucky or they are just pants. Both were FSH low miles as well.

[djt100]

Matt UK said:

At £3k budget, a 5-door Focus hatch.
Or an Astra if you prefer
Or a Golf / A3 / Seat / Skoda
Or a Corrolla.
Or whatever other 5-door hatchback appliance you care to mention...


For me it would be what ever turned up locally, was in good nick and was a good price - then I could buy it, give the keys to the wife and think no more aobut it.

I would love this to be the Answer, but she is to fussy... Likes her car's you see, my own fault she could not have given a squirt before my influence.

[OnTheOverrun]

djt100 said:

Matt UK said:

At £3k budget, a 5-door Focus hatch.
Or an Astra if you prefer
Or a Golf / A3 / Seat / Skoda
Or a Corrolla.
Or whatever other 5-door hatchback appliance you care to mention...


For me it would be what ever turned up locally, was in good nick and was a good price - then I could buy it, give the keys to the wife and think no more aobut it.

I would love this to be the Answer, but she is to fussy... Likes her car's you see, my own fault she could not have given a squirt before my influence.

Let her pick then.

[ewenm]

djt100 said:

Matt UK said:

At £3k budget, a 5-door Focus hatch.
Or an Astra if you prefer
Or a Golf / A3 / Seat / Skoda
Or a Corrolla.
Or whatever other 5-door hatchback appliance you care to mention...


For me it would be what ever turned up locally, was in good nick and was a good price - then I could buy it, give the keys to the wife and think no more aobut it.

I would love this to be the Answer, but she is to fussy... Likes her car's you see, my own fault she could not have given a squirt before my influence.

Tell her to decide then. If you're spending most of your time in another car, does it really matter what she carts the baby around in?

[Paul_Dids]

I was in a similar position about 18 months ago and we went for a focus CMAX which has been brilliant. We got the 1.6 diesel and it's got enough poke, and pretty frugal on juice.

My other half loves it as you sit a bit higher up, you can get ISOFIX in the rear seats and there's no problem getting a pram in the boot (although not much else )

[GreigM]

If there's a little-un on the way I'd suggest you want something as easy to get it and its clobber (the baby is small, all the stuff it requires is ridiculous) as possible. My sister in law has a focus and a newborn and keeps saying she should have got something bigger, so for that budget I'd be looking around for something like a Mondeo or Mazda 6 - preferrably the 2L diesel estate models....should get a 55 plate for around the £3K mark and will make life immesurably easier.....

[djt100]

She doesn't like driving long distances, so I will have to drive it as well. Also she will seek my approval on anything, so it's a good chance for me to actually end up with somethign nice rather than average, if such a car exists at this budget..

[ewenm]

djt100 said:

She doesn't like driving long distances, so I will have to drive it as well. Also she will seek my approval on anything, so it's a good chance for me to actually end up with somethign nice rather than average, if such a car exists at this budget..

She needs to draw up the shortlist of cars she is happy with and THEN you can pick the one you're most happy with. You're approaching it arse-about-face IMO (and after a similar experience with my OH).

Edit: We've ended up with a Volvo V50 estate A V40 could be in your budget.

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 15th July 11:33