Probably a what car - barge dilemma
Discussion
Sorry about the tread resurrection and sorry if this question sounds odd. However, does owning a barge work with expecting a child? My fiancée and I are planning on starting a family soon, so is now not the right time to be barge shopping?
I don't see an issue because if my plan to sell my current car works I'll have more than enough money for a barge. There may be a problem with maternity leave though and one wage. Hmm. A barge is a nice big safe car though for the baby
Anyone else been in this predicament? I see so many barges for sale because of babies. I guess bills could be an issue.
Thanks.
I don't see an issue because if my plan to sell my current car works I'll have more than enough money for a barge. There may be a problem with maternity leave though and one wage. Hmm. A barge is a nice big safe car though for the baby
Anyone else been in this predicament? I see so many barges for sale because of babies. I guess bills could be an issue.
Thanks.
I can't see why this would be an issue - unless thee's some pre-programmed default action that says people have to sell a perfectly good, spacious and practical car in order to purchase a diesel Scenic the second you're expecting your first child. I guess if you're planning on transporting the local branch of Mothercare every time you go out, it might be a problem, but personally I can't see it myself. Even then, a 540 touring takes some beating.
Maybe I "just don't understand", you know?
Maybe I "just don't understand", you know?
Just choose a barge with a baby in mind, i.e. one that you can safely fix the seats to, has room for a pushchair/pram and some of the other stuff that all parents seem to cart around with them and you're golden.
Cost wise, obviously work out what the additional costs of bargedom are likely to be over your current car and make sure these are do-able financially on a single wage+SMP. Using my example of the 540 above, you'll still have a £3k pot for repairs/maintenance on the barge.
I probably "don't understand" either, but I don't see why several of my friends and acquaintances, even some 'Petrolheads' gave up very nice and quite sensible cars for a diesel Zafira as soon as they popped out a new baby.
Cost wise, obviously work out what the additional costs of bargedom are likely to be over your current car and make sure these are do-able financially on a single wage+SMP. Using my example of the 540 above, you'll still have a £3k pot for repairs/maintenance on the barge.
I probably "don't understand" either, but I don't see why several of my friends and acquaintances, even some 'Petrolheads' gave up very nice and quite sensible cars for a diesel Zafira as soon as they popped out a new baby.
I love my 740. I've had it a month or so and it's a great thing, however, I'm not really saving for anything so when it sniffles, I'm prepared for that four figure bill. If I were saving for something for a house/kid, I'm not sure I'd want to have it around to worry about.
Research heavily, buy a small engined wafter with an eye on economy and use it as a daily, the joy of a barge is not in sunny day motoring, it's a business class way of getting about.
728i, S320 or an LS4xx would be my choice. Buy the best you can with an eye on condition and history and keep a fund in reserve in case.
Research heavily, buy a small engined wafter with an eye on economy and use it as a daily, the joy of a barge is not in sunny day motoring, it's a business class way of getting about.
728i, S320 or an LS4xx would be my choice. Buy the best you can with an eye on condition and history and keep a fund in reserve in case.
CampDavid said:
I love my 740. I've had it a month or so and it's a great thing, however, I'm not really saving for anything so when it sniffles, I'm prepared for that four figure bill. If I were saving for something for a house/kid, I'm not sure I'd want to have it around to worry about.
Research heavily, buy a small engined wafter with an eye on economy and use it as a daily, the joy of a barge is not in sunny day motoring, it's a business class way of getting about.
728i, S320 or an LS4xx would be my choice. Buy the best you can with an eye on condition and history and keep a fund in reserve in case.
Thanks. The LS400 seems to be my favourite potential buy at the moment.Research heavily, buy a small engined wafter with an eye on economy and use it as a daily, the joy of a barge is not in sunny day motoring, it's a business class way of getting about.
728i, S320 or an LS4xx would be my choice. Buy the best you can with an eye on condition and history and keep a fund in reserve in case.
The 728i is probably the one I'd go for. A late individual sport model in purple with cream.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3938764.htm - Hornetrider's is rather nice though
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3916334.htm - f
k me that's clean
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3938764.htm - Hornetrider's is rather nice though
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3916334.htm - f
k me that's cleanThe Mazda is one step closer to being sold today. Something has broken on the rear left suspension/wheel and it's going to be fixed later. Nice little bill for me 
. I guess it knows I want to get rid of it now.
Anyway, I did some man math calculations for the price of fuel for a week's commuting in a Lexus LS400. I've worked out the distance be just over 150 miles, which should equate to around £40 a week if petrol is priced at £1.33 a gallon. My 3 currently costs me over £30, so that isn't a great deal more.
(My calculations are based on 23mpg and may not be correct
). If everything turns out like that, that'll be ace
. I guess it knows I want to get rid of it now.Anyway, I did some man math calculations for the price of fuel for a week's commuting in a Lexus LS400. I've worked out the distance be just over 150 miles, which should equate to around £40 a week if petrol is priced at £1.33 a gallon. My 3 currently costs me over £30, so that isn't a great deal more.
(My calculations are based on 23mpg and may not be correct
). If everything turns out like that, that'll be ace I will have to trot out my standard line now, but go and buy yourself a nice Range Rover classic.
Zero depreciation, still plenty quick enough, nicely specced, supremely comfortable, and just a great place to sit and waft around in. Practical too, lots of space, and usable all year around.
Zero depreciation, still plenty quick enough, nicely specced, supremely comfortable, and just a great place to sit and waft around in. Practical too, lots of space, and usable all year around.
Dusty964 said:
I will have to trot out my standard line now, but go and buy yourself a nice Range Rover classic.
Zero depreciation, still plenty quick enough, nicely specced, supremely comfortable, and just a great place to sit and waft around in. Practical too, lots of space, and usable all year around.
My grandparents ran one of them after their last Volvo Zero depreciation, still plenty quick enough, nicely specced, supremely comfortable, and just a great place to sit and waft around in. Practical too, lots of space, and usable all year around.
.Bearing in mind the fact that i'm not at all mechanically minded, can they throw big bills? Thanks.
funkyrobot said:
My grandparents ran one of them after their last Volvo .
Bearing in mind the fact that i'm not at all mechanically minded, can they throw big bills? Thanks.
They can, yes, but its old tech. I ran mine with no problems- they are quite a modern drive for the age of them (if that can make any sense).Bearing in mind the fact that i'm not at all mechanically minded, can they throw big bills? Thanks.
Of all of the cars i have owned, it would be the Ranger Classic that i would want to own again- for charm, charisma and ability.
funkyrobot said:
Anyway, I did some man math calculations for the price of fuel for a week's commuting in a Lexus LS400. I've worked out the distance be just over 150 miles, which should equate to around £40 a week if petrol is priced at £1.33 a gallon. My 3 currently costs me over £30, so that isn't a great deal more.
(My calculations are based on 23mpg and may not be correct ). If everything turns out like that, that'll be ace
Don't think you'll be getting £1.33 a gallon unless your in the middle east. (My calculations are based on 23mpg and may not be correct
). If everything turns out like that, that'll be ace .The LS400 is a great barge and I'd happily own one again. Just be aware (and read Garlicks profile) that suspension components are expensive.
Mine averaged around 20mpg with a mixture of motorway and town driving and the 1UZ-FE is an absolute peach of an engine.
I'd much rather have one than the usual 7 series or S class suggestions
Mine averaged around 20mpg with a mixture of motorway and town driving and the 1UZ-FE is an absolute peach of an engine.
I'd much rather have one than the usual 7 series or S class suggestions
funkyrobot said:
Sounds good.
How do the T5's perform in terms of reliability etc?
I'm probably not the right person to advise on this, as I didnt research too much into T5's in case I got to the point of really wanting one.How do the T5's perform in terms of reliability etc?
There is a lot of information on the Volvo Owners Club website though:
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/
v8will said:
The LS400 is a great barge and I'd happily own one again. Just be aware (and read Garlicks profile) that suspension components are expensive.
Mine averaged around 20mpg with a mixture of motorway and town driving and the 1UZ-FE is an absolute peach of an engine.
I'd much rather have one than the usual 7 series or S class suggestions
Thanks.Mine averaged around 20mpg with a mixture of motorway and town driving and the 1UZ-FE is an absolute peach of an engine.
I'd much rather have one than the usual 7 series or S class suggestions
Well, my Mazda is in the garage this afternoon with some sort of suspension/wheel component failure. So, I'm getting the feel for that already
The LS is the most appealing barge to me at the moment.
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