Fack me, another What Car? thread.

[Papa Hotel]

Situation: One kid, just turned one, wife pregnant. One car worked for us with one kid, she could easily take the buggy on the bus if I was away in the car. It won't be so easy with a double buggy so we'll get her a car capable of holding it, two baby seats and the associated st that goes along with it.

My car (Panda) is no good for her in this capacity, it has worked perfectly well for one baby but I fear two are beyond its abilities.

So... I'm losing the Panda and we're setting a 5k budget for a practical car for her and a fun thing for me to commute in, 36 miles a day, a petrol that'll return 40 mpg (or near enough) would be good criteria to start with. As she has the practical car, mine can be pretty much anything.

My head is currently saying Volvo V40 for her and MX-5 for me (both 1.8).

My heart is saying Alfa 156 Sportwagon (1.9 diesel) for her and Fiat Barchetta for me.

What's your solution?

Edited by Papa Hotel on Thursday 26th May 23:16

[Uhura fighter]

Focus for her, whatever you want.

[Papa Hotel]

Uhura fighter said:

Focus for her, whatever you want.

I've suggested a fking Focus in a lot of these threads, it's coming back to bite me!

[slipstream 1985]

focus's are looking a bit ropey now adays, i like the heart option to be honnest.

[Uhura fighter]

The Focus - They aren't expensive to buy, run, fix. They do what you want/need. If she just wants a car that is big enough and OK, it fits.

All the reasons you suggest them to others

[NiceCupOfTea]

e36 328 Touring, my brother gets over 40mpg from his Sport on a run. The rest on a toy for you. MX-5 is the de rigeur choice, but something a bit more unusual for sir? Suzuki Cappucino?

[Papa Hotel]

I'd love a Cappuccino but they're a little too tiny.

[carlove]

I've got an Alfa as a family workhorse (2 children). Do 30k miles a year. It's only had one major problem in 3 years of ownership. Go with your heart.

[George H]

Why don't you just get one of each from your head / heart short lists.

Get the Alfa and an MX5. Seems a good compromise to me

[vit4]

Why not head for sensible car, heart for your car? I suspect as others have said, the Focus is so praised for a reason. My mum bought a ropey mk1.5 on an 02 plate with 111,000 miles (or more, was disconnected but supposedly a new fault ), no service history and a host of problems deriving from a previous bodge job on the wiring. Once they were fixed properly it's been absolutely faultless, in 18 months and 14,000 miles it's not actually cost a single penny other than servicing.

As for your car, get whatever you want & can afford!

[chriscoates]

I would get a Mondeo for her, and a Clio 172 Cup for you. Both should return 40mpg.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2802584.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2839654.htm

[GreatGranny]

Mondeo is a good shout. I think they are better value than the Focus but won't cost a huge amount more to run. Doubt it will average 40mpg though unless on a run. More like 30mpg in town.
Clio looks nice but no a/c but I'm sure you can pick up one with a/c for a similar price.

OP - Mate has a MK1 MX-5 and he struggles to get better than 30mpg mixed but will get 35mpg on a run.

V40 is a decent car as well. Well built, comfortable and enough room for you all. If they are as reliable as the V70 I had then you shouldn't have too many problems. They take the mileage well so I wouldn't be too concerned buying a highish mileage diesel if needed.

The interior of this should hide the baby puke!
Leather is 10 times easier to clean than cloth.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...