Family man's weekend wheels - 2 seats or 4?
Discussion
Folks I have a dilemma and need your advice. I'm planning a weekend car purchase but really don't know if I should go for a 2 seater or a 4 seater.
On the one hand, I would say that a 2 seater makes a better weekend car in general because they are usually a little more exotic (within a £15k budget) and special when you just want to 'drive', and also more fun (to look at, clean, cherish, show your friends etc...) when they are simply parked up in the garage (Clio V6, Lotus Esprit, Z3M Coupe etc...).
On the other hand, we often go out as a family on weekends (2 year old daughter and another imminent (4 days late in fact!)) and it would be nice to drive something special on these occasions. Having said that, you wouldn't drive a 4 seater with the family in like you would a 2 seater on your own would you?
So am I better off with a 2 seater that I can really enjoy when time allows, or a 4 seater that can also transport the family when required and as such get much more use?
Have so far come up with 3 cars which really cover both requirements - Lotus Carlton, Maser 3200GT and TVR Cerbera. But all 3 don't get the most encouraging coverage regarding running costs and reliability. For me the E39 M5, M3, CLK55, Monaro don't quite fit the 'special when stationary' requirement, and although for me a 996 911 would, I think you I would be hard pressed to get the family of 4 in, given that I am 6'5".
Your thoughts?
Cheers
On the one hand, I would say that a 2 seater makes a better weekend car in general because they are usually a little more exotic (within a £15k budget) and special when you just want to 'drive', and also more fun (to look at, clean, cherish, show your friends etc...) when they are simply parked up in the garage (Clio V6, Lotus Esprit, Z3M Coupe etc...).
On the other hand, we often go out as a family on weekends (2 year old daughter and another imminent (4 days late in fact!)) and it would be nice to drive something special on these occasions. Having said that, you wouldn't drive a 4 seater with the family in like you would a 2 seater on your own would you?
So am I better off with a 2 seater that I can really enjoy when time allows, or a 4 seater that can also transport the family when required and as such get much more use?
Have so far come up with 3 cars which really cover both requirements - Lotus Carlton, Maser 3200GT and TVR Cerbera. But all 3 don't get the most encouraging coverage regarding running costs and reliability. For me the E39 M5, M3, CLK55, Monaro don't quite fit the 'special when stationary' requirement, and although for me a 996 911 would, I think you I would be hard pressed to get the family of 4 in, given that I am 6'5".
Your thoughts?
Cheers
I'm 6'2 and had to sell my Cerbera as I couldn't get the children in the back with their bulky car seats. Now one of them is a bit bigger, she can sit behind me without a seat, so there should be just enough room.
Jaguar XKs are tiny in the back. I'm currently running an XJS and we just about fit as they are more roomy back there. What about an Aston DB7? Might be room.
If it was me, I'd go for another Cerbera, but at 6'5 I'd say the Maserati 3200 and hope for the best.....
If you get a two-seater and have two young children, opportunities for using it will probably be pretty limited, unless your wife likes staying at home to look after the kids whilst you go for a razz!
Jaguar XKs are tiny in the back. I'm currently running an XJS and we just about fit as they are more roomy back there. What about an Aston DB7? Might be room.
If it was me, I'd go for another Cerbera, but at 6'5 I'd say the Maserati 3200 and hope for the best.....
If you get a two-seater and have two young children, opportunities for using it will probably be pretty limited, unless your wife likes staying at home to look after the kids whilst you go for a razz!
Edited by Royster on Friday 27th April 16:50
Richie Howard said:
at 6'5"? the man's a giant.
i was cramped in the passenger seat of an xk8 at 6'3".
Kinda rules that out then, although I do love the current shape XKR!i was cramped in the passenger seat of an xk8 at 6'3".
kambites said:
If you wont all fit in a 911, I'd probably go for an M3 or, as you say, a 2-seater for those times that you haven't got the family with you.
Lovely car, but very common and is it that special?PaperCut said:
You need an SL 55 AMG and the kids need a babysitter.
HTH.
Ha. Amazing car, driven many. For £15k though? Gonna cost at least that in year 1!HTH.
Royster said:
I'm 6'2 and had to sell my Cerbera as I couldn't get the children in the back with their bulky car seats. Now one of them is a bit bigger, she can sit behind me without a seat, so there should be just enough room.
Jaguar XKs are tiny in the back. I'm currently running an XJS and we just about fit as they are more roomy back there. What about an Aston DB7? Might be room.
If it was me, I'd go for another Cerbera, but at 6'5 I'd say the Maserati 3200 and hope for the best.....
If you get a two-seater and have two young children, opportunities for using it will probably be pretty limited, unless your wife likes staying at home to look after the kids whilst you go for a razz!
Well it's partially that, and partially that I don't want to miss out on this time with them!Jaguar XKs are tiny in the back. I'm currently running an XJS and we just about fit as they are more roomy back there. What about an Aston DB7? Might be room.
If it was me, I'd go for another Cerbera, but at 6'5 I'd say the Maserati 3200 and hope for the best.....
If you get a two-seater and have two young children, opportunities for using it will probably be pretty limited, unless your wife likes staying at home to look after the kids whilst you go for a razz!
Edited by Royster on Friday 27th April 16:50
A mate of mine bought a brand new SLK55 AMG, in 6 years he has put c30k miles on it as he has two kids, any time they go out as a family they can't use it. He is now thinking about a 4 seater so it will get more use.
My 996 is fine for occasionaly transporting the kids and it's great fun when I'm on my own, I also considered an M3 and even a Maserati 4200.
My 996 is fine for occasionaly transporting the kids and it's great fun when I'm on my own, I also considered an M3 and even a Maserati 4200.
You won't fit anything in the back of an SL.
But here's a nice once anyway, just over you budget: http://pistonheads.com/sales/3745040.htm
But here's a nice once anyway, just over you budget: http://pistonheads.com/sales/3745040.htm
How brave are you?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3780424.htm
Styling might be an aquired taste, but I think it's lovely. Practical too.......
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3780424.htm
Styling might be an aquired taste, but I think it's lovely. Practical too.......
LordHaveMurci said:
A mate of mine bought a brand new SLK55 AMG, in 6 years he has put c30k miles on it as he has two kids, any time they go out as a family they can't use it. He is now thinking about a 4 seater so it will get more use.
My 996 is fine for occasionaly transporting the kids and it's great fun when I'm on my own, I also considered an M3 and even a Maserati 4200.
I would say 5000 miles a year would be about right for me (also means classic/sports insurance which is a must for costs). My 996 is fine for occasionaly transporting the kids and it's great fun when I'm on my own, I also considered an M3 and even a Maserati 4200.
That Ferrari is a lovely old thing and I love the styling, but I plan to do a bit of track stuff with this car which rules it out I'm afraid.
Theres little point in a two seater - if you aint taking the kids you aint taking the missus either. Thats why Bikes are so popular with middle age dads.
I've got a 2 seater hidden away in the garage, was supposed to be a 'weekend' car (a Z3 2.8i) but it gets little use because I'm always on my own. Where you going to go, on your own?
I've got a 2 seater hidden away in the garage, was supposed to be a 'weekend' car (a Z3 2.8i) but it gets little use because I'm always on my own. Where you going to go, on your own?
I think a weekend car needs to be something that doesn't have to comply with the compromises of everyday life. For me, that would rule out things like fast saloons, hot hatches, rally replicas, etc, but I suppose it depends on your reasons for not running cars like those as a daily. If your daily driver is something tolerated for fuel economy reasons rather than for practicality, then I guess another practical car and blow the petrol costs might not be so odd. The question then might be whether you will be able to enjoy driving it with the sprogs onboard, or will you find yourself thinking you may as well have taken the snotter for all the use you are making of the performance.
I've gone through the same thought process myself and concluded that 4 seater is the way forward. Your much more likely to keep your OH on side and get the kids interested in the car if you can all go in it together. I tried to think of occasions when I would use the car on my own on the weekend, and they really were few and far between.
I agree your suggestions of a Maser (4200 is in your budget and more reliable) and Cerbera. My budget is much smaller than yours, but I've been looking at Excels which start at around £2k.
I agree your suggestions of a Maser (4200 is in your budget and more reliable) and Cerbera. My budget is much smaller than yours, but I've been looking at Excels which start at around £2k.
I do everything backwards. I have the fun car for my weekday commute when I'm on my own. I use the fun back-roads instead of the motorway everyone else uses. I then drive the family car at the weekends with the kids in the back. I therefore don't need to care about mud, chocolate, crumbs, juice etc... in my nice car.
E24 M635csi?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2295185.htm
I had the non-'M' version and it looked and sounded beautiful, was good fun on track and most importantly, everyone fitted in, comfortably. Would expect the 'M' varient to be a fair bit better than mine on track, too.
It'll never depreciate, either.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2295185.htm
I had the non-'M' version and it looked and sounded beautiful, was good fun on track and most importantly, everyone fitted in, comfortably. Would expect the 'M' varient to be a fair bit better than mine on track, too.
It'll never depreciate, either.
alock said:
I do everything backwards. I have the fun car for my weekday commute when I'm on my own. I use the fun back-roads instead of the motorway everyone else uses. I then drive the family car at the weekends with the kids in the back. I therefore don't need to care about mud, chocolate, crumbs, juice etc... in my nice car.
Ha, was just thinking about that. I work for a premium car manufacturer and whilst the company car scheme is really very good, (and certainly too good to turn down) my grade does not quite afford a car I would truely love. Next grade up does (i.e. a stonking V8!) but a) they don't let you trade up annoyingly and b) that's director level and I a) am not sure I'll ever get there and b) not sure I want to!Corsair7 said:
Theres little point in a two seater - if you aint taking the kids you aint taking the missus either. Thats why Bikes are so popular with middle age dads.
I've got a 2 seater hidden away in the garage, was supposed to be a 'weekend' car (a Z3 2.8i) but it gets little use because I'm always on my own. Where you going to go, on your own?
I too have a Z3 (3.0i) as my weekend car. I've got a 2 seater hidden away in the garage, was supposed to be a 'weekend' car (a Z3 2.8i) but it gets little use because I'm always on my own. Where you going to go, on your own?
I use it to go out on various trips such as getting tools or similar stuff that the OH wouldn't want to come along to. Plus being a Service Engineer, I sometimes get home early and fancy a drive out before everyone else gets home, there's always something I need to get from B&Q, Wickes, Halfords, etc. I've also been to a couple of Sunday Services too, though she come along for the Mercedes Benz World one recently. It helps that my son is old enough to be left on his own for a few hours unlike the OP, so there are occasions when both seats are used. I noticed at the Sunday Services how many TVRs were fitted with a childs/baby seat in the passenger seat, so it doesn't seem to put them off. Just need to have a serious think about how often you'd get chance to go oout in it alone or just with the OH (or a single child) to see if a 2 seat is going to be much point at your current stage in life.
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