Becoming a Dad + next car quandary
Discussion
My last 4 cars have been an Elise 111R, R53 Cooper S, Elise S, Panda 100HP. They have all been fantastic, free revving, raw, fun little cars.
This side of Christmas I am expecting twins so I need a car with space. Today I tested a B6 3.0 Quattro Avant and a B7 S4. Both were fine cars yet felt a little underwhelming. Wafty in nature, lacking raw thrills. I don't know what I was expecting (has been while since I drove a V6 or above). I suppose having done over 30,000 miles in an Elise over the last few years will make most cars feel disconnected. In addition my current commute is 8 miles of B roads and the 100HP is great fun.
I would love a V8 but happy to settle for a V6. Need to drive more and appreciate them for what they are. C350, R36, S4, S.
Anyone else gone through this transition? What did you end up in? Any regrets?
Cash budget is up to around £10k but happy to finance vehicles so will consider anything up to £25k if the right car came along.
Finally - running two cars is not an option. I'm expecting twins, I'd never use the second car. I regularly travel with work and this will increase in 2015, I will not have time or opportunity in the next few years to enjoy or justify a second car.
This side of Christmas I am expecting twins so I need a car with space. Today I tested a B6 3.0 Quattro Avant and a B7 S4. Both were fine cars yet felt a little underwhelming. Wafty in nature, lacking raw thrills. I don't know what I was expecting (has been while since I drove a V6 or above). I suppose having done over 30,000 miles in an Elise over the last few years will make most cars feel disconnected. In addition my current commute is 8 miles of B roads and the 100HP is great fun.
I would love a V8 but happy to settle for a V6. Need to drive more and appreciate them for what they are. C350, R36, S4, S.
Anyone else gone through this transition? What did you end up in? Any regrets?
Cash budget is up to around £10k but happy to finance vehicles so will consider anything up to £25k if the right car came along.
Finally - running two cars is not an option. I'm expecting twins, I'd never use the second car. I regularly travel with work and this will increase in 2015, I will not have time or opportunity in the next few years to enjoy or justify a second car.
Just checking, but it's not you personally 'expecting', is it?
In which case, I'd assume the person expecting is also likely to need a car.
So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.
Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.
Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.
In which case, I'd assume the person expecting is also likely to need a car.
So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.
Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.
Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.
AvonRise said:
Just checking, but it's not you personally 'expecting', is it?
No. Mrs. Hoddo. But thanks for checking. AvonRise said:
In which case, I'd assume the person expecting is also likely to need a car.
So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.
Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.
Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.
Mrs. Hoddo gets a new company car in May. Front runner is a Skoda VRS Estate. So your car, which you'll use for work travel, isn't the main concern.
Buy the other half a 3 year old Zafira, C Max, Picasso etc and keep your current car.
Remember, you don't need a car the size of a small house to carry babies around.
I only do 3,000 4,000 a year, so my car can be as uneconomical as it wants.
You are into family cars territory now OP, dreary stboxes in comparison to your previous motors. All i can suggest is you make the change to a big wafty estate/ SUV with a bit of grunt and enjoy the comfort rather than the speed when karting the family about. Some people will cry that you don't need a huge car for this but trust me it helps.
We've just been through the same ordeal (sorry... ummm... life-changing joy), although we only had one, and I went for an e39 Alpina B10 V8. 350ish bhp, a lovely comfortable ride and bags of room.
I thought about another e46 M3, but I'm actually glad we didn't - even though it would have been a more dynamic drive. Back doors makes a huge difference.
The S4 I found just a bit too "safe" feeling (dull, even), from a driving dynamics perspective, and it's not that zingy an engine,
The other thing to consider is that while they're tiny you might find the OH wants to travel in the back with them, so you'll need something with plenty of width across the back seat, which suggests a 5 series / E-class / A6 sized thing.
I thought about another e46 M3, but I'm actually glad we didn't - even though it would have been a more dynamic drive. Back doors makes a huge difference.
The S4 I found just a bit too "safe" feeling (dull, even), from a driving dynamics perspective, and it's not that zingy an engine,
The other thing to consider is that while they're tiny you might find the OH wants to travel in the back with them, so you'll need something with plenty of width across the back seat, which suggests a 5 series / E-class / A6 sized thing.
Edited by Gruber on Saturday 18th October 21:50
AvonRise said:
If the other half has an Octavia vRS, surely you can run something smaller and a bit silly?
Buying a big barge doesn't really make a lot of sense.
Whatever Mrs. Hoddo ends up in will not arrive till May at the earliest so we have a gap of 6 months. Hence the need for me to get something a tad more practical. Buying a big barge doesn't really make a lot of sense.
S6 V10 has been recommended. Need to go see one but they appear incredible value.
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