What car? Now i have a little one on the way............

[JM3]

Hey PH,

In a few months time I'll be a proud father, and although I am absolutely over the moon I had to sell my E92 M3 for that reason.

My run around Is a 2005 1.0 Colt, which the Mrs now wont get in, as it Isn't safe (Apparently)

I'm coming here for help, as I'm truly stuck.

What car is next on the list?

Something that Isn't £500 a year to tax, <20MPG and more than 5 doors.

So, Here is my list I've got down to (I still need fun for myself, and my commute to work is 38 miles a day.)
Budget is up to 23000

Golf R MK7
Golf GTD
Audi S3
Merc A220
Evoque - Not exactly fun
Cupra R

Any more options? I don't want a car that'll lose an excessive amount which i suspect cars like the Golf R will?

John

[Pica-Pica]

You seem to have a good list (not sure how the Golf GTD will pan out wrt residuals) no GTi?

[JM3]

Pica-Pica said:

You seem to have a good list (not sure how the Golf GTD will pan out wrt residuals) no GTi?

Was looking at a 14 plate GTD for 16k, save a bit in the bank. But as you say residuals are a concern. I would go with R but very much concerned wrt residuals?

GTI? hmm, I'd rather a 4wd R with a little more miles.

[Luke.]

Pica-Pica said:

You seem to have a good list (not sure how the Golf GTD will pan out wrt residuals) no GTi?

Apart from that fact four of the cars are basically the same.

[JM3]

WHICH FOUR?

[OldGermanHeaps]

You end up dragging a stload more stuff than you expect when you have a wee one, you can live with a small hot hatch but trust me its a hell of a lot easier with a big boot and big back doors with decent space between the back seatback and the seatback of the front row.
Since it seems you want something a bit exciting i suggest a seat altea xl fr, or an s-max 2.5t but the seat handles better

[JM3]

OldGermanHeaps said:

You end up dragging a stload more stuff than you expect when you have a wee one, you can live with a small hot hatch but trust me its a hell of a lot easier with a big boot and big back doors with decent space between the back seatback and the seatback of the front row.
Since it seems you want something a bit exciting i suggest a seat altea xl fr, or an s-max 2.5t but the seat handles better

Good god, an S’max? I’m 28 I cannot be seen in one of those. I still need something with a bit of poke and respect.

[gazzarose]

Agree with above. Our little one is nearly 11 months now and starting to need less stuff everytime we went out. But for the first 6 months popping out for an hour was like a military operation. We've got an Accord Tourer and a Nc Mx5 so only really one practical car in the Accord, but I honestly know know how people cope with fiestas or even Focus size cars. We went camping for the weekend in June and it was like a polar mission the way everything was packed in. Half the problem is the size and shape of the pram. It just takes up so much room in the boot. The best vehicle for the job I think is a 7.5t truck at the very minimum.lol.

[HannsG]

I sold my M3. You should have kept it fella....

I have two sprogs. When second was born I decided to sell despite buying the missus a ST-3 estate.

Now I'm bloody back on AT looking for a BMW straight 6 or V8.

The st you carry with kids should not be the decider.

I was a fking idiot selling my M3. A true petrol head would make it work.

I pussied put.... Never again

Edited by HannsG on Sunday 30th July 23:22

[Stick Legs]

S-Max's are amazing. Everything that a Range Rover (used as a Chelsea Tractor) does well in a Mondeo economics package.

Volvo V70's are brilliant too. That nice size between a 3 & 5 series.

Those would be my choices if I had to do it all over again. Thankfully I've been snipped so I'm off GT shopping.

[HannsG]

Stick Legs said:

S-Max's are amazing. Everything that a Range Rover (used as a Chelsea Tractor) does well in a Mondeo economics package.

Volvo V70's are brilliant too. That nice size between a 3 & 5 series.

Those would be my choices if I had to do it all over again. Thankfully I've been snipped so I'm off GT shopping.

I agree on the Smax. Brother in law is a mechanic and had a 2006 come into his garage as a PX. He bought it and remapped it and to be honest I was shocked at how capable the diesel is and the space is glorious.

The wife can have it.... I would rather have a M3 as we are a two car household.

Very capable motor the Smax. Went for a pub meal yesterday and the audio system was pretty decent also. Seemed like Volvo levels.

[Luke.]

JM3 said:

WHICH FOUR?

The Golfs, Audi and SEAT.

[anonymous-user]

Your child should be your first priority, not being seen in a flash car.

But this is a petrolhead's site, so I'm guessing what you need is a fast estate.


2015 BMW 335D xDrive

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Reasonably fast SUV that doesn't cost the earth to run

2010 Porsche Cayenne S Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Over budget: 2013 Audi SQ5 Biturbo

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 30th July 23:36

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 30th July 23:43

[strath44]

I would personally go up a group of car in size, we only have one kid and once you are past the pram stage it gets better space wise but then theres other stuff like bikes and camping etc etc.
What currently annoys me is the mess of the front seat backs also make sure you get full leather its so much easier to clean!
When its pishing with rain theres nothing worse than wrestling the kids into a tricky tight back seat then stuffing all the crap in the tiny boot!

[Stick Legs]

strath44 said:

I would personally go up a group of car in size, we only have one kid and once you are past the pram stage it gets better space wise but then theres other stuff like bikes and camping etc etc.
What currently annoys me is the mess of the front seat backs also make sure you get full leather its so much easier to clean!
When its pishing with rain theres nothing worse than wrestling the kids into a tricky tight back seat then stuffing all the crap in the tiny boot!

Wife's F31 320d Touring has hard plastic seat backs.
Perfect for Children at at certain ages their feet end up being on the seat back no matter what as car seats put them there.

[dema]

Can the Mrs buy her own car with a decent boot and you get to choose your own motor?
She could have a cheap ish hatch or estate and you get to keep something you like.
I have an 18 months boy, family car is a giulietta which is fine for day to day use including weekly shop etc. but, not big enough to go and see her family for a few days due to the need to have, travel cot, push chair, clothes, toys etc
Company car is a Mazda 6 coupe, large boot but still a coupe therefore a little pain to load stuff in however, it fits everything (ok, a few little things ended up going in the passenger seat).

[ambuletz]

Octavia vRS estate, it's a practical golf GTI.

you're gonna be a parent, you're going to need all the boot space you can get for prams, babies bags etc..
failing that just get the skoda superb.

[jwilliamsm3]

according to most people i know with offspring, the moment you have 1 kid, you instantly must buy a crossover. even a medium to large saloon will not suffice

[OldGermanHeaps]

A lot depends on if you get the messages delivered or have someone to leave the sprog with while you do the messages. A lot of modern travel systems are huuuuuge and car seats seem to be getting bigger. Trying to fit a weeks shopping alongside that is a pain in the hole along with the nappy bag etc, travel cot if you are staying over it adds up. Wait til number 2 comes along and the mrs starts moaning that 5 seats isn't enough if she wants to go out for the day with a friend who also grunted out 2 groinfruit, then your nippy options really do get narrowed down.

[briang9]

ambuletz said:

Octavia vRS estate, it's a practical golf GTI.

you're gonna be a parent, you're going to need all the boot space you can get for prams, babies bags etc..
failing that just get the skoda superb.

+1

had two of these when kids were young, fantastic all rounders and not too slow either!!