Family estate...?
Discussion
Well it finally happened and we have a beautiful baby boy, born last Saturday by emergency csection so not the most relaxing experience in the world but all now so far going to plan.
The current golf GTI is just not comfortable for either the wife or baby and the boot is not big enough for all the equipment we seem to be trying to carry around. The GTI was leased but I have a really nice guy taking over the contract.
That leaves me with a car to find, the birth put pay to an incredible deal on the V90 but the S90 might be doable.
I am looking for something that's V90 comfort/space but happy to look at cash or leasing, losing the lowest amount of money in depreciation is vital as I'm likely to change again in a year if not a leased.
Warranty is essential as I don't want any shocks!
Any advise or opinions welcome.... please!
The current golf GTI is just not comfortable for either the wife or baby and the boot is not big enough for all the equipment we seem to be trying to carry around. The GTI was leased but I have a really nice guy taking over the contract.
That leaves me with a car to find, the birth put pay to an incredible deal on the V90 but the S90 might be doable.
I am looking for something that's V90 comfort/space but happy to look at cash or leasing, losing the lowest amount of money in depreciation is vital as I'm likely to change again in a year if not a leased.
Warranty is essential as I don't want any shocks!
Any advise or opinions welcome.... please!
CoastalHawk said:
Warranty is essential as I don't want any shocks!
Congratulations.Warranties don't usually cover shocks (being a wear and tear item) but I would suggest you do have them on your car.
(Poor attempt at humour for a Sunday)
After my first was born, I went for an Avensis estate: big, boring, reliable. Most people don't want to hoon around with a new family anyway.
Do you plan having a second car? Using one large estate did make things like popping to town tricky for the mrs.
I'm not sure of your budget, but guess coming from a lease you're thinking to spend / £3k ish a year on either dpcn or payments.
I'm sure most modern family cars will be much of a muchness when it comes to doing the basics right, so do you have a brand preference? Looks over function? Power vs economy? New car peace of mind vs second hand vfm?
They're the sort of factors that help to set out when choosing.
Hth
Ian
If you're just having one child for the foreseeable future, don't assume you need something huge.
Our baby is 8 months old and we've been getting on fine with my wife's Nissan Note. I recently got rid of my Alfa Romeo Giulietta as I wasn't using it much, finding that the Note was a lot more practical despite being smaller.
I think something like a V90 estate would be overkill unless there is another reason you want/need a big car.
I would steer clear of saloons as the loading is not as easy as with a hatch.
Our baby is 8 months old and we've been getting on fine with my wife's Nissan Note. I recently got rid of my Alfa Romeo Giulietta as I wasn't using it much, finding that the Note was a lot more practical despite being smaller.
I think something like a V90 estate would be overkill unless there is another reason you want/need a big car.
I would steer clear of saloons as the loading is not as easy as with a hatch.
Edited by nmd87 on Monday 4th June 09:00
tigger1 said:
Octavia vrs estate? Can be had with the same 230bhp engine as the golf gti, or the more economical diesel variant if that's your thing. Massive inside, well specced, and good value for money.
This would be my choice, best of both worlds. I find you need a lot of space especially if you holiday in the uk for the next few years.
Hard to go back to a normal hatch once you have owned an estate.
tigger1 said:
Octavia vrs estate? Can be had with the same 230bhp engine as the golf gti, or the more economical diesel variant if that's your thing. Massive inside, well specced, and good value for money.
That's what i'm driving due to infant and pending second arrival this year. (2.0 TDI vrs)The size of the car can't be faulted and its a nice drive as a family estate. However, my wife finds the ride to be far too firm (whilst pregnant more so) and quite jiggly on uneven or poor roads. I changed tyres since a recent suspension query thread and that has probably improved the ride about 15-20% (Goodyear Asymetric A3). I'm still toying with swapping to a softer spring or dampers once I have decided if the tyres alone are enough for us.
Babies are tiny, you don't need a huge car. People tell you that you do, but you don't.
I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
SHutchinson said:
Babies are tiny, you don't need a huge car. People tell you that you do, but you don't.
I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
How does your wife manage popping your little one into a rear facing seat in the back of a coupe?I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
Also, estates are faster
tigger1 said:
SHutchinson said:
Babies are tiny, you don't need a huge car. People tell you that you do, but you don't.
I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
How does your wife manage popping your little one into a rear facing seat in the back of a coupe?I've got an S5 coupe and my missus has an S3 convertible. We have a 1 year old and have managed absolutely fine for the last year.
We went on holiday for a week in the S5, took the steriliser, pram, perfect prep machine, sleepyhead mattress etc. etc. It was fine.
If you want a boring estate car get one though.
Also, estates are faster
Estate cars are great, I'm not knocking them, you just don't need one.
SHutchinson said:
Maxi-cosi familyfix base on the back seat, seats come forward enough to get the Maxi-Cosi Pebble seat through the gap into the back. It's a piece of cake but until you try it you'd always assume that you can't do it, because that's what people tell you. Also, for reference, a Bugaboo Cameleon 3 fits in the boot of a convertible without even taking the wheels off. Just folds up and goes in.
Estate cars are great, I'm not knocking them, you just don't need one.
Estate cars are great, I'm not knocking them, you just don't need one.
We managed with a 3 series convertible until our second was about a year old. The coupe/convertible has big front doors, and the seats swung forward enough so you could put the maxi cosi seats in at an easier angle than sideways in a four door. As it was an e46 the boot was pretty big so you could easily fit a folded up buggy (iCandy Peach) and luggage.
However, it was a relief when we swapped the BMW for an Audi a6 Avant which I've now owned for 6 years and will probably get another one. Plenty of room front and back, and a nice 2.7 V6 diesel (does 700 miles on a trip down to the South of France too). it's a great day when you can get rid of the buggy, and have potty trained the kids. Luggage seems to half immediately.
I bought it used, like looking for replacements but I'll try and keep it as long as I can. It's so trashed on the outside now though, my wife joked I may as well go full rat look give it a brush paint job with green emulsion and it would look better!
I've seen some good lease deals on the A6 recently, might be because there is a new model coming out. But worth a look - I think they are bigger in the boot than the V90.
Edited by prand on Monday 4th June 13:18
It may be true for some to say you don't need a big car, but since when has car ownership been about "need"?
Yes you can survive with a Ka, people do, but if you don't have to then why bother? Make your life easy.
Things to consider - rear door aperture, some cars are a PITA, eg see Civic. Sloping back doors mean getting a kid in is difficult. So don't get one. Even the spacious, well built estate. Slotting junior between it and a rear facing seat is a nightmare in 6 months.
When junior gets heavy, mums back will suffer lifting and dipping. Slightly raised seats (4x4/ suv esqe) is remarkably useful.
I'm not saying you need a FFRR, but there is some sense in slab sides and high up.
Yes you can survive with a Ka, people do, but if you don't have to then why bother? Make your life easy.
Things to consider - rear door aperture, some cars are a PITA, eg see Civic. Sloping back doors mean getting a kid in is difficult. So don't get one. Even the spacious, well built estate. Slotting junior between it and a rear facing seat is a nightmare in 6 months.
When junior gets heavy, mums back will suffer lifting and dipping. Slightly raised seats (4x4/ suv esqe) is remarkably useful.
I'm not saying you need a FFRR, but there is some sense in slab sides and high up.
Croutons said:
It may be true for some to say you don't need a big car, but since when has car ownership been about "need"?
Yes you can survive with a Ka, people do, but if you don't have to then why bother? Make your life easy.
Things to consider - rear door aperture, some cars are a PITA, eg see Civic. Sloping back doors mean getting a kid in is difficult. So don't get one. Even the spacious, well built estate. Slotting junior between it and a rear facing seat is a nightmare in 6 months.
When junior gets heavy, mums back will suffer lifting and dipping. Slightly raised seats (4x4/ suv esqe) is remarkably useful.
I'm not saying you need a FFRR, but there is some sense in slab sides and high up.
Do you think something like a Golf GTi would be suitable?Yes you can survive with a Ka, people do, but if you don't have to then why bother? Make your life easy.
Things to consider - rear door aperture, some cars are a PITA, eg see Civic. Sloping back doors mean getting a kid in is difficult. So don't get one. Even the spacious, well built estate. Slotting junior between it and a rear facing seat is a nightmare in 6 months.
When junior gets heavy, mums back will suffer lifting and dipping. Slightly raised seats (4x4/ suv esqe) is remarkably useful.
I'm not saying you need a FFRR, but there is some sense in slab sides and high up.
Last time I was looking at estates Mercedes had just facelifted their previous incarnation of the E Class. There were crazy lease deals on remaining pre-facelift stock and for a time you could get the big Merc estate cheaper than a Mondeo, Insignia or Superb.
There should be equally good deals on the current Volvo V60 as it is being replaced later this year. (Then again if u see pics of the new 2018 model you may be tempted to pay whatever Volvo ask ...gorgeous)
There should be equally good deals on the current Volvo V60 as it is being replaced later this year. (Then again if u see pics of the new 2018 model you may be tempted to pay whatever Volvo ask ...gorgeous)
SHutchinson said:
Do you think something like a Golf GTi would be suitable?
For one kid, probably yes. If you are planning on 2 then more space will make life easier, depending on the gap between them (and hence what they need). 3 and your life is nothing but kid. And something with 3x ISOFIX is hard to come by. The boot will be- new mother's worry about getting the pram in, failing to realise that an alternative pram is 10% of the cost of changing car, but it's best if you've bought one [a pram] you take it with you and make sure it packs easily. I mean easily, not "at an angle under everything", on the basis that it's the first thing out, and last thing in.
Door openings? On a 5 door probably fine, again if you've got a car seat you'll need to make sure it's on the list for the car (most, but not all are), then see how much space you got to get them past. Seats are f
king huge. When they kid is forward facing life is much easier. Then you've only got to get to 135cm before you can bin the seats wholesale. That's age 5 and 3/4 to 7 and 3/4 btw...Anyway congrats, and hope you got a sleeper.
Jag_NE said:
Seriously...just admit it to yourself that you fancy a new car and the baby is a convenient excuse to justify it...a golf is perfectly suitably for a one child family. Then just buy what you want instead of creating false practicality based excuses!
Indeed. You don't need an estate car for 1 child a 5door Golf is fine. My other half has a 5door Focus and we have 2 kids and never have a need for more space.We brought #1 home in my Golf Ed 30 but that quickly got changed to a Merc C Estate. Had that for 2 years which was ok, then a Skoda Superb (massive and didn't put a foot wrong) and now just into a V90 (slightly smaller than Superb but nicer place to be). #2 came along 4 months ago.
I'd always go for the bigger car. Being able to throw everything in without worrying and it's just easier for everyone. Especially if you take UK holidays. The space difference for passengers between the C and Superb was massive.
The wife always said she'd never want a big car, but after a Qashqai and currently a Tiguan, she's now considering an XC90 (but I think it'll end up being an XC60). She much prefers the height of the SUVs for ease of getting the children in and out and better visibility.
Obviously go for what you're happiest with, but I'd always suggest bigger is better!
I'd always go for the bigger car. Being able to throw everything in without worrying and it's just easier for everyone. Especially if you take UK holidays. The space difference for passengers between the C and Superb was massive.
The wife always said she'd never want a big car, but after a Qashqai and currently a Tiguan, she's now considering an XC90 (but I think it'll end up being an XC60). She much prefers the height of the SUVs for ease of getting the children in and out and better visibility.
Obviously go for what you're happiest with, but I'd always suggest bigger is better!
I’m very interested in this thread....got my first on the way and I’m looking to change the mps6 for an estate. Little bit more comfort and space needed (that’s my excuse anyway!) Ideally I’d like a golf r estate but just out my price range for now.
Alternatively I’m looking at a focus st estate or Octavia VRS estate....might be of some use to the OP
Alternatively I’m looking at a focus st estate or Octavia VRS estate....might be of some use to the OP
Edited by Johnnyboy5 on Tuesday 5th June 08:09
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