What car for a new Dad
Discussion
Evening all hoping for some ideas or opinions. Currently driving a 2012 Range Rover Sport which I want to change (had it for 3 yrs). Rangie has been good but looking for something a bit more interesting to drive. However with our 1st baby due in September it needs to remain practical (and after putting the baby seat in for a trial fit today got me concerned on size!
Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
No input on the car choice other than as a dad now for 8 months, get one with rear doors. I have a 5 series and it is so much easier getting him in and out when he is sleeping or when i'm tired and need a sleep.
Trying to get him in and out of my partners car which is only a 2 door involves lots of crying (mostly from me surprisingly) and the realisation that I am not double jointed, but should be. Getting him in or out whilst he is asleep and achieving that whilst keeping him asleep is impossible. Doing it quickly is impossible.
Trying to get him in and out of my partners car which is only a 2 door involves lots of crying (mostly from me surprisingly) and the realisation that I am not double jointed, but should be. Getting him in or out whilst he is asleep and achieving that whilst keeping him asleep is impossible. Doing it quickly is impossible.
ymwoods said:
No input on the car choice other than as a dad now for 8 months, get one with rear doors. I have a 5 series and it is so much easier getting him in and out when he is sleeping or when i'm tired and need a sleep.
Trying to get him in and out of my partners car which is only a 2 door involves lots of crying (mostly from me surprisingly) and the realisation that I am not double jointed, but should be. Getting him in or out whilst he is asleep and achieving that whilst keeping him asleep is impossible. Doing it quickly is impossible.
Plan on keeping rear doorsTrying to get him in and out of my partners car which is only a 2 door involves lots of crying (mostly from me surprisingly) and the realisation that I am not double jointed, but should be. Getting him in or out whilst he is asleep and achieving that whilst keeping him asleep is impossible. Doing it quickly is impossible.
Going way out of line here but you may appreciate some practical advice:
1. Rear sliding doors: parking spaces are not getting any wider, getting the little critter inside and out whilst not smashing his or your head, not bucking down and not worrying about scratching yours and othe rcars around you.
2. Big square luggage compartment where you can throw in the shopping and baby carriage with no need for disassembling everything into pieces.
3. High seating position and low window line in the rear, kids love to look outside insteaf of staring at a front seat and a door cover. This will be invaluable on longer journeys!
4. Something that keeps its value well. You are in a transition phase, right now its all about the kid and the mom.
A VW T5 or T6 slightly used is almost ideal. Relatively compact footprint, massive space inside, amazing resale value and can be customised to look fairly decent.
Get a second toy car for the weekend to blow off some steam.
1. Rear sliding doors: parking spaces are not getting any wider, getting the little critter inside and out whilst not smashing his or your head, not bucking down and not worrying about scratching yours and othe rcars around you.
2. Big square luggage compartment where you can throw in the shopping and baby carriage with no need for disassembling everything into pieces.
3. High seating position and low window line in the rear, kids love to look outside insteaf of staring at a front seat and a door cover. This will be invaluable on longer journeys!
4. Something that keeps its value well. You are in a transition phase, right now its all about the kid and the mom.
A VW T5 or T6 slightly used is almost ideal. Relatively compact footprint, massive space inside, amazing resale value and can be customised to look fairly decent.
Get a second toy car for the weekend to blow off some steam.
As an other member commented, a Range Rover Sport should be more than big enough, not sure you can go much bigger unless you end up in a Vogue or similar, and some of those suggestions are backwards and going down in size..
I use to have a GTR which was sold after my son was born, ended up using my wife's Golf GTD (mark 7) which tbh was big enough inside of his car seat using isofix, but the pushchair took the entire boot up.
The Golf served us very well and i's downfall was the lack of boot space. I picked up an approved used C7 RS6 just over two weeks ago, not massive amounts of space more inside but the bigger boot is where it's at.
The RS6 also comes with isofix on the front passenger seat too which is handy to have.
Before I got the RS6, we looked at Range Rover Sport, Macan/Cayenne, SQ5, Tiguan. Arteon, M5/M6 GC etc but the size and power of an RS6 was the best all rounder for us along with the 4WD and tuning capability once I'm out of Audi warranty.
If you go RS6, get a car with the surround cameras, I have it on mine and its great to have it!
I use to have a GTR which was sold after my son was born, ended up using my wife's Golf GTD (mark 7) which tbh was big enough inside of his car seat using isofix, but the pushchair took the entire boot up.
The Golf served us very well and i's downfall was the lack of boot space. I picked up an approved used C7 RS6 just over two weeks ago, not massive amounts of space more inside but the bigger boot is where it's at.
The RS6 also comes with isofix on the front passenger seat too which is handy to have.
Before I got the RS6, we looked at Range Rover Sport, Macan/Cayenne, SQ5, Tiguan. Arteon, M5/M6 GC etc but the size and power of an RS6 was the best all rounder for us along with the 4WD and tuning capability once I'm out of Audi warranty.
If you go RS6, get a car with the surround cameras, I have it on mine and its great to have it!
EmilA said:
As an other member commented, a Range Rover Sport should be more than big enough, not sure you can go much bigger unless you end up in a Vogue or similar, and some of those suggestions are backwards and going down in size..
I use to have a GTR which was sold after my son was born, ended up using my wife's Golf GTD (mark 7) which tbh was big enough inside of his car seat using isofix, but the pushchair took the entire boot up.
The Golf served us very well and i's downfall was the lack of boot space. I picked up an approved used C7 RS6 just over two weeks ago, not massive amounts of space more inside but the bigger boot is where it's at.
The RS6 also comes with isofix on the front passenger seat too which is handy to have.
Before I got the RS6, we looked at Range Rover Sport, Macan/Cayenne, SQ5, Tiguan. Arteon, M5/M6 GC etc but the size and power of an RS6 was the best all rounder for us along with the 4WD and tuning capability once I'm out of Audi warranty.
If you go RS6, get a car with the surround cameras, I have it on mine and its great to have it!
Thanks Range Rover isn’t too small it’s getting a bit long in the tooth and I’d always planned to change it now. Having a baby just means no small cars. I use to have a GTR which was sold after my son was born, ended up using my wife's Golf GTD (mark 7) which tbh was big enough inside of his car seat using isofix, but the pushchair took the entire boot up.
The Golf served us very well and i's downfall was the lack of boot space. I picked up an approved used C7 RS6 just over two weeks ago, not massive amounts of space more inside but the bigger boot is where it's at.
The RS6 also comes with isofix on the front passenger seat too which is handy to have.
Before I got the RS6, we looked at Range Rover Sport, Macan/Cayenne, SQ5, Tiguan. Arteon, M5/M6 GC etc but the size and power of an RS6 was the best all rounder for us along with the 4WD and tuning capability once I'm out of Audi warranty.
If you go RS6, get a car with the surround cameras, I have it on mine and its great to have it!
Mrs drives a Mini Countryman so no major issues there just thinking be nice to take my car on weekends and longer trips.
Been there. Only thing I would say different to others is you quickly lose the need to carry so much stuff. The pram becomes a pushchair which becomes a sling so buying big for 3 year ownership you should think through (although no.2 might be in plan). You will in all likelihood drive less too so choosing a car around a baby you need to think through to what else changes.
I would favour estate over SUV for practicality. RS6 in your budget and safer than C63 (your budget would be C43), although GLE43 very nice if SUV was your preference.
I would favour estate over SUV for practicality. RS6 in your budget and safer than C63 (your budget would be C43), although GLE43 very nice if SUV was your preference.
The Penguin said:
Evening all hoping for some ideas or opinions. Currently driving a 2012 Range Rover Sport which I want to change (had it for 3 yrs). Rangie has been good but looking for something a bit more interesting to drive. However with our 1st baby due in September it needs to remain practical (and after putting the baby seat in for a trial fit today got me concerned on size!
Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
Good choices. For a family of 3 or even 4 a big estate car is definitely not essential, unless you just happen to like them of course. Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
The Penguin said:
Evening all hoping for some ideas or opinions. Currently driving a 2012 Range Rover Sport which I want to change (had it for 3 yrs). Rangie has been good but looking for something a bit more interesting to drive. However with our 1st baby due in September it needs to remain practical (and after putting the baby seat in for a trial fit today got me concerned on size!
Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
Alpina D3/B3 (Touring) also an option i considered. I drove the Macan, Golf sized inside, sloping boot means it's far less practical than i'd hoped but beautifully appointed and great drivers' car. RS4 lovely place to be, especially the current one and there's plenty of space (i had a B7 RS4 when my little one was born). I've only driven the C63 V8 and they are fanastic, albeit perhaps the distinct lack of traction, even in the dry could get frustrating - especially if your other half steers if from time to time - you might prefer something more 'sticky', i guess same could apply to an M3, but by all accounts they are lovely, especially the CP.Budget wise 60k including rangie as trade in.
Thoughts so far
M3 CP - Drove one and was impressed
RS6 - This is a big car perhaps too much of a barge for the smaller roads?
RS4 - Not driven one and cant get a test drive until Q1 2019
Macan GTS - Nice handling car is it big enough?
Golf R - Lower outlay and do it all car
Giulia Quadrifoglio - Not driven one but great reviews
Any I have missed or should discount immediately?
I recently moved from my B7 to a C7 RS6, and it is fantastic. Bonkers fast but equally nice when pottering around or going to the tip, and i'm even not minding too much the fact it's an auto. Plenty of kit, loads of go-faster options. Difficult to see what i'd get next tbh, ticks all the boxes and then some. Oh, and it can definitely be hussled along a country lane, disguises it's size very well (seeing as you asked).
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