Question for all dads out there - car buying
Discussion
Jonny_ said:
Golf Plus? Perfect family car. Absolutely no need to upgrade that, as long as it's in decent order mechanically. An SUV of similar size won't be any more practical.
Yes it seems to be. Iv always kept it in good nick. Its on high miles and probs will get a timing belt change soon. Thank you for your advice. I shall keep the golf plus OMITN said:
Avoiding the sniffy response from those of us too jaded to remember the happy times before children….. (just kidding).
We owned an MX5 before our daughter was born. A two seater wasn’t going to cut it for three of us, so we bought a hatchback (Mazda 3).
This did the job just fine - buggy would go in the boot (all of the boot..!), plenty of room for the car seat in the back
As always, a hatchback is usually the best answer, so there’s no need to change OP.
That said, I would say that four doors is much easier than two (but not essential). And SUVs are easier because you’re bending down less. But actually that isn’t much of a challenge. On the whole I wouldn’t say a child arriving requires you to change your car - you only need to change if you want to (or don’t have enough seats like us..!).
Congratulations on the news and I hope all is well when the baby arrives.
Thank you for your kind words. As you can probably guess from the post… abit nervous, thousands of things running through my mind. Just looking forward to the big day. We owned an MX5 before our daughter was born. A two seater wasn’t going to cut it for three of us, so we bought a hatchback (Mazda 3).
This did the job just fine - buggy would go in the boot (all of the boot..!), plenty of room for the car seat in the back
As always, a hatchback is usually the best answer, so there’s no need to change OP.
That said, I would say that four doors is much easier than two (but not essential). And SUVs are easier because you’re bending down less. But actually that isn’t much of a challenge. On the whole I wouldn’t say a child arriving requires you to change your car - you only need to change if you want to (or don’t have enough seats like us..!).
Congratulations on the news and I hope all is well when the baby arrives.
ZX10R NIN said:
No point listening to me for advice the closest myself & the OH got to a practical car was getting a saloon for the second child, the first had to make do with a coupe! BUT in our defence the rear seats folded 
In reality the coupes were plenty big enough, the OH would have the all singing Recaro in the front of hers & when we went out as a family I'd have a regular child seat for him in back of mine.
Note to self … coupes are the way to go 🤣… thank you for the replyIn reality the coupes were plenty big enough, the OH would have the all singing Recaro in the front of hers & when we went out as a family I'd have a regular child seat for him in back of mine.
ZX10R NIN said:
How much are you thinking about spending? What's your usage?
If i was going to go for it id say budget would be 3k, ideally id like to spend less.I have done some browsing. Honda crvs seemed to fit budget perfectly.
Others were toyota rav4s, volvos ( car and suv)
Thought im best to avoid premium german brands at that price so cancelled out bmws and mercs.
Quite frankly it was only to transport the new born in ans that is really apart from that will sit there. Maybe twice a month usage on motorways
Tony33 said:
Sunbeam Ti in my case (1987)
Neither the wife or I had any issue with a 2 door car and getting our first child in the back and a hatchback seemed plenty practical enough at the time.
We had it until we had our second child when we bought a huge 309!
It does seem from what everyone is saying… that my current car will do just fine, and its probably something to consider in the future if the family growsNeither the wife or I had any issue with a 2 door car and getting our first child in the back and a hatchback seemed plenty practical enough at the time.
We had it until we had our second child when we bought a huge 309!
Edible Roadkill said:
For 1 child ?
Go make sure the pram your good lady wants will fit in the boot & leave enough space for everything else.
Other than that you don’t need to jump into a bigger car. Once you’ve got 3 kids & the dog then yes see what 7 seater you like best or large suv.
Thats a great idea and yes for 1 childGo make sure the pram your good lady wants will fit in the boot & leave enough space for everything else.
Other than that you don’t need to jump into a bigger car. Once you’ve got 3 kids & the dog then yes see what 7 seater you like best or large suv.
Macron said:
The modern world doesn't need to care that some of us came home in bicycle baskets.
OP, your car is genuinely ideal.
You want (and I mean want) a big aperture to get the kid in, esp to those rear facing seats. You have height and a fairly long flat top section- ideal.
You want a boot that takes whatever pram you decide on. Your boot is huge. Ideal.
Best of luck, expect everything to change, for the better!
Thank you for your kind wordsOP, your car is genuinely ideal.
You want (and I mean want) a big aperture to get the kid in, esp to those rear facing seats. You have height and a fairly long flat top section- ideal.
You want a boot that takes whatever pram you decide on. Your boot is huge. Ideal.
Best of luck, expect everything to change, for the better!
ZX10R NIN said:
The thing with Rav4's/CRV's in this price bracket is that they can suffer with serious rust issues.
If you want a good family car at this price point then here's when a few worth a look:
2.5T Mondeo Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...
2.3 Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...
2.5 Mazda6 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...
1.8 Insignia SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Mazda5 Furano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304076...
Thank you for the links. I didnt consider rust issues with the honda nor the rav4 ( was aware with the landcruiser however)If you want a good family car at this price point then here's when a few worth a look:
2.5T Mondeo Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...
2.3 Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...
2.5 Mazda6 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...
1.8 Insignia SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Mazda5 Furano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304076...
blearyeyedboy said:
Even for bulkier car seats, the Golf ought be fine unless you & your partner are over 6'2".
Lots of VW group vehicles on the MQB platform are generous with rear legroom. Yes, my Octavia was even more generous but my other half's Golf was fine.
Where an estate is helpful- and you'll be laughing here with a Golf Plus- is a usefully big load opening.
SUVs are often cramped and compromised compared to similarly priced estate cars. The only advantage might be to face bending over with your child when strapping them in but it wasn't worth all the other downsides to me.
Must admit the golf plus swallows up luggage so from that point it is great. Lots of VW group vehicles on the MQB platform are generous with rear legroom. Yes, my Octavia was even more generous but my other half's Golf was fine.
Where an estate is helpful- and you'll be laughing here with a Golf Plus- is a usefully big load opening.
SUVs are often cramped and compromised compared to similarly priced estate cars. The only advantage might be to face bending over with your child when strapping them in but it wasn't worth all the other downsides to me.
DKL said:
We had an Impreza wagon when our first came along and that was just fine. Once two arrived it was a bit small to carry everything for weeks/weekends away so I compromised and bought an E55 estate. Which was just brilliant.
I did keep the sports cars mind.
We did the NCT group thing (I was told it was a good idea - 2 airline pilots, 2 lawyers and us..hmm not quite similar outlooks) yet they all had ditched their fun cars at the first sight of a blue line...
If you travel sensibly a "normal " hatch is plenty but the other half will want to pack everything including the kitchen sink (and 8 pairs of shoes for a weekend) so use the opportunity and look at e63s and rs6s because you can make a great case for "needing" one.
Similar(ish) to what a previous poster said.I did keep the sports cars mind.
We did the NCT group thing (I was told it was a good idea - 2 airline pilots, 2 lawyers and us..hmm not quite similar outlooks) yet they all had ditched their fun cars at the first sight of a blue line...
If you travel sensibly a "normal " hatch is plenty but the other half will want to pack everything including the kitchen sink (and 8 pairs of shoes for a weekend) so use the opportunity and look at e63s and rs6s because you can make a great case for "needing" one.
A number of reasons i can go for the fast estates
1. Im looking for something slow ish
2. Semi lost my petrolheadedness a few years ago
3. Need to look after finances more so now
4. Price of cars now for them models are just way to crazy
5. Apart from when i had my M5, iv always kept a budget of under 5k on second hand vehicles as access to a cheap but very good mechanic who charges all in price instead of hourly ( ie timing belt and waterpump change with labour £180 on a volvo s80)
[quote=Ian Geary]Not read the previous posts, but will share my experience fwiw.
I had an MR2, which had to go. Replaced with an Avensis estate (back in 2010) which was fine, but for two kids the boot got filled up reasonably quickly with a double pushchair and travel cots etc.
The wife had a hyundai coupe, which stayed whilst we had one kid, but the large doors and poor rear seat access made a baby seat a complete pita, and a no no when child two approached.
Swapped for a 4 door car (alfa 156) which had pathetic rear boot access and lack of fold down rear seats offsetting it's lovely road manners and looks (imo anyway)
The focus that replaced that was fine, so any 4/5 door hatchback should be fine for normal use, and for big weekends away perhaps consider a larger family car or small estate (focus, Mégane, astra etc)
Unless you want something big of course - it is a free country after all
Hth
Ian [/quot
Hi Ian, thanks for the reply, very detailed. You make some great points. I think il need to weigh up how often we expect to be away at a rough guess probably only a few times a year a d even at that during the nicer months only.
I had an MR2, which had to go. Replaced with an Avensis estate (back in 2010) which was fine, but for two kids the boot got filled up reasonably quickly with a double pushchair and travel cots etc.
The wife had a hyundai coupe, which stayed whilst we had one kid, but the large doors and poor rear seat access made a baby seat a complete pita, and a no no when child two approached.
Swapped for a 4 door car (alfa 156) which had pathetic rear boot access and lack of fold down rear seats offsetting it's lovely road manners and looks (imo anyway)
The focus that replaced that was fine, so any 4/5 door hatchback should be fine for normal use, and for big weekends away perhaps consider a larger family car or small estate (focus, Mégane, astra etc)
Unless you want something big of course - it is a free country after all
Hth
Ian [/quot
Hi Ian, thanks for the reply, very detailed. You make some great points. I think il need to weigh up how often we expect to be away at a rough guess probably only a few times a year a d even at that during the nicer months only.
fat80b said:
I bought an E46M3 to go with the TVR Tuscan I already had.
Still have both 9 years on and both have gone up in value. Hope this helps
(Beats a qashqai or whatever everyone else does…..)
To be fair, we also got a cheap 330 estate which was alright and now have an E60 545 with the big V8 for the mrs and the kids.
You just have to think a bit differently. I’d go petrol guzzling big merc or BM rather than a family wagon personally- it’s way more fun.
Sadly finances wont extend that far. Although a nice dream for sure Still have both 9 years on and both have gone up in value. Hope this helps
(Beats a qashqai or whatever everyone else does…..)
To be fair, we also got a cheap 330 estate which was alright and now have an E60 545 with the big V8 for the mrs and the kids.
You just have to think a bit differently. I’d go petrol guzzling big merc or BM rather than a family wagon personally- it’s way more fun.
67Dino said:
Two cars. You need two cars. One for the family that will fill up with mess and paraphernalia, and one for you that the children are occasionally allowed in if they are good and wash their hands first.
This not only ensures your sanity, but also gives them a sense of wonder and appreciation for a special car. My grown up daughter now says that some of her happiest childhood memories are being allowed to sit in my car whilst I warmed up the engine. She does not remember the family Audi estate at all.
Some more advice you didn’t ask for would be:
1). The first 6 months is basically a siege. Get supplies in, hunker down and prepare for chaos.
2). Peak age to my mind is 2-3 years old. At this point they can walk and talk, are cute, and have few opinions. Sort of like having a Pokémon.
3). If you have a boy he will scare you silly until his teens and then is great to have around. Girls are the opposite.
4). You’ll give your first child beautiful, expensive gear and specially prepared organic food. You’ll give the second one practical gear and clothes and regular kids food. The third one will get handmedowns and will eat whatever you do. It gets easier because you learn what doesn’t matter.
5). Do not listen to any advice from anyone.
HTH.
Fantastic (much needed) advice, especially the numbered points, thank you This not only ensures your sanity, but also gives them a sense of wonder and appreciation for a special car. My grown up daughter now says that some of her happiest childhood memories are being allowed to sit in my car whilst I warmed up the engine. She does not remember the family Audi estate at all.
Some more advice you didn’t ask for would be:
1). The first 6 months is basically a siege. Get supplies in, hunker down and prepare for chaos.
2). Peak age to my mind is 2-3 years old. At this point they can walk and talk, are cute, and have few opinions. Sort of like having a Pokémon.
3). If you have a boy he will scare you silly until his teens and then is great to have around. Girls are the opposite.
4). You’ll give your first child beautiful, expensive gear and specially prepared organic food. You’ll give the second one practical gear and clothes and regular kids food. The third one will get handmedowns and will eat whatever you do. It gets easier because you learn what doesn’t matter.
5). Do not listen to any advice from anyone.
HTH.
I fully agree with 2 cars. ive always kept 2-3 up until before covid, then just went to one as I had the van too. It is something i will consider when budget opens up abit in the future.
Sheepshanks said:
Some of the suggestions in the thread are hilarious- even more so when the OP’s budget is £3K.
One of my daughters has two little kids and has coped fine with Honda Jazz - they’ve (including her husband) been on UK family holidays in it.
I think from what everyone has said...and even looking at it objectively. The golf plus does seem to tick all the boxes. I will obviously test this too, but it seems more case of panic by me where it was probably not needed.One of my daughters has two little kids and has coped fine with Honda Jazz - they’ve (including her husband) been on UK family holidays in it.
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