had the test drive but still concerned over practically.
Discussion
hi guys,
sorry to be a real pain...
Had a great test drive in a turbo this morning. in awe of the car in terms of handling / performance / realibility etc
BUT i'm still concerned over how easy we are going to find it with a newborn.I've done loads of searching on here and have found that a zap will fit the boot / a maxicosi rear facing will fit the rear and both will fit together.
I know my wife will have to sit more forward etc and that i will have to use all the space available.
BUT how easy is it to live with on a weekend / going out basis? I don't want to have to struggle with the baby / missus everytime i want to go down to the coast when i do have another more family car in which to use.
what i don't want to do is to have a great turbo that is a real struggle to use for my family when i'm paying the finance each month and also justifiing the hassle to my wife who is supportive but not really bothered by a weekend car regardless of make.
If anyone has or had a c4 / turbo and a newborn can then please let me know both good / bad comments. I know it's going to be a struggle and i won't fully know till i have a newborn plus a porsche just how much planning is required etc but i'm so close to buying one i just don't want it to sit in the garage or we have to take 2 cars for a trip out.
Truely has practical is a c4 / turbo with a newborn and all the stuff they need? please can someone help as by brain hurts from listening to so many different opinions and advice.
thanks
Rick
sorry to be a real pain...
Had a great test drive in a turbo this morning. in awe of the car in terms of handling / performance / realibility etc
BUT i'm still concerned over how easy we are going to find it with a newborn.I've done loads of searching on here and have found that a zap will fit the boot / a maxicosi rear facing will fit the rear and both will fit together.
I know my wife will have to sit more forward etc and that i will have to use all the space available.
BUT how easy is it to live with on a weekend / going out basis? I don't want to have to struggle with the baby / missus everytime i want to go down to the coast when i do have another more family car in which to use.
what i don't want to do is to have a great turbo that is a real struggle to use for my family when i'm paying the finance each month and also justifiing the hassle to my wife who is supportive but not really bothered by a weekend car regardless of make.
If anyone has or had a c4 / turbo and a newborn can then please let me know both good / bad comments. I know it's going to be a struggle and i won't fully know till i have a newborn plus a porsche just how much planning is required etc but i'm so close to buying one i just don't want it to sit in the garage or we have to take 2 cars for a trip out.
Truely has practical is a c4 / turbo with a newborn and all the stuff they need? please can someone help as by brain hurts from listening to so many different opinions and advice.
thanks
Rick
I can't help you on a practical side Ric, but your looking at spending an awful lot of money on something your really not sure about.
Could you not get 2 cars? Say an older Turbo and some hatchback for days out when you need a lot of stuff?
I cant help on the baby side, but I know they need a lot, and IMHO your going to struggle if your filling the boot with a buggy to begin with...
Could you not get 2 cars? Say an older Turbo and some hatchback for days out when you need a lot of stuff?
I cant help on the baby side, but I know they need a lot, and IMHO your going to struggle if your filling the boot with a buggy to begin with...
fidgits said:
I can't help you on a practical side Ric, but your looking at spending an awful lot of money on something your really not sure about.
Could you not get 2 cars? Say an older Turbo and some hatchback for days out when you need a lot of stuff?
I cant help on the baby side, but I know they need a lot, and IMHO your going to struggle if your filling the boot with a buggy to begin with...
Could you not get 2 cars? Say an older Turbo and some hatchback for days out when you need a lot of stuff?
I cant help on the baby side, but I know they need a lot, and IMHO your going to struggle if your filling the boot with a buggy to begin with...
i'm sure that i want a porsche but i already have an oldshape focus for my wife to use everyday and an audi for work - both are great cars but i've had a sports car of some sort for about 5 years now and while i'm over the moon about being a dad i still want to have my cake and eat it. i can afford to own / run a porsche but so many people have so many different opinions but i don't know anyone with a c4 / turbo size boot and a newborn who can tell me honestly just how much hassle it's going to be.
as above i know the pram will fit / my wife will have to sit forward for the first 9 months. i will not scarafice my childs safety by stacking stuff into the rear but at the same time in my mind a pram and small bag in the front. baby in a child seat / changing bad in footwell still leaves some space on the parcel shelf for coats / other seat for say a tesco bag of toys etc plus both rear and front footwell for odds and sods...... should i just give in and go sensible????
Edited by rick111s on Monday 18th September 18:51
I've two Brothers in law, both 996 owners when babies arrived, and both of whom faced the predicament you're describing. One ran out in fairly short order and bought an X5, and the other is currently on the hunt for a 7 series. Whatever about debating if you will actually fit the compulsory 10 tons of accoutrements that seem necessary these days with a baby, will you enjoy squeezing and cramming all of this crap into your new pride and joy? Add a bit of baby puke and the aroma of the toxic green effluent that all new-borns seem to produce instead of poo, and I'm pretty confident the Turbo purchase will be pretty short-lived. Unless you can afford one as a standalone weekend car for yourself, I wouldn't bother for the moment. You'll be fine when the child in question is 3 years old or so - possibly even a bit younger.
I have a 997 and a 9 year old and a baby on the way in a few weeks.I plan to keep the 997 and use my partners new golf r32 as the everyday kiddie carrier.We may all use the 997 for special occassions(ie a run over to a friend or relatives house) where we dont need the pushchair and other stuff baby needs
loach said:
I've two Brothers in law, both 996 owners when babies arrived, and both of whom faced the predicament you're describing. One ran out in fairly short order and bought an X5, and the other is currently on the hunt for a 7 series. Whatever about debating if you will actually fit the compulsory 10 tons of accoutrements that seem necessary these days with a baby, will you enjoy squeezing and cramming all of this crap into your new pride and joy? Add a bit of baby puke and the aroma of the toxic green effluent that all new-borns seem to produce instead of poo, and I'm pretty confident the Turbo purchase will be pretty short-lived. Unless you can afford one as a standalone weekend car for yourself, I wouldn't bother for the moment. You'll be fine when the child in question is 3 years old or so - possibly even a bit younger.
very valid comments. i'm happy with the poo / loads of stuff plus smell. goes hand in hand with the baby but it's just how practical it's going to be. that's what i need to know please....
I've got two kids under 5, my C2 is the main family car.
If I had a 4WD 911 it just wouldn't work, the boot is too small. New borns seem to need the most stuff, so you'll need the space, although you'll have a spare seat.
We had a two seater when our first born came along, and it was only used twice in three months, before we sold it.
I know we're not talking about a two seater here, but, my advice is get a car that you're able to go out in as a family.
If I had a 4WD 911 it just wouldn't work, the boot is too small. New borns seem to need the most stuff, so you'll need the space, although you'll have a spare seat.
We had a two seater when our first born came along, and it was only used twice in three months, before we sold it.
I know we're not talking about a two seater here, but, my advice is get a car that you're able to go out in as a family.
magic torch said:
I've got two kids under 5, my C2 is the main family car.
If I had a 4WD 911 it just wouldn't work, the boot is too small. New borns seem to need the most stuff, so you'll need the space, although you'll have a spare seat.
We had a two seater when our first born came along, and it was only used twice in three months, before we sold it.
I know we're not talking about a two seater here, but, my advice is get a car that you're able to go out in as a family.
If I had a 4WD 911 it just wouldn't work, the boot is too small. New borns seem to need the most stuff, so you'll need the space, although you'll have a spare seat.
We had a two seater when our first born came along, and it was only used twice in three months, before we sold it.
I know we're not talking about a two seater here, but, my advice is get a car that you're able to go out in as a family.
so would you say that having 2 kids but a c2 is easier in terms of usage compared to 1 child a 4wd? serious question not digging. i'm really going round and round in circles on this one and you guys are the only true acurate source of info i have access to...
rick111s said:
so would you say that having 2 kids but a c2 is easier in terms of usage compared to 1 child a 4wd? serious question not digging. i'm really going round and round in circles on this one and you guys are the only true acurate source of info i have access to...
Problem is you can't really have luggage rattling round inside the car with a new born. You could use the rear footwells, personally I wouldn't put anything likely to do damage on the seat next to them.
Obviously the kids aren't in my car for every journey, but they probably were at the beginning, or will be at the end.
The boot is exactly the reason why I couldn't get a Turbo, GT3...
I have a 996C2 and 3 kids - as far as kids in the car are concerned - well, this depends on you - hey, they are only little, and you can always cut down on their clothes - I have spent 2 weeks with 2 adults and (variously), 1 infant, and then 2 older kids in the back (5 and 6).
I would not be overly concerned with the space - somehow, it will all fit in. Somehow.
No, the biggest problem you will have is the things kids do... the worst being the inexorable ability to vomit exactly where you do not want them to. The stuff will get everywhere, and it rots the carpet (I kid you not - no pun intended). This will, however, teach you the ability of a) performing an emergency stop at a French peage and b) remove the front seat in order to scrape the remaining sick (and rotted carpet) 2 months later to get rid of the smell.
As they grow up - chocolate, greasy fingers, and the utterance of "Daddy,is this bit supposed to come off...." will do nothing to your nerves or value of the car.
My advice - either get a less costly porker and a runaround, or get rid of the kid. You know it makes sense (got the wife a Disco now)
I would not be overly concerned with the space - somehow, it will all fit in. Somehow.
No, the biggest problem you will have is the things kids do... the worst being the inexorable ability to vomit exactly where you do not want them to. The stuff will get everywhere, and it rots the carpet (I kid you not - no pun intended). This will, however, teach you the ability of a) performing an emergency stop at a French peage and b) remove the front seat in order to scrape the remaining sick (and rotted carpet) 2 months later to get rid of the smell.
As they grow up - chocolate, greasy fingers, and the utterance of "Daddy,is this bit supposed to come off...." will do nothing to your nerves or value of the car.
My advice - either get a less costly porker and a runaround, or get rid of the kid. You know it makes sense (got the wife a Disco now)
rick111s said:
loach said:
I've two Brothers in law, both 996 owners when babies arrived, and both of whom faced the predicament you're describing. One ran out in fairly short order and bought an X5, and the other is currently on the hunt for a 7 series. Whatever about debating if you will actually fit the compulsory 10 tons of accoutrements that seem necessary these days with a baby, will you enjoy squeezing and cramming all of this crap into your new pride and joy? Add a bit of baby puke and the aroma of the toxic green effluent that all new-borns seem to produce instead of poo, and I'm pretty confident the Turbo purchase will be pretty short-lived. Unless you can afford one as a standalone weekend car for yourself, I wouldn't bother for the moment. You'll be fine when the child in question is 3 years old or so - possibly even a bit younger.
very valid comments. i'm happy with the poo / loads of stuff plus smell. goes hand in hand with the baby but it's just how practical it's going to be. that's what i need to know please....
I thought I tried to answer that? Not practical enough IMO. And a brand new 997 Turbo least of all, given that it's not even something you can yet get a nice second hand example of to scrape and bruise to pieces as you attempt to extricate or cram in the necessary buggies/kiddie seats/rollers/toys/carry-cots etc. As for the poo/vomit comments, they've been addressed in more detail by the gentleman above. You may not mind the smell, but it's hard to shift and will sit with you in the car whether the baby is in it or not. Something you can live with if you've bought something to cart the baby around in - probably not what you want in your new 100k 997TT. You could always get something like a used BMW 320 estate for what a set of PCCBs for the TT would cost - why not do that?
In my experience once the baby arrives you can forget having a weekend thrash car, you're just so tied up all weekend with family activities or too knackered to get up early and take it for a run. Then there's the guilt at earning a day pass for a boy's event. Sadly since our twins arrived 16 months ago I just use my C2 for the commute to work, and although it breaks my heart I can see the day when it will have to go. Still twins are supposed to be at least twice as hard, I have no sympathy with anyone who complains when they just have one. Why not compromise and get something a bit cheaper for play (and that won't lose value if it's sat in the garage) like a 964RS?
Option 1. As babies only need the a lot of gear (and you can cut down on that if you really need to) for the first 9 months or so, why not make a compromise and wait till those first 9 months are over, and then buy a C2 which has more boot space than the TT.
Option 2. Or don't compromise quite so much and buy a C2 now and pack less baby equipment when going out in the Porsche, or if lots of baby equipment is needed for a weekend away, take the Focus.
Option 3 (Loads of gear). If you are certain that you must have a TT and your wife insists of taking everything including the kitchen sink for the littl'un then it might be a bit awkward unless you take the Focus when going out with the baby and keep the TT for yourself and the missus when babysitters / grandparents are looking after the wee man / lady.
When little Petella was born, we made an effort not to cart loads of gear around with us everywhere. A purpose made rucksack that can keep bottles warm and has changing a mat and nappy storage built-in and the ability to hold a blanket and a change of clothes, a pushchair and car seat was all we really needed. Nan and Grandad had a high chair and cot at their's already, as did Aunties and Uncles etc.
A bit of advance thought as you are doing and I really can't see a problem, just select the option above that best suits you.
Hope it helps
cheers
Pete
Option 2. Or don't compromise quite so much and buy a C2 now and pack less baby equipment when going out in the Porsche, or if lots of baby equipment is needed for a weekend away, take the Focus.
Option 3 (Loads of gear). If you are certain that you must have a TT and your wife insists of taking everything including the kitchen sink for the littl'un then it might be a bit awkward unless you take the Focus when going out with the baby and keep the TT for yourself and the missus when babysitters / grandparents are looking after the wee man / lady.
When little Petella was born, we made an effort not to cart loads of gear around with us everywhere. A purpose made rucksack that can keep bottles warm and has changing a mat and nappy storage built-in and the ability to hold a blanket and a change of clothes, a pushchair and car seat was all we really needed. Nan and Grandad had a high chair and cot at their's already, as did Aunties and Uncles etc.
A bit of advance thought as you are doing and I really can't see a problem, just select the option above that best suits you.
Hope it helps
cheers
Pete
Personally, I wouldn't bother with a new born.
911's are great with children but too compromised for babies.
You'll have plenty joys and challenges to keep you occupied
Wait a couple of years and then treat youself to a turbo (they'll have lost even more by then...........)
Don't get a default 4x4 though, how about an estate barge with a big engine (535d mit chip?)
Plus it'll keep the wife happy, and these things are important at this time, coz you won't be getting any for a while
911's are great with children but too compromised for babies.
You'll have plenty joys and challenges to keep you occupied
Wait a couple of years and then treat youself to a turbo (they'll have lost even more by then...........)
Don't get a default 4x4 though, how about an estate barge with a big engine (535d mit chip?)
Plus it'll keep the wife happy, and these things are important at this time, coz you won't be getting any for a while
Not a Porsche I know, but what about the new Audi RS6. It's a striking looking car, goes almost as well as the 911 (donning flack jacket!!!) and sounds far better than a turbo will. Had a pax ride in one the other day and was very impressed. It's certainly gone to the top of my list for when I'm in your position. Congrats on the baby btw.
Cheers,
Aki
Cheers,
Aki
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