It's twins.................
Discussion
An A4 will be too small it is too styled and the styling means the space vanishes. MPV's can be fine but if my Mum's old espace, and my PT Cruiser are representative then the boot space is vertical, which is fine if you can stack things but with a dog you can't really put them on top of the other goods, and with a weeks shopping you have to load carefully so you don't crush things, the 7 seaters are great but the back row eats boot space and need storing carefully when out of the car. A big estate is almost certainly your answer as the dog means you need an area of boot that is its space.
i think there's one thing to remind everyone here is that if you forget something for the babies there's always a shop somewhere ! we were the worst, we used to loading everything in to the car (VW Touareg) to visit granny and grandad but then wised up !! not only that but when we arrived lo and behold the grandparents had bought bits and bobs anyway ! so its now just a changing bag and off we go, our dog isn't to impressed when the pram falls over in to boot on top of him but he's getting used to it, and i would recommend looking at a travel system that works together and uses isofix bases our doesn't and is slower to belt in !!!
I haven't read the thread, much further than the OP, but couldn't resist suggesting this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3661924.htm
Sorry if it's a repost.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3661924.htm
Sorry if it's a repost.
Absolutely no idea if it's been mentioned but what about an Accord Type R? You can pick a good facelift one up for under 3k and in my opinion it'd tick all the boxes if I were in your position.
Nice cars to drive at both 1/10ths and 10/10ths, they have always surprised me how well they drive for what is quite a big car both in and out.
Nice cars to drive at both 1/10ths and 10/10ths, they have always surprised me how well they drive for what is quite a big car both in and out.
NotDave said:
vit4 said:
Mondeo ST220 estate? Well under-budget too and they're meant to be a damn good steer for the size 
I'd agree.Guy at work has a 2004 model, 3,0V6 with stainless system sounds epically beautiful. Plush car inside.
And carries him/mrs/18month old plus all clobber with ease. And has room for when granny etc come along
Something to consider with the ST220 and well any modern car is if it has a DMF. Eventually DMFs will fail so budget for changing that at some point, with a clutch too (it would make sense to do both at the same time) it can cost a lot but no more than any other car.
We are just changing our DMF now, we had considered doing a part-ex but when you consider the cost to repair vs the cost to change, there simply isn't another estate out there that offers the space, comfort and nice turn of speed for the price.
A good ST220 estate will cost you just under £3k from a dealer but likely to be £2.5 with haggling. No one but a petrol head wants a big v6 any more.
We are just changing our DMF now, we had considered doing a part-ex but when you consider the cost to repair vs the cost to change, there simply isn't another estate out there that offers the space, comfort and nice turn of speed for the price.
A good ST220 estate will cost you just under £3k from a dealer but likely to be £2.5 with haggling. No one but a petrol head wants a big v6 any more.
SWoll said:
Congratulations OP, you're in for some fun my friend 
I'd probably go for the A6 avant with the 2.0T engine and autobox. No more expensive than a comparable A4, a lot cheaper to buy than the 2.0TDi, loads of room in the back/boot and still a reasonable drive. From the sound of it I reckon your Mrs might fall in love with the autobox like mine did. She wont have anything else now even though she is a good driver who enjoys pushing on.
I hope it all goes well for you and both, and welcome to PH.
edit: Like this one (although it is a manual) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd avoid the S-line models also as the ride quality is dreadful, not good with sleeping babies full of milk in the back.
Stay clear of the Audi Multichronic gearbox fitted to the front wheel drive A4/A5/A6/A8. If you want an auto get a quattro as this has the reliable tiptronic box.I'd probably go for the A6 avant with the 2.0T engine and autobox. No more expensive than a comparable A4, a lot cheaper to buy than the 2.0TDi, loads of room in the back/boot and still a reasonable drive. From the sound of it I reckon your Mrs might fall in love with the autobox like mine did. She wont have anything else now even though she is a good driver who enjoys pushing on.
I hope it all goes well for you and both, and welcome to PH.
edit: Like this one (although it is a manual) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd avoid the S-line models also as the ride quality is dreadful, not good with sleeping babies full of milk in the back.
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 9th February 11:44
This may pursuade you...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by Bitzer on Saturday 25th February 20:19
AlexiusG55 said:
My mum has a 1971 FIAT 500 which I sometimes borrow- I occasionally run into Italians who say that their dad had one and would take the family on holiday to the Alps in it. And remember Italy is a Catholic country, so said family was probably quite big!
family of 9...... Or 12 if it was a rural area with little else to do but "f
k like rabbits on phet" so to speakOi U said:
Had a similar problem 39 years ago and went for a Cortina Estate to house all stuff and a labrador. It worked well so I would also go for a Mondeo and try to save some cash - you'll need it. Or try a S-Max which is a good drive.
SMax is a bit over-kill surely. No one deserves that shame
Hello again.
Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
TheCanonBall said:
Hello again.
Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
Well my friend and neighbour has one, its a 58 plate I think and the turbo just failed and its costing them to replace. Unless you do stellar miles I would suggest petrol.Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
Iggle Piggle said:
Well my friend and neighbour has one, its a 58 plate I think and the turbo just failed and its costing them to replace. Unless you do stellar miles I would suggest petrol.
What do you think to this? Any cons??
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehiclesearch/used/bmw...
jason s4 said:
Although, havent ever needed to find space for a kiddy buggy
Or nappies (yes they sell them every where but you need 10+ a day so at least a pack to keep you going), bottles, steriliser, eleventy million changes of clothing in case they get the sts etc etc. You'd be gobsmacked at how much bulky crap you require even if you are a light packer.I would buy the buggy thingy first, and take it and the dog and a couple of large bags along to view a car at a dealers. I suspect you'll find that its not big enough. Its got 450l of space versus the ~300l you have now - granted its a bit better 'space' but i don't think you'd get a pooch and a double buggy in one
TheCanonBall said:
Cons?It's a medium sized saloon car that is unlikely to meet your space requirements and will be a nightmare getting anything bulky/oddly shaped in and out of.
I can only recommend again that you buy a decent sized estate car or you will regret if within 6 months. Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt.
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