It's twins.................
Discussion
J4CKO said:
Really gets on my nerves when women decide they wont drive anything bigger, a Fiesta isnt really big enough for two kids and associated crap.
mates Mrs and the MIL are the same.
Mates Mrs just popped her first sprog, and my mates 6ft4.... Yet when she drives they all go out in a 2005 1.25 fiesta 3door.
because his 2004 Laguna hatchback is "too big for her"MIL was sent off to get a replacement for the dead corsa whilst FIL worked away. He gave her £5k, and said "Im tall, get a Golf or Focus. Preferably a solid enough Golf GTI, take my dad as he knows what to look for paperwork wise"
he comes back 10 days later to find a 1400cc 2004 Polo sat on the drive, in bright red.
He's still "unimpressed" even to this day
Congratulations and welcome, chap!!!
When we had our lad, my wife traded her Audi Cabriolet in for an Imprezza WRX estate. It was perfect, with ISOFIX, large boot etc. She had that for a couple of years & then traded it in for a V8 S4 Avant, which was equally as practical.
With a budget of £8k, I would be looking at something like an A4 / S4 Avant, E39 530 estate or E46 330 estate.
Bear in mind that even with twins, there is only mega clutter for the first 18 months, max.
When we had our lad, my wife traded her Audi Cabriolet in for an Imprezza WRX estate. It was perfect, with ISOFIX, large boot etc. She had that for a couple of years & then traded it in for a V8 S4 Avant, which was equally as practical.
With a budget of £8k, I would be looking at something like an A4 / S4 Avant, E39 530 estate or E46 330 estate.
Bear in mind that even with twins, there is only mega clutter for the first 18 months, max.
Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 8th February 12:16
As said above, the first 18 months are the worst when it comes to all the crap you need to take with you. After this point, you can always sell it and get something smaller.
I think it all comes down to how far you're willing to shift the balance between having something enjoyable to drive and making your life easy. Personally I'd be in the "easy life" category for a bit, then sell it and move on to something more fun.
The best car decision I've made was to get a Ford Galaxy. We seem to spend a lot of time in the car, and it makes everything so very simple. You can fit loads of stuff in the back (we use ours in 5 seat mode). When my kids were young, the large flat load space made for a handy nappy-changing unit! Other useful stuff includes the large tailgate which provides a decent amount of cover when it's raining. You can set the buggy up under it, then quickly grab the kids from the car and put them in under the shelter, taking your time to strap them in properly and fit the rain cover.
Thinking about it, I made an even better decision than buying it - I got it for the wife, so I could keep a fun car for myself
I think it all comes down to how far you're willing to shift the balance between having something enjoyable to drive and making your life easy. Personally I'd be in the "easy life" category for a bit, then sell it and move on to something more fun.
The best car decision I've made was to get a Ford Galaxy. We seem to spend a lot of time in the car, and it makes everything so very simple. You can fit loads of stuff in the back (we use ours in 5 seat mode). When my kids were young, the large flat load space made for a handy nappy-changing unit! Other useful stuff includes the large tailgate which provides a decent amount of cover when it's raining. You can set the buggy up under it, then quickly grab the kids from the car and put them in under the shelter, taking your time to strap them in properly and fit the rain cover.
Thinking about it, I made an even better decision than buying it - I got it for the wife, so I could keep a fun car for myself
If the Mondeo estate is too big what about a s-max? or grand c-max
I think they are smaller length ways, but more height room and you fold/take out the rear seat for more boot space.
When we had our little boy, my mum bought a buggy, highchair and foldaway cot to save us lugging them down from Donny to London. That saved loads of space......
I think they are smaller length ways, but more height room and you fold/take out the rear seat for more boot space.
When we had our little boy, my mum bought a buggy, highchair and foldaway cot to save us lugging them down from Donny to London. That saved loads of space......
Octavia, as already suggested. Doesn't even need to be estate - ordinary one is hatch, although it looks like a saloon. Massive boot and rear seats fold etc. My wife swapped her E46 330Cd for a 2.0 TDi Octavia in 2007 and we were so impressed with it that we bought another one last year. In 60k miles we replaced tyres and 1 brake light bulb and that was it (obviously routing servicing) - it was still on the original brake pads at 73k miles/ 5 years old!
On a V70 its not run in until at least 100k miles so don't be concerned with 60-70k. They take the mileage very well and with leather you can just wipe the puke and s
t off with a baby wipe!
Get the 185 engine if possible and the engine is very well suited to the auto.
Example below.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
t off with a baby wipe!Get the 185 engine if possible and the engine is very well suited to the auto.
Example below.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
GreatGranny said:
On a V70 its not run in until at least 100k miles so don't be concerned with 60-70k. They take the mileage very well and with leather you can just wipe the puke and st off with a baby wipe!
Get the 185 engine if possible and the engine is very well suited to the auto.
Example below.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Got to say when your kids to come along you do get very protective off them & I would be very happy to ferry my kids about in a solid proven car as this one, your priorities are about to change and you will be well down the peking order.t off with a baby wipe!Get the 185 engine if possible and the engine is very well suited to the auto.
Example below.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I would buy a Mazda 5 for the following reasons:
(1) Based on a Focus C-Max and handles like a car.
(2) Compact dimensions and no stupid handbrakes etc.
(3)Both rear doors slide - this feature alone makes it a million times better than any other option when you're wrestling with baby seats and bags and whatever else gets loaded in. Not having to fight a 45 degree angle open door will be something you will desire. In summer, you can have both doors open and let the breeze through. Ours had a roof-mounted video which was a godsend.
(3) The two rear seats fold flat into the floor so plenty of space for the dog and a pushchair
With the advent of 3 kids, we had to move to a Mondeo as the boot space was then smaller but I still miss those rear sliding doors every time I'm struggling in a car park with limited space and your kids will never dent another car.
(1) Based on a Focus C-Max and handles like a car.
(2) Compact dimensions and no stupid handbrakes etc.
(3)Both rear doors slide - this feature alone makes it a million times better than any other option when you're wrestling with baby seats and bags and whatever else gets loaded in. Not having to fight a 45 degree angle open door will be something you will desire. In summer, you can have both doors open and let the breeze through. Ours had a roof-mounted video which was a godsend.
(3) The two rear seats fold flat into the floor so plenty of space for the dog and a pushchair
With the advent of 3 kids, we had to move to a Mondeo as the boot space was then smaller but I still miss those rear sliding doors every time I'm struggling in a car park with limited space and your kids will never dent another car.
J4CKO said:
Really gets on my nerves when women decide they wont drive anything bigger, a Fiesta isnt really big enough for two kids and associated crap.
OP, you will end up driving the Fiesta as its boot isn't big enough even for a day trip.How does the dog travel? That's probably the factor that's going to put you in a people carrier instead of an estate IMO.
We have 22 month old twins and a 4 year old and have had a 2.2 S-Max (should have got the 2.5 turbo...) and a Discovery 2 both of which I'd recommend but if I could I'd have a Forester turbo, V70 or 530i in preference.
schmalex said:
When we had our lad, my wife traded her Audi Cabriolet in for an Imprezza WRX estate. It was perfect, with ISOFIX, large boot etc.
This stood out...Is this big enough?
Thats the only car I can think of that is spacious, will return similar mpg to the Clio 197 and be great fun when your on your own.
Nothing new here, would echo existing suggestions:
Legacy is a good call - 3.0 Spec B is quick but thirsty. Big car though.
Octavia also a good shout, but engine is typical VAG boring.
Scooby wagon might have a big enough boot, check. STi suspension possibly too stiff.
Otherwise, maybe a Mazda 3 MPS? Or a Focus ST.
Legacy is a good call - 3.0 Spec B is quick but thirsty. Big car though.
Octavia also a good shout, but engine is typical VAG boring.
Scooby wagon might have a big enough boot, check. STi suspension possibly too stiff.
Otherwise, maybe a Mazda 3 MPS? Or a Focus ST.
I got a bit carried away 
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