Question for all dads out there - car buying
Discussion
7 5 7 said:
...invest in some roof bars and a roofbox instead.
This! My family car is and has been an 08 XC70 D5 (manual and within your budget) for the past three years and it's be rather excellent. Mine are now approaching 3 and 6 and along with their mother, would put manufacturers claims of "rigorous testing" to shame given the utter abuse and contempt they treat it with and yet, despite that it's been a brilliant buy - satisfyingly large enough to cope, floaty and quite and fends of most things during Parent & Child parking space wars at Tesco.
When my first made his imminent arrival know, my wife had an Up! and I had a selection of old, crumbly Volvo estates and whilst all would have been manageable, with a lack of space / aircon / isofix etc etc it would have been hard work. Unnecessarily hard work. So, I got rid of the Up! and bought a Mk5 Astra SRi which very quickly revealed that it vs a large travel system plus assorted bags / travel cot etc etc just didn't really work. So, I bought a sheddy V50 diesel estate and it as much better suited - estate, aircon, isofix, no f*cks given and perceived safety. I still have it 6yrs later, it's just too good at what it does,
However, I also bought a V70R thinking this will be the tool for me, the cool dad in the quick estate car and frankly... it was dire. Not only was I too precious about it that is started to impact daily life but it was also very harshly sprung and sat watching a 6 weeks olds head bouncing off the seat as you navigate through Edinburgh is rather grim. So it went too. And so hence the large, Swedish play pen / sofa on wheels that I have now and which some will proclaim is far too big and unnecessary and that's fine... until you're trying to fit two fairly large car seats, one of those off road buggy efforts plus the inevitable bags with spare clothes, wellies, enough snacks to keep a good sized invasion going, scooters, bikes, cool box... so yes, back to the original point but I also have a roof box and use it quite a lot but some on here get very upset at that notion. But during summer last year it was on pretty much 24/7... handy it was too.
Plus they earn extra scene points on the new dad circuit...
8 year old and 6 year old here… imo you don’t need anything bigger than a Honda Jazz and most people just get in the habit of taking too much crap with them everywhere. When ours were little we had the Jazz and an e39 saloon and had no issues with taking everything we needed for weeks away in either car (the e39 was sorned for a while over covid so had to take the Jazz on holiday, not ideal but was fine). Jazzes are a bit tardis like inside though.
Travel light and it’s just much less faff all round. You don’t need all the fancy feeding gear, endless toys, 10 changes of clothes etc.
But then that goes for babies in general, people fall for the marketing and have to have all the latest equipment and gear when the reality can be as simple as you want.
I’ve got friends that changed a newish Skoda Octavia when their second kid arrived as they said it was too small, wtf do people need that much space for.
Travel light and it’s just much less faff all round. You don’t need all the fancy feeding gear, endless toys, 10 changes of clothes etc.
But then that goes for babies in general, people fall for the marketing and have to have all the latest equipment and gear when the reality can be as simple as you want.
I’ve got friends that changed a newish Skoda Octavia when their second kid arrived as they said it was too small, wtf do people need that much space for.
Edited by lufbramatt on Sunday 21st May 21:28
I've had Leon estates and my wife has had a MINI Countryman and Qashqai since having kids (one nearly 4 and one newborn).
Both are just ok for 2 kids, but certainly not overly generous. The Countryman boot was too small and made the pram a real pain.
Things you don't realise until you have the problem:
Rear facing seats are huge. They take up way more space than an adult and seriously restrict room in the front.
Lots of the popular prams are also huge. They'll take up the entire boot on something Fiesta sized, but if you're sensible you can pack them in well. I had the pram, bassinet, baby bag and a Labrador in my Leon estate today.
Don't get too hung up on ISOFIX unless you're taking the seat in and out a lot. Belting is fine and sometimes safer. ISOFIX also has quite low weight limits.
Both are just ok for 2 kids, but certainly not overly generous. The Countryman boot was too small and made the pram a real pain.
Things you don't realise until you have the problem:
Rear facing seats are huge. They take up way more space than an adult and seriously restrict room in the front.
Lots of the popular prams are also huge. They'll take up the entire boot on something Fiesta sized, but if you're sensible you can pack them in well. I had the pram, bassinet, baby bag and a Labrador in my Leon estate today.
Don't get too hung up on ISOFIX unless you're taking the seat in and out a lot. Belting is fine and sometimes safer. ISOFIX also has quite low weight limits.
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
As a dad of three, from experience the reality of buying what you like to throw kids in and enjoy driving gets tiring after a while.
As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
i didnt even consider any of this, thank you.As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
Davie said:
You'll always face the wrath of those who proclaim that an Elise is perfectly acceptable... and I'm sure it is possible, in the same sense cutting the grass with nail scissors is possible and so is climbing Ben Nevis in flip-flops. So whilst yes, technically possible, probably not the easiest or smartest solution and frankly, as new parents in at the deep end, anything that makes life that little bit more hassle free is a good thing. Space, ease of use and an air of "do not give a damn" is pretty liberating when it comes to baby transportation. Boring, probably... but easier, definitely and that's why most have a Labrador instead of a Bengal Tiger as a pet.
Given the time is looming, to be honest if the Golf Plus is in serviceable condition and not on its last legs then I'd be tempted to sit tight and just run with it. It's a pretty solid choice, most iso-fix equipped car seats will fit, it's not excessively harsh or noisy, the boot will take a reasonable sized pram and a few bags alongside and if it's at the stage where you're not anal about it, you won't care when the buggy scuffs the boot or you're doing battle at the local soft play centre with other parents who have car presentation way, way down their priority list. If however you can get an RS4 for the £3k budget, please give me a shout as I'll take two at that money.
If however you do decide to change, then I'd be in favour of an estate or SUV with a flat load bay... never underestimate just how handy that is for those emergency roadside nappy changes or for sliding in a Euro pallet full of stuff the little darlings seem to need for even the most basic trip out. Also worth disregarding the nonsense about how "We used to go to Skeggy in Mum's Mini Metro, all 9 of us and managed" as time's have changed... it's no longer acceptable to wedge your 3 week old in the glovebox or stick them on the parcel shelf.
You'll be fine
The golf is on 150+ now, and mechanically id say its 85%, theres a couple of things I am going to get looked at over next month, and get timing belt done too. To be honest, ive always found it a very comfortable vehicle, im actually happy to be driving around in a less powerful vehicle, main reason being I cannot put my foot down.Given the time is looming, to be honest if the Golf Plus is in serviceable condition and not on its last legs then I'd be tempted to sit tight and just run with it. It's a pretty solid choice, most iso-fix equipped car seats will fit, it's not excessively harsh or noisy, the boot will take a reasonable sized pram and a few bags alongside and if it's at the stage where you're not anal about it, you won't care when the buggy scuffs the boot or you're doing battle at the local soft play centre with other parents who have car presentation way, way down their priority list. If however you can get an RS4 for the £3k budget, please give me a shout as I'll take two at that money.
If however you do decide to change, then I'd be in favour of an estate or SUV with a flat load bay... never underestimate just how handy that is for those emergency roadside nappy changes or for sliding in a Euro pallet full of stuff the little darlings seem to need for even the most basic trip out. Also worth disregarding the nonsense about how "We used to go to Skeggy in Mum's Mini Metro, all 9 of us and managed" as time's have changed... it's no longer acceptable to wedge your 3 week old in the glovebox or stick them on the parcel shelf.
You'll be fine
Thanks for the advice on the roadside nappy changes. didnt consider this at all. It is obvious why sometimes bigger vehicles are preferred.
Davie said:
This!
My family car is and has been an 08 XC70 D5 (manual and within your budget) for the past three years and it's be rather excellent. Mine are now approaching 3 and 6 and along with their mother, would put manufacturers claims of "rigorous testing" to shame given the utter abuse and contempt they treat it with and yet, despite that it's been a brilliant buy - satisfyingly large enough to cope, floaty and quite and fends of most things during Parent & Child parking space wars at Tesco.
When my first made his imminent arrival know, my wife had an Up! and I had a selection of old, crumbly Volvo estates and whilst all would have been manageable, with a lack of space / aircon / isofix etc etc it would have been hard work. Unnecessarily hard work. So, I got rid of the Up! and bought a Mk5 Astra SRi which very quickly revealed that it vs a large travel system plus assorted bags / travel cot etc etc just didn't really work. So, I bought a sheddy V50 diesel estate and it as much better suited - estate, aircon, isofix, no f*cks given and perceived safety. I still have it 6yrs later, it's just too good at what it does,
However, I also bought a V70R thinking this will be the tool for me, the cool dad in the quick estate car and frankly... it was dire. Not only was I too precious about it that is started to impact daily life but it was also very harshly sprung and sat watching a 6 weeks olds head bouncing off the seat as you navigate through Edinburgh is rather grim. So it went too. And so hence the large, Swedish play pen / sofa on wheels that I have now and which some will proclaim is far too big and unnecessary and that's fine... until you're trying to fit two fairly large car seats, one of those off road buggy efforts plus the inevitable bags with spare clothes, wellies, enough snacks to keep a good sized invasion going, scooters, bikes, cool box... so yes, back to the original point but I also have a roof box and use it quite a lot but some on here get very upset at that notion. But during summer last year it was on pretty much 24/7... handy it was too.
Plus they earn extra scene points on the new dad circuit...
Thank you for the advice, may i ask how have you got on with the XC70? im a HUGE volvo fan (have been since my youth) and owned several last one been the S60. But always heard "horror" stories regarding reliability for the XC70 .My family car is and has been an 08 XC70 D5 (manual and within your budget) for the past three years and it's be rather excellent. Mine are now approaching 3 and 6 and along with their mother, would put manufacturers claims of "rigorous testing" to shame given the utter abuse and contempt they treat it with and yet, despite that it's been a brilliant buy - satisfyingly large enough to cope, floaty and quite and fends of most things during Parent & Child parking space wars at Tesco.
When my first made his imminent arrival know, my wife had an Up! and I had a selection of old, crumbly Volvo estates and whilst all would have been manageable, with a lack of space / aircon / isofix etc etc it would have been hard work. Unnecessarily hard work. So, I got rid of the Up! and bought a Mk5 Astra SRi which very quickly revealed that it vs a large travel system plus assorted bags / travel cot etc etc just didn't really work. So, I bought a sheddy V50 diesel estate and it as much better suited - estate, aircon, isofix, no f*cks given and perceived safety. I still have it 6yrs later, it's just too good at what it does,
However, I also bought a V70R thinking this will be the tool for me, the cool dad in the quick estate car and frankly... it was dire. Not only was I too precious about it that is started to impact daily life but it was also very harshly sprung and sat watching a 6 weeks olds head bouncing off the seat as you navigate through Edinburgh is rather grim. So it went too. And so hence the large, Swedish play pen / sofa on wheels that I have now and which some will proclaim is far too big and unnecessary and that's fine... until you're trying to fit two fairly large car seats, one of those off road buggy efforts plus the inevitable bags with spare clothes, wellies, enough snacks to keep a good sized invasion going, scooters, bikes, cool box... so yes, back to the original point but I also have a roof box and use it quite a lot but some on here get very upset at that notion. But during summer last year it was on pretty much 24/7... handy it was too.
Plus they earn extra scene points on the new dad circuit...
Brownie_B said:
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
As a dad of three, from experience the reality of buying what you like to throw kids in and enjoy driving gets tiring after a while.
As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
i didnt even consider any of this, thank you.As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
I initially tried to find a car that would do both the family stuff and a car I’d like but I gave up. I keep two cars now. One for myself and one for family duties.
blank said:
I've had Leon estates and my wife has had a MINI Countryman and Qashqai since having kids (one nearly 4 and one newborn).
Both are just ok for 2 kids, but certainly not overly generous. The Countryman boot was too small and made the pram a real pain.
Things you don't realise until you have the problem:
Rear facing seats are huge. They take up way more space than an adult and seriously restrict room in the front.
Lots of the popular prams are also huge. They'll take up the entire boot on something Fiesta sized, but if you're sensible you can pack them in well. I had the pram, bassinet, baby bag and a Labrador in my Leon estate today.
Don't get too hung up on ISOFIX unless you're taking the seat in and out a lot. Belting is fine and sometimes safer. ISOFIX also has quite low weight limits.
Thank you for the bit of advice. I wasnt aware of that at all. I will certainly discuss this with the wife, as ive just always thought ISOFIX is way to go, didnt consider belting method. 6.gifBoth are just ok for 2 kids, but certainly not overly generous. The Countryman boot was too small and made the pram a real pain.
Things you don't realise until you have the problem:
Rear facing seats are huge. They take up way more space than an adult and seriously restrict room in the front.
Lots of the popular prams are also huge. They'll take up the entire boot on something Fiesta sized, but if you're sensible you can pack them in well. I had the pram, bassinet, baby bag and a Labrador in my Leon estate today.
Don't get too hung up on ISOFIX unless you're taking the seat in and out a lot. Belting is fine and sometimes safer. ISOFIX also has quite low weight limits.
lufbramatt said:
8 year old and 6 year old here… imo you don’t need anything bigger than a Honda Jazz and most people just get in the habit of taking too much crap with them everywhere. When ours were little we had the Jazz and an e39 saloon and had no issues with taking everything we needed for weeks away in either car (the e39 was sorned for a while over covid so had to take the Jazz on holiday, not ideal but was fine). Jazzes are a bit tardis like inside though.
Travel light and it’s just much less faff all round. You don’t need all the fancy feeding gear, endless toys, 10 changes of clothes etc.
But then that goes for babies in general, people fall for the marketing and have to have all the latest equipment and gear when the reality can be as simple as you want.
I’ve got friends that changed a newish Skoda Octavia when their second kid arrived as they said it was too small, wtf do people need that much space for.
This is the thing. As soon as news broke, in my head im thinking big = space and safe, thinking SUV = safe etc. More panic mode than anything, throw in some anxiety too I suppose.Travel light and it’s just much less faff all round. You don’t need all the fancy feeding gear, endless toys, 10 changes of clothes etc.
But then that goes for babies in general, people fall for the marketing and have to have all the latest equipment and gear when the reality can be as simple as you want.
I’ve got friends that changed a newish Skoda Octavia when their second kid arrived as they said it was too small, wtf do people need that much space for.
Edited by lufbramatt on Sunday 21st May 21:28
I get the feeling the missus will not doubt want to be carrying the whole bedroom, garage, kitchen sink and probably the neighbours cat too.
When our kid was born we have a SUV and a Convertible
As you might guess the convertible was terrible for having a baby.
The SUV high seat height is a bonus, we don’t have to bend down to put the baby into the car seat.
But it don’t think the golf plus is sitting too low either, space wise even my i3 could easily hold everything a baby need.
Unless you are driving traditional saloon with narrow boot opening or two door coupe/convertible I do not see much benefit swapping from a golf plus to SUV
As you might guess the convertible was terrible for having a baby.
The SUV high seat height is a bonus, we don’t have to bend down to put the baby into the car seat.
But it don’t think the golf plus is sitting too low either, space wise even my i3 could easily hold everything a baby need.
Unless you are driving traditional saloon with narrow boot opening or two door coupe/convertible I do not see much benefit swapping from a golf plus to SUV
Had an E36 BMW 325i Coupe with the centrally mounted rear seatbelts. For his rear facing car seat getting him into the seat was a little tricky. After 6 months I changed it for an E46 318i that was much more practical. A number of saloon cars followed together with another child.
The wife when the children were young and growing had 2 no 4 Door Fiestas, a 2 Door Punto, Renault Megane, Audi A4 Saloon, another Punto, Alfa 159 (my old car), Skoda Fabia (didn’t have it long) Alfa Mito (daughter is now learning to drive in it) and a Mini Clubman. They were all practical for children and I just don’t see the point in an MPV / Crossover / whatever todays title is. Her favourites were / are the Alfa 159, Audi A4 and the Mini.
The wife when the children were young and growing had 2 no 4 Door Fiestas, a 2 Door Punto, Renault Megane, Audi A4 Saloon, another Punto, Alfa 159 (my old car), Skoda Fabia (didn’t have it long) Alfa Mito (daughter is now learning to drive in it) and a Mini Clubman. They were all practical for children and I just don’t see the point in an MPV / Crossover / whatever todays title is. Her favourites were / are the Alfa 159, Audi A4 and the Mini.
Chamon_Lee said:
Brownie_B said:
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
As a dad of three, from experience the reality of buying what you like to throw kids in and enjoy driving gets tiring after a while.
As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
i didnt even consider any of this, thank you.As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
I initially tried to find a car that would do both the family stuff and a car I’d like but I gave up. I keep two cars now. One for myself and one for family duties.
It's all the small things you may not think about, in built retractable sun blinds, flat rear floor, individual moving seats each can take a 25kg rear seat, wide angle opening rear doors, big glass areas so kids can see and avoid travel sickness, boot big enough that toddler can use a travel potty inside with ease and without having to unpack all your boot stuff, it's a citreon so you don't have to get too precious about it! I've just driven 7 up with roofbox and other traffic is still too slow for me! I recently did a tip run and left the 2 child seats in but still had more than enough space for 6 internal doors plus several other items.
edc said:
Chamon_Lee said:
Brownie_B said:
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
As a dad of three, from experience the reality of buying what you like to throw kids in and enjoy driving gets tiring after a while.
As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
i didnt even consider any of this, thank you.As long as you're strapping in and out of car seats, pulling over to deal with emergencies (think wee stops, sick, nappies, screaming toddlers on the side of the road) you'll be thankful for some sort of MPV.
Think S-Max, Sharan, French/Jap/Korean equivalent or anything else with a bit of height, and width where you can actually step into the back if needed. Also a big enough boot you can literally throw everything in without having to think about it. Essential after a long day out where you just need and want to get home.
If like me, my wife was happy to drive this kind of thing as her daily and therefore I could buy whatever the hell I wanted. Win-win. :-)
I initially tried to find a car that would do both the family stuff and a car I’d like but I gave up. I keep two cars now. One for myself and one for family duties.
It's all the small things you may not think about, in built retractable sun blinds, flat rear floor, individual moving seats each can take a 25kg rear seat, wide angle opening rear doors, big glass areas so kids can see and avoid travel sickness, boot big enough that toddler can use a travel potty inside with ease and without having to unpack all your boot stuff, it's a citreon so you don't have to get too precious about it! I've just driven 7 up with roofbox and other traffic is still too slow for me! I recently did a tip run and left the 2 child seats in but still had more than enough space for 6 internal doors plus several other items.
When we had two kids we have a pug 308 which was fine when they were little babies but they have more crap as they get older. Sports gear for classes, bikes, scooters, school stuff etc. as soon as I had a 3rd child we got the c4.
For what my opinion is worth, I've been in a similar situation recently with the 'Dad-car dilemma'...
When planning for our future family I got a new RAV4 on my wife's NHS lease scheme and I thought it would be plenty big enough to be future-proof. What I didn't realise when we had our baby is just how much stuff a baby actually needs! Just a quick trip to see family can mean taking pram (including bassinet when they're newborn), high chair, changing bag etc. We've also got a dog to take into account too. You also don't want to put anything next to baby on the back seats, meaning everything has to be in the boot (including the dog). Plus, when baby is young you might find one of you sitting in the back seats on some journies to soothe them anyway.
The problem with SUVs is the sloping boot which cuts off a lot of height capacity, so van-style cars with a high, square boot would be better. Also, sliding doors will be so handy for getting baby in and out.
I've now got an 8-month old and we're at the stage where we can plan proper weekends away and I've come to the conclusion that Berlingo or similar is the way to go. Divides opinion but I actually like the idea of a "Dad car" now, and I appreciate practicality over fashion. Dog can go in a pen in the boot and our stuff can be tethered down next to him, freeing up cabin space. Roof boxes could be a temporary measure, but as your family grows you'll want to take bikes on trips away and everything just ends up strapped all over the car then.
Anyway, just my thoughts, and it's totally dependent on your personal situation.
Congrats to you and your family!
When planning for our future family I got a new RAV4 on my wife's NHS lease scheme and I thought it would be plenty big enough to be future-proof. What I didn't realise when we had our baby is just how much stuff a baby actually needs! Just a quick trip to see family can mean taking pram (including bassinet when they're newborn), high chair, changing bag etc. We've also got a dog to take into account too. You also don't want to put anything next to baby on the back seats, meaning everything has to be in the boot (including the dog). Plus, when baby is young you might find one of you sitting in the back seats on some journies to soothe them anyway.
The problem with SUVs is the sloping boot which cuts off a lot of height capacity, so van-style cars with a high, square boot would be better. Also, sliding doors will be so handy for getting baby in and out.
I've now got an 8-month old and we're at the stage where we can plan proper weekends away and I've come to the conclusion that Berlingo or similar is the way to go. Divides opinion but I actually like the idea of a "Dad car" now, and I appreciate practicality over fashion. Dog can go in a pen in the boot and our stuff can be tethered down next to him, freeing up cabin space. Roof boxes could be a temporary measure, but as your family grows you'll want to take bikes on trips away and everything just ends up strapped all over the car then.
Anyway, just my thoughts, and it's totally dependent on your personal situation.
Congrats to you and your family!
Edited by LadZeppelin on Monday 22 May 12:36
Dad of two here, now 11 and 6.
Your Golf Plus is ideal really as a family car, assuming it is reliable then I wouldn't recommend changing it at all currently, as you don't want to take on a new to you car and finding out that it's unreliable when you also have a new baby to deal with.
As others have said keep what you have and get ready to bunker in for the first few weeks and months because your life will change in ways you can't yet imagine but it will be an amazing time too.
Your Golf Plus is ideal really as a family car, assuming it is reliable then I wouldn't recommend changing it at all currently, as you don't want to take on a new to you car and finding out that it's unreliable when you also have a new baby to deal with.
As others have said keep what you have and get ready to bunker in for the first few weeks and months because your life will change in ways you can't yet imagine but it will be an amazing time too.
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