2 seaters + kids conundrum

[Legend83]

ZX10R NIN said:

For your original budget this would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Lovely car and lovely engine...but after my RX8 I just can't stomach £700 on RFL for a second car that will likely do no more than 3-4k miles a year...

Going to view a local MK2 TTS tomorrow to establish if my current tallest child could fit in the back in an emergency.

[Decky_Q]

This has nearly always been my situation, albeit with 2 kids. Family car does family stuff while 2 seater is used for commuting. Both cars are still used to take kids to clubs, as alot of the time they are in different clubs so not travelling at the same time. Whoever has the family car has to do the school runs etc. The 2 seater can still pick up groceries as we dont like taking kids to the supermarkets so they'll be at home.

[braddo]

Legend83 said:

Lovely car and lovely engine...but after my RX8 I just can't stomach £700 on RFL for a second car that will likely do no more than 3-4k miles a year...

Going to view a local MK2 TTS tomorrow to establish if my current tallest child could fit in the back in an emergency.

Sorry if you've mentioned here already but what was the RX-8 like, and would you not consider getting another one? Find the best pre-2006 you can to miss the high car tax?

I think the GT86 is the absolute no-brainer answer for this thread. You'll always be able to fit 2 kids in, plus the 3rd if you put the driver's seat forward a bit.

The RX8 would be my next suggestion! Nothing else comes close to those two for driving enjoyment (unless you go much older, e.g. 944).

At a higher budget this is why the 911 has been so enduring - most of the time it's the only compact, reasonably light sports car with +2 seats. Thankfully we've had the Evora for the past decade as a good alternative too.

[Legend83]

braddo said:

Sorry if you've mentioned here already but what was the RX-8 like, and would you not consider getting another one? Find the best pre-2006 you can to miss the high car tax?

I think the GT86 is the absolute no-brainer answer for this thread. You'll always be able to fit 2 kids in, plus the 3rd if you put the driver's seat forward a bit.

The RX8 would be my next suggestion! Nothing else comes close to those two for driving enjoyment (unless you go much older, e.g. 944).

At a higher budget this is why the 911 has been so enduring - most of the time it's the only compact, reasonably light sports car with +2 seats. Thankfully we've had the Evora for the past decade as a good alternative too.

The RX8 was a brilliant car apart from when it wasn't. It absolutely fitted the bill for sporty, eye-catching, fun and practical - plus the Miltek exhaust was addictive! I loved that car.

BUT, I only ever got 18mpg regardless of how I drove - if the thing did 0-60 in sub-4 seconds I could forgive it for that...I didn't need it to as it was great fun at legal speeds, but I always had that nagging feeling of being short-changed every time I had to pull into the local Esso, AGAIN. Considering I paid £1,800 for it I shouldn't complain too much!

The camel was a) it left my wife stranded once in a busy area which stressed her out - it was only a dodgy battery but she lost trust in it after that; and b) Covid and never driving it while still paying £700 on RFL (nearly the value of the car in 2 years ownership on tax...).

Would I have another? Probably not as scratched that itch with the best version / mods I would buy.

GT86 - completely agree this is almost perfect for my needs...but I just can't get excited about it, not sure why.

911 - this would be the dream. My friend is selling his 997 for just over £20k - technically I could buy it but it would eat into rainy day fund quite substantially and running costs would then be much higher than a BMW / Audi.

Off to see a TTS now - will report back.

[braddo]

I've been in a Mk2 TT once. 2 men in front and 2 ladies fitted in the back - fine for short trips

[ChrisH72]

I've spent this morning looking at cars at a local car supermarket.

Sat in a few mk3 TT's, a car which I've always liked. The back seats are a deal breaker for me. Anyone over 5' will have their head against the rear screen and unless you push the passenger seat forwards a long way there's no legroom at all. The seat back is very upright and also the passenger seat doesn't slide when you tip it to access the back. Shame really as the driving environment is lovely. I'd view it as a 2 seater with a great boot if the back seats are folded. My 8 year old lad would probably fit in the back but he wouldn't thank me for it. In a way I'd just get the roadster and do away with the back seats.

One car I did look at impressed me quite a bit. The S5 convertible. Here's one in your budget..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024041285...

What I liked was that with the roof up it doesn't even feel like you're in a soft top. Quality is great. There's plenty of room and I was easily able to get in the back and sit comfortably. Boot space is pretty good too as long as the roof is up and you can use all of it. Rear seats split and fold. Obviously I didn't drive it but on paper it looks decently quick and probably sounds good too.

[braddo]

ChrisH72 said:

Sat in a few mk3 TT's, a car which I've always liked. The back seats are a deal breaker for me. Anyone over 5' will have their head against the rear screen and unless you push the passenger seat forwards a long way there's no legroom at all. The seat back is very upright and also the passenger seat doesn't slide when you tip it to access the back.

Not a big deal for the OP's needs. It's par for the course for virtually every 2+2 car.

The coupes like A5, 3/4 series, C/E class are 4 seaters, I wouldn't say they're 2+2s.

[Legend83]

So just got back from seeing this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402246...

Must be one of the first TTS off the line but it wore it's 16 years and 94k miles very well.

Initial observations:

- a few paint chips here and there and one small hardly noticeable scuff on the front skirt corner but overall exterior was good
- alloys were almost perfect and had Goodyear Eagle and B Potenzas, a good start
- Twin pipes could do with a polish
- sales guy was happy for me to spend ages looking over the car by myself and fish through the paperwork - the selection of tasty looking cars on a smart "farm" enterprise gave me a positive feeling.

First thing I did was sit in the back - I mean, it's actually easy to get in but yeah not ideal for anyone past puberty. Will need to stick my son in it to check he would survive if needed.

Everything worked - heated seats, cruise, a/con ran icy cold, Pioneer unit, optional DRLs, Magride sports setting.

Rear brake light seemed to be ok, no leaky thermostat, glove box opened damped as it should, bonnet latch worked.

Interior was decent, seats were a bit saggy at the bum and no embossing in the head-rests which is annoying but the previous owner had the arm-rest re-fitted for UK use!

A very nice place to be I must say. Never driven an Audi before....and I have to say I liked it! The steering was not as light as I was lead to believe, thought it was quite nicely weighted. The ride was good on 18" wheels and no sinister knocking noises when I went over speed bumps. Gearbox was lovely to use. Good visibility, just very easy to drive - I can see why they are popular as everyday 2+2 cars.

Bumbled along in comfort for a bit then hit the revs in 2nd, 3rd and 4th - blimey it can shift from docile to very rapid in a short space of time. Felt confident driving it quickly. Only thing was I thought it would sound a little frutier but maybe I was not concentrating.

Masses of history - it's had 2 owners, first had it looked after by Audi Swansea for 8 years (all stamped), then 2nd owner by the same garage for 8 years - evidence of both window regulators changed, front and rear disks and pads in last 3 years.

HOWEVER, the big item missing was the cambelt and water pump change - the first was done in 2013 (which is correct - 75k miles or 5 years) but I could not find any evidence it had been done in 2018 and actually it would be due again next year. Sales guy was not sure either so I will ring the previous garage to see if they have a record.

IF it has not been done, is this necessarily an issue? I would just ask the current seller to change as part of any deal?








So in conclusion, I liked it a lot. Nervous about buying the first one I view! And apart from the cambelt question, the biggest downside is it's in the most boring colour...

ETA - garage confirmed cambelt not done despite always advising it. Would make me think "what else have they scrimped on" but for the fact there is a ton of receipts for other stuff .

Edited by Legend83 on Friday 19th April 15:07

Edited by Legend83 on Friday 19th April 15:07

[ChrisH72]

braddo said:

ChrisH72 said:

Sat in a few mk3 TT's, a car which I've always liked. The back seats are a deal breaker for me. Anyone over 5' will have their head against the rear screen and unless you push the passenger seat forwards a long way there's no legroom at all. The seat back is very upright and also the passenger seat doesn't slide when you tip it to access the back.

Not a big deal for the OP's needs. It's par for the course for virtually every 2+2 car.

The coupes like A5, 3/4 series, C/E class are 4 seaters, I wouldn't say they're 2+2s.

Yes I guess so. I used to have an E92 and there was no issue having a child seat in the back even when using one with a large isofix base. I think with the TT it just gets me that you may as well not have those back seats. But I can see that if you very rarely need them at least they are there if necessary to transport small kids over short distances.

It probably would work for me. Most of the time when I take my son out he could actually ride in the front. On the odd occasion when the three of us go anywhere I’m sure he’d manage in the back. But that’s almost never anyway. I suppose when used that way the TT is fine.

OP I would definitely want that cam belt doing. I know it’s unlikely but imagine if it were to break on your drive home! At 11 years it’s most certainly overdue.

[Legend83]

ChrisH72 said:

Yes I guess so. I used to have an E92 and there was no issue having a child seat in the back even when using one with a large isofix base. I think with the TT it just gets me that you may as well not have those back seats. But I can see that if you very rarely need them at least they are there if necessary to transport small kids over short distances.

It probably would work for me. Most of the time when I take my son out he could actually ride in the front. On the odd occasion when the three of us go anywhere I’m sure he’d manage in the back. But that’s almost never anyway. I suppose when used that way the TT is fine.

OP I would definitely want that cam belt doing. I know it’s unlikely but imagine if it were to break on your drive home! At 11 years it’s most certainly overdue.

Thanks and agreed!

The situation you describe above is pretty much exactly how our life runs - 90% of the time I am transporting a child it will be just them and will be fine, it's the other 10% which means a pure 2-seater won't be practical and just having the emergency "seats" will be handy. If we ever drive long distances, it tends to be all of us together in which case it would be the S Max.

[varsas]

T5SOR said:

I am in a similar situation where I can’t take both kids out at the same time (2 seater) and I can’t take just the wife out, as the kids would be alone

I’m thinking of a 4 seater convertible and currently have an XKR at the top of the list.

Let me know how that goes. My situation is a bit different (and, I fully admit makes no sense) I have a Triumph Stag, an S2000 and a Ford Mondeo. I want (as an extra car) a nice 'luxury' convertible for when it's just me and the wife (and then S2000 when it's just me, Stag for special occasions, see it does make sense....) and it would be really nice if the kids could fix every now and again. Mondeo then is used for the school run and other errands only. Wife has her own car which can do everything.

I believe the only convertibles with usable rear seats are BMW 3/4 series hard-top convertible and Mercedes E class cabrio (2017 on, not the older one based on the C class). We had a look at an older E class cab and I couldn't believe how little room there was, less in the back than the Stag certainly and less in the front than the S2k. The front header rail and windscreen crowded me, the dash was too close...getting in the Mk4 Mondeo after was like stepping into a limousine. It literally felt like an 8/10th scale car with full size seats in it. Weird. I am guessing/have been told an XK is even worse for rear space, and it has oddly shaped sculpted rear seats which look like they would cause an issue. I'd like a 6 series but, despite being a big car I've been told rear seats are poor in that too, worse than the 3/4 series but I will go and look at one.

[braddo]

ChrisH72 said:

... I think with the TT it just gets me that you may as well not have those back seats. ...

There's loads of room for kids? More than in a 911. For kids in the 4-12 year old range they're great (for a car that isn't the main family car).

The car the OP is looking at:

[Legend83]

braddo said:

There's loads of room for kids? More than in a 911. For kids in the 4-12 year old range they're great (for a car that isn't the main family car).

The car the OP is looking at:

Leg room would be fine, it's head room I am concerned about (particularly as the kids move into teen-age).

[ChrisH72]

I'm 5'8 and can't sit in the back. I'd guess the limit is probably about 5'4 without head touching the rear window. Most kids are taller than that by age 13-14. The other option if your OH isn't very tall is she could sit in the back? I think my wife would just manage.

For kids under 11 you'd usually need a booster cushion but I wonder if you'd use one in the TT. Would that be illegal? There's no head rest and the belt looks quite low at the shoulder.

[BoRED S2upid]

Volvo V60 + Abarth 595 = practical cheap to run the pair and a bit of fun.

I don’t see how you make a 2 seater work with a family and only 2 cars. It’s 3 car stuff and to be fair £5k gets you a decent MX5 you just have to get it past the wife

[The Cardinal]

I've run a Mk3 TTS since around Christmas. Admittedly we also have a Golf and a T5 camper, but our 11/14-year old kids love the TTS and are perfectly happy to jump in the back for a short journey.

I can't imagine a Mk3 is much better for space than a Mk2, but if you can stretch the budget then the later car is a substantial upgrade. Either way, the TTS is considered the sweet spot in the range.

[Legend83]

The Cardinal said:

I've run a Mk3 TTS since around Christmas. Admittedly we also have a Golf and a T5 camper, but our 11/14-year old kids love the TTS and are perfectly happy to jump in the back for a short journey.

I can't imagine a Mk3 is much better for space than a Mk2, but if you can stretch the budget then the later car is a substantial upgrade. Either way, the TTS is considered the sweet spot in the range.

Followed your readers car thread - love your car!

Can't stretch to a MK3 unfortunately but was very happy with the way the MK2 drove today. As I said, my main disappointment if I buy this car (which for the price and mileage is clearly a very good example) will be the colour; would much rather the blue like yours.

But would also rather a silver one that works, than keep looking for a blue one that turns out to be a turd .

[ZX10R NIN]

The belt isn't an issue, personally I'd prefer knowing a garage I trust has carried out the change which gives added peace of mind BUT I'd be negotiating the cost of this off of the price.

[Daston]

In a similar boat, my wife doesn't drive so its down to me getting the kids places. I did toy on the idea of a V10 R8 or Gallardo but settled for a 911 just so we could use the back seats now and then. Best choice I've made as we've all enjoyed some car related things together

Lambo can wait for when they are too cool to hang with Dad 🤣🤣

[Legend83]

The main stumbling block was put to bed today as a kind local MK2 owner let me try our boys in the back seats - success! My eldest has about 4" of head room and was very keen for me to buy one!

12 year olds grow obviously, but as I said from the starts the rear seats are really for emergencies and at worst, local trips.

Watch this space.