Fast, fun, and child friendly.
Discussion
So the time has come in my life where im planning on having a child, ive had my current car, st180 stage 2 for 3 years now. Although this would be fine for a child the car itself is annoying me lately.
Front end traction in the wet is crap even on good tyres, its a fwd car with 230bhp so it might just be that, it understeers really badly aswell or maybe im expecting too much on greasy roads but it just feels really light at the front. Also its common as hell.
I really really wanted a gt86 but i think its one step too far in terms of practicality for a child seat, ive heard not many fit and the ones that do are still a nightmare to get in and out.
So im kind of stuck, i looked at golf r's and i30n's but i really didnt want to spend much more than 13k.
I want a reliable car, able to get a child seat in, and fun, ideally 200bhp minimum, manual gearbox, rwd or 4wd.
Any other options?
My partner will have a family car that we will use together when we go places but when im on my own ill be using my car.
Front end traction in the wet is crap even on good tyres, its a fwd car with 230bhp so it might just be that, it understeers really badly aswell or maybe im expecting too much on greasy roads but it just feels really light at the front. Also its common as hell.
I really really wanted a gt86 but i think its one step too far in terms of practicality for a child seat, ive heard not many fit and the ones that do are still a nightmare to get in and out.
So im kind of stuck, i looked at golf r's and i30n's but i really didnt want to spend much more than 13k.
I want a reliable car, able to get a child seat in, and fun, ideally 200bhp minimum, manual gearbox, rwd or 4wd.
Any other options?
My partner will have a family car that we will use together when we go places but when im on my own ill be using my car.
Edited by Petrolsmasher on Sunday 19th January 10:53
mikey P 500 said:
Subaru WRX? Speaking from experience a gt86 is too small for a rear facing child seat if need to use seat in front. If only 2 of you in car though can work ok.
To be honest when we are both off we would use my wifes car, its only when im on my own, would a child seat fit in the front easily? Is it isofix? Petrolsmasher said:
Yeh i seen these, is there potential for huge bills with that v6 engine though?
They have a straight 6 engine & not to many issues tbh they're a good car but for me they're not a hot hatch in the normal sense of a hot hatch but they're a good handling car.Personally I'd be going for the best Megane RS250/265 I could find because if you want fun they can't be beaten at your price point, the preferred spec is a Lux with the Cup Chassis & the Recaros.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M135i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Two cars that are often overlooked but are very worthy of consideration are these:
GTC VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
308 GTI 270
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Peugeot Sport version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I wanted a child friendly 2 door coupe and ended up with an E92 BMW which has been great for the past 3 years. The rear seats have plenty of space, there are isofix points on both rear and front passenger seat and the boot is plenty big enough for a buggy.
Mine is a 325i with 218bhp. Plenty enough for me but it's quite a heavy car so doesn't feel all that fast. Your budget would easily run to a late model 335i which is rapid.
A 2 series coupe would probably work fine too. The 6 pot m235i is out of budget but a 4 cylinder 228i is possible, these have around 250bhp.
Always potential for big bills with BMW but then I'm sure there is with anything you are looking at.
The GT86 is on my radar now that little man is 4 and can use a normal forward facing seat. I wouldn't have wanted to put the larger infant carrier or toddler seat in one though. Not sure if they have front isofix. If so it can be done as long as you turn off the airbag. I'd rather put them in the back though.
For a fun hatch at £13k the m135i is also a good shout. The n55 engine is pretty reliable from what I hear. I'd have one but it's a bit out of my price range.
Mine is a 325i with 218bhp. Plenty enough for me but it's quite a heavy car so doesn't feel all that fast. Your budget would easily run to a late model 335i which is rapid.
A 2 series coupe would probably work fine too. The 6 pot m235i is out of budget but a 4 cylinder 228i is possible, these have around 250bhp.
Always potential for big bills with BMW but then I'm sure there is with anything you are looking at.
The GT86 is on my radar now that little man is 4 and can use a normal forward facing seat. I wouldn't have wanted to put the larger infant carrier or toddler seat in one though. Not sure if they have front isofix. If so it can be done as long as you turn off the airbag. I'd rather put them in the back though.
For a fun hatch at £13k the m135i is also a good shout. The n55 engine is pretty reliable from what I hear. I'd have one but it's a bit out of my price range.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff