Have small children? Ever wish you had a bigger car?
Discussion
Hooray, another what car thread 
For a so called car enthusiast I am drawn like a moth to 'white goods' cars when it comes to spending my own cash.
So when my Toledo was on its last legs and with a plan to have kids in the future, I decided that a small estate would be a good idea thinking that the extra space would be useful for all the baby/kiddy stuff so switched to a KIA Ceed Estate (plus the opening for the boot in the Toledo was rubbish).
Now I am thinking about replacing the Ceed. As my mileage has dropped, I dont need a diesel, but small petrol estates are like unicorn poo it seems. There are plenty of white goods hatchbacks like the Ceed, Auris, etc. that have the spec I want and are within budget but would I regret not having the extra space in the back?
My brother has 2 small kids and a Focus hatch and their boot always seems to be overflowing with stuff (first a pram and whatnot, now scooters and stuff like that) so for those of you that have small kids and have a hatchback, do you regret not going for something a little bigger?
I have visions of the boot of a hatchback being full all the time with a buggy, day bag, etc. and no room for anything else but having no offspring yet I have no idea how realistic this is?
I dont need an SUV or a MPV as most of that space is above your head so is a bit 'useless' yet something like an Insignia or Mondeo is too big hence looking at a Focus size or similar.
tldr: Should I buy a small hatch or estate with the aim of hauling baby stuff about.
For a so called car enthusiast I am drawn like a moth to 'white goods' cars when it comes to spending my own cash.
So when my Toledo was on its last legs and with a plan to have kids in the future, I decided that a small estate would be a good idea thinking that the extra space would be useful for all the baby/kiddy stuff so switched to a KIA Ceed Estate (plus the opening for the boot in the Toledo was rubbish).
Now I am thinking about replacing the Ceed. As my mileage has dropped, I dont need a diesel, but small petrol estates are like unicorn poo it seems. There are plenty of white goods hatchbacks like the Ceed, Auris, etc. that have the spec I want and are within budget but would I regret not having the extra space in the back?
My brother has 2 small kids and a Focus hatch and their boot always seems to be overflowing with stuff (first a pram and whatnot, now scooters and stuff like that) so for those of you that have small kids and have a hatchback, do you regret not going for something a little bigger?
I have visions of the boot of a hatchback being full all the time with a buggy, day bag, etc. and no room for anything else but having no offspring yet I have no idea how realistic this is?
I dont need an SUV or a MPV as most of that space is above your head so is a bit 'useless' yet something like an Insignia or Mondeo is too big hence looking at a Focus size or similar.
tldr: Should I buy a small hatch or estate with the aim of hauling baby stuff about.
I have a 2006 Astra sporthatch and a wife, an 8 year old daughter and a 5 month old daughter. I have thought about a larger vehicle/estate but still 99% of the time there was be just me in the car for going up and down to work.
When the buggy comes out in the car, the parcel shelf goes in the house. When we have been for weekends visitng family and friends or a hotel stay I put a roof box on and the bags go in that.
Longer holidays we have a motorhome so space isn't a concern.
I've had this car from new and have had it LPG converted as well so I do try to hold onto it rather than swap into an unknown quantity of a diesel estate.
We have managed to get everything in we require for the trips away we have done when the roofbox has been attached. I lose 10% economy having the roofbox on for a couple of days, when I am back home the roof box comes off again straight away.
When the buggy comes out in the car, the parcel shelf goes in the house. When we have been for weekends visitng family and friends or a hotel stay I put a roof box on and the bags go in that.
Longer holidays we have a motorhome so space isn't a concern.
I've had this car from new and have had it LPG converted as well so I do try to hold onto it rather than swap into an unknown quantity of a diesel estate.
We have managed to get everything in we require for the trips away we have done when the roofbox has been attached. I lose 10% economy having the roofbox on for a couple of days, when I am back home the roof box comes off again straight away.
I had the perfect car for a family man, a Rover estate. It was comfortable, plenty big enough (and had roof bars or a tow hitch for those occasions it wasn't) and had rwd and more power than was useable 99% of the time. In short it was perfect.
Then SWMBO came home one day to tell me that no.2 child was actually nos. 2 and 3.
So we bought an MPV.
Tl:dr: Buy what you want now. Once you have kids you have to compromise so put it off as long as you can.
Then SWMBO came home one day to tell me that no.2 child was actually nos. 2 and 3.
So we bought an MPV.
Tl:dr: Buy what you want now. Once you have kids you have to compromise so put it off as long as you can.
As Blongs, I have a 3dr car also (albeit a slightly older mankier french variety) but I had this before our daughter arrived and have kept it for similar reasons - 90% of journeys are me commuting to work.
The boot is spacious and the whole travel system thing is a cumbersome thing to lug about, meaning that squeezing shopping and the buggy in the car was a hassle.
Now sproglet is 18 months old she has a pushchair instead of a Starship Enterprise on wheels so it folds down to a much more manageable size. The boot is usually full of rubbish, but this is my fault. Very rarely do I ever think I need more space.
In fact, I've even installed a stealth subwoofer recently and everything still fits. The only time I can see it coming back out again is when we go away on holiday or if we decide to 'expand' the family...
The boot is spacious and the whole travel system thing is a cumbersome thing to lug about, meaning that squeezing shopping and the buggy in the car was a hassle.
Now sproglet is 18 months old she has a pushchair instead of a Starship Enterprise on wheels so it folds down to a much more manageable size. The boot is usually full of rubbish, but this is my fault. Very rarely do I ever think I need more space.
In fact, I've even installed a stealth subwoofer recently and everything still fits. The only time I can see it coming back out again is when we go away on holiday or if we decide to 'expand' the family...
See, this is the problem as most of the time it is just me going to/from work carting all this fresh air about behind me. Granted I have used the extra space a few times for taking stuff to the dump, trips to IKEA, etc.
Probably 90% of the time the only stuff in the boot will be kids stuff and its only when visiting friends, holidays, etc. that you would actually need the extra space.
Tldr: As much as I would like to swap the Ceed for an MX-5 and have a minor mid-life crisis, that would probably drastically reduce the chances of producing anything that might need the extra space
Probably 90% of the time the only stuff in the boot will be kids stuff and its only when visiting friends, holidays, etc. that you would actually need the extra space.
Tldr: As much as I would like to swap the Ceed for an MX-5 and have a minor mid-life crisis, that would probably drastically reduce the chances of producing anything that might need the extra space
Edited by KTF on Thursday 15th May 15:59
Bill said:
Tl:dr: Buy what you want now. Once you have kids you have to compromise so put it off as long as you can.
Absolutely. Buy a Lotus/whatever now, while you can.In my limited experience the family car is always full to bursting when going away for weekends. I suspect this would be true even if we had a LWB Transit.
Have 2 lads - they're about 18 months apart in age. Managed fine with medium saloons ( E36/E46/Primera GT saloons ) all the while they were young with a roofbox for hols when necessary. Depends on the size of buggy/pushchair etc you want to lug around. Mothercare did a tandem one that fitted in boot when they were both small and not walking
Big question is whether your wife drives?
If so, why doesn't she drive the family bus? Leaving you to drive something interesting but cheap to run so you're not seen to be selfish.
That's my plan anyway, get the Mrs through her test then have leverage for a car which may be slightly less practical.
If you end up commuting in a family bus while your wife drives a tiny hatchback all through the week then you've lost the battle (like someone I work with...)
If so, why doesn't she drive the family bus? Leaving you to drive something interesting but cheap to run so you're not seen to be selfish.
That's my plan anyway, get the Mrs through her test then have leverage for a car which may be slightly less practical.
If you end up commuting in a family bus while your wife drives a tiny hatchback all through the week then you've lost the battle (like someone I work with...)
Bill said:
Tl:dr: Buy what you want now. Once you have kids you have to compromise so put it off as long as you can.
This.When 'you' get pregnant then look for a new car.
Four doors. Isofix. Big rear doors.
Big boot.
Something where the back seats are at a comfortable height for you and mum to get the baby seat in and out.
I like it Land Rover height, my mate likes Focus height.
Get something right for you.
Do not underestimate how useful a BIG boot is.
KTF said:
I dont need a diesel, but small petrol estates are like unicorn poo it seems.
What?!http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
SrMoreno said:
Bill said:
Tl:dr: Buy what you want now. Once you have kids you have to compromise so put it off as long as you can.
Absolutely. Buy a Lotus/whatever now, while you can.In my limited experience the family car is always full to bursting when going away for weekends. I suspect this would be true even if we had a LWB Transit.
You are aware that you get ~9 months warning before a child arrives, right? Plenty of time to change the car for a bigger one then.
We have a 3 series saloon (e46); never had a problem fitting everything we needed for the (one) offspring. Though the boot did get a bit full on holiday trips. These days we don't have to carry huge amounts of extra stuff for him anyway, though perhaps when he gets a bigger bike that will become an issue again.
I expect if we have another we'll get on better with an estate.
I expect if we have another we'll get on better with an estate.
C.A.R. said:
Big question is whether your wife drives?
Yes and she has an i10 at the moment - good forward planning, eh 
A Quinny Zap - we have one lined up when required - will fit in the boot of the i10 with a smallish day bag on top so that should (in theory) cover the day to day pottering about with my car being used for the longer trips to see friends, family, etc.
amusingduck said:
What?!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
To pick a few from that list:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Had a Focus as a company car, dont want the same again.
I have looked at the Clubman and the boot is pretty useless with the seats up.
Octavia is on the list of possibles.
Looked at the Fabia and its a bit small up front.
The V50 I had forgotten about so thats on the list now
Had that generation Astra as a Rental and didnt like it as all. Sorry to all Astra onwers. The current generation one is fine though.
The 95 and V70 are too big.
Most cars can take a pushchair.
The problem is they can't take much else.
Find something roughly pushchair sized and put it in the boot of the car. Then use the car for a month without moving the 'pushchair'.
Oh, and block off one rear seat too for the baby seat.
You quickly find that any unusual purchase or trip becomes a bit more tricky as the boot is already full.
I found it surprising how much I actually used my boot for stuff without really thinking about it.
The problem is they can't take much else.
Find something roughly pushchair sized and put it in the boot of the car. Then use the car for a month without moving the 'pushchair'.
Oh, and block off one rear seat too for the baby seat.
You quickly find that any unusual purchase or trip becomes a bit more tricky as the boot is already full.
I found it surprising how much I actually used my boot for stuff without really thinking about it.
my wifes family wagon (i have a saab aereo conv. and 2x push bikes!)
.
great family hack ok the v40 is old now..ours in the last of the volvo v40 before the ford focus based v50 came along..
we use it for the family holiday down to the west country etc, with the assistance dog in a boot crate etc....and a 360litre roof box...
.
picture taken last week collecting my "barn find" road bike...
with my ebay bike carrier.....hey as long as you can buy roof bars it doesn't really matter how small the car is...you can find a way round the problem...
(right then child seat attached to the boot rack of a MX5....)
.
never wanted for a larger car. a Ford Galaxy would fill me with dread in the modern car parks with narrow spaces and using a lader just to wash the roof....hahha..
My advice would be: wait and see what happens. Even once you start 'trying' it could take a lot longer than you think to successfully conceive and then successfully get through the first few weeks of pregnancy. In our case, and for no apparent reason (both youngish, healthy), it took nearly 3 years.
Once miniKTF is here, you will get a much better idea of exactly what stuff you need, car included.
P.S. if you do find it's taking a long time to achieve said miniKTF, you could try what we did, which was pretty much give up on the idea (in a sort of 'if it happens, it happens' way) and buy the Mrs a two seater convertible with microscopic boot. Inevitably she will fall pregnant the same month and sail through the rest of the pregnancy without a hitch, and you will have to sell the car at a loss.
Oh and her car is now a Mazda 6 hatch with petrol engine. Bags of space in that thing.
Once miniKTF is here, you will get a much better idea of exactly what stuff you need, car included.
P.S. if you do find it's taking a long time to achieve said miniKTF, you could try what we did, which was pretty much give up on the idea (in a sort of 'if it happens, it happens' way) and buy the Mrs a two seater convertible with microscopic boot. Inevitably she will fall pregnant the same month and sail through the rest of the pregnancy without a hitch, and you will have to sell the car at a loss.
Oh and her car is now a Mazda 6 hatch with petrol engine. Bags of space in that thing.
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