Fast baby carrying wagon

[RudeDog]

I'm in the market for a vehicle that will be "interesting" to drive but can also fit a child seat in the back with space in the boot for baby crap such as a buggy/pram and whatever other stuff needs to follow a baby around. Budget is £25k and after the recent snow, I want it to have 4wd (since our other cars are useless). Ideally with a minimum 12 months main dealer warranty, less than 3-years old and less than 30k on the clock. What do you recommend?

Thanks in advance

RD

[spookly]

Used RS6 Avant? Used Golf R Estate?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Oops... didn't see the 3 year/30k bit. I'd still go for one of those :-)

[Ari]

Contrary to common belief, babies are quite compact and will fit into pretty much any car with back seats.

Also contrary to common belief, 4x4s are no better than any other car in the snow because if it's bad enough to need one, the roads will be blocked by cretins who don't have one.

[sjg]

Golf R wagon. Ours was great with 2 young kids, but we managed fine with one in a M135i - you really don't need that much space even for a weekend away.

< Insert obligatory winter tyres comment >

[Jamescrs]

Ari said:

Contrary to common belief, babies are quite compact and will fit into pretty much any car with back seats.

Also contrary to common belief, 4x4s are no better than any other car in the snow because if it's bad enough to need one, the roads will be blocked by cretins who don't have one.

Babies are very compact, the seats they need as new born however far from it, I had a Mk3 Focus ST until recently and to get the baby seat in behind the front passenger seat I had to move the seat as far forward as it would go which left very limited legroom for my average height wife.

The rear facing seats are a PITA and we found more often than not for the first 15 months or so we used the wifes Mini Countryman because its slightly elevated height and more upright seating position was far better for us to get the baby seat in the back, boot space is limited on it though.

[Miserablegit]

I ran a 2004 Mini Cooper s with a babyseat in the back and fold up buggies for six months and we all survived. Was excellent in the snow as well.
Upgraded to a fast Saab estate but seemed to have no more room as just took more stuff wherever we went. You don’t need a big 4x4 when offspring arrive but we all end up with them anyway....

[Dannbodge]

Jamescrs said:

Babies are very compact, the seats they need as new born however far from it, I had a Mk3 Focus ST until recently and to get the baby seat in behind the front passenger seat I had to move the seat as far forward as it would go which left very limited legroom for my average height wife.

The rear facing seats are a PITA and we found more often than not for the first 15 months or so we used the wifes Mini Countryman because its slightly elevated height and more upright seating position was far better for us to get the baby seat in the back, boot space is limited on it though.

Easy way round that?
Wife sits in the back.....

That's what we've been doing with our 5 week old (Focus and Learn Cupra)

[S100HP]

Volvo V60 Polestar.

[RudeDog]

S100HP said:

Volvo V60 Polestar.

That’s something I hadn’t already considered. Thanks. Not many to choose from mind...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'll kick off with the cars that are often (by the way you don't need AWD you just need decent tyres & turn off the ESP) overlooked:

Maserati Ghibli this one qualifies for a Extended manufacturer's warranty

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Insignia VXR no less potent than an S4, handling is similar so in my book that makes them worth a look plus you're left with a not insignificant amount of money left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW GC 435i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S5 SB

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Jaguar XE S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's a bit of a stretch but a Polestar V60 is well worth seeking out if you can either find one nearer your budget or stretch the budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A leftfield option but no less worthy of consideration is the Infiniti Q50h S they're AWD as quick 0-60 as the S4/5 the spec is fantastic stereo superb & they drive well, I recently supplied one of these to a family member & I was impressed with the drive, they've had it around 8 weeks & are over the moon with it.

They purchased a service pack which means the car gets collected (as there aren't lots of Infiniti dealers) & delivered to your home.

Q50 3.5h S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Smaller but fine for a baby.

A45 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S3 SB

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leon Cupra 290

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 5th February 21:19

[RudeDog]

Thank you ZX10R NIN for the very comprehensive reply and for taking the time to provide an easy set of links to view your suggestions. I hadn't realised that some of those choices were within my budget so thats been a great help.

[hyphen]

Jamescrs said:

Ari said:

Contrary to common belief, babies are quite compact and will fit into pretty much any car with back seats.

Also contrary to common belief, 4x4s are no better than any other car in the snow because if it's bad enough to need one, the roads will be blocked by cretins who don't have one.

Babies are very compact, the seats they need as new born however far from it, I had a Mk3 Focus ST until recently and to get the baby seat in behind the front passenger seat I had to move the seat as far forward as it would go which left very limited legroom for my average height wife.

The rear facing seats are a PITA and we found more often than not for the first 15 months or so we used the wifes Mini Countryman because its slightly elevated height and more upright seating position was far better for us to get the baby seat in the back, boot space is limited on it though.

Boot space on countrymans are much improved on the newly released version.

[Narcisus]

Superb Sportline 280 ( well 276 now )

[dmsims]

ahh the 4WD myth

Fit winter tyres (or Crossclimates) and you will go a lot further with 2WD

[RudeDog]

dmsims said:

ahh the 4WD myth

Fit winter tyres (or Crossclimates) and you will go a lot further with 2WD

I know it doesn't really make a lot of difference in the snow, especially with high performance tyres that like to be hot. We have two 2wd cars already though (which we're keeping) so I fancy getting something with 4wd for those wet days when I still want to sprint away from the lights

[ahenners]

Seat Leon Cupra ST 300 4Drive. There's a couple of nearly new examples around the £25-27k mark.

[PurpleTurtle]

Presumably you want it to be fast when NOT carrying a baby?

I drive like Miss Daisy when I’ve got the bambino on board, special package and all that. Last thing I want to be is that prick in the Daily Mail who kills his kid for giving it the biggun’.

Most things with ISOFIX will be OK nowadays, massive choice.

[sjg]

Jamescrs said:

Babies are very compact, the seats they need as new born however far from it, I had a Mk3 Focus ST until recently and to get the baby seat in behind the front passenger seat I had to move the seat as far forward as it would go which left very limited legroom for my average height wife.

The rear facing seats are a PITA and we found more often than not for the first 15 months or so we used the wifes Mini Countryman because its slightly elevated height and more upright seating position was far better for us to get the baby seat in the back, boot space is limited on it though.

No issues with a newborn seat (Recaro Privia) in the 1-series or Golf wagon, or with the next stage rotating one (Recaro Zero.1). I could comfortably sit in the passenger seat in front of it, I'm 5'11. Now in a Golf hatch and it's fine too - eldest in front-facing behind driver, youngest in the Zero.1 behind passenger.

[nunpuncher]

My experience as a father gives me the following wisdom regarding baby and baby stuff transportation.

Saloons are utterly useless. Hatchbacks based on saloons (ie BMWs GC and Audis SB models) are only marginally better than saloons. 4x4s are about as practical as most large 5 door family hatchbacks. Estate cars are brilliant. "Fast" will become less important than easily cleaned seat upholstery, doors that open really wide for easy access, enough room in the back so a 3 year old can't continually kick the back of your seat, the ability to lock rear windows..... etc

[Jamescrs]

Dannbodge said:

Easy way round that?
Wife sits in the back.....

That's what we've been doing with our 5 week old (Focus and Learn Cupra)

Whilst in theory a good suggestion me being 6ft4 I had to have the seat all the way back myself top drive the Focus comfortably which meant the rear leg room behind drivers seat was very limited, ultimately I sold the car because even my 6yr old daughter (tall for her age) was complaining about leg room behind the drivers seat.