Reaching a cross roads
Discussion
So I'm getting a bit older, may be having a child in the next couple of years.
I enjoy cars, working on them etc. But I found having more cars than I have time to devote to annoying, so we're a 'two car family' now.
I would like to change my current car and maybe get something a bit sporty or fun. Plenty of sporty hatchbacks I can afford now but I wonder if I will just get bored with these pretty quickly.
The alternative is to stick with economical bog standard hatchbacks and wait. I can then save some money for something a bit more special as a third car (e.g. a small 2 seater sports car). This would also give me time to sort out my garage, maybe even put in some toys like a lift so I can properly look after whatever I get.
So I'd like to hear from anyone that's been in a similar situation, what did you do and was it the right decision? If you have children and a fun / weekend car do you ever actually use it?
I enjoy cars, working on them etc. But I found having more cars than I have time to devote to annoying, so we're a 'two car family' now.
I would like to change my current car and maybe get something a bit sporty or fun. Plenty of sporty hatchbacks I can afford now but I wonder if I will just get bored with these pretty quickly.
The alternative is to stick with economical bog standard hatchbacks and wait. I can then save some money for something a bit more special as a third car (e.g. a small 2 seater sports car). This would also give me time to sort out my garage, maybe even put in some toys like a lift so I can properly look after whatever I get.
So I'd like to hear from anyone that's been in a similar situation, what did you do and was it the right decision? If you have children and a fun / weekend car do you ever actually use it?
Having an understanding partner is essential. My wife understands that she can have a happy, chilled and enthusiastic Dad and husband for 90% of my free time if I spend the other 10% motor racing, running and windsurfing; or she can have an apathetic and grumpy Dad 100% of the time. Not that I try to be the latter, but it will inevitably happen if I'm kept away from my hobbies and passions in life. I don't do as much as I used to, but I still do a fair bit. Obviously to reach that understanding you need to reciprocate and encourage her to do her thing too. Without that time doing fun stuff though, most people just become joyless robots, and not only is that bad for the individual, it's ultimately bad for the kids too.
Bit of a contrast to the first two replies there!
I do have an understanding partner fortunately, and we do give each other that time to 'do our own thing'. But adding a child into the mix (that we both want) is probably going to cut down on spare time. Good advice regardless though, I totally agree everyone needs an outlet.
I suppose another alternative is to treat whatever 'practical' option I may go for as something that could be modified to make it a bit more fun and interesting.
I don't know it's a tricky one.
I do have an understanding partner fortunately, and we do give each other that time to 'do our own thing'. But adding a child into the mix (that we both want) is probably going to cut down on spare time. Good advice regardless though, I totally agree everyone needs an outlet.
I suppose another alternative is to treat whatever 'practical' option I may go for as something that could be modified to make it a bit more fun and interesting.
I don't know it's a tricky one.
Driver_Scars said:
So I'm getting a bit older, may be having a child in the next couple of years.
I enjoy cars, working on them etc. But I found having more cars than I have time to devote to annoying, so we're a 'two car family' now.
I would like to change my current car and maybe get something a bit sporty or fun. Plenty of sporty hatchbacks I can afford now but I wonder if I will just get bored with these pretty quickly.
The alternative is to stick with economical bog standard hatchbacks and wait. I can then save some money for something a bit more special as a third car (e.g. a small 2 seater sports car). This would also give me time to sort out my garage, maybe even put in some toys like a lift so I can properly look after whatever I get.
So I'd like to hear from anyone that's been in a similar situation, what did you do and was it the right decision? If you have children and a fun / weekend car do you ever actually use it?
I've always said my perfect two car garage is three cars. However logistically and justifying it financially I've not made it work.I enjoy cars, working on them etc. But I found having more cars than I have time to devote to annoying, so we're a 'two car family' now.
I would like to change my current car and maybe get something a bit sporty or fun. Plenty of sporty hatchbacks I can afford now but I wonder if I will just get bored with these pretty quickly.
The alternative is to stick with economical bog standard hatchbacks and wait. I can then save some money for something a bit more special as a third car (e.g. a small 2 seater sports car). This would also give me time to sort out my garage, maybe even put in some toys like a lift so I can properly look after whatever I get.
So I'd like to hear from anyone that's been in a similar situation, what did you do and was it the right decision? If you have children and a fun / weekend car do you ever actually use it?
Three cars covers the bases but as the other poster has mentioned, chances are you'll never use the 'special' car. Best bet is to stick with two and try to find the best suits all cars.
For me I've currently got an X5 40d - for big family duties but still has a good turn of speed. My daily is an M140i - comfortably tops 45mpg on my motorway commute but when I fancy a blast I'm already in the car so turn off the motorway and have a play.
The other saying is the best car you have is the one you're in, which again is very true. A good while ago I had an A6 tdie for my daily trudge and a urquattro for my special car. I drove the (then) new car daily so when I was in the mood for a drive I'd have to head home, park up, switch cars, hope it started and drive back to a decent road again before the fun kicked in. Reality is I just never did it.
I'd never had a smallish fast hatch before and am impressed with the M140 as it does everything okay but nothing great. I don't love my car but it's such a bloody good allrounder I'm finding it very hard to sell it! The only car I'll sell it for is a V8 mustang 68 plate onwards for the facelifted version and even then only because I can switch to the X5 forhalf of my week!
At your stage in life I had a Caterham as a fun weekend toy.
Great for taking a child out and getting them off to sleep, biggest problem was keeping the wife out of it!
I'm out the other end now and recently bought an Evora as the fun car - kids have flown the nest now but, once again, the biggest issue remains keeping the keys away from the wife
Great for taking a child out and getting them off to sleep, biggest problem was keeping the wife out of it!
I'm out the other end now and recently bought an Evora as the fun car - kids have flown the nest now but, once again, the biggest issue remains keeping the keys away from the wife
I had an Audi Mk1 TTR before I had children. We now have a 5 and 6yr old and we have 3 cars.
2 we change every 6 months through my wife's work scheme and my toy a 1981 Mercedes 500 SEL. I wanted something for fun, that I could get some use out of.
I chose something that would hopefully be reliable (5yrs of ownership has proven it to be a good choice) and that we could all go out together in as a family (sometimes with our Boxer too)
We get loads of use out of it, we don't cover a huge amount of miles in it, but particularly in the summer we all go out in him almost once a week.
I bought it just under 3 weeks after my son was born and I am borrowing from him until he is old enough :-)
2 we change every 6 months through my wife's work scheme and my toy a 1981 Mercedes 500 SEL. I wanted something for fun, that I could get some use out of.
I chose something that would hopefully be reliable (5yrs of ownership has proven it to be a good choice) and that we could all go out together in as a family (sometimes with our Boxer too)
We get loads of use out of it, we don't cover a huge amount of miles in it, but particularly in the summer we all go out in him almost once a week.
I bought it just under 3 weeks after my son was born and I am borrowing from him until he is old enough :-)
I think if I had a bit more space, time and money I wouldn't hesitate to get something fun. But all those things are going to get squeezed once children come along. It's nice to think you can have it all but in my experience that thinking places a load of unnecessary stress on yourself. That's why I'm very much likely to not go for the impractical third car option.
For how little I realistically would want to use a sports car I suppose I could always hire one.
For now I think I need to find something with 5 doors I can get a little enjoyment out of and perhaps more importantly tinker with. I service my current very modern 1.2l hatchback but its very boring and doesn't have any scope for modification. Something with a bit more poke in need of tlc / that I can put my mark on might work.
For how little I realistically would want to use a sports car I suppose I could always hire one.
For now I think I need to find something with 5 doors I can get a little enjoyment out of and perhaps more importantly tinker with. I service my current very modern 1.2l hatchback but its very boring and doesn't have any scope for modification. Something with a bit more poke in need of tlc / that I can put my mark on might work.
I was in a mind frame of 3 cars being enough last year while my wife was carrying our son. I use the vans for work an wife’s got her own car so that left me two toys. An mr2 turbo and the m3 then I started buying again. Im now at 8 toys all keepers. The wife is aware of 6 i plan to keep it that way. 
I understand the logic that you might not use the vehicle much but sometimes just looking at them is enough if that makes any sense . I’ve just tucked the m5 away for winter in the unit tonight my little lad loves the v10s . Thinking of starting a carcoon thread
Side note why not pick a cheap classic up an spend 12 months tinkering if you buy right may even make a few quid. I love doing that did an original fiat500 and an mg midget with my old man great fun .
I understand the logic that you might not use the vehicle much but sometimes just looking at them is enough if that makes any sense . I’ve just tucked the m5 away for winter in the unit tonight my little lad loves the v10s . Thinking of starting a carcoon thread
Side note why not pick a cheap classic up an spend 12 months tinkering if you buy right may even make a few quid. I love doing that did an original fiat500 and an mg midget with my old man great fun .
Edited by Weekendrebuild on Friday 25th October 21:18
ZX10R NIN said:
As someone who has a few toys I'd recommend going for an enjoyable daily if you're going to have a family addition as all your free time will initially be taken up in the early years, then as they get older you'll have more time to enjoy a third car.
You will have to wait until after their teens for that!I’ve tended to use the fun cars after bedtime or before the kids wake up in the morning. And you can always use the toys to taxi your kid around for his/her activities. As long as you are near your cars, it’s doable.
But during daytime, for me nothing comes close to spending time with the kids.
But during daytime, for me nothing comes close to spending time with the kids.
OP it sounds like we're quite similar!
We were always a 2 car family, and my daily was a Lotus Elise before having kids. I also had a pilots licence, and flying was a hobby.
Having kids changes things, but not always in the way you imagine. I gave up flying for the much less weather dependant and time consuming hobby of track days in the Elise. It's actually something I'd wanted to do for a few years but having the situation at home change was the catalyst. The Elise became a third car and I now drive a Fiesta ST as a daily.
For me it's a perfect setup. I sold the Elise at the end of the summer after 13 track days and I'm replacing it with a Caterham 7. If I wasn't doing track days I'd probably only own 1 car, and it would be a hot hatch. I love my ST. Oh, and while I'm waiting for the Caterham I'm also fitting a tiled garage floor and getting new shelving so it's got somewhere nice to live.
We were always a 2 car family, and my daily was a Lotus Elise before having kids. I also had a pilots licence, and flying was a hobby.
Having kids changes things, but not always in the way you imagine. I gave up flying for the much less weather dependant and time consuming hobby of track days in the Elise. It's actually something I'd wanted to do for a few years but having the situation at home change was the catalyst. The Elise became a third car and I now drive a Fiesta ST as a daily.
For me it's a perfect setup. I sold the Elise at the end of the summer after 13 track days and I'm replacing it with a Caterham 7. If I wasn't doing track days I'd probably only own 1 car, and it would be a hot hatch. I love my ST. Oh, and while I'm waiting for the Caterham I'm also fitting a tiled garage floor and getting new shelving so it's got somewhere nice to live.
Edited by Gulf7 on Saturday 26th October 07:30
Question is, what sort of Dad you want your kids to remember you as ? The guy who was passionate about his cars, or the one who missed out on his hobby because he had kids?
Personally think kids benefit enormously from seeing their Dad (or Mum) having an interest in something, and often grow up to share their passion. So genuinely think you’d be doing them a favour to maintain your car hobby and introduce them to it.
Cars and kids are very compatible: my daughter often used to join me in the garage when she was small (she loved playing tapes whilst I was working on the car), and my wife appreciated it when I’d say ‘just taking the car for a quick spin, shall I take one of the kids?’. Now my daughter is older she’s a car nut too (my sons less so), and wouldn’t give up the time we’ve spent together around cars for the world.
Personally think kids benefit enormously from seeing their Dad (or Mum) having an interest in something, and often grow up to share their passion. So genuinely think you’d be doing them a favour to maintain your car hobby and introduce them to it.
Cars and kids are very compatible: my daughter often used to join me in the garage when she was small (she loved playing tapes whilst I was working on the car), and my wife appreciated it when I’d say ‘just taking the car for a quick spin, shall I take one of the kids?’. Now my daughter is older she’s a car nut too (my sons less so), and wouldn’t give up the time we’ve spent together around cars for the world.
Definitely the third car option if you can make it work. I bought a TVR Griffith.
In my experience you won’t want to take the family on drives/events, certainly to begin with. Toys go flying around, people start feeling sick etc. It just doesn’t work.
Get yourself something to enjoy, something that doesn’t have to be back in one piece for Monday morning and take the time to work on it and drive it when you can. It’s essential therapy imho and when you’re child is old enough and interested then maybe you can take them. Believe me it’s a memory that will last forever! I actually Sold the Griffith as I felt it was too unsafe for my daughter (who loved it). I’ve been through several cars since, including tin tops. Now I share an S2000 with my son!
In my experience you won’t want to take the family on drives/events, certainly to begin with. Toys go flying around, people start feeling sick etc. It just doesn’t work.
Get yourself something to enjoy, something that doesn’t have to be back in one piece for Monday morning and take the time to work on it and drive it when you can. It’s essential therapy imho and when you’re child is old enough and interested then maybe you can take them. Believe me it’s a memory that will last forever! I actually Sold the Griffith as I felt it was too unsafe for my daughter (who loved it). I’ve been through several cars since, including tin tops. Now I share an S2000 with my son!
Four cars and two kids here.
We have an old VW camper which is great for holidays with the kids, plus keeps me busy (and the kids) doing stuff to it. Wife has a cockroach like Nisan Diesel. For commuting (and fun) I have a BMW 330i Coupe and a Smart Roadster if the weather is good. BMW is also used for going longer distance family trips.
Kids also enjoy a trip out in the Roadster if the wife is taking the other one to some dance / football/ tennis/ underwater hockey/ piano lessons etc.
Getting the kids involved in my motoring hobbies (and others) is important to me.
Keeping four cars obviously comes at a cost, but my vehicles are all bordering on shed territory (ish) with cheap insurance and tax. A slush fund keeps them on the road and in good fettle.
Mike
We have an old VW camper which is great for holidays with the kids, plus keeps me busy (and the kids) doing stuff to it. Wife has a cockroach like Nisan Diesel. For commuting (and fun) I have a BMW 330i Coupe and a Smart Roadster if the weather is good. BMW is also used for going longer distance family trips.
Kids also enjoy a trip out in the Roadster if the wife is taking the other one to some dance / football/ tennis/ underwater hockey/ piano lessons etc.
Getting the kids involved in my motoring hobbies (and others) is important to me.
Keeping four cars obviously comes at a cost, but my vehicles are all bordering on shed territory (ish) with cheap insurance and tax. A slush fund keeps them on the road and in good fettle.
Mike
We have 6 cars, one child.
944, Audi TT Roadster (2 seats) 205 4x4 Cosworth (2 seats) Renault Twizy (2 seats), mini convertible and a big full fat Rangie. They all get used and 2 seats is not an issue, we use the mini and Rangie for family duties and the rest for normal stuff and school runs.
944, Audi TT Roadster (2 seats) 205 4x4 Cosworth (2 seats) Renault Twizy (2 seats), mini convertible and a big full fat Rangie. They all get used and 2 seats is not an issue, we use the mini and Rangie for family duties and the rest for normal stuff and school runs.
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