Roof box or bigger car?
Discussion
I am in a bit of a kerfuffle as to what to do with my car.
I currently drive an E36 316 Compact. Its a nice car, reliable and suits me fine. I have two dogs and they fit fine in the boot when they come on journeys. Problem is that I will be a dad in less than a month and so the car is going to get a little cramped.
I ran a what car thread on what estate I should get before but I am having second thoughts on selling the bimmer and am looking into a roof box instead.
With a box, the dogs could still go in the boot, the baby on the back seat (in a seat obviously) with some luggage on the back seats too and the pram/more luggage in the box.
Question is, how much of a pain in the arse are boxes? The compact isn't the ideal family car as it only has 3 doors, but otherwise, its pretty much fine. The estate wouldn't be perfect either as the dogs would have to share the boot with the pram and other luggage, which might leave them with less space than they have in the bimmer boot.
Plus, insurance/running costs will go up with an estate (looking at a v70) and keeping the bimmer would mean not hassle changing insurance and stuff. Plus I don't think a v70 would actually fit on the drive...
Would you ditch the bimmer or stick with it and get a roof box?
I currently drive an E36 316 Compact. Its a nice car, reliable and suits me fine. I have two dogs and they fit fine in the boot when they come on journeys. Problem is that I will be a dad in less than a month and so the car is going to get a little cramped.
I ran a what car thread on what estate I should get before but I am having second thoughts on selling the bimmer and am looking into a roof box instead.
With a box, the dogs could still go in the boot, the baby on the back seat (in a seat obviously) with some luggage on the back seats too and the pram/more luggage in the box.
Question is, how much of a pain in the arse are boxes? The compact isn't the ideal family car as it only has 3 doors, but otherwise, its pretty much fine. The estate wouldn't be perfect either as the dogs would have to share the boot with the pram and other luggage, which might leave them with less space than they have in the bimmer boot.
Plus, insurance/running costs will go up with an estate (looking at a v70) and keeping the bimmer would mean not hassle changing insurance and stuff. Plus I don't think a v70 would actually fit on the drive...
Would you ditch the bimmer or stick with it and get a roof box?
Why not keep the current car and see how things work out?
Personally I think you'll get sick of the rigmarole of a roofbox and 3drs.
But I don't think you'd need an estate, we managed fine with my 2001 Accord hatchback with 1 child. But you might want something with a more upright hatch, more Golf/Focus shaped to make it easier for the hounds.
You can get boot dividers to keep dogs on one side, luggage on the other.
Personally I think you'll get sick of the rigmarole of a roofbox and 3drs.
But I don't think you'd need an estate, we managed fine with my 2001 Accord hatchback with 1 child. But you might want something with a more upright hatch, more Golf/Focus shaped to make it easier for the hounds.
You can get boot dividers to keep dogs on one side, luggage on the other.
The reason the whole estate thing has come about is that we travel down to london to visit my mum over a weekend (sometimes longer) at least once a month.
We were down last weekend and found it a struggle to get everything in the bimmer as it was. Dogs in the boot on there own (no room for luggage with them in), suitcase, pillows, dog bag and another bag or two on the back seat. There would only be enough room for a baby seat if we piled everything up on one side, and then thats no including the baby bag and pram.
The pram and alot of the smaller things would go in the box, leaving probably just the suitcase on the back seats with the baby seat. Should work fine. Just that I can imagine getting tired of fitting and removing the box, plus loading and unloading it being a pain with it being on the roof of a car.
The estate would still leave stuff on the rear seat but atleast there would be room in the boot to put the pram and probs the suitcase etc. Plus more practical for access to the back seats with the extra doors.
Tempted to just buy the bars and box and see how it goes, just that I don't want to throw the money away if I don't get on with them...
We were down last weekend and found it a struggle to get everything in the bimmer as it was. Dogs in the boot on there own (no room for luggage with them in), suitcase, pillows, dog bag and another bag or two on the back seat. There would only be enough room for a baby seat if we piled everything up on one side, and then thats no including the baby bag and pram.
The pram and alot of the smaller things would go in the box, leaving probably just the suitcase on the back seats with the baby seat. Should work fine. Just that I can imagine getting tired of fitting and removing the box, plus loading and unloading it being a pain with it being on the roof of a car.
The estate would still leave stuff on the rear seat but atleast there would be room in the boot to put the pram and probs the suitcase etc. Plus more practical for access to the back seats with the extra doors.
Tempted to just buy the bars and box and see how it goes, just that I don't want to throw the money away if I don't get on with them...
Ozzie Osmond said:
Whether or not the roof box is an ideal solutiuon it's a darned sight cheaper than buying a new car! Less hassle too.
The money for the new car would come from the sale of the current car. Would only cost me for things like insurance admin fees and petrol costs for collecting it etc.
Get an estate , roof boxes are fugly and do no favours for fuel economy.
When we went for days out in the A6 we had, the dog was in the back and the buggy for the grand children (I can hand the little darlings back ) rested on the retractable load cover frame and lashed to the rear head rest stems to keep it in place . Now we have the range rover we do something similar except the rear parcel shelf can fold in half ,allowing plenty of light into the rear and a place for the buggy and associated paraphernalia on the shelf , the dog has all of the back to his self.
Maybe it's just me but I hate the look and the very thought of a top box
When we went for days out in the A6 we had, the dog was in the back and the buggy for the grand children (I can hand the little darlings back ) rested on the retractable load cover frame and lashed to the rear head rest stems to keep it in place . Now we have the range rover we do something similar except the rear parcel shelf can fold in half ,allowing plenty of light into the rear and a place for the buggy and associated paraphernalia on the shelf , the dog has all of the back to his self.
Maybe it's just me but I hate the look and the very thought of a top box
Edited by R60EST on Wednesday 14th July 23:18
This summer I went away with my wife, her brother, his wife their baby and their 2 dogs. My brother in Law has an Audi A4 avant, which when fully loaded held the baby the 2 dogs the travel system and a few baby bits, My car contained one collapsible cot, 4 adults bags, a tent several largish reusable shopping bags full of baby gear etc. My BIL had changed his car to the A4 avant to give himself room for the baby gear and for a one week holiday in a static caravan didn't have enough space to even pack in their own luggage beyond the immediate requirements of changing bag, travel system and some other baby seat stuff.
The moral of this is don't change your car yet, get your baby kit together then see if you can get some extended test drives as you want to know all the gear will fit, that the baby seat will go in with the pushchair and the dogs in the boot after all you may find with careful choices it all fits or that after swapping to a 3series sized vehicle you needed a 5 series. I hate to say it but you may end up going down the MPV route in which case good luck
says the man with the PT cruiser
The moral of this is don't change your car yet, get your baby kit together then see if you can get some extended test drives as you want to know all the gear will fit, that the baby seat will go in with the pushchair and the dogs in the boot after all you may find with careful choices it all fits or that after swapping to a 3series sized vehicle you needed a 5 series. I hate to say it but you may end up going down the MPV route in which case good luck
says the man with the PT cruiser I have heard about boxes reducing fuel economy. How much does it affect it? Surely can't be that much?
The Compact on its own is, without a doubt, too small. The Box could be the answer but as a few others have said, they are ugly and I don't really want to have one on the car, just that I don't really want to sell the car either.
I'm not too worried about swapping cars and finding its too small. Wont happen as I plan on getting a V70. Can't really get much bigger. If it is too small then the dogs will have to go on the roof...
The Compact on its own is, without a doubt, too small. The Box could be the answer but as a few others have said, they are ugly and I don't really want to have one on the car, just that I don't really want to sell the car either.
I'm not too worried about swapping cars and finding its too small. Wont happen as I plan on getting a V70. Can't really get much bigger. If it is too small then the dogs will have to go on the roof...
Roofboxes are great, especially a nice profiled one. It just takes the effort out of wondering wether you can fit stuff in or not. Ours takes a buggy, most of the clothes and odds'n'sods. It hangs on nicely with less than 2mpg difference at average speeds of over 60mph. Took it through Germany to Italy a few years back and it was up there at over 100mph with only marginal extra wind noise. Better still, should I wish to sell I'd probably get most of the money back, and I can keep the bars for any other car that I will buy in the future. I have the same bars still despite having changed my car 3 times, from SAAB 9-3 to Passat to SAAB 9-5 Estate, just for the difference in cost of a footpack from Thule after having sold the old ones, so around £10.
My advice would be either
1) Buy cheap and see how it suits, there are plenty of old ones on ebay, or hire one for a weekend.
2) Buy the best you can either in a sale or 2nd hand, bank on the fact that you would get most of your money back if you don't like it.
Either way I'm sure that you won't be dissapointed.
BB
PS I think my smoker looks great with a topbox and a couple of bikes on! Even more of a surprise than usual for the barry boys when I dissapear off into the distance at the old traffic light GP!
It is this one but in shiney black
Here http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...
My advice would be either
1) Buy cheap and see how it suits, there are plenty of old ones on ebay, or hire one for a weekend.
2) Buy the best you can either in a sale or 2nd hand, bank on the fact that you would get most of your money back if you don't like it.
Either way I'm sure that you won't be dissapointed.
BB
PS I think my smoker looks great with a topbox and a couple of bikes on! Even more of a surprise than usual for the barry boys when I dissapear off into the distance at the old traffic light GP!
It is this one but in shiney black
Here http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...
Edited by BadgerBill on Thursday 15th July 09:17
Unless you have very small dogs, they will fill up the boot of whatever you buy. If they are small dogs, you will have to ensure that any luggage in there with them does not fall on them. Unrestrained luggage on the back seat is also not a great idea for baby and you.
A roofbox will help, or a dog trailer, or you could leave the dogs with a dogsitter/kennels/friend when you go away, but I cannot see that a bigger car will help. A combi van with special dog compartments in the back might, but a dog trailer would be cheaper and less painful for your PH sensibilities.
http://www.alphadogtrailers.co.uk/trailers.html
http://www.lintran-products.co.uk/trailers.htm
A roofbox will help, or a dog trailer, or you could leave the dogs with a dogsitter/kennels/friend when you go away, but I cannot see that a bigger car will help. A combi van with special dog compartments in the back might, but a dog trailer would be cheaper and less painful for your PH sensibilities.
http://www.alphadogtrailers.co.uk/trailers.html
http://www.lintran-products.co.uk/trailers.htm
P.S. I've just noticed that your car only has 3 doors. This will rapidly become a pain in the arse if junior is to travel in the back. You or your wife will become very friendly with your local osteopath. To simulate the pain, get a 5kg sack of spuds and place it repeatedly on the back seat whilst imagining that it is wriggling like a trapped octopus; in fact, why not stick the 2 dogs in a sack and practise putting them on the back seat.
Get a car with 4 doors and see if you can get some sort of luggage divider to separate the dogs from luggage in the boot; but you will still need a roofbox for pushchair, travel cot and other assorted paraphernalia.
If looking at a V70, bear in mind that it has a v.big turning circle - not so much fun if you parallel park on a regular basis.
Get a car with 4 doors and see if you can get some sort of luggage divider to separate the dogs from luggage in the boot; but you will still need a roofbox for pushchair, travel cot and other assorted paraphernalia.
If looking at a V70, bear in mind that it has a v.big turning circle - not so much fun if you parallel park on a regular basis.
Resist the BS that says that you need a bigger car just 'cause you are about to be a dad. The more space you have, the more carp you will "need" to take with you everywhere you go.
It sounds like the away trips that you are doing are all to the same destination. That means that you can prolly keep things like a pram, clothes for junior, supply of nappies etc. at your mom's place instead of carting them back and forth.
As for the "disadvantages" of a 3 door car, bear in mind that most 3 door cars have longer doors than 4/5 door cars, and that in most the front seats slide forward on their runners as soon as they are tipped forward. If the Bimmer does this, then you will find that a 3 door car gives you more space than a 4/5 door for getting the little 'un strapped in and unstrapped.
It sounds like the away trips that you are doing are all to the same destination. That means that you can prolly keep things like a pram, clothes for junior, supply of nappies etc. at your mom's place instead of carting them back and forth.
As for the "disadvantages" of a 3 door car, bear in mind that most 3 door cars have longer doors than 4/5 door cars, and that in most the front seats slide forward on their runners as soon as they are tipped forward. If the Bimmer does this, then you will find that a 3 door car gives you more space than a 4/5 door for getting the little 'un strapped in and unstrapped.
bikemonster said:
Resist the BS that says that you need a bigger car just 'cause you are about to be a dad. The more space you have, the more carp you will "need" to take with you everywhere you go.
It sounds like the away trips that you are doing are all to the same destination. That means that you can prolly keep things like a pram, clothes for junior, supply of nappies etc. at your mom's place instead of carting them back and forth.
As for the "disadvantages" of a 3 door car, bear in mind that most 3 door cars have longer doors than 4/5 door cars, and that in most the front seats slide forward on their runners as soon as they are tipped forward. If the Bimmer does this, then you will find that a 3 door car gives you more space than a 4/5 door for getting the little 'un strapped in and unstrapped.
What a nice chap, taking your fish on holiday with you.It sounds like the away trips that you are doing are all to the same destination. That means that you can prolly keep things like a pram, clothes for junior, supply of nappies etc. at your mom's place instead of carting them back and forth.
As for the "disadvantages" of a 3 door car, bear in mind that most 3 door cars have longer doors than 4/5 door cars, and that in most the front seats slide forward on their runners as soon as they are tipped forward. If the Bimmer does this, then you will find that a 3 door car gives you more space than a 4/5 door for getting the little 'un strapped in and unstrapped.
Bluebarge said:
I've just noticed that your car only has 3 doors. This will rapidly become a pain in the arse if junior is to travel in the back. You or your wife will become very friendly with your local osteopath. To simulate the pain, get a 5kg sack of spuds and place it repeatedly on the back seat whilst imagining that it is wriggling like a trapped octopus; in fact, why not stick the 2 dogs in a sack and practise putting them on the back seat.
This....Having had 2, now at 10 & 7, I would suggest a 3 Touring. Not much bigger than what you've got, but big enough to make a difference and will take the dogs and child easily. IMHO something as big as a V70 is not needed. We had two 320d Touring and they were excellent with space. We only used a roofbox for holidays when we needed to take the kitchen sink as well.
Bluebarge said:
P.S. I've just noticed that your car only has 3 doors. This will rapidly become a pain in the arse if junior is to travel in the back. You or your wife will become very friendly with your local osteopath. To simulate the pain, get a 5kg sack of spuds and place it repeatedly on the back seat whilst imagining that it is wriggling like a trapped octopus; in fact, why not stick the 2 dogs in a sack and practise putting them on the back seat.
I disagree (until they go into a forward facing seat) - you just put the baby in the car seat first and have a seat base that you simply click the car seat into. You will need to pay attention to your posture as you do it but that applies to anything. I wouldn't be keen on unrestrained luggage sharing a back seat with a baby. The roofbox sounds like a good solution for now although bear in mind you might have to do all the packing (getting a buggy up into the roofbox is likely to be awkward for your wife unless she is quite tall and strong).
I'd be looking at a small trailer for the luggage.
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