Which of these would you choose...in the circumstances!

[Legend83]

So with my wife expecting twins in the summer, I have been thinking about getting a new car in September (one more summer with the MX5 please!).

I have started quite a few threads on various cars but now I wanted to bring the whole eclectic mix into one thread.

Sensible / low cost options:

- Kia Ceed (gotta love that warranty for low cost motoring)
- Mazda 6 (cheap and reasonable to drive)
- Anything else dirt cheap to buy / run

The idea with this option would be to take advantage of the cheapness and save up for a weekend TVR in a few years time.

Bargy / Stealthy / Fairly exciting options:

- Mondeo ST220
- Subaru Legacy B Spec Tourer
- Some sort of e39 5 Series
- Lexus GS

Not sensible / costly to run / not overly practical / awesome:

- Vauxhall Monaro
- Alfa GT 3.2 V6

I just don't know what to do!

Other factors for consideration:

- Obviously we will be down to one salary
- Other car is a Honda Civic (new shape so very practical)
- We will need to extend the house at some point in the not-to-distant future due to our unexpected surprise!

So, what would you do in these circumstances? Alternative options well received as ever!!

[Gun]

Out of those listed I'd probably go for the Legacy, you get the best of both worlds with that, practical for lugging all the regalia that goes with children around but also a car that's fairly fun to drive and not too expensive to run. What ever you choose good luck with everything!

[ZeeTacoe]

How big will these children be that they can't fit in a civic?

[SD1992]

What about a performance diesel car? Like a Mondeo ST TDCI or even a 330d / 530d?

That way you get practicality and economy, but also some fun when you want to boot it a bit!

[jdw1234]

Keep Civic.

Extend house.

By TVR in future.

Then you will have done all of the above whilst spending the least amount of money.

[Legend83]

ZeeTacoe said:

How big will these children be that they can't fit in a civic?

Ha! I know what you mean.

I am sure we could make it work but a) I want to hedge against the Civic ever being out of action; and b) I secretly quite fancy a change (had two mk1 MX5s as my last cars).

SD1992 said:

What about a performance diesel car? Like a Mondeo ST TDCI or even a 330d / 530d?

That way you get practicality and economy, but also some fun when you want to boot it a bit!

Sorry for not being clear in my OP - I am not too bothered about economy with regards running costs as I only drive about 4000 miles a year for work.

I am more concerned with high servicing costs and risks of large bills.

[GAjon]

Mix your cheap and reliable and stealthy and you end up with a Mazda 6 MPS

[Legend83]

GAjon said:

Mix your cheap and reliable and stealthy and you end up with a Mazda 6 MPS

Agreed, but road tax hurts big time.

Plus, not too different to the Legacy which sounds better in 6 cylinder boxer engine guise....

Good shout though.

[wanacoop]

i'm thinking the same as you, except the wife's not pregnant yet. I'm thinkin 56/57 plate mazda 6 sport. Reliable,great hatch boot,twin pipes&spoiler help it look less normal.2.3 engine shouldn't be too bad on fuel. That or maybe a 53 reg merc c class estate. But would want a manual,petrol.. Not many around though.

[Pints]

We have two half-Pints under 3.
We have two cars: a mk5 Golf and an MX5.

There was a period when we had need for a double pram (which didn't fit in a hatchback), and during that time the family car was a Focus estate.

It is possible to have a family as well as a weekend toy.

[RobM77]

If you're considering a Mondeo ST220 then it makes sense to consider a 3 series of some kind. They're lighter and handle better than the E39 on your list.

[seopher]

Mazda 6 MPS.

[Legend83]

RobM77 said:

If you're considering a Mondeo ST220 then it makes sense to consider a 3 series of some kind. They're lighter and handle better than the E39 on your list.

A good 330i has been in the back of my mind for a while, but I just can't let myself get excited about them.

I like the idea of a Legacy in my street - completely anonymous.

On the other hand, the Alfa V6 is a big itch that wants scratching.

As is the TVR. Which would require the cheapest option!!

It's weighing up cheap, white goods now and dream car later versus something very good now as my only car / commuter.

[lordlee]

seopher said:

Mazda 6 MPS.

+1 its a quality sleeper

[Mars]

Legacy.

[dvance]

Surely an Alfa V6 would not tick the cheap maintenance box. I've owned a 1.6 TS 147 and I have to tell you though I would not class it as unreliable, it's a bit costly to keep up...

[VladD]

3.0 V6 Jag X-Type Estate.

[mrmaggit]

We've got a Cee'd estate, a Griffith and a Scorpion. The Kia is a lot bigger then it looks, cheap to run, cheap to insure and tax, bits are dead cheap (£50 inc. VAT for a complete rear light unit, fitted with bulbs and part wiring harness!) and has a lot of very neat design details.

The other two are the fun.

[Bullett]

Broken record - Octavia vRS. It's no TVR but it's well made, cheap and spacious (massive boot on the hatch) 200bhp and easily mod-able to lots more. I love mine more than I expected to (came from a Porsche Cayman).

You might manage day to day with the Civic but it will be a struggle for a weekend away. It's amazing how much space 1 baby takes, let alone 2.

[Legend83]

Bullett said:

Broken record - Octavia vRS. It's no TVR but it's well made, cheap and spacious (massive boot on the hatch) 200bhp and easily mod-able to lots more. I love mine more than I expected to (came from a Porsche Cayman).

You might manage day to day with the Civic but it will be a struggle for a weekend away. It's amazing how much space 1 baby takes, let alone 2.

Feck!! 548 litres of boot space according to Parkers. Thought my Civic was a tardis with 485.

Your point supports my concern that, my wife will cope with the Civic on an average day while I use the MX5 for work, but if we wanted to go away for a weekend / holiday etc, can I guarantee the Civic will be big enough?

We plan to get a very good, robust double buggy, which I understand is going to take up most of the boot!

Hence why I fancy getting a big, but fun, car for myself.