It's twins.................
Discussion
Hello all.
This is my first post on Piston Heads so please go easy on me if I've put this in the wrong section etc.
So, yesterday my wife had an ultrasound at the local hospital and I heard the words many men dread. "Yep, there's definitely two there.....".
Anyway, shock aside, having a kid was a pre planned operation, we'd moved earlier this year from out 2 bed semi, into a 4 bed house.
The problem I now have is the car.
I've currently got a 07 plate Renault Sport Clio 197. It suits me down to the ground at the moment. I live about 4 miles from work and I cycle in quite often so I've only put 12,000 miles on it since June 2010.
I should also point out, I have a dog, he's a working cocker spaniel (failed police sniffer dog). Both sets of parents live about 3 hours drive from us in Yorkshire.
My wife has an 03 plate Ford Fiesta 1.4 Lx. She adores it and is insistent that she will not have anything bigger as 'her car'. Her commute is a round trip of 40 miles of 90% dual carriage way. She gets a generous maternity leave so she'll be off work for about a year but intends to go back full time eventually.
So the dilemma;
Clearly your average double buggy/ travel system won't fit in the boot of the Clio with the dog as well.
I need to find something that I can pretty much do a straight swap for it (maximum budget £8,000). Prior to finding out about the twins I was looking around at 05 plate Audi A4 Avant's. Preferably a 2.0T FSI. However, I'm concerned that even that won’t fit all the gubbins I'll need to visit the grandparents.
I'm flexible over petrol or diesel. Fuel consumption isn't a massive concern as long as it’s not significantly worse than the Clio (about 23mpg round the doors/ 28mpg on a long run). Ideally I'd like something that's fun to drive when the sprogs aren't on board.
Anyway from what my friends tell me, if anyone knows the answer it’s the good people of Piston heads, over to you ........
This is my first post on Piston Heads so please go easy on me if I've put this in the wrong section etc.
So, yesterday my wife had an ultrasound at the local hospital and I heard the words many men dread. "Yep, there's definitely two there.....".
Anyway, shock aside, having a kid was a pre planned operation, we'd moved earlier this year from out 2 bed semi, into a 4 bed house.
The problem I now have is the car.
I've currently got a 07 plate Renault Sport Clio 197. It suits me down to the ground at the moment. I live about 4 miles from work and I cycle in quite often so I've only put 12,000 miles on it since June 2010.
I should also point out, I have a dog, he's a working cocker spaniel (failed police sniffer dog). Both sets of parents live about 3 hours drive from us in Yorkshire.
My wife has an 03 plate Ford Fiesta 1.4 Lx. She adores it and is insistent that she will not have anything bigger as 'her car'. Her commute is a round trip of 40 miles of 90% dual carriage way. She gets a generous maternity leave so she'll be off work for about a year but intends to go back full time eventually.
So the dilemma;
Clearly your average double buggy/ travel system won't fit in the boot of the Clio with the dog as well.
I need to find something that I can pretty much do a straight swap for it (maximum budget £8,000). Prior to finding out about the twins I was looking around at 05 plate Audi A4 Avant's. Preferably a 2.0T FSI. However, I'm concerned that even that won’t fit all the gubbins I'll need to visit the grandparents.
I'm flexible over petrol or diesel. Fuel consumption isn't a massive concern as long as it’s not significantly worse than the Clio (about 23mpg round the doors/ 28mpg on a long run). Ideally I'd like something that's fun to drive when the sprogs aren't on board.
Anyway from what my friends tell me, if anyone knows the answer it’s the good people of Piston heads, over to you ........
Thanks for the quick replies.
RecallUk, I'm pretty easy on the style of car. I know I'm going to have to put the sort of performance I get from the clio on the back burner for now, welcome to you 30's eh!
I had considered an E60 5 series estate/ Volvo V70 D5/ T5, but the one thing that puts me off is the millage on the ones that are in my budget.
All the cars I've bought in the past have been around the 3 year old 30'000 mile mark. I don't have much experience with higher millage cars. Any advice anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated.
RecallUk, I'm pretty easy on the style of car. I know I'm going to have to put the sort of performance I get from the clio on the back burner for now, welcome to you 30's eh!
I had considered an E60 5 series estate/ Volvo V70 D5/ T5, but the one thing that puts me off is the millage on the ones that are in my budget.
All the cars I've bought in the past have been around the 3 year old 30'000 mile mark. I don't have much experience with higher millage cars. Any advice anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the great response again.
At the moment the dog can travel in the boot of either the Clio or the Fiesta, he tends to go to sleep as soon as he's in the boot and his bed is about the side of a spare wheel.
Whilst the Mrs won't have a big car as her own, she will drive it if needs be. She's just in love with her Fiesta. I actually think she hates driving anything but her own car. I only managed to get her into a Fiesta from a long line of Corsa's after a lot of selling to her.
She hates driving the Clio (because she tends to Kangaroo it when its cold) and thats not bigger than the Fiesta. Other than that, she's actualy not a bad driver.
Half the problem is that she's never driven anything bigger than my old Alfa 147. Where as I used to drive my Mums Citroen Xantia when I passed my test at 17 and have driven several similar size cars since, so driving bigger cars has never bothered me.
At the moment the dog can travel in the boot of either the Clio or the Fiesta, he tends to go to sleep as soon as he's in the boot and his bed is about the side of a spare wheel.
Whilst the Mrs won't have a big car as her own, she will drive it if needs be. She's just in love with her Fiesta. I actually think she hates driving anything but her own car. I only managed to get her into a Fiesta from a long line of Corsa's after a lot of selling to her.
She hates driving the Clio (because she tends to Kangaroo it when its cold) and thats not bigger than the Fiesta. Other than that, she's actualy not a bad driver.
Half the problem is that she's never driven anything bigger than my old Alfa 147. Where as I used to drive my Mums Citroen Xantia when I passed my test at 17 and have driven several similar size cars since, so driving bigger cars has never bothered me.
I'd thought of trying to get by with a larger hatch, but my brother struggles with his A3 5 door, 1 18 month old and no dog.
The other thing is, other than our respective parents in Holmfirth, the rest of our siblings and other close family live in Greater London and the home counties. I think we'll have a couple of long road trips in store as we live in Newcastle.
I think from the posts I've read and a bit if auto trader research I'm first going to look at big estates;
Volvo V70
BMW e60 5 series touring
Subaru Legacy
Any buying tips on these would be great.
If the Mrs can't live with these we'll look at the compact MPV's such as;
Mazda 5
S Max
Vw Touran
I think now that I've slept on it earlier posters are right. For at least the next 2 years, safety and space are the 2 top priorities.
After that I think I'll be able to talk her into a mini mpv for her and something more spirited for me.
The other thing is, other than our respective parents in Holmfirth, the rest of our siblings and other close family live in Greater London and the home counties. I think we'll have a couple of long road trips in store as we live in Newcastle.
I think from the posts I've read and a bit if auto trader research I'm first going to look at big estates;
Volvo V70
BMW e60 5 series touring
Subaru Legacy
Any buying tips on these would be great.
If the Mrs can't live with these we'll look at the compact MPV's such as;
Mazda 5
S Max
Vw Touran
I think now that I've slept on it earlier posters are right. For at least the next 2 years, safety and space are the 2 top priorities.
After that I think I'll be able to talk her into a mini mpv for her and something more spirited for me.
SWoll said:
Congratulations OP, you're in for some fun my friend 
I'd probably go for the A6 avant with the 2.0T engine and autobox. No more expensive than a comparable A4, a lot cheaper to buy than the 2.0TDi, loads of room in the back/boot and still a reasonable drive. From the sound of it I reckon your Mrs might fall in love with the autobox like mine did. She wont have anything else now even though she is a good driver who enjoys pushing on.
I hope it all goes well for you and both, and welcome to PH.
edit: Like this one (although it is a manual) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd avoid the S-line models also as the ride quality is dreadful, not good with sleeping babies full of milk in the back.
Looks brilliant. I assumed it was on a V plate with the mileage. Can't imagine there are many with that mileage/ age/ price.I'd probably go for the A6 avant with the 2.0T engine and autobox. No more expensive than a comparable A4, a lot cheaper to buy than the 2.0TDi, loads of room in the back/boot and still a reasonable drive. From the sound of it I reckon your Mrs might fall in love with the autobox like mine did. She wont have anything else now even though she is a good driver who enjoys pushing on.
I hope it all goes well for you and both, and welcome to PH.
edit: Like this one (although it is a manual) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd avoid the S-line models also as the ride quality is dreadful, not good with sleeping babies full of milk in the back.
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 9th February 11:44
One idea I had was to sell both cars, get something like a Mazda 5 for her, and a Saab 9-3 2.0T for me.
It would mean we had 2 cars capable of taking a double buggie and 2 isofix car seats. We'd have the flexibility of the Mazda for lugging the dog/ kids/ buggys other kit. The Saab would be more family friendly but still has plenty of poke.
Both are pretty dirt cheap. Any comments/ recommendations welcome.
It would mean we had 2 cars capable of taking a double buggie and 2 isofix car seats. We'd have the flexibility of the Mazda for lugging the dog/ kids/ buggys other kit. The Saab would be more family friendly but still has plenty of poke.
Both are pretty dirt cheap. Any comments/ recommendations welcome.
Hello again.
Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
Well I'm still considering car choices!
I've decided to try selling my car private in order to get a bit more cash. I could live without a car for a week or two if necessary.
Anyway, after trying it out a couple of times the pooch can live with traveling in a footwell for the couple of trips home per year.
I've been contemplating an E90 BMW 320d.
There's a few around within my budget with around 70,000 miles on and around on a 2006/2007 model.
Does anyone have any experience with these cars?
My only concern is the cost and frequency of repairs.
Most have been company cars so they've been well maintained.
Any comments appreciated
Iggle Piggle said:
Well my friend and neighbour has one, its a 58 plate I think and the turbo just failed and its costing them to replace. Unless you do stellar miles I would suggest petrol.
What do you think to this? Any cons??
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehiclesearch/used/bmw...
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