Ambient lighting in cars under 10k?

[Thekidswantlights]

Hi All,

I’ve googled this but am not really getting any further and hoped I could ask enthusiasts for their recommendations.

Sadly getting divorced and need to buy a new car. My last car was a 5 series BMW GT - loved it. However, when he was away for (numerous) repairs (suspension) we had a loan Mini Hatch which had amazing lights internally - and my kids are kind of fixating on this.

Ideally, I would t like to spend more than £10k and would like the car to be 2017/18+. I don’t seem to be able to find a Mini Hatch (with Union Jack tail lights) and an armrest for this amount.

So I’ve been procrastinating and looking at other cars (I really like the Kia Sportage) but the kids are unenthusiastic.

Can you recommend any other cars I can look at with ambient lighting in my budget?

Thanks in advance

[Thekidswantlights]

Oh dear, I was meant to post this in Car Buying

[Thekidswantlights]

Hi All,

I’ve googled this but am not really getting any further and hoped I could ask enthusiasts for their recommendations.

Sadly getting divorced and need to buy a new car. My last car was a 5 series BMW GT - loved it. However, when he was away for (numerous) repairs (suspension) we had a loan Mini Hatch which had amazing lights internally - and my kids are kind of fixating on this.

Ideally, I wouldnt like to spend more than £10k and would like the car to be 2017/18+. I don’t seem to be able to find a Mini Hatch (with Union Jack tail lights) and an armrest for this amount.

So I’ve been procrastinating and looking at other cars (I really like the Kia Sportage) but the kids are unenthusiastic.

Can you recommend any other cars I can look at with ambient lighting in my budget?

Thanks in advance

[carlove]

It’s not going to be as flashy as the mini, but high spec Focuses have nice ambient lighting, subtle though and I think it’s only blue.
A colleague has a 2011 Titanium and it’s a really nice place to be at night, £10k should get a much newer one.

I’ve driven a 2015 Zetec and that didn’t have ambient lighting, hence my assumption it’s only high spec cars.

[Polrules]

Can vouch that the pre facelift mini hatches also came with the same ambient lighting as we've had both. Check the spec, think it went under the name of 'mini excitement' or' extended light pack' etc.

[swtcar]

I'm sure they won't be so fixated in about 36 hours. Relax!

[R5_BOY]

I seem to remember the Peugeot 2008 suv has nice ambient lighting and makes a good family car

[jonobigblind]

My 7 year old loves the ambient lighting in my other half’s Mini and proudly announced that her car was better than mine and she preferred travelling in that one.

Now the weather is crappy, she much prefers the rear heated seats in my 14 year old motor and says this is better than the Mini.

Kids are fickle, buy what you want and get them a £6 LED strip from Amazon to put around their seat. Will probably last as long as their fixation on the ambient lighting and it’s a plus that you don’t have to downsize from a 5 series to a Cooper.

[ZX10R NIN]

Your kids will get in any car you buy, don't worry about that get a car that suits YOUR need with you budget you can get something nice for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101158...

Megane Signature Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

Astra Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

[carlove]

The Megane does have ambient lighting on the door cards too. Don’t know about the Infiniti, the Astra probably doesn’t, my SRI doesn’t and I seem to remember the Elite doesn’t either.

The Megane I’ve heard good things about, Dads old neighbour had one, really praised how it drove, better than her TT, her quote not mine.

I’m a big fan of my 2017 Astra (bought as a daily to do big miles), it’s comfortable, quiet, quick, surprisingly nice to drive and has been reliable, almost 3 years I’ve had it and about 60k put on it, only replaced consumables and an anti roll bar link which fell off! If you do look at one, I’d try and find one with the LED headlights (fairly rare option), the halogens are pretty poor.

Once again can’t comment on the Infiniti, never met anyone with an Infiniti.

Edited by carlove on Monday 18th January 19:35

Edited by carlove on Monday 18th January 19:35

[Red9zero]

Our V40 has ambient lighting. Only a couple of small led's but they can be brightened up or down and have about 20 different colour options

[Thekidswantlights]

R5_BOY said:

I seem to remember the Peugeot 2008 suv has nice ambient lighting and makes a good family car

Thanks, will look them up

[Thekidswantlights]

jonobigblind said:

My 7 year old loves the ambient lighting in my other half’s Mini and proudly announced that her car was better than mine and she preferred travelling in that one.

Now the weather is crappy, she much prefers the rear heated seats in my 14 year old motor and says this is better than the Mini.

Kids are fickle, buy what you want and get them a £6 LED strip from Amazon to put around their seat. Will probably last as long as their fixation on the ambient lighting and it’s a plus that you don’t have to downsize from a 5 series to a Cooper.

Thanks, it is something of a downgrade but needs must! I did chuckle at the strip lights!

[The Rotrex Kid]

2019 onward Clio

https://youtu.be/38ilrGl4JVA

£10k might get you a Cat S one, £11500-£12500 gets you into a 2019 car.

[Knoxville2410]

I had one of these as a courtesy car before: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

It had ambient lighting and you could change the colours. Was a very nice car to drive. Was almost tempted to sell my 320d and get one.

[joropug]

Echoing a previous comment, you can buy really cheap led strip lights that are powered by USB. You can put them under the seats and give your kids the remote to choose their colour and stuff.

Buying a car on the basis it has £10 light bulbs fitted is absolutely bonkers.

I briefly installed them in my f30 for footwell ambience, I used them in my hand to take some cool photos:

[ZX10R NIN]

As above just add your own ambient lighting or a decent auto electrician will do it for you.

[jonobigblind]

Thekidswantlights said:

Thanks, it is something of a downgrade but needs must! I did chuckle at the strip lights!

joropug said:

Echoing a previous comment, you can buy really cheap led strip lights that are powered by USB. You can put them under the seats and give your kids the remote to choose their colour and stuff.

Buying a car on the basis it has £10 light bulbs fitted is absolutely bonkers.

I briefly installed them in my f30 for footwell ambience

My comment was 50% in jest but they work quite well for me on the back of my TV (self adhesive backing) and they have a good range of colours from the remote control.

Being able to personalise their own area of the cabin (get a USB splitter and the ability to plug in two sets at a time) has to be something that not even the latest S Class can manage (haven’t watched the online reviews so I’m taking a punt here). Big brownie points with the kids and a Kia for you.

Jobsagoodun.

[ro250]

Mercedes have selectable ambient lighting throughout the range although I don't know if it's standard. My kids liked choosing the colour for a few weeks then novelty went (not my photo btw). When you switch off car it cycles through all the colours.

[arun1uk]

We had a Mini Cooper S 5dr which was great. Fast, economical, good spec, reliable, good to drive. Reasonable size, kid friendly and still had an acceptable boot.
You can buy arm rests and rear lights and retrofit them, at reasonable costs if you're desperate - check on ebay. You'll need the Chilli and Media XL packs to get the best spec and ambient lighting.

Here's a few examples:
Petrol:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101168...

Diesel:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101178...

We loved ours and highly recommend it.