Does an interesting family car exist??
Discussion
Ok so with a new addition to the family due in a few months it's time to hang up the fun daily cars... I think.
I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
Well you might just find an EV6 at your range, perhaps something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...
325 BHP, 5.1 seconds to 60, stunning looks, super-fast charging and genuinely practical (we did many continental trips) last but not least, actually fun to drive.
you're welcome.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...
325 BHP, 5.1 seconds to 60, stunning looks, super-fast charging and genuinely practical (we did many continental trips) last but not least, actually fun to drive.
you're welcome.
Surely there are a whole range of suitable options between an RS4 and a Kia Sportage??
I'll start off with this.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024072420...
But really, any large hatch or estate with decent performance would do the job.
Personally I feel that high performance and exciting handling are wasted in a family motor but that's just me. We have my wife's Hyundai MPV for family stuff which is spacious, comfy and cheap as chips to run. I have an mx5 ND2 which I use for work when it's just me or for fun when I take our 8 year old son out in it.
I'll start off with this.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024072420...
But really, any large hatch or estate with decent performance would do the job.
Personally I feel that high performance and exciting handling are wasted in a family motor but that's just me. We have my wife's Hyundai MPV for family stuff which is spacious, comfy and cheap as chips to run. I have an mx5 ND2 which I use for work when it's just me or for fun when I take our 8 year old son out in it.
The question is how many occasions will you need to have all the baby stuff in the car? Whilst a tight fit with the pram, they won’t be in that for that long in the scheme of things.
Will you make longish journeys? If so how often? Maybe a fun car with a roof box as and when required is the answer.
If so, then you have increased your options quite a bit - there is little point having a big boring car when the majority of the time you don’t need it.
When I retired, we decided we would go off camping and I considered an estate but in the end opted for a roof box when we went away. Cheaper than changing the car!
Will you make longish journeys? If so how often? Maybe a fun car with a roof box as and when required is the answer.
If so, then you have increased your options quite a bit - there is little point having a big boring car when the majority of the time you don’t need it.
When I retired, we decided we would go off camping and I considered an estate but in the end opted for a roof box when we went away. Cheaper than changing the car!
Fanboy35 said:
Ok so with a new addition to the family due in a few months it's time to hang up the fun daily cars... I think.
I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
Kia Stinger GT, very good steer & family car, As well as 4 years warranty left on the first one:I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409274...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409234...
XF S, they drive/ride well & have a peach of a drivetrain:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408193...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408112...
CLS400 Shooting brake:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408303...
Maserti Ghibi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409043...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409123...
S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409123...
Full fat options:
CLS 63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409134...
E63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409234...
Panamera Turbo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404088...
GTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...
S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
V8 S8:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404279...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402146...
M6 GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405280...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407292...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407051...
It’s a waste of time mate, you’re better off getting a weekend car that you can use to get your fix of vroom vroom. Big engined cars are noisy, you’ll want the baby to sleep because they tend to moan, cry and shout when they’re awake. Most of the time your mrs will also be in the car and she won’t welcome any boy racer type antics, she’ll want peace and safety for all of you. It’s a different world having a baby - you now have precious cargo, speed is irresponsible and won’t come naturally to you with the baby at the back.
Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
maz8062 said:
It’s a waste of time mate, you’re better off getting a weekend car that you can use to get your fix of vroom vroom. Big engined cars are noisy, you’ll want the baby to sleep because they tend to moan, cry and shout when they’re awake. Most of the time your mrs will also be in the car and she won’t welcome any boy racer type antics, she’ll want peace and safety for all of you. It’s a different world having a baby - you now have precious cargo, speed is irresponsible and won’t come naturally to you with the baby at the back.
Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
Pretty much exactly what I was saying but a bit more blunt!Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
Couldn't agree more. SUVs are popular fir a reason and it has nothing to do with driving dynamics.
Is this your first child?
If so, I'd recommend you just use the Astra which will be absolutely fine. If the pram doesn't fit, buy a smaller pram. It's cheaper than a bigger car!
I've been looking into too..
there's suprisingly not much unless it has a chunky bork factor.
CLS 350 shooting brake is on my list, C63 estate is on the list(risk of bork), cayenne 4.2 TD or V8 is on the list(risk of bork again) rs4/s4/s6 avants..
and then maybe something a bit left field, like elgrand 3.5 v6 or a vellfire/alphard toyota with the 3.5
there's suprisingly not much unless it has a chunky bork factor.
CLS 350 shooting brake is on my list, C63 estate is on the list(risk of bork), cayenne 4.2 TD or V8 is on the list(risk of bork again) rs4/s4/s6 avants..
and then maybe something a bit left field, like elgrand 3.5 v6 or a vellfire/alphard toyota with the 3.5
Fanboy35 said:
Ok so with a new addition to the family due in a few months it's time to hang up the fun daily cars... I think.
I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
I used a Ghibli V6S (about 410 bhp) as a family car which was far from dull and did all the practical things easily.I have a mk1 golf that I'm intending to build into a show car for the summers and special occasions so trying to tell myself reliable and family is the way to go. Only problem is I struggle to fond the happy medium; latest cars on the list vary from v10 Audi S8 and 4.2 RS4s through to Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportages but every time I look at the former the running make me feel I shouldn't be that selfish and the later just bore me.
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
Anyway rambling on here. Criteria are:
Budget max 25k flr the right car or a shed up to 10k
Petrol or electric ideally
Daily commute is 8 miles
Enough room to keep all the baby requirements out of the cabin
Fun enough to entertain me and not feel like I've given everything up.
Sounds a bit depressing but the struggle is real. Any advice appreciated.
maz8062 said:
It’s a waste of time mate, you’re better off getting a weekend car that you can use to get your fix of vroom vroom. Big engined cars are noisy, you’ll want the baby to sleep because they tend to moan, cry and shout when they’re awake. Most of the time your mrs will also be in the car and she won’t welcome any boy racer type antics, she’ll want peace and safety for all of you. It’s a different world having a baby - you now have precious cargo, speed is irresponsible and won’t come naturally to you with the baby at the back.
Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
^^THIS^^ and you will soon get frustrated with loose items everywhere, spilt milk, vomit, food, smells, dog poo on pram wheels, baby seat, door pranged as your missus frustratingly struggles to clip baby in seat while its hammering down outside B&M.Get an SUV type vehicle with plenty of space, wide doors and an elevated driving position. Autos work and something that your mrs can work with seamlessly as a mother. Big engine, fuel greedy cars that could leave her stranded because the high pressure fuel pump or something like that creates problems for you when you get back from work.
Spend the rest on an Elise, MX5, or something that won’t make her accuse you of having fun while she’s taking care of business at home.
Fanboy35 said:
Ok so with a new addition to the family due in a few months it's time to hang up the fun daily cars... I think.
...
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
There's no need for anyone to give up on life and get a SUV just because a baby is coming. By all means have a car that you won't be too precious about, but it doesn't mean the car has to be a shed or a filthy mess or no fun to drive when your family isn't in the car....
We have a 2016 Astra in the family that is apparently adequate although the pram now takes up the whole boot on the test fit.
A compact estate will do the job nicely. Pick your poison whether it's BMW/Merc/Audi or Focus/Golf/Seat/Astra etc. I'd avoid stuff with really stiff suspension like C63s. At newborn stage a non-SUV is easier with load height - both fitting the car seat (with baby in it) to a seat base and loading stuff in and out of the boot. When time comes to move to a front-facing seat (e.g. 12-14 months), get a car seat which swivels, so that the child is facing you when securing their belts etc.
- Get a high quality compact buggy** - it means you'll only ever buy one buggy, which is quite rare as most people buy a massive one for the first year and then get sick of how big and unwieldy they are. They're light - so way easier for mums to fold and pack, you can take on holiday etc.
https://www.johnlewis.com/stokke-yoyo-pushchair-fr...
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