Jaguar XK for young family?

[KC_TypeR]

Hi guys, newb here. Your advice please:

I currently have owned a 2007 Honda Type R FN2 for last 4 years and my missus has a E82 1 series coupe. We have recently welcomed our first baby currently 7months old. Despite being 3 doors, my Type R has been really handy with the baby seat and for trips. I am getting the itch for a new car though. I now catch the bus to work for practical reasons and only really drive at the weekend or odd evening out.

I'm seriously considering a Jag XK to replace my Type R, ideally a tidy 5.0. This one looks like a good deal: https://www.fsperformance.co.uk/used-cars/jaguar-x... high mileage but FSH and these cars sound pretty reliable?

I know rear seats are tiny but I'm a couple months baby will be ready for a forward facing seat which should be less bulky.

What you guys think? What would you choose? Oh btw don't say get rid of the BM as the missus has already ruled it out. Sigh.

Thanks!

[Fiisch]

Are you mental?

Has to be a four door with kids!

[TwistingMyMelon]

My first concern would be can you even safettly fit a child seat in it . Most are bulky and have a list of cars they are suitable for I doubt an xk is on there

[KC_TypeR]

I was fearing that might be the reply. I genuinely don't think we need a 4 door, coped with the hardest stage with just 3 doors. I recall when we were expecting that we'd need a people carrier for our baby! Not needed anything more than my Civic so far!

So no-one else been in the same boat and bit the bullet then?

[D4MJT]

I admire your optimism

[KC_TypeR]

TwistingMyMelon said:

My first concern would be can you even safettly fit a child seat in it . Most are bulky and have a list of cars they are suitable for I doubt an xk is on there

Apparently Britax do one as recommended by another XK owner with kids. Definitely don't have the pick of the market though.

[Chubbyross]

You WILL need a 4-door. Pram, bags, travel cot, more bags, nappies, bags, bags of clothes, half a ton of wet wipes and, possibly, more bags.

[KC_TypeR]

Chubbyross said:

You WILL need a 4-door. Pram, bags, travel cot, more bags, nappies, bags, bags of clothes, half a ton of wet wipes and, possibly, more bags.

Not sure what a 4 door has to do with capacity? If it's to carry all those things, my civic hatchback is more practical than a 4 door 3 series. Or are you saying I need a estate?

[rsbmw]

First 7 months when they're in a seat you can easily lift in and out and simply slot in is not 'the hard bit'. When you have a toddler that still needs lifting in and out or a static seat, arches their back and fights getting strapped in, the complete lack of access in the back of an XL is going to be a problem.

[unpc]

I had an XK when my kids were small (not babies) but did have a family car as well. It was no problem whatsoever. Get it bought...

[Brinyan]

Give it a go. You have the BMW if you need to cart loads of kids stuff. The Jag for evenings & weekends sounds like a good mix.

[Brinyan]

Just re-read & it’s a 1 series coupe. Not much space there then! The Jag may be short lived, but even then, you don’t have to end up with a huge MPV because you have a child - there are semi- practical alternatives.

[KC_TypeR]

rsbmw said:

First 7 months when they're in a seat you can easily lift in and out and simply slot in is not 'the hard bit'. When you have a toddler that still needs lifting in and out or a static seat, arches their back and fights getting strapped in, the complete lack of access in the back of an XL is going to be a problem.

Ok by the sounds of it the sensible thing to do is possibly wait until she's a bit older before considering it. Thanks for the advice. Will stick to our current set up for now

[Chromegrill]

Are you sure you want to change dirty nappies and wipe up copious quantities of puke in a Jag? At least leather seats are easier to wipe down than cloth (speaking from personal experience)...

[Jaguar steve]

My granddaughters baby seat will only just fit in the back of my 2001 XJ and it's a major pain in the rectal area getting her in or out if she's either asleep or having one of her weapons grade tantrums.

Nope, a baby seat is never going to work in an XK.

[WonkeyDonkey]

Chromegrill said:

Are you sure you want to change dirty nappies and wipe up copious quantities of puke in a Jag? At least leather seats are easier to wipe down than cloth (speaking from personal experience)...

Why would you change nappies in a car?

I've got an 18 month old and never had to resort to it as almost ever restaurant or service station has baby changing facilities.

[Nath88n]

KC_TypeR said:

rsbmw said:

First 7 months when they're in a seat you can easily lift in and out and simply slot in is not 'the hard bit'. When you have a toddler that still needs lifting in and out or a static seat, arches their back and fights getting strapped in, the complete lack of access in the back of an XL is going to be a problem.

Ok by the sounds of it the sensible thing to do is possibly wait until she's a bit older before considering it. Thanks for the advice. Will stick to our current set up for now

On the other side, our 3 year old daughter loves getting in the car seat and is quite helpful in doing so.

[JamesP110]

I was in the same situation as you Op. I looked a the XK and concluded it would be a nightmare. I tried to put a child seat in the back of the XK, but the front seat needed to be so far forward and even then a forward facing baby had tiny amounts of leg room. The front passenger also had no room either. It then occurred to me that if my daughter was sick the front passenger would be wearing it too!!

I went and bought and XF sv8 in the end and have no regrets! Getting my daughter in and out of her seat can be a battle sometimes, so I'm glad I don't have to do it in a 2 door car.

[craigjm]

I know this won’t be a popular post here but if you want a GT type car and need to carry a baby seat and all the crap that comes with a baby the only one on my list would be a Maserati GT.

[KC_TypeR]

JamesP110 said:

I was in the same situation as you Op. I looked a the XK and concluded it would be a nightmare. I tried to put a child seat in the back of the XK, but the front seat needed to be so far forward and even then a forward facing baby had tiny amounts of leg room. The front passenger also had no room either. It then occurred to me that if my daughter was sick the front passenger would be wearing it too!!

I went and bought and XF sv8 in the end and have no regrets! Getting my daughter in and out of her seat can be a battle sometimes, so I'm glad I don't have to do it in a 2 door car.

Not really what I wanted to hear but great advice and would rather know now that after I bought one. I hadn't seriously considered a XF as im mostly interested in the XK for its cuuuuurvy bodylines.

Might be something large, boxy and German this rate. Perhaps a 3 series touring or a Passat etc. The newer shape 5 door FK3 and FK8 Type Rs are very nice but still too pricey for me.