Do we need a bigger car?

[ElleDubloo]

We've currently got a lovely 3-door VW polo with 1.2L engine, which is great for zipping about in London and parking in tiny spaces, and cheap to maintain. My dad is planning to sell his huge Ford Mondeo, but has offered to give it to us if we want it. Obviously it's incredibly generous of him, and he's offering because he says we'll need a bigger car for the baby when it's born, in regards to safety, and convenience in putting in a car seat and carrying baby stuff around, etc.

I love my little Polo and it's never let me down so far. (Except that time when I crashed it, my fault.) And it's going to cost us more to insure and tax the Mondeo, especially since both my DH and I have lost our no-claims bonuses in the past year.

Both cars are about 8 years old, and in great working condition.

So how big is your car? Did you purposely have to get a bigger one for baby reasons?

[Pregnantagain7]

I have a BMW one series which is a similar size to yours and three dcs, it's been fine my only word of advice is check that pram you buy fits in the boot, the buggy part of mine fits in fine but trying to fit the carrycot part and the wheels was a v tight squeeze and had to take the parcel shelf off which was not ideal.

I am pregnant with dc4 and gutted my little car has got go but just no way I can fit them all in! :)

[Serafinaaa]

We are TTC and our VW polo is our big car! It's a 5 door and we haven't been worried about whether it will be big/safe enough at all. On the other hand I have a Ford KA and I think that's going to be more of a squeeze. Can't really afford to change it though so will keep that too!

[weebairn]

I have a titchy 3 door ford ka and it's been cheap and just fine. I also live city centre and we only have one car as DP walks to work. You do have to climb into the back with the baby, but hey I'm still young. You can also have a car seat in the front if you do not have or disable the passenger seat airbag.

You need to not get a giant pushchair. This is important.

Expecting no. 2 in the autumn and DP is adamant we need a bigger car now. Sigh. I still reckon we could all squeeze in...

[Foxeym]

I have a fiat 500 and DC3 is 5 months old, we are currently looking at trading it in for an MPV as my 2 teen DC's keep complaining about being squashed in the back, bless they do seem to have their knees round their ears, I love my car but completely impractical now :(

[KatAndKit]

I have a polo. I have an almost two year old and another on the way. I have no intention of selling my car. There are plenty of car seats that will fit and a choice of buggies that will fit in the boot especially if you don't mind removing the wheels.

[SellyMevs]

I picked up my new car today.. We went for a massive estate. Totally our preference, my 3 door golf has gone to DH.

We needed a big car, we have a labrador as well as a baby on the way and travel to my parents frequently so do a lot of miles. We also live rurally.

I'm sure I could have coped with my golf, but I have a bad back so getting a car seat in and out of a 3 door was no good for me. I struggle with the few occasions I look after my nephew.

[KatAndKit]

A three door car is less than ideal for getting a rear facing baby seat in but I expect it can be done. An isofix base will probably make it easier.

[LlamaLover]

I'd prefer a 5 door to a 3 door - just for getting little one in and out of the rear facing car seat.

I now have a 7 seater (and only 2 kids!) as I like having spare clothes, raincoats, towels, wellies, snacks, drinks, toys etc for everyone in the car at all times.

Plus our holidays are now mostly camping based and so its easy to sling in tent and cool box and all the other stuff we need to keep it cheap.

So, I'd think about the kids, the kid seats and the STUFF!

I could keep the stuff to a minimum, but I like that I don't have to, if you see what I mean.

[sherbetpips]

It is fine, drives me nuts when I see people buying people carriers when they have there first kid. My mum had a Renault 5 and there were four of us. Seriously though the polo is a good size for pushchairs, etc. the main reason people need a bigger car for multiple young kids is because you cannot get more than two car seats in the back.

[sherbetpips]

Also I have yet to see a people carrier with a decent boot!

[LlamaLover]

Ah, but if you take out seats in most MPVs you have a very large boot!

[LlamaLover]

So you can have 3 'proper' seats in the back and a big boot too.

[LlamaLover]

But it sounds like the OP is considering the Mondeo - which will have a big boot.

[hubbahubster]

Our five door Golf had to go. Too small (we have a dog too and a week away requires too much kit). Also annoyingly low.

It's the three doors I would find tricky with a baby. Getting them in and out will prob do your back in!

[chelly77]

We have an Astra and are having to get am estate as we need to get 2 capsules and our toddlers seat - and space for the dog. And you would not believe how much cars cost in Australia compared to the UK!

[icklekid]

We have a 3dr golf and took it when went to buy car seat- it was fine. Bought an isofix base which will help. For big trips we have a 5dr but for day to day with the base don't need to climb to much. Most of my driving at the moment is for work and live walkable distance from town so don't imagine will be driving much anyway. Depends on your lifestyle etc. With car seat in the front passenger seat is quite far forward but if passenger wasn't too tall would be fine or they can sit next to baby!

[VeloWoman]

I think you could manage with on small baby in a capsule but it would get harder as they need bigger seats and if you have another one.

I think it might be more economical to upgrade now than in two years time when your dads car is no longer available.

How economical is the mondeo to run?