£50k to spend on a family car. Go!

[themainline]

Anyone know anything about cars? We live in central(ish) London and have never needed one until now with the arrival of our second child.

Car needs to be big enough for 2 car seats to fit comfortably at the back plus a big boot for the double buggy and Ddog. Will probably only use it to do the weekly shop plus day trips out of London from time to time.

We are paying cash (as opposed to getting it on finance) does that give us any bargaining power when buying a car?

www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc40/estate/review/n119

Porsche Cayenne. Lots of room and great to drive.

At your stage of family life we had a Volvo V70 (don't know what that is in 'new. money!). It was brilliant - transported us on family holidays; transported rubbish from house renovations to the dump; eventually transported a dog too. We lived in London too.

Peugeot 3008. Omg I love it. Car of the year twice.

I could of bought 50 of my cars with 50k lol.

I might have a nosy down there and look at all the other cars rather

If your underground car park is anything like mine, it’ll be all BMWs!

I have a BMW 330e. It’s hybrid, very economical on fuel, especially around the city, and has some amazing safety features. Also very comfortable.

Mine was an 8 month old floor model with 700km on the clock, and I got it for half the price of a brand new one.

Don’t like the idea of the dog being banished to the boot, though.

Where the hell is the dog supposed to go if not the boot?!

Surely a crate in the boot is the safest place?

I have just bought a new vehicle. My limit was $50,000 (US$) but I went over that by ordering the leather seats, and well, all the bells and whistles. I went with a 4 door Jeep Wrangler Sahara. I love Jeeps, I have a much older one that I use for carting the dogs around in and messy stuff. We live in a very rugged rural area - think areas of bedrock and/or deep snow drifts.

I recently bought electric all terrain trike for getting around on our property. I just love it. No cranking the engine. No petrol worry or noise. Makes me want an electric car now.

Don’t.

Get an electric cargo bike. Winther Kangaroo Luxe is superb if you have younger ones.

Older ones get a hitch tandem, like half a little bike on the back of yours.

I would keep the cash for using public transport or hiring a car when you need it.

Failing that a tiny electric car and hire a car for long journies. The 50 will go along way and cost you less overall.

I really wouldn’t go too big in your shoes OP. Two car seats will fit in the back of almost any car. A double push chair needn’t be that big either. How big is your dog and how often will it need to go in the car? It will be a hassle to try to park an enormous SUV in London.
I have a big SUV - I won’t recommend it because I don’t like it!! I do need a big car and 4x4 due to having three kids and a job where I visit farms most days. Day to day it is fine. We have just been for a city break and it was a nightmare. Too wide, too tall, huge turning circle, big thick doors that need a huge space to open them. It was clearly never designed to be in a city. I am used to city driving as I used to live there, but I had a much smaller car.

Buying an electric cargo bike and hiring cars for weekend trips and holidays is a good idea.
That just leaves food shopping but surely that's what Ocado is for!

Spending £50k on anything when you have no clue is very silly. You need to do lots of research and go to the show room knowing exactly what you want otherwise you are going to be their favourite customer of the month when they sell you all the extras you don't need. £50k on a car is just stupid.

Tumbling As much as I love Jeeps, it’s not really a living in Central London kind of car.

The Isawucoming? 50k buys you an entry level model.

It’s a good time to buy a new car, lots of haggle power as registrations are at an all time low. You could get a Prius for half your budget.

@Derbee noted 😂

If you have that sort of money available, get a hybrid or an electric car.

DH loves his https://www.ford.co.uk/cars/mustang/models-specs/v8-gt

My dog lies on the back seat when she goes out. She couldn't go in the boot as it is enclosed.

Skoda Fabia Estate. We’ve got one and it’s fantastic. Big enough boot for our ginormous greyhound.

2 car seats went beautifully in the back of my Toyota Aygo.

@FinallyHere presumably you have actually been in your DHs mustang?!

Cramped back and the bucket style seats mean kids car seats don't feel at all stable. Really tricky getting infant carrier in and out and if you want a rear facing toddler seat it will interfere with the front seat meaning you have to put front seats further forward than is comfortable.

The car is very low and bending and reaching to get seats in and out is a total PITA plus it's not a particularly smooth rode - we had one for a bit and DC always got sick unlike in our other car.

Don't buy a Kuga. Mine was £30k and I wish I'd bought an XC60.

Op, whatever car you buy, you’ll do much better buying something that is a few years old rather than completely new. Most car dealerships will give guarantees and free servicing for a year on their used cars.

For London driving you need a car that isn’t too big with automatic parking/decent cameras and with a higher driving position to have a good view of the whole road.

I thought you wrote £50! £50 ISA huge amount, but £50 wouldn't get you much lol!