to think we could have been included in buying a family car

[Ivortheengine8]

DH has talked for some time about getting us a new family car before DC2 arrives in October.
Finally today he has gone off to look for one and hopefully find something he likes.

I thought he might have wanted me to go with him. I understand why he doesnt want dc1 to go as she would probably get bored but I said I could drop her off somewhere for a couple of hours and he and I could go.

But no, this morning he wants to do it himself and said it would be easier for him to negotiate a good price on his own. I don't know what he is getting or even what he wants to look at.

Hands up, I havent passed my test yet so I won't be driving the car (Yet!) but seeing as we hardly do anything as a family anyway I thought he could have included me a bit more. Even if I had been asked what I liked the look off or for some imput.

Thanks monkey for the imput. Like I said, I don't know nothing! but its good to hear opinions and we certainly don't want to be spending lots of money in the future.

^^
, thats what I said....

I reckon the reason he didnt want you there as he wanted to buy the flashy car he wanted without you asking awkward questions like.. are we going to fit x number of car sets in the back/puschair in the boot.

I hope it will be old, As I said I havent had a proper look yet, he said the boot is plenty big enough but I will see for myself tomorrow.
We do have quite a hefty pushchair so hope it will!

YANBU I assume he's not paying for this out of his own pocket and that it will be paid for by both of you? He's got no right to not include you if you will be contributing towards payment! To be honest I'd have told him where to go if he thought he was going out spending £7000 on something without allowing you any input!

Seems like a high price for a 318d but it's not a bad choice, they are very fuel efficient, low tax (£90), cheap to insure and BMW diesels last forever - our last 330d went to 200k miles and we still sold it for 4.5k, not bad for a 10 year old car!

Shame he didn't get the touring (estate)

Oh, and there is quite a lot of misinformation above, so to correct:

1. It has a camchain not a cambelt so nothing to do there
2. It is a 4 cylinder model, not a 6. This means it is very slow and a bit clattery but very fuel efficient (although the 6cyl diesels are also incredibly efficient)
3. It's actually a 2 litre diesel, the 316d, 318d and 320d all use exactly the same 2 litre engine and the power output is varied electronically.

Enjoy it. As I say it's not a quick car by any means but it has a lovely responsive chassis, great steering and it's a proper rear wheel drive car so generally feels more intuitive to drive.

Thanks malinois, I hope we get some good journeys out of it. Do you think it is quite roomy inside boot wise?
He doesnt use it in the week for work anyway as he uses the tube so it will be mainly for long journeys - trips to see family,go on holiday ect.
His old car was really struggling to do the hills in Dorset a couple of weeks ago when we went on holiday and really was on its way out. He had it before we were married (Seat Ibiza) so we really did need something a bit more decent.
I was worried he might break down on the way to the hospital when I was in labour!

ivor It has a reasonable sized boot but remember it is a saloon not a hatch so awkward shaped things might not fit in. It will be fine for long journeys and certainly a lot nicer and more refined than an ancient Seat. It should have no problem pulling up steep hills etc, the diesel engines are very torquey. It will feel quite powerful and sporty in comparison I hope!