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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to dismiss the idea of a family car?

22 replies

ValerieDavis · 13/08/2012 14:09

I've had a my TT for a while now and DH thinks it's about time I switched to a more family friendly car so that it's easier to travel around with my DS and DD.

I really like my car and my children don't seem to mind it either (although it is a bit of a squeeze in the back, I admit).

AIBU to want to reject DH suggestion of switching to a family car?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 13/08/2012 14:11

I'm not really sure it's the sort of question anyone else can answer for you

Original poster
ValerieDavis · 13/08/2012 14:20

I'm unsure as to whether it's me being a bit selfish in my choice of car... Blush

OP posts:
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 13/08/2012 14:21

How old are the kids?

MrsHoarder · 13/08/2012 14:23

What would a "family car" let you do that your TT doesn't? Other than fit more neatly into an advertiser's profile...

Original poster
ValerieDavis · 13/08/2012 14:23

DS is 5 and DD is 7...

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 13/08/2012 14:24

Hmmm, my boss had one of these. It'll be find as long as your kids are very small. Once they have legs longer than toddler legs, then it won't be suitable, really, for anything other than 5 minute trips to the school.

Does your dh have a car?

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 13/08/2012 14:24

I suppose it depends how long they'll fit in the back. DP had to get rid of his when I got pregnant, as we couldn't get the infant seat in. We did live the car, and being a Quattro model it was fab in snow, but god, it was thirsty!

Original poster
ValerieDavis · 13/08/2012 14:26

Yes DH does have a car but I'm the one who does the school run and takes them to dance, football etc ...

Thanks for all of your advice :-)

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 13/08/2012 14:27

I think it's okay for short trips, as long as you can use your dh's car for longer trips it should be fine.

HmmThinkingAboutIt · 13/08/2012 14:29

As a matter of interest, what does he drive? Assuming you have a second car.

Original poster
ValerieDavis · 13/08/2012 14:37

DH drives a VW Golf so plenty of room for longer trips :-)

OP posts:
TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 13/08/2012 14:40

I think as long as your kids are comfortable you should drive whatever you want and can afford!

MousyMouse · 13/08/2012 14:40

can you switch cars then?

uselfullife · 13/08/2012 14:46

if it's usually just you and the children and they fit in the back, with their stuff, I don't really see the problem

I have a big car, and I'm thinking of getting a smaller one, mainly because of running costs.
And DH doesn't drive anymore, so it's mainly me and ds

throckenholt · 13/08/2012 14:49

why not use the golf when you have the kids and the TT at other times ? Or are you a sahm who only ever gets to drive with kids in tow (in which case my suggestion is redundant).

I guess bottom line is, if the kids fit in without complaints then it is ok. Once they don't fit in any more, then you need to find another solution.

Eastpoint · 13/08/2012 14:52

I had a TT until DD1 was 10, DS was 9 and DD2 7. We changed then as my husband bought a fancier sports car which I don't drive very often. Much more fun to have one sensible car & another if you can afford to run both.

Hulababy · 13/08/2012 14:56

The children will be too big for the TT pretty soon. friebd had to get rid of theirs in the end as their 9y was just too swished. The back seats say they are only suitable up to a certain height - 4 foot something (a bit less than 5 foot) iirr). I'm 5 foot and it is too low for me. My 10y is almost same height as me so at 10y she was too tall.

I don't have a big family car though. Dh has a VW Golf R - can fit 5 in but boot isn't huge and it's only really 3 children or two adults in back that fit ok. I have a little Fiat 500 convertible. We only have the one DD but I often have 3 children with me. They all fit in those no problem. No prams needed here though.

Wigglewoo · 13/08/2012 15:28

Well if I can get me,dd aged 9, ds 9 weeks, dh and ds's silver cross linear freeway pram and car seat in a 3 door fiat seicento (!!!) I'm sure you can manage :)

There's no need to change if you're all happy (you and the kids I mean).

LouiseMBE · 13/08/2012 15:36

Before DSis and I left home my parents had a Vauxhall Tigra, it had a tuny back seat. We couldn't sit comfortably at all. They knew this when they bought it and bought it anyway which wasn't fair IMHO.

When we did a trip over about 30mins it would give us neck ache. If we drove.hours to see family it was really a struggle in the back. I would have been about 5ft 2" at the time.

If your car works for you and yours then stick with it. If the DC get uncomfortable in it then I think its unfair.

danteV · 13/08/2012 18:03

I have just got a sporty classic car. Only ever drive me or me and dd around in it.
If I need to take both kids I drive dhs Picasso. He has this car as he needs the space his business and for the kids.
We just interchange depending on what we are doing.
If everyone fits and his happy, no need to change.

oldraver · 13/08/2012 18:10

I would keep it as long as the DC's will fit. Is there a real reason why DH wants you to get rid, is he a bit jealous maybe ?

I have acar with a titchy back seat but DS is also titchy plus the car is quite old so I envisage getting something more 'family' in the next few years (hopefully)

Hulababy · 13/08/2012 18:13

The size of the car isn't the issue. It is the height in the back seat. In a TT it is more limited than in other small cars.

The TT isn't really a 4 seater. It is a 2 +2 car and the back seats aren't full height seats. And the leg room behind the drivers seat, if the driver is average height or above, is much reduced also - more so than in many cars. If DH was driving - he's just over 6 foot, his driver seat would be almost touching the rear seats leaving pretty much no leg room at all.

There should be a warning sticker in the car (passenger side?) which actually has the height restriction on it. I think it is about 4 foot 11.

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