AIBU to think DH should buy a bigger, more practical, car?

[BoomChickenSoup]

We are a family of six and obviously my car is big enough to seat all of us. DH is looking to replace his car, which is currently a four seater, and wants to replace it with a five seater.

Am I being unreasonable to suggest that it would make more practical sense to buy a car that can seat all of us as a family? He reasons that we will never be in a situation where we would all need to be in his car rather than in my car or a courtesy car if necessary.

We have done the research and the cost difference between the two different options is approximately £1,000 and the insurance cost is practically the same.

I know this is a comparatively small problem to have btw but would be interested in others opinions, especially as I really do think I am right here.

I have a 7 seater and dh has a very small car. We didn't see point of running two biggish cars.

Why do you need 2 big cars?
Isn't it more sensible and cost effective to have 1 big car and 1 much smaller car? Or both of you have a midsize car?
Especially if one or both have to commute to work, a big MPV with 1 person driving and all other seats empty.

I'm with your DH on this one. You'll never need two big cars at the same time. If he's the taking the kids out he can take your big car surely?

If you will both drive both cars you don't need two big ones, IMO. If he will be possessive about his an else save you doing all the running around then you do.

Else save?? LEAVE you doing all the running around.

You are all on his side??? Well this isn't going how I thought it would

Yup, Yabu.

I'd be tempted to get him a really small car like a smart car - easy to park and really cheap to insure

Really can't understand why you need 2 big cars. You can only have all 6 in one of the cars at any one time. I'm with your DH on this one.

It's just practicality tbh.
There's 6 of you, you have a 6 seater, he could have a single seat F1 car and it wouldn't impact on the practical side.
If cost is an issue, get him a used 1ltr Metro.
1 family car, one cheap run around.

if it was one car between the family then i would agree. but there is 2 as long as one car has enough seating then i would have thought that was fine

You don't need two big cars

I really don't understand why you'd want 2 huge cars.

Surely it's big car for family stuff and small car for commuting?

Do you drive each other's cars or is this more about who drives than what car you have?

You don't need 2 6 seaters...because if you're all travelling he can drive your car and if you're using your car he'd only ever need 5 seats.

Op I actually agree with you - I don't see the point of having a car that the whole family can't get into?

I'm with you OP, I'd much rather have a second car that everyone can sit in. Not take a load of gubbins but at least enough seats. We share pick ups and drop offs, and there's been plenty of times when DH has had to go fetch the DC straight from work unplanned because I'm held up. You having a big car and him having a small one suggests you will typically do all the ferrying about, and is too inflexible for me.

But tabulahrasa is right, maybe enough seats for all the DC is sufficient so the flexibility I'm talking about.

He is loving these responses. Surely someone here can see my side? That if we are going to have two cars then it makes sense that both should fit our family needs? The cost between the two is negligible and he would not agree to have a small, cheaper car. He has already chosen a boy racer style (but with five seats) top of the range car which is comparable in price to a more practical (IMO) seven seater.

We have one 7 seater and one 5 seater. Can't see the point in paying out for two big ones. That said, we were talking about a lot more than £1k difference in price as our little one is a fiesta. If the difference was only £1k I would be tempted to get the bigger one.

So I'm helpfully on fence

I agree with the DH - you already have a car that fits all of you. Surely whoever is driving the kids around can just take that car?

Second car should be a little hatchback / Smart type.

Thank you RJnomaaaargh that's where I'm coming from!

Cross posted. So it's not really about size, more that he wants a 'nice' car and you want him to get a practical aka boring car? In that case, it depends on how often you'd need to transport everyone in his and also if you'd both be insured to drive both cars.

He has already chosen a boy racer style (but with five seats) top of the range car which is comparable in price to a more practical (IMO) seven seater

So this is the real issue
He wants a sportier car, you want him to have a Picasso MPV.
I'd say the final choice is where the finding is coming from. If you have the financial set up that most do and the car is out of his "Chunk" of cash then its up to him.

But if I was your OH, if it was me, I'd get a Picasso MPV. But I prefer sensible cars to 'boy racer' death traps.

Yes he wants an exciting car and they don't come with seven seats

he would not agree to have a small, cheaper car.

Well then he's a dick.

Either he gets a small practical car, or a big practical car.

He's a father of 4, which is officially a luxury these days, so he doesn't ge to drive a boy racer car until he can afford 3 cars while still providing for all 4 children's needs until they are 25.