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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the car you buy is a statement of the 'tribe' you belong to.

474 replies

BusyCee · 06/04/2016 20:44

DH wants to buy a Discovery Sport 7 seater so we can fit 3 DCs plus others.

We live in a relatively affluent area. Discovery Sports around here are driven by perfectly pleasant women, but women who tend not to work, to spend a lot of time and energy on appearance, and who definitely don't ever drive off road.

I come from a working class family. We currently are not affluent. I have worked since I could. I like working. I like to look nice, but for me style is less important than substance.

I do NOT want to drive a Discovery Sport. We have talked about this. He has just bought a friend who works for LR home with one for us to test drive. I work in marketing. I understand very clearly why people chose the brands they chose.

AIBU to insist that we do not buy the Discovery Sport on brand/looks/target market grounds only and the fact it has a fucking tiny rear window which might be why they're always parked over two bays round these parts

OP posts:
splendide · 07/04/2016 13:11

I have an ancient old crappy car that actually leaks a bit now. I keep meaning to replace it but I just don't care at all about cars and can't get any enthusiasm up for the project.

FrankUnderwoodsWife · 07/04/2016 13:12

I'm one of those "wimmin" you all love to hate Grin
We have a brand new RR (the big one). Only one DD, but three dogs.

I love the car, but it's so bloody unreliable I have to get rid of it. Literally don't care what my next car is, as long as it doesn't break down on me!

I really really want an ancient shore heel base defender, but DH won't let me drive to France in one, with DD in the car.

RaisingSteam · 07/04/2016 13:17

This is topical for us. DP has a van for his business, I have a 8 yo seat Ibiza because I have a long commute and the DC are out of child seats so we can just about squash in. Then DP bought an old 4x4 for a job involving off road access . We have all got quite attached to it and thinking of getting a newer one -but I'm struggling with being seen in the 4x4 tribe.

OTOH I was going to change my SEAT for a middle aged woman mid life crisis car like a Mini Cooper, our mechanics comment was why on earth would we do that as its so cheap and reliable? Granny's shopping trolley obscurity for me then.

thisismeusernameything · 07/04/2016 13:21

FrankUnderwoodsWife We switched from RR to discovery. Truly the best decision we could have made. We are no longer on first name terms with the AA recovery drivers.

ouryve · 07/04/2016 13:26

Raspberry, when we needed to size up boots to fit a Mac major plus shopping or luggage, we went to one of those awful car supermarket places. It's really long, folded, so it was helpful to be able to plonk it in lots of boots for fit. Even some big ones had poor access, so it was a useful exercise.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 07/04/2016 13:28

In the main, not all people buy cars because they fit their needs, some people buy them because they fit in with the type of people they live beside/want to be etc and sometimes it's happens to fit their needs too so they can justify on that basis.

I drive an old persons car (Nissan Note) bought specifically because it wasn't too big but because of the high roof angle and sliding rear seat and can fit in my giant teenagers. I think I'd like something a bit more classy.

DH drives an Octavia Estate because it was on too good a deal not to buy it, it's practical and reliable and as a complete bonus it's beautiful to drive.

We don't really fit into a tribe, I can understand why people do get the cars that make them part of one (i.e. they get the car recommended by their friend who has one and don't bother looking for something else and all sorts of other reasons) and I understand why people deliberately try to not conform to stereotype too. At the end of the day, do your own research and pick what suits based on practicality/price and whether you are label conscious or not.

BeyondTellsEveryoneRealFacts · 07/04/2016 13:31

Didnt it used to be known as a 'chelsea tractor' Grin i can see why you would want to stay away from the association.

We have from motability a ford focus estate to fit a wheelchair in the boot in black aging goth
What does that say about us?

dizzytomato · 07/04/2016 13:31

I have no idea what tribe I'm in. I drive a Dodge/Chrysler caravan because it is the only car that fits 4 kids and two big dogs without moving seats and losing space. DH drives a Mitsubishi 4x4 that has got us out of a few tricky situations and driven up slopes I wouldn't even think I could walk down. Mind you DH likes his bike best so I am often in his truck, which doesn't fit 4 kids and 2 big dogs very well but I have learned to tune out the complaints about paws in mouths

Theoretician · 07/04/2016 13:33

So now I'm after recommendations for second hand 7seaters that aren't too long

A Toyota Corolla Verso has seven seats and is quite compact.

Otherwise maybe something off these lists.

www.whatcar.com/news/top-10-best-used-7-seater-cars/

www.carwow.co.uk/best/Top-Ten-7-Seater-Cars

BolshierAryaStark · 07/04/2016 13:33

Nope, I bought my car because I always wanted one (or the equivalent old version) when I was younger, when I test drove the car it reinforced this & I absolutely loved it-I am not the stereotypical person that owns this particular car.
DH's car was actually one I spotted in the showroom when it first came out & I thought, fuck me that looks like an animal-want one. Got the best deal as drive both but again, not the type that would normally own the car.

Spudlet · 07/04/2016 13:34

I have a Micra, which I will be very sad to see go. It's cheap and reliable, and nippy. It went off-road and was great on snow and ice! And I could fit loads in, I took the back seat out to give my dog more room. But now we have DS the seat had to go back in, so it's too much of a squeeze now Sad

We will probably replace it with a Focus... Not the most exciting car! But practical. Hey ho.

Huppopapa · 07/04/2016 13:46

Every time you buy a new car, that is another couple of years you have to work at the end of your career, simply to look good.
Don't do it. We have two Merc estates, both with seven seats. One was £2,500 and has 143k miles on it; the other was £1,750 and has 129k miles on it. We drove the latter from Surrey to Antwerp for dinner last Friday and back on Saturday, so reliable and comfortable is it. They do about 35 and 38mpg.
My neighbour has a £53k Jag. It can take fewer people, his children cannot get into it with muddy boots, I have taken stuff to the tip for him and frankly, mine is better to travel in. Plus I can park it anywhere and even if it is damaged, not mind. He will be working for three years while I am retired and travelling places with DP and DDs with the money.

museumum · 07/04/2016 13:50

Our new car does 8mpg.

It's the first new car we've ever had and our previous one we bought at 3yrs old and ran for 13 years but the fuel efficiency of a brand new car best in class for efficiency is astounding.

JimmyGreavesMoustache · 07/04/2016 13:51

i have a ten year old Citroen Berlingo Minivan, which was given to me by a relative desperate to offload it.
I think what it communicates more than anything is "Unlicenced Minicab" - we were even "hailed" the other day by some pissed-up blokes at the races.

museumum · 07/04/2016 13:51

Doh! That should read 80mpg! Blush

MaidOfStars · 07/04/2016 13:57

I drive a low-slung, Japanese sports coupe. It's has an astonishingly engineered (and rather unique) engine, it is Prodrive tuned, it beats most stuff at the lights and corners on rails.

I am a geeky scientist living in a semi-rural location. My car tribe doesn't match my people tribe Grin It's all properly used and muddy Land Rovers round here.

MaidOfStars · 07/04/2016 13:58

Doh! That should read 80mpg!
Given that my car does 8mpg*, I didn't register this as a typo Grin

In fact, I usually express its petrol consumption as gpm*

*Perhaps slight exaggerations.

tangerino · 07/04/2016 14:10

I drove a Discovery on holiday (in Scotland) recently- I loved it. Wouldn't have one at home (London) though as it would be such a PITA on narrow roads and to park. (I also worry about visibility in urban areas in v high up cars.)

OP, I would just go for what you like. Don't worry about being perceived a certain way- people don't necessarily have the same associations and who cares anyway?

YaySirNaySir · 07/04/2016 14:12

DH has a black Toyota rav4 2010.
I have a new to me blue Mini complete with racing stripes and personalised numberplate ( not special around here, everyone has them). Pil bought it me.

Mominatrix · 07/04/2016 14:12

I think I belong to the Champagne Socialist tribe. Currently have a Lexus hybrid 4X4 and have a Tesla X ordered. Got the Lexus 2 model ago as we wanted a congestion charge proof car, and just upgraded it. Now, I want to go full electric, and the Tesla is just so COOOOL!

seafoodeatit · 07/04/2016 14:21

If I was buying a 7 seater I would go a Volvo XC90, they're great from experience.

We have a Honda FRV, it's quite wide so fits 2 adults, 1 child (soon to be 2) and all of our camping gear in comfortably along with a buggy.

ameliaesmith · 07/04/2016 14:25

YABU

FrankUnderwoodsWife · 07/04/2016 14:26

Mominatrix I want to order a Tesla as well! I am not a champagne socialist

SheSparkles · 07/04/2016 14:27

I drive an Audi. People of mumsnet Bring. It. On. 😂

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 07/04/2016 14:28

my toyota corolla verso is quite a good workhorse, mine is 10 years old and for sale running.

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