To buy a car

[BirdsAndBlips]

We used to live right in the middle of everything and cycle to work / get things delivered / rent a car for weekends (no parking available)
We've now moved with our 2 DS (4 and 3) to a suburb and DH still cycles to work (20 miles return) happily but my commute is longer and through quite busy unsafe ring road like roads.
All in all we spend £150 per month on hire cars + £50 in bike insurance and maintenance but it's a faff to go collect the car and we have to plan everything.

I've been thinking of buying a car. We have a drive in front of the house. My commute is not safe. 2 (possibly 3) young kids without is quite logistically challenging.
But... budget would have to be £420 per month: £130 insurance because we don't have a history and £290 for a nice big car (Kia Sportage), maintenance included, because I don't want to squeeze everybody in a smaller one.
We can just afford it if we use the car instead of flying for our next summer holidays.
DH is saying it's a total waste of money.
AIBU?

(Oh and please don't compare costs with yours, we're not in the UK)

YANBU to want to buy a car. YABU for not going for a cheaper option

I think you are sadly very right

As above. YANBU to want a car, but YABU to want a car which is going to be at the very top end of your budget. You may just have to accept that you'll have to "squeeze" into a smaller car - lots of people do it.

You have two young children. A normal size car will fit all four of you perfectly well. You do not need something huge.

Oh i think IAB hugely U for even wanting to own a car but for perspective, a Peugeot 2008 would be £60 per month less (and half the size)

Wtf is wrong with wanting to own a car.

I'd suggest you buy the car, keep it for a year, and see how it works out.

Your DH might quite like having one once he's tried it for a while.

Your insurance is likely to decrease over time. How likely are you to actually have a third child? I'd be tempted to go with a smaller car for now, and trade up if/when you need a larger one.

Can't you get a second hand car? YANBU for wanting a car, sounds like you need one

Where are you?
We lease

Maybe a poster can point you in the right direction

I’d go for a lease.

Kia though cheap if you buy them have very little resale value (if you’re purchasing) So compare similar sized cars of different makes.

We lease our cars and have no hassle with them.

I was just about to come on and suggest leasing, but pp beat me to it.

In comparison we have a top spec Seat Ateca, on finance this would cost £600+ a month but on lease is half that...we did get a good deal though! But my point is I’m sure you can get the same car or similar much cheaper on a lease.

Hard to advise if costs are v different from UK, but in general a 2 or 3 year old car will be much better value than new. Even 5 year old cars in good condition with reasonable mileage.

And Kia Sportsges are bulky but look sensibly at how much seat space and boot space you need. Plenty of other good value saloons or hatchbacks.

Do you mean you might soon have another child?

You're not unreasonable to want a car! And not unreasonable to want a big car! I have 2 preschool kids and ferry them around in a huge wagon; it comfortably carries me, them, 6'4" husband, bikes, accessories etc.

Yes, could have a smaller car, and be considerably more uncomfortable. We had a 'small' car when our eldest was born, and to fit the car seat in the back, the front seat had to be jammed forward, which meant husband physically couldn't fit his legs in.

Buying brand new cars is expensive. They depreciate heavily, so buying second hand is good. Even 12 months old has depreciated but still retains some warranty.

So from spending £200 a month you will be spending £470 per month
I can see why your dp thinks it’s a waste of money tbh it’s £270 more per month

I don't understand why you can't just buy a small second hand one? Say £2000?

I don't understand why you can't just buy a small second hand one? Say £2000?

The OP doesn't live in the UK so perhaps she can't get a small secondhand one for £2000? You certainly can't here in the US.

Oh nice, more replies, thanks!

Budget provided is already leasing on a 6months old car, would be 25% more expensive through financing and £50 more if brand new.

Realistically with 2 RF car seats and kids, 450 litres boot isn't extravagant.

DH is warming to the idea but is asked no me to look at Dacia Duster which is same size and 30% cheaper.

Oh and yes it is true we could buy a £5000 if we could source it, finance it, maintain it, insure it, deal with the logistics of getting it repaired, pay tax on it and not being able to use it on polluted days, and resell it.

I'm frankly already working full time with international travel and 2 young kids... can't. I think IABU to buy convenience here more than anything else but f* it

I'm frankly already working full time with international travel and 2 young kids... can't. I think IABU to buy convenience here more than anything else but f it*

I've been in your situation and I would just buy the car you've found, and enjoy the easier life.

Go for the Duster!

Random you have good things to say about the Duster? I have just discovered its existence like 2hrs ago tbh :)

A Kia Sportage is hardly frivolous! It's still a budget range and it should last you for years, so the extra space will come in handy as your DC get bigger and you are carting them and their friends around. Buy whatever you like, as you'll be the one driving it.

They're value for money!