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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tiny car with kids?!

41 replies

Snickers94 · 09/03/2023 14:02

AIBU to want a Fiat 500e as my first car when I have one 1.5 year old daughter and want more kids in the future?!

Fwiw my husband has a family sized car so this would be a second, I'm only 5'3 and he's 5'9 ☺️

OP posts:
Blindedbythenighttimelights · 09/03/2023 14:34

Google Fiat 500 crash pictures. It’s not something I’d want my DC in.

CantStopWontStop0 · 09/03/2023 14:35

YABU.

Get a small SUV - which is basically a slightly bigger hatchback.

ApolloandDaphne · 09/03/2023 14:38

I had a Fiat Panda when my DDs were small (not yesterday!) and we loved jaunting about in it. DH had a bigger car for when we all wanted to go out or wanted to go further.

PerrinAybara · 09/03/2023 14:39

I have a Nissan Note. It's quite small externally but plenty of room inside.

Original poster
Snickers94 · 09/03/2023 14:41

Blindedbythenighttimelights · 09/03/2023 14:34

Google Fiat 500 crash pictures. It’s not something I’d want my DC in.

I've watched the ncap video - it scores 4/5 which is decent for a tiny car

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/03/2023 14:42

I’ve got a VW UP and two kids. One of them is a teen, the other is 9. It’s fine and we go on all kinds of holidays in it.

People don’t need massive cars

Stellaris22 · 09/03/2023 14:44

Don't see the problem and it's one less SUV on the road. Little fiats are great and it depends on how much you'll do in it. You say your husband has a bigger car so that's useful for holidays and day trips.

Personally I love fiat 500 cars, mother in law has one and it's a fantastic car.

Clymene · 09/03/2023 14:46

They're fine for local running about.

tiggergoesbounce · 09/03/2023 14:49

I always like a bit of bonnet and a bit of boot, a bit of crumple space if we ever to be in a crash.

I also like something with power for when we go on the motorway.

It wouldn't be my choice, but im sure it's fine for "tootling around"

namejump · 09/03/2023 14:50

I had a FordKA (basically the same as Fiat500) as my run around with 2 kids, but, they were the ages where they could climb in and out and buckle themselves. I wouldn't want a 3 door car with kids that need to be plugged in etc. I empathise though as I prefer small cars, I'd opt for something more the size of a Focus though, a hatchback, for ease.

AliceTheeCamel · 09/03/2023 14:50

As long as you don't end up having to compromise on good quality car seats to fit them in it, then go for it!

Hankunamatata · 09/03/2023 14:50

We ran into problems with golf. Dh couldn't sit in the front of the car with two babyseats in the back.

xogossipgirlxo · 09/03/2023 14:52

New-ish VW Polo are quite decent, still not big, but better than Fiat 500. Or perhaps Ford Focus?

FlounderingFruitcake · 09/03/2023 14:57

If it’s only ever you driving it, and you’re only 5ft3 then you’ll be fine. If you want 5ft9 DH to fit when there’s a car seat behind him it won’t work though.

AgonyAgatha · 09/03/2023 14:59

I drive a 2004 mini (so not one of the huge not-mini-anymore new versions). Had it since before my 2 dc were born and have had no issues managing space or finding car seats to fit.

I mostly used a sling rather than a buggy but my Baby Jogger City Mini fitted in the boot perfectly when I really needed to take a pram somewhere.

lilroo87 · 09/03/2023 15:08

I had a VW Up! When my DD was born and after a few months I bought a new car.it was so tough getting her in and out of it. Possibly wouldn't have been so bad if you have them forward facing as it would be easier but not the easiest when they rear face.
She's 19 months now and I wouldn't go back to a small car. Although I do have a 10 week old DS aswell now. But if it was just me and DD, I still would want a car with atleast rear doors to get her in and out easier

Blackmetalmama · 09/03/2023 15:14

I have a Nissan Note. I love it. Plenty of space inside, but still small and nippy. I previously had smaller cars and imagine they would be a PITA now with one baby and planning another.

FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks · 09/03/2023 15:15

If you want more kids YABU. You’ll need ERF seats to be as safe as possible so will need a suitable car.

RedCarsGoFaster · 09/03/2023 15:18

I keep getting them as a hire car with work. Dreadful things. Surprisingly thirsty on petrol, very very noisy inside from road noise, you can't adjust the steering column to pull towards you - only up and down, you can't adjust the height of the seat belt so I get a mark on my neck each time and it hurts after a few hours of rubbing you.... Wouldn't go near it with a bargepole if I had an option.

BlueChampagne · 09/03/2023 15:45

We had a little Citroen C3 and took baby and toddler to the West Highlands from East Anglia for two weeks. Now have teens and a Skoda.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 09/03/2023 15:46

They're bigger than they look.

Tiny car with kids?!
Btjdkfnn · 09/03/2023 15:49

Can you fit buggies and other shite in the boot?

we changed to an estate car when kids arrived

ISpyCobraKai · 09/03/2023 15:49

If you want one go for it.
I honestly can't see it working for you though, I have a Mini and it's great for me but it's 99% of the time just me in it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/03/2023 15:51

Do they do 5 door versions? If not putting the kids and carseats in and out every day will get old VERY quickly.

greenacrylicpaint · 09/03/2023 15:56

go for it.
we had a nissan micra with 2 small dc.

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