To want DH to buy a car with enough seats for all of our DC?

[poguemahone]

We have 2 DC and will have our 3rd in a few weeks. DH currently has a 2-seater car, and wants to replace it with a convertible coupe with a tiny back seat, i.e. enough room for 2 DC at best. I think that he should get a car with room for all of us, that he's had an exciting car for years, and it's time to grow up a bit.

We do have a 'family' car that I drive: not a massive car but with the skinniest car-seats on the market we can fit 3 seats in the back.

The 2-seater has been an absolute pain, and DH knows it has to go. Not just because it's too small, but where we live we get harsh winters and it's useless on ice and snow.

I'm a SAHM, DH works. If DH needs my car for any reason, or my car's off the road, we're housebound as we live in small-town USA (no pavements or public transport).

AIBU? Should I go along with whatever car DH chooses since we will rarely need 5 seats? Or is a 4-seater just as impractical as a 2-seater?

I can see both sides of the argument as well.

We have two cars, I have the 7 seater bus and DP has a sporty little Peugeot. I don't think I would bother that much if he got a 2 seater but if he is taking the bigger two out on their own he takes his own car as it's easier than the bus. All mine are still in car seats though.

I agree sports cars are completely useless in the snow/ice, could be not compromise and buy something a bit more practical but still having a bit of oomph IYSWIM? My DP drives about 100 miles a day so needs a diesel really and there is not many sporty diesels out there. He also needs something that is decent on ice.

We had to sell out totally impractical - but huge fun 'sports car' a year or so ago for financial reasons.
But if we could afford it again we would definitely buy one again.

Although in our family the cars are all jointly owned and driven and enjoyed.

It is very important for all households to have an extra, impractical car.

There are no good reasons not to be driving around at speed for fun.

Golf GTi

This is our practical family car and our fun car.

skidoodly - I agree. I do not really approve of practical cars at all.

I really don't see why you would want TWO family cars. If we wanted to do that, we would both be driving MPVs!

dh has his nice car for work, nothing really special, but a bit nice, bit mroe powerful, cream leather interior, not really child practical.

I have a MPV diesel, slow as a snail, but dependable, practical and economical. We tend to drive that at weekends. If we go out minus the kids, we take his and I get to drive it, or if I go out by myself. I love being able to drive a proper car once in a while rather than my 'bus'.

I get the impression you aren't really that interested in cars, so you don't really understand why he wants a fun car. I don't think it is fair to deny him it though.

Thanks for your opinions. My first AIBU and not too painful so far!

I am interested in cars myself, so I understand why he loves a certain type of car and am torn about whether IABU: I drove my own sporty convertible until I had DC2 18 months ago, but had to get something that would fit 2 carseats and a double-buggy in the boot. In theory both cars are ours and I was happy for him to buy his current 2-seater car especially since we can both drive it. I obviously get out without the DC pitifully infrequently as I have rarely been in it.

Apart from the car off the road scenario (no courtesy cars have ever been available), whenever I have to do anything during the day and can't bring the DC (e.g. dentist, antenatal appts), DH has to look after them/bring them to nursery. (We only moved to America 18 months ago, have no family here and not much of a support-system.) So DH has to take time of work, and we do some complicated drop-offs, car swaps and detours.

I'm a bit concerned about when the new baby's born and these hassles will seem a lot bigger. ATM, I can live with e.g. not taking the older DC to nursery if DH has my car.