Do I need to change my car when first baby comes

[JoeyLin]

We have a 5 door Mini-Hatch.
First reaction to preparing for our first baby was we'll need a new car. We live one set of family (day visits only), but to my family its 1.5hours and usually worth staying over.
Atm even when me and OH travel to my family we fill the boot and backseat....
But then I'm sure others manage?
My sister bought a Q5.. I really don't think I need to think that big do I? For one kid.
I'm happy to change car... but like hatchbacks.. would moving to a Golf, A3, 1 series be of huge benefit?

I guess could see 'how it goes' - but I anything we want to do with the house and / or car, I'd love to do in coming months before baby arrives.

Only if you struggle to fit carsearts and pram in it.

We have a Kia Picanto (not sure exactly how that compares to yours, but it's not a big car at all!) It's been fine with our baby. DH's parents (who are 3 hours away) do have a travel cot and a highchair available at theirs though (they do some child care for our nephew) so we don't need to take those. It'd be cheaper for you to buy those things for your family to keep than to buy a new car though!

Cheaper to get duplicate items to stay at your family’s house if they are willing than to replace a car that otherwise works for you.

We had a 3 door Mini Cooper with our first and could fit a car seat behind the passenger seat and could get the pushchair in the boot. We'd have to take the bigger wheels off and out the carrycot in the backseat behind the driver to do so BUT the wheels clicked on really easily and it so it was more than doable. I would have a baby bag at the feet of the passenger and if travelling somewhere DH and I shared an overnight bag & it sat in the carrycot. It's a squeeze but not necessarily a deal breaker IMO.

We had a Renault Clio when we had baby 1. I couldn't get my preferred car seat and matching pushchair because to fit the car seat in I had to put it on the front seat and push the seat back or put it in the back and push the seat so far forward Mt oh couldn't fit.....
So we shopped around to find one that worked. I was fine with the set up. But....my OH is big and unflexible and struggled to get the babysat in and out the back. And going away wasn't possible for the 3 of us was tight as the pushchair filled the boot. When we finally changed car it was easier all around.

Thanks for responses so far - and great ideas on keeping things at family houses (already covered as my sister has kids who go spend time there).
Of course I recognise getting 4x4 size cars would be a game changer, but I have never had big cars because I just never felt comfortable to drive them. The last thing I'd want is to feel unconfident driving with a baby.
Also prices are ridiculous atm.

So I guess the problems and compromises I'd have in my 5 door Mini, will remain in a 'normal' sized hatchback like a Golf.

On top of this DH has been waiting and saving a couple of years to finally have something a bit sporty (he says petrol cars will soon be gone and would like a 2 door, even 2 seater).. Since our news he has asked whether he should get the bigger car instead, but I really don't want to ruin his dream.

Nah it'll be fine! I had a very small car and the only reason I changed it was because it didn't have 5 doors so took some maneuvering- I now have a small car but with 5 doors and it's fine. As you say, feeling comfortable driving is very important.

@SisterA

We had a 3 door Mini Cooper with our first and could fit a car seat behind the passenger seat and could get the pushchair in the boot. We'd have to take the bigger wheels off and out the carrycot in the backseat behind the driver to do so BUT the wheels clicked on really easily and it so it was more than doable. I would have a baby bag at the feet of the passenger and if travelling somewhere DH and I shared an overnight bag & it sat in the carrycot. It's a squeeze but not necessarily a deal breaker IMO.

I did exactly this with the same car. Swapped to a mini countryman when i found out i was expecting #2

You can get a small pram so the boot shouldn’t be an issue. The only sticking point can be that to fit the car seat in you might need to push the front seat forward beyond a point where a tall person would be comfortable. We rented a fiat 500 on holiday once and got a sizeable suitcase and YoYo stroller in the boot but with DD’s car seat the passenger seat was so far forward DH couldn’t really fit. So he ended up doing 100% of the driving. In a Golf we didn’t have that problem. So the upgrade to a bigger hatch might be worth it. You need to try a car seat in your car to see really.

Could you get a roof box? We got one and it is brilliant for when we go away, cheaper than s new car anyway

I’ve no idea what you take to your parents that fills your boot & back seat as a couple?! Surely two overnight bags suffices?!

We had a fiesta with DD1. The pram just fitted but that was all I could in the boot. It wasn’t ideal but we managed. We had to reduce what we travelled with personally as DD1’s crap took up all the room. Travel cot, milk machine, bottles, steriliser (you might breastfeed so this is no issue), a million changes of clothes, toys. It gets less as they get older, just clothes & a few toys!

We upgraded to a Qashqai when pregnant with DD2, game changer! Can fit pram & shopping in it! Amazing! But def not essential for one child as you have a spare seat in the car!

It sounds like you're not a light packer if you fill a boot and backseat for an overnight visit. I would usually just take 1 small bag that could go in the passenger footwell if necessary

So you might benefit from a bigger car, but I would definitely wait till baby got here. I was intending on keeping my hatchback until number 2 came along but then upgraded to an estate car after we did our first long journey with DS 😂. He was 5 months old, I found a baby was an excellent bargaining tool as he made car salesmen uncomfortable (DS managed to stare down one and he knocked a couple of hundred quid off the price).

I moved to a bigger car once our DS arrived. And it really was better.

The pram could go in the boot and I could do a shop and put that in the boot rather than spread across the seats, but that was just helpful as it got annoying lifting the pram out every time I needed a big shop, it's obviously not a necessity or big deal, it just annoyed me.

I preferred it as I do tend to travel with more clothes (shoes) than strictly necessary, but I just didn't want to have to think about it and I want to just be able to take what I want.

You will be fine with your current car if you check the boot space and pram you choose and the seat etc. It's just a preference really but I think maybe it is best t hang fire until DC is here and see what your needs are.

We had a Vauxhall Corsa for first DC. It fitted a buggy and a travel cot and enough packing for the three of us for a week, but we did have to put a bunch of stuff on the back seat.
We moved up to a Focus when we had a second child and that was fine for a Phil and Ted, a travel cot and luggage for four.

Small car with this roof box
Easy to expand
www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/calix_urban_loader_roof_box_matt_black_no_1_ul_mb/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4urewxNb1

We've got a fiesta and two children - it's fine. Brought a buggy that fitted the boot for day to day use, when we go away we take an umbrella stroller instead and just pack as lightly as we can (me and DH have significantly reduced the amount of stuff we take). We hire a roof box for holidays and fit things in every nook and cranny we can.

You can get very small folding prams. Better than 10 years ago, when we just about managed to get our pram in the boot of the Nissan Micra (old style, not the newer one!). Then there's the car seat with fold out wheels...

We upgraded to a Vauxhall Astra which we managed with until the children were 6&4. We only sold it then as we couldn't take it with us when moving internationally (and wanted to take advantage of our Tax Free car allowance in the next country!)

I had the same car and swapped to a Countryman. The higher seating position makes it much easier getting the car seat in and out and the boot is much bigger, but to be honest we filled it still when we went over to see the in-laws (although we would stay a week rather than just one night). When we have no. 2 I'll just get a roof box.

If you're frequent visitors with your parents I would consider getting a second hand pram, bouncer and travel cot and just keeping them there.

2 seater cars are a pain with kids. DH had one for a couple of years, and I found it perennially annoying.
I think your smaller car will be fine with a baby though.

You're probably going to want a bigger car at some point (when baby and their car seats get bigger, if not before) so you might as well do it now. Life is easier when you have plenty of boot space for a pushchair and other stuff.

You can get well-designed cars with generous cabin and boot space for the external size. Look at Skoda, as they are brilliant cars for this. For your needs I'd suggest a Skoda Scala, it's a hatchback, not too big, but a very good size boot.

Used Scala review
www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/used-review/n22548

New Scala review
www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/review/n19190

SUV's generally have pathetically small boots so don't be fooled. The space is in the cabin not the boot. I had a VW Tiguan and the boot was awful

I would recommend an estate car. I work at Mini and I wouldn't want a Mini

Thanks everyone. We have time to consider. we won't feel pressured. If an opportunity comes along before baby comes we'll consider it. Otherwise seems like there is a way to get by.

For those who asked about how much we pack for trips to relatives.. Although We may only have a bag each, There's almost always an occasion or items to transport bought on behalf of parents. Helium balloons are common LOL. DH packs light but then decides to hang all his coats up as he can't decide on 1.
And on way back , mum gives me food for a week.
All these things can be controlled - my sister is very strict with my parents on what she'll do.

I drove a hatchback and DH drove an estate before we had DS (he has older kids from a previous relationship). Within a few weeks of me having DS we swapped as it's so much earlier with the pram and car seat. I love our estate and with DS2 on the way we don't need to worry about changing cars. A hatchback will be fine with 1 baby though but if you want to expand your family more a bigger car would make a good investment. Although wait until prices drop down again!

We had a 5 door sedan that we loved when DC arrived, however we swapped it for a large 4x4 when he was about 7 months due to DC developing car sickness every time he was in that car.

We drive a lot as we live in London but visit family up North and we started to dread travelling knowing there would be a vomit explosion (even on short car journeys like 20 mins!) One time I borrowed my mums 4x4 with DC and was amazed that there was no vomiting. Tested this revelation out a few times and he never threw up when in DMs car, so we swapped cars and haven’t had a car sickness incident since. Have no idea why that is, maybe something to do with the height of the car off the ground?

Either way, the space is handy and it’s easier for me to load/unload the pushchair and get DC into car seat without breaking my back. We travel with a lot of stuff so the space definitely helped, and will come in handy as I’m expecting DC2

Christ I've a 3 door Fiat 500. When I was pregnant everyone told me I'd have to get rid of it. I said we'll bloody well see about that. Nothing's making me get rid of my beloved car.

Oyster 3 pram fits in the boot with one wheel off and tucked in beside it (wheels simply pop in and out at the touch of a button) alongside two large bags of messages if it's just the frame waiting for the car seat to clip on, or one bag of messages with the frame and full pram seat attached. I didn't bother with the bassinet attachment. Seemed a waste of money for a pram that can lie flat.

If you want to make it work it can work. 5 doors at any size of car would be a breeze.