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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Which small car with a new baby?

44 replies

Annie456 · 14/02/2011 13:15

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right place to post but couldn't find anywhere obvious for it.

I'm almost in the second trimester which means DH has to sell his sports car and buy something with enough seats for a new baby! But what to buy??

It has to be small because we have on-street parking so I was thinking of the BMW 1 series, DH's cousin has one and she said that the problem is that you have to put DC in the back because you can't switch off the airbag in the front. Is sitting in the back a problem for a newborn?

Any other recommendations of similar cars to the 1-series?

Thanks!
Annie

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PukeyMummy · 15/02/2011 09:21

My DH is still mourning the loss of his sports car, which he sold as soon as we found out I was pregnant with DC1 and bought an estate car instead. It was his choice, not mine!

Not that he's ever got over it, poor thing. DH is a bit car-obsessed.

JimmyChoo17 · 15/02/2011 22:11

I wanted to post a similar question but my budget would be less...am thinking pay more for a travel set rather than sell my car at the moment and maybe change it later on.

nannyl and whydobirdssuddenlyappear and any other clio drivers above...

I have 3 door clio which has all the mod cons, runs perfect and is so cheap to run/tax/insure i would rather keep that than get another car and have trouble with it. Plus you can always find somewhere to create a car space for it!

So am opting to get a clip in seat for ease with the 3 doors but wondering were you able to "try" your pram in the boot? The boot is my main concern, carting my neice about I have had her seats in there over the years but found it quite easy to get her in and out...its adults that struggle in the back! The boot is my main concern...I'll empty it of my junk first of course!

Original poster

Annie456 · 19/02/2011 12:34

Argh...DH is now looking at BMW X3's (which I think is too big to park where I live)
Any experiences of these with baby + pushchair etc?

OP posts:

Dynababy · 19/02/2011 12:48

We looked at Golf, BMW 1seies and Audi A3, all same small car class. The BMW ended up beng rules out as soon as we sat in it, very cramped inside, boot is tiny. The Golf is much better but in the end we plumped for the Audi which had most space and not too much more expensive. Got sensible 5 door option too which I think probably gave away our baby making plans!

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 19/02/2011 13:00

What pram are you planning to get, jimmy? Or have you got?

No trrying but measured!

MrsVidic · 19/02/2011 13:08

Think of boot space, I love my aygo but no decent pram will fit in it

oggybags · 19/02/2011 17:29

we have just changed from bmw 120d sport to nissan quashquai 2.0 techan - and love it
beemer slopes in quite alot in ba ck a nd is quite low - the q despite looking massive is actually same size for parking (also on st here)
bought top of ra nge on 2 yrs old, sim pric e as equivilent bmw & with same spec. 2.0litre goes wel too

oggybags · 19/02/2011 17:31

ps x3 awful, expensive & poor resale

Nicplus1and1baking · 19/02/2011 19:29

Ive got a vauxhall astra sxi 5 door.
Its roomy enough, has isofix and although he boot is not huge i have fit a multitude f prams in it so far lol

jimmijam · 19/02/2011 19:33

hi, i had a 5door 1.4 citroen c3, looks cute (tho obviously others may disagree), boot can fit shopping and umbrella folding pushchair, childlock is on a little button next to the stereo so u can c that wether or not its on and switch it on/off as needed from teh driving seat. and its small. my trouble now is, as i'm pregnant with our 3rd and still want a reasonalby small car i dont know what 2 get with 3 full size seats in teh back!!-so at the mo am sharing my dh's picasso (2 big 4 me) til i can find one i can afford.good luck

LisamumtoJake · 19/02/2011 19:36

I have a Citroen c3 1.4 5dr as well, i love it, and childlock button is handy!! it's roomy but still a little small car, my DS is 2 so i have a car seat that swivel's round, so that it faces me when i put him in it,and then i swivel him back round when i'm done :)
I have a baby jogger city micro buggy!

nancerama · 19/02/2011 19:45

I'm having the same predicament. I have to get rid of my lovely little Smart, for something with a back seat. I've already bought my iCandy Cherry, and need recommendations for the smallest car I can squeeze my pram into. I was hoping a Fiat 500 would work, but I see from other posts that the boot isn't big enough :(

TiggieWiggle · 19/02/2011 20:10

I am on my second VW Polo now - I love it. Went for a 5 door this time though. Easier to get her in and out of . It just feels like a sturdy car and has everything I need (air con, ipod dock etc) without spending a fortune. Reliable and v.good in the snow.

jenga079 · 20/02/2011 09:11

Don't buy it from Car Giant though! (I agree it's good for a look around to see lots of cars, but when I was looking they were at least £2500 more expensive than any other shop. My tiny local car dealer gave far better service and offered a much better price.)

Original poster

Annie456 · 20/02/2011 12:31

Eeek we did it...we bought a 1 series sport. We test drove the X3 and found it ridiculously bouncy and far too big for driving in the city. Then we test drove a 1 series and I loved it! Didn't find it as hard a drive as the Z4 and I just found it really comfortable...I'll report back after the baby is born and hopefully there will be enough room for everything. Thanks for all your suggestions! X

OP posts:

bulby · 20/02/2011 12:38

I actually find that a 3 door car can be easier to get baby in the back as you are in front rather than at side of baby, I say that as a very tall person as well. To be honest I'd go for one of the small bet roomy cars eg. Jazz, fiesta although to be honest I managed with the ka for a good year and only swapped because the car was getting unreliable.

JimmyChoo17 · 20/02/2011 19:36

SnapFrakkleAndPop I've not bought a pram yet...am going to start looking at what can get in my boot soon!! Went to baby show yesterday and some of
The ones demoed were good as you can see how small they compact which I can see whilst using car seat but once in a pram bit later on...not so sure it'll fit!??

asandom90 · 10/04/2014 07:54

Hi! I dont suppose it was the maxi cosi axiss you had?? I have this and I am thinking of getting a citroen c3.. with the carseat being quite chunky im wondering what the fit is like?

EeyoreIsh · 10/04/2014 07:59

We bought a Ford Fiesta when I got pregnant. It's great, we can fit our uppababy vista in it no problem, and the car seat etc. You can turn off the front passenger airbag but we found it easier to have the isofix set up in the back. We bought it new, and we don't have to pay road tax and insurance is ridiculously cheap - even for on road parking. We're really chuffed with it.

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