What sort of second car for new family?

[IndyCymru]

We’re expecting our first child in June and could do with some advice re. what sort of second car to buy.

We now manage with one car, despite my husband commuting 450 miles a week and my workplace being 10 miles away. For several reasons I’ve concluded that we will need a second car when the baby comes. I feel really conflicted but because of poor public transport and my freedom/convenience/sanity, it’s sadly unavoidable.

Our shared car is a 2016 Renault Megane with 53,000 on the clock. It does around 20,000p/a. The second car would be mostly for short journeys during mat leave, taking baby to daycare afterwards and possibly outings/holidays.

Do we get a:

1. Costlier “best” car, i.e. a comfortable, large car for my daily use and family outings/holidays, while DH runs the Megane into the ground; or
2. A small, cheaper runaround for me, while DH runs the Megane into the ground.

Both options would be second hand and I don’t really know how we’d pay for either!

I guess this partly revolves around how practical the Megane is for family purposes. There’s also the question of what we do when we eventually have to replace the Megane with another comfortable and safe car for long commutes.

Perspectives on buying a second car for family purposes would be really helpful - thanks

We've only ever needed one 'bigger' car. Whoever is doing a long drive, or needing to transport a lot of stuff takes that one and the other takes the little run around'.
We've also never spent much on our 2nd car - only ever between £300 and £800. If you are 'not sure how you are going to finance either', then obviously you don't want to be spending a lot, particularly at a time when your finances are going to take a big hit anyway.

We have had two cars for a long time, Initially two cheap ones, one was £60! as we had a baby and needed two cars.
We now have one for best a decent under 10 year old one, the other is usually about 10-14 years old diesel and under £1000. One of the best is the Current Diesel Picasso, paid £600, had it 6 years, does 45MPG, had 99000miles on it, its now done 165000 miles, only recently spent a couple of hundred on it.
Its grubby but conformable massive boot, seats unclip if you need more room.
The other good small car is the Diesel Micra ( K12) 60 MPG is common often under £1000 Daughter has one and loves it.
We love the older Pre 2000 Micra, its called a K11 small compact comfy and often under £500
www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/nissan/micra/micra-1983-2003/
We can usually fix our own so this saves a lot and helps when buying, its something to consider, Old Micra's are simpler to Fix, Anything Renault its not known for cheap repairs, but what car is?