Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

New car advice

56 replies

Soph88888 · 03/01/2021 18:25

Hi!
I have a BMW 2 series convertible and a 5 month old baby. We've just about managed for now with her car seat in the back, pram squeezed into the boot and my husband has had to accept leg room is a thing of the past... I'm the only driver and I'm out with baby every day so I need something a bit more practical and spacious but I'm really devastated to be losing my gorgeous car so I'm hoping to find something that will give me the same feeling but with extra practicality!

I'm currently spending around 60 to fill the tank with petrol and I fill up once every 4 weeks or so, so its pretty economical even though I'm out every day and I think the tax was £100something so I don't really want to spend more than that!

Does anyone have any advice on either:

Audi q3
Audi q5
Bmw x1
Bmw x2
Bmw x any others? (Think they maybe out of my price range though..)
I'd consider a Range if someone can convince me they're cheap enough to maintain and run?
And I'm potentially open to consider a different brand, if enough recommendations for it.

OP posts:
Lochroy · 04/01/2021 13:58

I would choose a well spec'd Tiguan over an X1 or Q3 for the internal space. Appreciate these may not be flashy enough for you though!

If you can afford something of Q5 or X3 size then do that. Children have SO much stuff.

Onedropbeat · 04/01/2021 14:15

I’ve always been a fan of bmw m cars (z4m was my one true love before babies came along) but strangely since having children I’ve really gone off them

DH still drives his bmw as he doesn’t need the space. I’ve moved over to VAG cars and will probably stay there until Volvo come out with something on the smaller side again

Bring back SAAB!

I wouldn’t consider Japanese or French. Japanese might come top of reliability lists but that doesn’t cover rust and rot and they tend to not have good longevity there or on their interiors as the materials used are poorer quality

Original poster
Soph88888 · 04/01/2021 14:29

Thank you everyone this has been super helpful! Way more helpful than I was expecting and I'm going to go and do some research on all the cars suggested

OP posts:
Nikhedonia · 04/01/2021 16:03

@Elai1978

I have a golf gti and it’s fast, and spacious.

Not sure I’d describe it as fast. I certainly wouldn’t want to own anything slower!

What?! You wouldn't want anything slower than a Golf Gti? It does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Who are you? Lewis Hamilton?
Glittertwins · 04/01/2021 16:13

I've just changed my BMW 220d grand tourer. The boot is bigger than the active tourer and there is plenty of room for a buggy/pram in it as well as plenty of legroom when. I changed it for the 220d gran coupe as I don't need a 7seater car anymore. Still lots of legroom in the back seats - it's longer than the convertible.

Elai1978 · 04/01/2021 16:34

What?! You wouldn't want anything slower than a Golf Gti? It does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Who are you? Lewis Hamilton?

Mk7 is 6.5s and mk8 is 6.3s, neither of which would be described as fast. The R is quite quick just massively dull.

Onedropbeat · 04/01/2021 16:38

@Elai1978

What?! You wouldn't want anything slower than a Golf Gti? It does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Who are you? Lewis Hamilton?

Mk7 is 6.5s and mk8 is 6.3s, neither of which would be described as fast. The R is quite quick just massively dull.

😂

I’m sure there are many mums writers driving around in supercars

Not too sure why you expect people who are likely to be transporting children wanting cars faster and more exciting than a dull and slow 6 seconds 0-60 car

And if we’re car bashing now, of all the cars I’ve driven the fastest ones have certainly not been the most fun

Onedropbeat · 04/01/2021 16:40

And yes 0-69 in circa 6 seconds has always been fast

The original hot hatches that are probably still more fun to drive now than their modern equivalents were around 10 seconds 0-60

Nikhedonia · 04/01/2021 16:56

OP, do you reckon you could get the kids car seats in the back of this?

New car advice
LadyFlumpalot · 04/01/2021 17:01

Mines 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and that's plenty quick enough for me. Good for tricky A303 junctions where you can't see what's coming.

Faster and bigger cars feel much safer to me than little slow ones, before this one I had a little Nissan Pixo and I didn't feel safe at all! It rattled if you went over 60mph and it felt like it would crumple in a side wind. At least the Scooby has rally heritage so it's literally designed to be as sturdy and safe as possible int he worst possible conditions!

Onedropbeat · 04/01/2021 17:09

@Nikhedonia

OP, do you reckon you could get the kids car seats in the back of this?
She might get funny looks when she pulls into a parent and child space at the supermarket Grin
SimonJT · 04/01/2021 17:13

I had a Q5 as a hire car once, the boot was quite small and it wasn’t very roomy inside.

user159 · 04/01/2021 17:24

My friend has the new Tiguan and it's a great size and much cheaper than the Q5 but practically the same size wise etc. Another friend got a Q2 when she had her first baby and has said it's already too small and wishes she went for a Q3 at least. We have an A6 estate - absolutely huge boot, not the trendiest looking car but we went for the 3.0l engine so at least it's quick! I can't fault it though and would choose the convenience every time now.

Elai1978 · 04/01/2021 19:51

And yes 0-69 in circa 6 seconds has always been fast

In the 1980s. Hot hatches 20 years ago were doing 0-62 in low 6s. Nowadays it’s pretty lacklustre.

Onedropbeat · 04/01/2021 19:54

Well that’s not correct but keep on derailing as you wish

Dawnlassie · 04/01/2021 22:14

Why do you feel the need to buy an SUV? It will be a completely different driving experience to the 2 series.

Sounds like you are a badge snob so what about either a 3 or 5 series M sport estate? If you go for something like a 330 or 528 they will be seriously quick and much more fun to drive.....when you are not carrying the baby about :)

Other cars you might be interested in

Audi S4 Avant
Mercedes CLA45

Dawnlassie · 04/01/2021 22:16

What?! You wouldn't want anything slower than a Golf Gti? It does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Who are you? Lewis Hamilton

No. Just somebody that has a bee in their bonnet about German cars.

Elai1978 · 05/01/2021 08:42

Well that’s not correct but keep on derailing as you wish

What’s not correct?

Burnthurst187 · 05/01/2021 09:01

Having owned SUV's I can safely say that the boot space is absolutely pathetic, it's been sacrificed for space in the cabin and with a baby and all the crap you need to lug around boot space is what you need

I own an estate car now and it ticks all the boxes. The boot is like a tardis. In the future dd will have a bike so we'll be able to fit it in with mine no problem

Driving an SUV was like driving a big, sloppy jelly. Poor mpg and handling too

Atrixie · 05/01/2021 09:15

The Q3 is fantastic. The boot is a good size, it's very comfortable, there is plenty of space inside, it drives beautifully and it's fairly economical to run.

SendHelp30 · 05/01/2021 09:15

@Burnthurst187 which did you have that drive like sloppy jelly and handled badly?

I think the issue with SUVs is that a lot of cheaper brands now make them and they’re quite frankly shit.

I have a RR- my boot is a good size, as are Q7 & discoveries. My friend has a Ford Kuga and gets a double pram in nicely with space.

Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 10:13

Driving an SUV was like driving a big, sloppy jelly. Poor mpg and handling too

I found that to be true of the Kia Sportage when I hired that (I think it's classed as a crossover, though)

The issue with a lot of 4x4's and crossovers is that they don't make the steering heavy enough. It's light as air, which I hate. Feels like I'm driving a go cart.

Romancer · 05/01/2021 10:38

We were at the test drive stage in March and then abandoned our search and postponed the decision. Seemed hard as we were about to buy our first NEW car after a lifetime of older cars.

Currently driving a 6 year old Kia Ceed, no parts replaced so far, original exhaust. Zero annual tax because of best grade on emissions. Check Lexus and Range Rover they used to be poor!
Do give the Kia (7 year warranty no catches), and Hyundai a careful consideration.
We fancy the Kia Optima, a diesel saloon, OK for London ULEZ. You have different needs.
Hyundai have developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell power which I think will take over from EV.

Apologies for the essay!

Elai1978 · 05/01/2021 11:32

Driving an SUV was like driving a big, sloppy jelly. Poor mpg and handling too

That used to be true of just about all SUVs 20 years ago but there’s been a steady improvement. You’re unlikely to get the dynamics of a sports car but most of them drive pretty well. I drove an Alfa Stelvio (base model petrol) for the first time yesterday and thought it drove well if a little slow.

Changi · 05/01/2021 11:52

Hyundai have developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell power which I think will take over from EV.

It won't until a greener way of making hydrogen becomes practical.