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MNHQ

Family cars - how involved were you in choosing yours?

120 replies

carriemumsnet · 14/05/2009 15:37

We have this hunch at MN towers that when it comes to choosing the family car - the estates, people carriers (dare we say 4x4's?) family saloons, compacts with a bit of a boot - basically anything other than sports cars - women get quite involved and are the ultimate decision makers.

We also think women should be consulted more when manufacturers design cars (we're thinking wipe clean seat fabrics, fewer holes for crumbs to get in, more drink holders, decent make up mirrors). We can see the launch of the New Mumsnet xxx model now

We just wondered if our hunch was right - what do you think?

OP posts:
HeadFairy · 14/05/2009 19:58

I pretty much made the decision as it my money

kylesmyloveheart · 14/05/2009 19:59

am just about the get one but am crap at choosing. mno other adult to advise.
just ds 7 who has chosen the colour.

does anyone have a Nissan Quashi

HeadFairy · 14/05/2009 19:59

as it was my money

Pamboli · 14/05/2009 20:00

We vetoed each other decisions, having said that I have convinced him to get the car I wanted in the last 2 occasions. (and no... it didn't have a big boot)

BCNS · 14/05/2009 20:04

I pay .. I choose

posieparker · 14/05/2009 20:06

You're spot on, I decided. He helped with the less important stuff like colour and model but I decided that we would have a Grand Espace.... three dcs and another on the way plus the Ncap rating and that's where my decision was reached. He did love it though, but I also got my own way on the Multipa which he hated.

mollyroger · 14/05/2009 20:28

well last time, dh did his own research and said he was ''kind of looking at a jeep''
Then confessed '' may have already bought jeep''
''Actually, i have definitiely sort of bought a jeep''

But it was spot on for us at the time

Next time round, it was my geuis that discovered the perfect solution to our desire for a replacement camper van combined with our need for reliable, spacious family vehicle, combined with our poverty and inability to run two vehicles. I found out about Bongos. DH happened to find the right one at the right price, completely by accident.
We all love it.

But for the record: my sole criteria is: Can we fit all the stuff in for camping and festivals?

FrazzledFairyFay · 14/05/2009 20:30

In our case the choice was 95% mine. I spend the most time driving it and it's primarily me who has to put the DCs, buggies, shopping, etc in and out. Although I consulted Dh and wouln't have bought something he hated, the choice was basically mine

ib · 14/05/2009 20:33

I did the research to choose it, he did the work of finding a good price.

Been the same for all the cars we've had, even the sports cars.

I've hated them all (apart from the lovely but impractical MX5), so maybe next time I should let dh take the lead

CarmenSanDiego · 14/05/2009 20:35

I choose the big family car and do most of the driving. Dh buys himself something small and sportier for work.

FrankMustard · 14/05/2009 20:50

We both looked at cars together, but it was me who kept pointing out why this one or that one would or wouldn't be suitable with the dcs in mind.
DH and I both agreed on the one we chose, but it wouldn't have been even shortlisted had it not been for my input. Your hunch is correct!

JeMeSouviens · 14/05/2009 21:03

Our previous car we were fairly even on both deciding, even though DH wanted a sedan and we went for an estate.

For the current car, we are in north america, and DH veered from various american muscle cars, to unsuitable american SUV's while I stood by and rolled my eyes. I steered him toward a classier choice, which we bought.

In both cases he loves them and calls them his baby. Aaaahhhh.

Heated · 14/05/2009 21:06

Lancelottie, some very tall & wide rugby playing friends variously drive:
Saab 9.5
Toyota Rav 4
BMW X5
Volvo C70
Honda Accord
Nissan Murano (sp?)
Mazda 5
and assorted old bangers they can't bear to part with (old cars better apparently for leg room)

tigana · 14/05/2009 21:26

I am very unbothered by cars.
I have one, which I use for getting to and from work and round and about. DH has one, ditto.
We sort of use whichever one has most fuel/less crap in it at weekends/when together.
I suppose DH's is the official family car as it is one with the estate boot for the dogs.
DH chose both. He tried consulting me, I mumbled, reminded him about the need for a boot for the dogs, that's about the extent of it really.
sorry.

SparklyGothKat · 14/05/2009 21:26

We have a motability car and I made the decision on what car to get, I knew we needed a car big enough for 4 children, a wheelchair, buggy and shopping, and suitcases when we go away. DH wanted a 7 seater 4x4 which didn't have enough room in 'boot space' so I said no... we now have a Renult Trafic which is basically a minibus with 9 seats and a huge boot, Dh can't drive atm (due to health problems) so I get to do all the driving and I love it

thisisyesterday · 14/05/2009 21:35

yes, I chose our new car and dp had to suck it up!

you don't need wipe clean fabrics though, just get leather interior.
i have FIVE drink holders in my car too!!!! woooo
and my make up mirror has lights on each side that come on automatically pmsl

crokky · 14/05/2009 21:57

I chose the family car - it is my car. It's an estate and DH's only interest was whether we could afford it or not. Incidentally, I also chose DH's small car (again, all he was interested in was the cost). Both were 2nd hand, so no choice with colour.

babyOcho · 14/05/2009 21:59

I found out I was pregnant on the Tuesday morning and by the Friday DP had already decided what to trade my Mini in for

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/05/2009 22:00

I chose ours. dh has always had sports cars, which makes it challenging to go camping! So this time I genly persuaded him that an MG estate was the one to go for and By Jove I was right!

spicemonster · 14/05/2009 22:03

I'm a single parent but since I have become a mother I have migrated from 2 seater convertibles to the car with the biggest amount of boot space for the lowest price (it's a Peugeot 207 SW if you're interested)

I spend aaaaages choosing cars. I get company cars which makes it a bit more fun admittedly.

Lizzylou · 14/05/2009 22:12

We both choose both of our cars.
I "found" DH's new company car (a Honda Insight, hybrid jobbie) and he is forever thankful.

Lizzylou · 14/05/2009 22:14

Aaargh, I meant we both have input in both cars, we choose together.

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 14/05/2009 22:20

i do it everytime

finance/spec/model

doing it atm as well

i agree - i am just more practical than dp - he thinks all that matters is size (what's new )

as for colour 'pah' he doesn't even lie awake worrying about it

blithedance · 14/05/2009 22:22

Lancelottie

DH is 6 ft 6.

He has driven: Morris Ital ; Morris Maestro ; (met me); Volvo; VW Golf, VW Passat, 2nd VW Passat. (& BMW motorbike & VW van). Vorsprung durch Teknik in our household!

His theory is to go for cars from a country where people are tall such as Germany or Sweden. Last time we test drove a Toyota Avensis and he could hardly fit in it.

It was a 50-50 decision for us, we got a 2nd Passat because we'd just had the children and I could not face learning to drive/park a different car with all the other stress.

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 14/05/2009 22:26

and in ours blithe i am 5 foot 8 (beetle) dp 6 foot 2 VW van!

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