baby on the way/ which family car ? 15-20k

jobless · 12-08-2014 08:25PM #1

Myself and the missus have a baby on the way and we're looking to buy a family friendly car which will do us 10 years or so... We have a budget of 15-20k and the main criteria for us are good boot space and reliability.
It will be the missus using it mainly and she works close by so i dont expect high yearly mileage apart from the odd long spin at the weekend and holidays etc....

We've looked at the hyundai i30 tourer so far and quick like it... does anyone have any other suggestions or opinions on the i30?..

Moneymaker · 12-08-2014 08:32PM

i30 is a fine car, long warranty and it's time tested and reliable car. Good styling and a nice place to sit too.

Octavia is another option.

nice_guy80 · 12-08-2014 09:33PM

Mondeo? Some good 2012 ones out there for sale.
Huge boot
Low tax
More room in the back
Good engines - cheap to service and parts

happywithlife · 12-08-2014 09:51PM

If you're hoping the car will last ten yrs what are your long term family plans ?
If you intend on adding any more to the family space becomes a huge issue even when you add just a 2nd child into the mix - esp when in a couple of yrs they get into play dates etc
You'd almost certainty have to get a 7seater when you hit 3 kids

nice_guy80 · 12-08-2014 10:44PM

happywithlife wrote: »

If you're hoping the car will last ten yrs what are your long term family plans ?
If you intend on adding any more to the family space becomes a huge issue even when you add just a 2nd child into the mix - esp when in a couple of yrs they get into play dates etc
You'd almost certainty have to get a 7seater when you hit 3 kids

Plenty of room in the back of most cars for three kids.

Foxhole Norman · 12-08-2014 10:54PM

Skoda Superb Estate? Massive amounts of boot space and passenger room with a great spec.

happywithlife · 12-08-2014 11:00PM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Plenty of room in the back of most cars for three kids.

Most families I know -ourselves included - had to move up to 7seater when third child came along. 'Most' cars won't fit three car seats so if kids are close together in age then upgrade is needed. Add to that as I mentioned before play dates - if rural based car would be needed to drop/collect. Add sports/activities into that mix ... Again space often becomes an issue
Ordinarily it wouldn't matter much on first baby but I threw it out there as op specifically mentioned wanting to keep the car for ten yrs so it may be something they'd rather consider now then having to get a new car again in 5/6 yrs.

bazz26 · 12-08-2014 11:45PM

You will fit one baby into most medium sized family hatchback but if you plan to keep the car for 10 years then you need to consider if you plan to add to the family in that time.

As said it's when the third child arrives that space in becomes an issue and you need to consider an MPV. So before buying anything you really need to ideally think about how big you may plan the family. If you only plan on having 2 children than a medium sized estate like the i30 or large sized hatchback like a Mondeo will more than do the job.

jobless · 13-08-2014 08:26AM

thanks for the replies guys..... much appreciated

yeah the plan is to have maybe another kid god willing.... third might be a stretch

..

will take a look at the mondeo and superb as other options.... we're no rural dwellers and the car wouldnt be going huge distances on a daily bases so i guess i should be looking at petrol?..

Rdwrer · 13-08-2014 09:09AM

jobless wrote: »

so i guess i should be looking at petrol?..

I would think that someone should always look at diesel due to its cost and efficiency but there are people out there who know a lot more than me about it that could maybe clarify.

nice_guy80 · 13-08-2014 09:12AM

you won't need three seats in the back.

when one/two children get older they only need booster seats.
and really, how often will you need to transport other people's children?

Moneymaker · 13-08-2014 09:31AM

Petrol, how about a Focus?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-edge-1-0t-100ps-m5fwd-4dr-m5/7161182

ewj1978 · 13-08-2014 09:53AM

Something like a mazda5 or pug 5008 might suit you.

Plenty of room and if, god forbid, you need to have half a football team, plenty of seats too. They're well equipped and very economical.

I've a Mazda myself. The sliding doors are a godsend.

Staplor · 13-08-2014 10:00AM

Have one kid, changed from an Auris to a Corolla, brand new might tip your budget but don't rule it out.

The extra boot space in a saloon is so much easier than the hatchback, them buggies are huge, get a saloon!!

Especially if you intend on doing any travelling around the country.

MuppetCheck · 13-08-2014 10:47AM

On a smaller car like a Corolla a saloon might have a bigger boot but the opening isn't as big as a hatch would be. This means that some awkwardly shaped items might not fit despite the boot being being enough to hold them.

A similarly sized estate would be the better option or else move up a class and take the hatchback option meaning both a big boot and an opening. The only car in the Corolla class with a properly big boot and opening in a hatch format that I can think of is an Octavia.

nice_guy80 · 13-08-2014 11:42AM

Skoda Yeti?

NipNip · 13-08-2014 11:46AM

I love Hyundai! My other choice would be a VW Passat. Brilliant boot space, very safe and sturdy car. If you're looking at 10 years out of it, you will need to consider the car-seat space as has been mentioned above. For that reason, you may need to consider the horrendous 7 seaters - can't recommend one of those for you unfortunately!

NipNip · 13-08-2014 11:52AM

Btw - I have a Santa Fe - it is family friendly to the core. Massive boot. You could see what the market price is for an 08 Santa Fe? Diesel if you can?

https://www.google.ie/search?q=08+hyundai+santa+fe&client=firefox-a&hs=WFE&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=nts&tbm=isch&imgil=jk-ioCCNsii_SM%253A%253BZGiWz3eYcBf0KM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.auto123.com%25252Fen%25252Fcar-reviews%25252Fnew%25252F2008-hyundai-santa-fe-limited-awd-review%25253Fartid%2525253D96815&source=iu&usg=__PisoAt4nAvxS5cuaix4oTgli2dU%3D&sa=X&ei=y1HrU7CNK7LA7AblkYHwAQ&ved=0CEIQ9QEwBA&biw=1366&bih=657#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=E8wmu_lsw6EOuM%253A%3BvOq0zPEjelOCVM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F_mxVVX-SZq6c%252FSOd9ya_CSYI%252FAAAAAAAAAyc%252Fbd6TweuPAIQ%252Fs400%252FHyundai-Santa-Fe-4.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftuning4speed.blogspot.com%252F2008%252F11%252F2008-hyundai-santa-fe-suv.html%3B400%3B300

Staplor · 13-08-2014 11:54AM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Skoda Yeti?

Tinchey boot, and pricey

Chris_Heilong · 13-08-2014 12:57PM

I was like this too when I had a baby on the way I though I needed a very spacious car but in reality any car with back seats will do. Even my FTO would have been fine but I didnt know it at the time.

NipNip · 13-08-2014 12:59PM

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

I was like this too when I had a baby on the way I though I needed a very spacious car but in reality any car with back seats will do. Even my FTO would have been fine but I didnt know it at the time.

What car did you end up getting?

mattcrow · 13-08-2014 01:11PM

I've two kids, and running out of space now in a 07 Passat saloon... Looking to upgrade to estate, deciding between Passat and Peugeot 508.

Chris_Heilong · 13-08-2014 01:31PM

NipNip wrote: »

What car did you end up getting?

At the time I got a 4 door Honda Civic Hatchback which was grand, baby seat in the back and a buggy and shopping in the boot with plenty more room to spare, but at the time I was even considering 7 seaters(what was going through my mind)

NipNip · 13-08-2014 01:37PM

My first car when I had my baby was two door. I will not begin to describe the damage I did to my back in that time, trying to put a child in a car seat from an awkward angle.
With the Santa Fe, the back seats are at such a height that the mother will not be bending over trying to put a squirming baby into a seat. That's all.

justsomebloke · 13-08-2014 02:25PM

go estate, also if you planning on doing extended rear facing for safety, check that the car will fit extended rear seats in the back

jobless · 13-08-2014 02:58PM

thanks for the suggestions all?..

nipnip, not sure about a 4x4.... is the tax quite high on them?

bazz26 · 13-08-2014 03:05PM

Have a look at the likes of the Nissan Qashqai or Qashqai +2. You can get both in petrol and 2wd. They are practical and cheap to run. No point in buying a diesel or 4wd is you have no use for them.

For example:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Qashqai-+2/1.6-5Dr/51614023585545520/

NipNip · 13-08-2014 03:19PM

jobless wrote: »

thanks for the suggestions all?..

nipnip, not sure about a 4x4.... is the tax quite high on them?

Yes it is -800 per year - but the buying price is generally reduced to that level........

jobless · 13-08-2014 03:38PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Have a look at the likes of the Nissan Qashqai or Qashqai +2. You can get both in petrol and 2wd. They are practical and cheap to run. No point in buying a diesel or 4wd is you have no use for them.

For example:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Qashqai-+2/1.6-5Dr/51614023585545520/

are the qashqai boots that big though?.... i was in recently and the size of the boot didnt jump out at me

bazz26 · 13-08-2014 03:58PM

If you are not using the 3rd row of seats in the +2 and fold them then the boot is decent. Regular Qashqai is no bigger than a medium sized hatchback though.

happywithlife · 13-08-2014 09:07PM

MuppetCheck wrote: »

On a smaller car like a Corolla a saloon might have a bigger boot but the opening isn't as big as a hatch would be. This means that some awkwardly shaped items might not fit despite the boot being being enough to hold them.

When I had my first I was driving a corolla hatchback. Buggy fit ok. Even though my mams boot was probably bigger in her avensis there wasn't a hope the buggy would fit in. I had to dismantle the wheels to get it in.

Another then op to watch out for is the seat belt length. If they're short it can be awkward to fit seats and you need to watch out for buckle crunch. You'll be advised of that anyway when getting the car seat but just something else to bear in mind.

Oh another thing - Hubby had a ford focus hatchback and found it really really annoying that there was no overhead light for the back - poking around in the dark trying to find a dropped soother/favourite toy with junior screaming the place down is not fun!

Moonbeam · 13-08-2014 09:11PM

I would look at an estate if you plan on having 2 kids or a VW Touran,Once we had 3 we needed to buy an MPV as you can not fit 3 seats across the back of normal cars.

baby on the way/ which family car ? 15-20k

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