Potential replacement for wife's Mini?

[Jethro]

Have babies suddenly got bigger than they used to be ?
My wife had a 3 door Corsa and never struggled getting the child in or out and never had to put a trailer on behind to transport a buggy and the multitude of other things that people think they need.

 

[tomah]

Have babies suddenly got bigger than they used to be ?
My wife had a 3 door Corsa and never struggled getting the child in or out and never had to put a trailer on behind to transport a buggy and the multitude of other things that people think they need.

I don't think anyone is saying it isn't possible to make do.

But if you're going to be changing the car anyway, you might as well get something that will make life easier and be more appropriate for the job.

 

[Smoothie]

Another MINI? Countryman perhaps?

 

[pinto200]

Another MINI? Countryman perhaps?

Double the budget.

My money would be on an A3 sportback.

 

[SMB]

http://www.usedcarsni.com/128925532?show_all_photos=1

5dr and mid sized...

 

[Deckz]

http://www.usedcarsni.com/128925532?show_all_photos=1

5dr and mid sized...

Boot in them is meant to be horrendous.

 

[Deckz]

Stretch the budget

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2008-25-subaru-impreza-hatchback-turbo/1063812513

 

[BobSpounge]

A five door may be handier in some ways however we survived with 3 door cars only and we have twins now aged 11.

306 d turbo
E36 328i coupe
Astra gsi turbo
Astra vxr
Astra cdti sporthatch
3 door golf

Parcel shelf had to come out of the 306 for the twin buggy, apart from that we had no bother. Granted a 5 door would have been a bit easier but we don't do 5 door cars.

 

[Rover Repair]

Octavia VRS

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2009-Skoda-Octavia-VRS-TDI-CR-Estate-Full-Service-History-128543393

Or.......

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2008-Skoda-Octavia-2-0-TDI-PD-Scout-4x4-Finance-Now-Available-121390059

 

[Mel_45]

Alfa 159? Love the look of them and there's a nice red one for sale in Ballymena with 52k. Diesel though so maybe too dull for her?

 

[mthompo]

Boot in them is meant to be horrendous.

Dad has that shape of focus not an st mind you and boots dead on gets the pram etc in when he has my ones no bother unles the st is different

 

[mthompo]

Have babies suddenly got bigger than they used to be ?
My wife had a 3 door Corsa and never struggled getting the child in or out and never had to put a trailer on behind to transport a buggy and the multitude of other things that people think they need.

Agree with @tomah it's when they are a bit bigger lumping them in and out of a 3 dr is hassle. Might as well make life easier for the mrs she will thank you for it in the long run

 

[Lyons]

Showed her that.... "I couldn't drive that... Your getting warmer, but that's huge"......

At least we are going in right direction!

Mine said she would never drive the A8, now she loves driving it!

 

[Ceebl]

Cool looking, fun, 5 door and a boot? I'll just leave this here

 

[Pumesta]

Have babies suddenly got bigger than they used to be ?
My wife had a 3 door Corsa and never struggled getting the child in or out and never had to put a trailer on behind to transport a buggy and the multitude of other things that people think they need.

When I was a wee nipper my mum got three of us into the back of a mini 1000, I also remember touring round France in dads 3DR 309 GTi with no problems

 

[Paul RS]

Just told Mrs Lyons about this. She laughed at the thought of a 3 door.

My sister manages fine with two kids in a 2008 3 door clio

 

[Rover Repair]

My sister manages fine with two kids in a 2008 3 door clio

Your sister sounds flexible! I wouldnt fancy that with the newer shaped clios, huge doors!

 

[Mel]

I've never had a 5 door car and have coped no bother, people really seem to go overboard these days when they have kids, as long as there is room for a pram and changing bag in the boot it's all good.

 

[Simon83]

Boot in them is meant to be horrendous.

We changed to an 5door ST3 when my son came along. The boot is very shallow and our pram was quite bulky, so with the pram and a weeks shopping in the boot the parcel shelf used to alway sit up which did my head in. I think the boot is very shallow due to huge back box on the ST. I know the pre facelift St3 didn't come with isofix but you can buy the fitting kit from ford. After 18 months we changed the ST for a Jetta which has a huge boot and plenty of room inside.

 

[Mel_45]

All this talk about we COPED just fine with a 3 door. No one is saying you can't, the point been made is why not make life that bit easier for you on a daily basis rather than "coping"

 

[Lyons]

All this talk about we COPED just fine with a 3 door. No one is saying you can't, the point been made is why not make life that bit easier for you on a daily basis rather than "coping"

Exactly.

 

[euge07]

2 doors is useless when you have a child
I have an e36 328i sport and a vw bora and she has a touran, although you can just about manage it, it is such a hassle, you will need a good sized boot for the pram, changing bag, once the child gets up a bit and your going visiting etc youl need to bring toys etc
Go for a 5door car with good size boot!
If she still wants a sporty petrol 5 door,,what about cupra leon,mazda 3mps, 5door gti golf,
Or a nice audi a3 sportback?

 

[s13rab]

My choice would be an Audi a3 2.0t sport back

 

[Chris100]

I have to agree with the comments about coping, it's been a while since I have had to worry about this stuff but we looked after our 6 month old niece last weekend and I had forgotten just how much stuff you need to carry about when you are out and about with a young baby and I drive an A5 which you would consider a small car, seriously you need 5 doors and a good boot, the coupe boot was hopeless.

 

[wes]

Type r civic, when the childs old enough they will want to climb into there own seat anyway (well mine does 2yrs old) and just buckle them in, they have a decent boot too. Or the deisel 2.2.