Baby on the way - A4?!

stepinnman

An impending new arrival means we're having to move on from a pretty unsuitable Mini (!) to something a bit bigger and with an actual boot not just a back pocket.

We've about €12k/€13k to spend - €6k of which will be the trade-in value on the mini.

A big consideration is going to be the trade-in value in about 2 years which is why we've been looking at 'marque' brands, if you like.

Pretty much settled on 2007/2008 (new model, although tricky on the budget) A4 1.8 petrol and been to look at a few. Avoiding Diesel as don't think we drive enough to gt the benefit (10k Km a year),

I'm in no way a petrol-head though and wondering if anyone has any advice as to a more suitable car for that budget or is an A4 1.8 at that sort of price (if I can get it) a good deal.?

Alanstrainor

Is the A4 not quite tight in the rear? Definitely something to consider, they're certainly not a big car.

colm_mcm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Is the A4 not quite tight in the rear? Definitely something to consider, they're certainly not a big car.

A late petrol a4 won't be too desirable in a few years time if you're banking on residuals

_Kaiser_

A4 is tiny in the back seat area. I looked at a 06 one at the time I was last buying

Get a Passat. Pretty much the same car but cheaper, and a lot bigger both in the back and the boot which will be important with buggy and baby baggage.

Full history essential though as with any car

jayc12

A Honda Accord might be worth having a look at

mondymike

jayc12 wrote: »

A Honda Accord might be worth having a look at

From my experiences it doesn't matter what car you look at, bring your buggy with you. You'd be surprised how bad boots on a lot of cars are for buggy access. A large hatchback was my option (05 mondeo) at the time. It was the only car to fit 3 car seats and a double buggy between the archesin the boot. Mondeo may not be in your radar but do your homework regardless.

Mr Simpson

In before the Octavia brigade!! :pac:

mondymike

MarkMc wrote: »

In before the Octavia brigade!! :pac:

Had one too! :):)

Mr Simpson

mondymike wrote: »

Had one too! :):)

Probably not a bad option, decent sized boot , good sized rear seats. Probably pick up a very decent spec for your money as well.

stepinnman

Cheers for all the advice. As I said, I'm not a petrol-head and I'm probably blinded by the badge on the bonnet.

In saying that, and it might be because I'm coming from the point of view of a Mini, the boot on the A4 seemed pretty spacious although I take the point about the rear seats.

I'll have to take off the blinkers and get looking again.

Idbatterim

what about 3 series bmw?

166man

I'd look at the Passat 1.4TSI OP, good space, premium badge, low road tax and reasonable fuel economy and power. Suits your needs perfectly IMO.

bazz26

A 3 Series ain't going to be any bigger than an A4. These junior executive models are not designed for space, even the estate version have limited practicality. Also if resale value is a concern then buying one of these in petrol is self defeating in that respect.

If you need something practical then you need to look at a large hatchback from one of the main stream manufacturers.

Vanishing Point

Nice enough cars but as said above not the biggest rear seat area. Boot opening on saloon is also quite small when it comes to kid stuff like buggys etc.

If you are going for an a4 I would go with an Avant.

kerten

Vanishing Point wrote: »

Nice enough cars but as said above not the biggest rear seat area. Boot opening on saloon is also quite small when it comes to kid stuff like buggys etc.

If you are going for an a4 I would go with an Avant.

+1.

Problem is not size of boot but how accessible it is. I remember I was struggling to put single buggy into empty boot of 3 series saloon.

Like others said I would either go for hatchbacks like Mondeo/Primera or estates if you are after badge.

Katunga

Having previously owned an A4 there is not much room in the rear. A Honda Accord would be the best option as it has more space in the rear and more reliable that an A4. If you by an A4 be prepared for lots of unwanted lights on the dash.

Blazer

Have a 5 series and even though it's a pretty big boot the mondeo boot (07 onwards) beats it hands down.
Easily fits 2 x golf bags, 2 x golf carts easily and the boot opening is wider as well than mine.
Definitely a +1 to the mondeo.

mailforkev

I'll throw in the obligatory Mazda 6 suggestion. Friend of mine after having first kid just got a good deal on a 09 hatchback. Like a Mondeo but a bit different and better interior.

colm_mcm

There was an 08 new model 6 petrol on donedeal for €7500 a week ago.

Edit, there's another there now for €7000

mr_edge_to_you

In this day and age you don't need to be driving 20k a year to benefit financially from driving a diesel car.

I became a dad for the first time this year and I already had an Octavia. I've had it 3.5 years - love it. Had to replace the camshaft earlier this year (€1100). Appears to be a common issue with VAG 1.9tdi engines with high mileage 200k +. That's for a different thread.

We had one of those Quinny 3 in 1 travel systems. They're brilliant but take up a lot of space. The frame is quiet bulky but it fits in the boot no bother.

We went away for our first weekend with the baby in may. We had to bring the buggy frame, the pram part, travel cot, steriliser, a big bag of clothes for the baby and our own individual "hand luggage" size cases. We had to take off the wheels to fit the buggy frame in.

Even going for the weekly shopping requires as much boot space as possible. Buggy frame and unit, car seat sitting in the back.....you will have a pile of formula containers and a few boxes of nappies. Visits down to the grandparents now mean we have to bring the high chair and a pile of toys. Boot space is a premium!

It's only when you go away for your first night as a family that you realise how much you have to cart around.

I have not yet had to remove the hatchback boot cover on the Octavia - a massive boot.

There's much more to consider than just a pram/buggy.

already considering an estate early in the new year.

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

There was an 08 new model 6 petrol on donedeal for €7500 a week ago.

Edit, there's another there now for €7000

And this one is a bigger bargin if it is genuine:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3594872

colm_mcm

That's the best way to beat future depreciation, just don't spend the extra money to start with.

Foghorn Leghorn

Hi,

I've a A4 and I'm very happy with it but a word of warning, I don't know what sort of Buggy you have but the A4 doesn't come standard withe the Iso fix attachment so you might want to check that before buying

Green Hornet

I had an A4 on trial for a week when changing my last Accord. I've a 2 year old and it was way smaller in the back than the Accord that I was trading. You think it will be fine but after a few days you accept that it isn't. Bought another Accord and the difference in access even opening the back doors is very noticeable.

That said, my wife has a 5 door Civic and that beats the hell out of the Accord for access on every front!! Doors open to basically 90 degrees in the back and much more loading capacity/access to the boot. Hatchbacks are much more child friendly.

How Strange

As a parent with back problems I'd recommend an estate over a saloon or hatchback. It's much easier to slide the buggy in and out as opposed to lifting it in and out. We borrowed a saloon while our car was in the garage and i found it difficult to get the buggy in and out. Plus you've heaps of space for everything else. I'm a convert to estates now and wouldn't go for a saloon.

writhen

I have a 2 litre a4. Also have a 3 month old and a 3 year old. Very little room in the back of these and if you are over 6 feet tall you will find yourself crammed up against the steering wheel. The rear door openings are murder on your back when lifting in and out car seats and little ones. Boot isnt geat either. To top it all I also had the legendary audi dual mass flywheel failure.