Twins and a dog

Chartsengrafs

All going well, we'll have two new arrivals coming later in the year. As well as trying to get the house ready I've been obsessing over the required car change (perhaps the only things I can really control).
We've a 2007 Astra hatchback and a 142 Scirocco. Neither car has much mileage as they're only used at weekends. Both are 2 doors/ allegedly coupes. Rocco has to go unfortunately and I think an estate is the way to go but the OH is proving resistant. I obviously don't want to do anything she not happy with but in short we need 4-5 doors and a large hatchback (we've a rather large greyhound)
I'm quite keen on an a avant estate but its deemed too big. Thinking maybe a Leon ST. I'd like to go 2016/2017, unwilling to take on much additional leverage. Can anyone suggest something I may not have considered? Big boot for dog/double buggy? But not massive? And not an SUV as I have grown to despise them. Well aware I may not be very realistic... any ideas welcome. Thanks.

James Bond Junior

Whats the budget like? An estate would suit your needs and it is hard see past any of the suggestions you already have save for maybe a Skoda Superb estate.

biko

Yeah, estate would be the ticket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZoqIteovFA

Chartsengrafs

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Whats the budget like? An estate would suit your needs and it is hard see past any of the suggestions you already have save for maybe a Skoda Superb estate.

20k approximately. Totally agree that an estate would do the job but I'm getting pushback due to perceived size. Maybe I just need to work on my negotiating skills.

Car99

A4 avant is not a big car , get her to test drive one . There's not even alot of room inside . 2 babies , a twin buggy and a dog i would be looking at an A6 avant .

TheShow

Octavia or Superb Estate.
at that money you should be able to pick up a young enough model.

www.CarsIreland.ie/2341218

awec

Chartsengrafs wrote: »

20k approximately. Totally agree that an estate would do the job but I'm getting pushback due to perceived size. Maybe I just need to work on my negotiating skills.

Getting comfortable with driving a slightly larger car will be a lot less annoying than trying to fit the kit of two babies and a dog into a regular sized car. It gets very frustrating having to pack your boot in a very specific order, with certain things having to go in a certain place to make it fit.

The extra space is worth it.

bazz26

Parking sensors and/or a reversing camera can help with that.

James Bond Junior

Whatever you do, don't go for something like a mini SUV eg qashqai, tucson et al. They are glorified hatchbacks.

I am between cars currently but I will be buying a Mercedes CLS shooting brake. They are just the coolest looking things imho. That said my wife has a 4 series gran coupe and it would eat a double buggy with ease. We have discussed what to buy when there are kids and keeping the 4 is a viable option in addition to whatever I buy.

Chartsengrafs

Thanks all, appreciate the replies. This is all very useful.

P2C

I had similar issues 2x kids a Shepard and a jack russell. Hate SUV’s and the OH did not like big estates. Ended up buying a Hyundai i30 estate as it’s really compact and it was a premium Ed with all the gismos. We also have a polo for a run around. Very happy with it so far. Although another child on the way and I can feel changes in the air

quote="Chartsengrafs;110755620"]Thanks all, appreciate the replies. This is all very useful.[/quote]

IrishZeus

Had a Superb Combi recently and now have a F11 Touring. The extra space is very very useful (have two young kids). I looked at the Octavia and the 3-series also but opted for the larger model and I'm very glad I did. Personally, with your choices, I'd be looking at the A6 rather than the A4 but it all depends on budget etc. Both good options though.

fits

Are you or your OH tall?

We had big problems getting two rear facing seats (when they are 1 year plus) that would fit into our rather large car behind rather tall husband. I'd be getting a superb estate or something similar. With good TravAll or factory fitted dog guard. We wanted to get Axkid Minikid seats and they wouldnt fit behind husband in drivers seat.

fits

awec wrote: »

Getting comfortable with driving a slightly larger car will be a lot less annoying than trying to fit the kit of two babies and a dog into a regular sized car. It gets very frustrating having to pack your boot in a very specific order, with certain things having to go in a certain place to make it fit.

The extra space is worth it.

Believe me, she will appreciate being able to fire everything into a large boot.

With your budget Superb estate or similar, anything smaller and you will regret it immediately. My wife was a bit nervous about driving a superb estate too having always driven smaller cars but with parking sensors all round and a reversing camera she was used to it in no time.

IrishZeus

IrishZeus wrote: »

Had a Superb Combi recently and now have a F11 Touring. The extra space is very very useful (have two young kids). I looked at the Octavia and the 3-series also but opted for the larger model and I'm very glad I did. Personally, with your choices, I'd be looking at the A6 rather than the A4 but it all depends on budget etc. Both good options though.

Just to add on this also - the Superb was far more spacious on the interior and in the boot. I changed as I much prefer the "drivability" of the Beemer.

pmpa

Congratulations! Speaking as a parent of twins, go and look at twin prams and see what ye are opting for first. The size of these prams folded can take up a lot of boot space. If ye go away for overnight trips, 2 travel cots and bags need to be added too. I don't think I could have stuck a 3 door car when they were toddlers and I had the isofix bases for the car seats. I would also look at the size of the back seats and try to get a car with 3 individual seats. With twins one of the mottos is try and do everything as easy as possible.
Sorry for not recommending any car but that's my advise on having twins!

ba_barabus

We're driving a Rav4. For usable space it's great.

I don't think it's been mentioned yet but for loading and unloading small kids the height really helps. The dog also has good access and is comfortable too. And there is room for a big pram and a full family load. We looked at a Qashqai when changing but found them tiny inside. CX5 was also considered but the diesel engine put me off.

Estates were considered also, nothing wrong with any of them but we just preferred the Rav4.

jonnybravo

We've two kids (3 and 1) and two dogs (labs). We have an Avensis estate and we still need a roof rack if we are going down to my parents at the weekends. Definitely need an estate with kids and dogs. My wife was nervous driving a bigger car so we got rear reversing camera and sensors.