[martin10chk]

Originally Posted by Allworth

This will sound a bit against your trend; you can go double decker something with a high sitting position, SUV or mini van.
As a full time van driver I find driving van is more enjoyable than passenger cars, and that's because sitting higher makes a difference.

I am with this trend! We recently got ourselves a VW California campervan. Much to my surprise it is the vehicle I love to drive. As you say its the different vantage point that just makes for a more relaxing experience in most real world journeys. Sure it not the choice for country lanes but on the congested and jammed up roads that we seem to be on most of the time ... I get to enjoy the view! Sorry OP have gone off piste here. Weekend toy? Baby? Fun car? Does not compute.

[DB118D]

Originally Posted by Danj94

Haha, I mean it will be our second car but mainly it will be mine.. I don't expect it to take much time up other then when I am driving it and only expect to do 5-6k miles a year in it!

It would just be a "nice to have"

I could be really boring and pay the £ off my mortgage but where is the fun in that.

I'm totally with you on that. The mortgage will be paid off eventually and when it suits your circumstances.

Can't take it with you so may as well enjoy it in some form while you can

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

A 3 year old and another on the way....first, congrats...second, your workload is about to feel like it's gone up tenfold �� (3 and 7 here)

I have 33 and 29 yr olds, MB, and can confirm that it doesn't get any easier... just different

[martin10chk]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

I have 33 and 29 yr olds, MB, and can confirm that it doesn't get any easier... just different

And in my experience (34, and 31 yr olds) ... more expensive.!

[Danj94]

So I am right in thinking I am better off making this purchase whilst the little one is as young as possible haha.

I am lured toward the RS3 for it's hatchback practicality and it seems to hold its price quite well and sounds so much better then the M2C.

The original N55 M2 is a fair shout that does sound lovely but the trunk boot is less then ideal for my circumstances I think.

A45s is lovely but prices seem to be higher, perhaps in another 7-8 months when I am looking to purchase they will of dropped a bit more.

In terms of value retention the RS3 8V DAZA with extras like the sport exhaust, mag ride, super sport seats etc would be the best choice.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

A 3 year old and another on the way....first, congrats...second, your workload is about to feel like it's gone up tenfold 😁 (3 and 7 here)

Pah, only 15 months between my two. Piece of cake.

I worked away. Alot!

[Pond]

With a baby on the way...my advice would be get a big van. It will be a lot more useful than any car.
It never ceased to amaze me how much shit was apparently needed just to get a baby from A to B.

[boba-fett]

I'm not sure I would call some of the cars listed a toy, I mean a 240i? Really, I would say most of the Renault RS's would suit the toy status better and are certainly the more engaging drive and thats with me not being a French car fan!

A toy should be special, driven mostly for the love of driving and for the hell of it and fvck the fuel costs, refinement and comfort!

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by martin10chk

And in my experience (34, and 31 yr olds) ... more expensive.!

32 and 31 here, now have their own places so can pay their own way most of the time.

getting them to that point was expensive though... hence no M5 or RS4 for me these days!

[TodmordenLad]

Probably not exciting enough for a weekend car, more a quick daily, I suspect, but what about a Cupra Formentor? Standard 2L 300+hp AWD VAG underpinnings.

A neighbour has one and Ive been admiring it recently - attractive in a brutalist sort of way. Practical too. Not that many around. There may be a reason for that, mind you.

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Probably not exciting enough for a weekend car, more a quick daily, I suspect, but what about a Cupra Formentor? Standard 2L 300+hp AWD VAG underpinnings.

A neighbour has one and Ive been admiring it recently - attractive in a brutalist sort of way. Practical too. Not that many around. There may be a reason for that, mind you.

My mate's got one of the c300bhp AWD versions and it's a great car for a quick daily. It really reminds me of an Impreza back in their heyday. Good wheel travel, good ground clearance and small enough that you can hustle it down narrow roads. Not sure that I would class it as interesting enough to the a weekend toy, but they're very good cars. A bit VAG, but overall I still like them.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

My mate's got one of the c300bhp AWD versions and it's a great car for a quick daily. It really reminds me of an Impreza back in their heyday. Good wheel travel, good ground clearance and small enough that you can hustle it down narrow roads. Not sure that I would class it as interesting enough to the a weekend toy, but they're very good cars. A bit VAG, but overall I still like them.

It would be on my shortlist, a bit more interesting than the usual culprits - Golf R, S3, M135i. The interior is a bit low rent though.

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

A 3 year old and another on the way....first, congrats...second, your workload is about to feel like it's gone up tenfold 😁 (3 and 7 here)

This 100%

@OP - get something special. You will not get to drive it as much as you think (lack of time), but when you do you want to be able to really enjoy it.

[XAlp]

When we had our first daughter I upgraded Mrs XAlp’s car to a Seat Cupra - very nice, black 180bhp and a good chunk cheaper than a GTi. However, the addition of our son 2 years later led to a Vauxhall Zafira!!
Get a good toy!!

[XAlp]

GR Yaris seems like the most “special” listed so far…

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

I have 33 and 29 yr olds, MB, and can confirm that it doesn't get any easier... just different

Damn

[Pond]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Damn

Do your best to stop them going to Uni aswell. Now THAT is expensive.

Only 3 weeks into 'Uni Life' and it has cost me £400 so far. Only 2 years and 11 months to go.

People keep saying to me "as long as she has fun". Fun...Fun? Where is my fun in paying for her? Putting off getting a bloody job, that is what 'UNI' is all about. And us muggins pay for it.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Pond

Do your best to stop them going to Uni aswell. Now THAT is expensive.

Only 3 weeks into 'Uni Life' and it has cost me £400 so far. Only 2 years and 11 months to go.

People keep saying to me "as long as she has fun". Fun...Fun? Where is my fun in paying for her? Putting off getting a bloody job, that is what 'UNI' is all about. And us muggins pay for it.

400 doesn't sound bad, assume you aren't paying their accomm costs and they have a maintenance loan. How much would they have cost at home...?

Now when they leave uni, then it gets expensive!

[Pond]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

400 doesn't sound bad, assume you aren't paying their accomm costs and they have a maintenance loan. How much would they have cost at home...?

Now when they leave uni, then it gets expensive!

Maintenance loan aswell. So not only do the kids run up massive debt, so do I apparently!

£170 a week for a prison cell without the bars; that's 'halls' for you.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

32 and 31 here, now have their own places so can pay their own way most of the time.

getting them to that point was expensive though... hence no M5 or RS4 for me these days!

And don’t get me started on the cost of weddings these days, bloody rip off - two of my three got married in the space of 6 months, I could’ve bought a nice M3 Touring for what got pissed up against the wall ….

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

And don’t get me started on the cost of weddings these days, bloody rip off - two of my three got married in the space of 6 months, I could’ve bought a nice M3 Touring for what got pissed up against the wall ….

Ah, remember that well... I capped it though and said they could gave £25k... which apparently paid for the reception but not much else!!

My son decided to forego the wedding and have the money for a flat - which ended up costing twice as much when we got into the detail, so his sister got another £25k too!

Thankfully now done!! Apart from of course there are now grandkids to spoil...

[Pond]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Ah, remember that well... I capped it though and said they could gave £25k... which apparently paid for the reception but not much else!!

My son decided to forego the wedding and have the money for a flat - which ended up costing twice as much when we got into the detail, so his sister got another £25k too!

Thankfully now done!! Apart from of course there are now grandkids to spoil...

I was brought up to stand on my own two feet from a very early age.
I was never given anything (and my parents weren't poor, just average). I was working at 16 and paying rent to my Mum. I didn't get a car, a deposit for a house, I paid 95% for my own wedding (outlaws and my parents donated a few quid literally).

I would like my daughter to have the same ethics, but it isn't working out well so far.