Baby advice needed

[MikeO]

I'm posting here as I suspect almost by definition you guys know about such things.

We're presently a childless 996, and Vauxhall Corsa household who've just discovered there are twins on the way. First thought, what do we do about the cars (naturally). As a family car do we go estate, MPV or 4x4 (I suspect some biased answers here) I'm thinking about space, back strain, economy, and retaining a semblance of cool.

And, am I gonna keep the 996? I desperately want to, but I'll just end up taking it to and from work (3 miles in traffic jams) or maybe out at 6am on a Sunday morning (which to be honest I never have yet, although with sleepless nights ahead...)


Obviously perfect answer might be Audi RS6 and Cayenne Turbo, but remember we'll be poor now on in.

Thanks,

 

[Guest]

Mike O

Firstly congratulations.

I have a 996, a 7 year old and a 4 year old. I can fit them in the back, but not ideal. My wife has a Golf,but I feel kind of guilty about money being tied up in a car which is essentially for me.

Can't bring myself to drive a Sport Ute in the city - so have gone for an RS6.....but not without a few sleepless nights.

Spizz

 

[Rotorhead]

Congatulations on the twins.

It's a well known medical condition. Pregnancy in the family causes the male hormones to go hay-wire and they lose all sense of santity and start wearing slippers and looking wistfully at 4x4s and MPVs.

Kids are great, but they'll dominate enough aspects of your life - keep the 911.

Buy something safe, spacious and practical for the kids, but nothing too prestigous. It'll smell of sick and poo for the first two years, then you'll have food and drink everywhere. then there'll be the mud, bikes, school friends........

There's one area where you mustn't compromise. Keep your independence and sanity with a 911.

 

[Guest]

Well done !!

Having 2 & 3 three year old girls I know where your coming from. To echo other members, keep your Porsche for sanity's sake.

At the risk of sounding like an employee of Mothercare, the problem comes when you try and buy transport for the little darlings, the wife bought this articulated double seat aircraft carrier type thingy as she feared buying a traditional two seat side by side jobby would stop her shopping escapedes on account of it being to wide to get though department stores doors.

And then theres the car seat question - I don't want to go there.

And finally,, why does everything have to match ??

 

[Guest]

Congratulations Mike!

I became a dad in August (only one, thankfully[][]) and on the run in to the big event I was telling my missus how we would need a more practical car (currently a Seat Leon and a 968) but would she listen? After one trip up north to see the grandparents she was suddenly in agreement. Even with one child the amount of space you need is awesome! For various reasons we have decided to hang fire on a new practical car, but my conclusion is that its an estate that you need. In terms of people carrying ability, you only need four seats, and its room for buggies/changing bags etc. etc. that is more useful. A 4x4 might be good too, but I would avoid MPV's, and especially little MPV's. My sister is expecting twins in the new year and she has gone out and bought a new VW Touran.....[8|][:-]

Oliver's advice above is spot on - you have to retain something for yourself - there are too many changes coming! Keep the 911 (especially in that colour combo - got any pics?) and get a workhorse estate car that you don't feel the need to keep in tip top cosmetic condition. If it were me and I had more money than I do, it would be an A6 2.5Tdi - second hand at about 10-15k depending on mileage/age etc? Save money now and spend it on another Porsche once the kids are older!

 

[MikeO]

Thanks guys,

Sounds like good advice: the majority verdict seems to be an estate, and nothing too posh cos it'll get wrecked anyway, and yeah I'm sure I'll try to keep hold of the 996, cos even on ten minute trips into town there's usually a ten second section, round a roundabout, or wherever, which is enough to let you know you're still alive, and to wipe out the rest of the plodding dross.

 

[MikeO]

Keep the 911 (especially in that colour combo - got any pics?)

This was on the Cotswold rally this year. When I bought it I was very dubious about the Boxster Red leather, but in fact it's pretty cool

 

[Andy Tims]

It's NOT compulsory to get an MPV, or 4x4 the minute you get a family. Estate cars have more useful boot space for prams etc than either & generally drive a whole lot better.

 

[hotblack944]

Hi Mike,

Congratulations!

Another vote for estate car from me - when our second was contemplated, we bought a Merc C280 estate - second hand, so it didn't break the bank and I don't get too stressed about the Dustbins climbing all over it. Very pleased with it []

DO NOT sell the Porsche!

Jim.

 

[pwebb]

Hi Mike

Some advice from an old hand (four kids including twins!).

Everyone is right - keep the 911 for your sanity.

But the best family car we found was the Chrysler Grand Voyager (no, bear with me).
We had the usual Merc Estates and Volvo V70 estates, but the Grand Voyager is fantastically roomy, and has brilliant access to the individual captains chairs from the sliding door. One thing guaranteed to do your wife's back in is lifting twins in and out of car seats, particularly the rear facing ones in the 7 seater estates. There's acres of boot space, and you can roll out the rear seats and store them in the garage, so you've room to go away with them for the weekend or holidays, with cots, buggies, etc.

The car is surprisingly manouevrable, is well equipped, and if I remember rightly has 23 cup holders.

Second hand values are rubbish, so you can pick up a really good car for £15k. Make sure it's got leather though, so you can hose down the muck...

Sadly mine went last year as the kids are beginning to fly the nest, but hey, got a Cayenne S. Now there's a thought.

Good luck and congrats.

Peter

 

[Michael Downing]

Hi there. Congrats!

Our household has:

Me
Other half
Son aged 5
Daughter aged 3
Dog aged 10
911 C4S Cab
X5
BM 3 Coupe

It's been said before but it is so important that I will repeat it. Do not lose the 911. Don't. Don't even think about it. Parenting young children is exhausting and draining. They will take everything you have and ask for more. The shrivelled up husk that once was you will want to be reminded that you still exist as a human being. The 911 will do that.

You will need an existence beyond your newfound status as a father. The 911 is one way of doing it. Just keep an eye on Mum to make sure she has a life too - she may need help and encouragement in this direction but it will pay off.

But: take care. There will be nights when you sleep for 20 minutes total (or so it feels like). If you set off that morning, TAKE IT EASY. I know. I have the vivid recollection of a mangled front end to remind me. Sleep is very easy to slip into in those circumstances, whatever you are driving. Feel justified in phoning in to say you cannot come for a while until you are awake and safe to drive.

As they grow up a bit and get out of the tiny rearward-facing seats, and the luggage requirements start to be measured in cubic feet rather than cubic yards, they will probably find the 911 quite exciting themselves. Both my two ask to go in "daddy's car without a roof" all the time. I do know a 964 driver who used his on a daily basis for his twins right from the start, though. He had a hard time finding good seats, but managed in the end. He was a distinctive sight at toddler groups.

As regards the main car, you will need a sizeable boot but it doesn't really matter what it is attached to. We managed with an old shape 5 series saloon until recently, but it was tight. An estate or a 4x4 will be easier, but don't rush. You won't be getting out much in the early weeks/months, and she may be unable to drive for a while. Very tiny babies are actually quite compact, especially if fed naturally. The need for space REALLY kicks in when they start to like toys, crawling, need solid food, etc etc - about 6 months typically.

Best of luck. Life's biggest adventure is about to start. Buckle up!

 

[Guest]

Interesting thread.

I have come to the reverse conclusion.

My quality time is with my wife and kids - and I want to try and share my enthusiasm for cars and speed with them. We always leave the 996 at home and use the crappy Espace which seems daft.

So today, I sold the 996. Next week I pick up my RS6.

I will see if this experiment works. If it doesn't, I will be back.

Au revoir.

Spizz

 

[Michael Downing]

I may have given the wrong impression!

If I absolutely had to give one up, it would be the 911. No question.

But I can give more to the family life if there is also something else that I can do. Something that gives me space. Something that reminds me of the world outside. Something that puts things in perspective. Something that reminds me of how dear to me they all are.

If I become the insular dad with no outside interests, sitting in his favourite armchair wearing his favourite cardigan, then they lose interest in me.

 

[Jamesec]

I agree with the rest - try to keep the 911 if at all possible. I kept mine until we had our third and then went for the Cayenne. The only people that can really fit in those rear seats are little people...it'll be ideal for the twins when they are a bit older.

...And Mum can follow you behind with the Vauxhall and the pram, wipes, nappies, etc. She'll have to step on it though, or set off a bit earlier!