- Joined
- Jul 4, 2007
- Messages
- 17,105
- Reaction score
- 719
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Salford, Manchester
- Website
- www.facebook.com
My S3 has gotta go,Most practical replacement???
- Thread starter S3 OGS
- Start date
PaulAr
S3 (8P)
beanoir
Large Member
Congrats for the soon to be parents!
I must say I dont think you have any reason to change your car at all, the S3 / A3 3 door is perfectly big enough, I was brought up as a kid and so was my brother in the following cars, a Vauxhall Nova, 2 Fiat Pandas and 3 door BMW 318 (my parents had curious taste in cars back in those days), none of which have as much space as your current car. The 5 door has no more room, and as somebody rightly pointed out above, once the seats are forward you actually have more room to sit in front of the baby seat, this has 3 advantages..
1) when it rains, you keep dry while strapping the little ones in, instead of your backside hanging in the rain whilst strapping them which is the case in a 5 door.
2) it is much better for your back to carry and lower a child in to their seat from the position mentioned above than trying swvel them round and strap them in whilst bending over through the side in a 5 door.
3) there have been increased reports of child snatchers waiting at traffic lights and they favour 5 door cars, as it's easier to snatch a child that way rather than throwing the front passenger out and moving the seat forward to grab the child before the lights go green.....
ok, so I may have manipulated the truth slightly on point 3...
You could always pick up a cheap P reg 5 door Fiesta for the wife, and keep the S3, that way your wife gets what she wants and so do you...but I'm guessing she wont drive one of them, but you could give her the choice of the 2 and see how important 5 doors really is to her....?
Good luck!!
I must say I dont think you have any reason to change your car at all, the S3 / A3 3 door is perfectly big enough, I was brought up as a kid and so was my brother in the following cars, a Vauxhall Nova, 2 Fiat Pandas and 3 door BMW 318 (my parents had curious taste in cars back in those days), none of which have as much space as your current car. The 5 door has no more room, and as somebody rightly pointed out above, once the seats are forward you actually have more room to sit in front of the baby seat, this has 3 advantages..
1) when it rains, you keep dry while strapping the little ones in, instead of your backside hanging in the rain whilst strapping them which is the case in a 5 door.
2) it is much better for your back to carry and lower a child in to their seat from the position mentioned above than trying swvel them round and strap them in whilst bending over through the side in a 5 door.
3) there have been increased reports of child snatchers waiting at traffic lights and they favour 5 door cars, as it's easier to snatch a child that way rather than throwing the front passenger out and moving the seat forward to grab the child before the lights go green.....
ok, so I may have manipulated the truth slightly on point 3...
You could always pick up a cheap P reg 5 door Fiesta for the wife, and keep the S3, that way your wife gets what she wants and so do you...but I'm guessing she wont drive one of them, but you could give her the choice of the 2 and see how important 5 doors really is to her....?
Good luck!!
Last edited:
Im feeling the `lanky love`
I'm feeling the "kids in bed I'm tanning the red wine love" - as I know you are too PaulAr.
beanoir
Large Member
PaulAr
S3 (8P)
+4+3
Dr Fosters will soon be out of favour......stella...strongbow or a cheeky Red.....Mmmm decision decisions....enjoys boys. Typing is becoming a laboured affair btw....
beanoir
Large Member
Typing is becoming a laboured affair btw....
arhh, just go out for a drive to sober yourself up then.
PaulAr
S3 (8P)
pluves1
Registered User
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2008
- Messages
- 725
- Reaction score
- 133
- Points
- 43
Hard choice this.
Owning both a S3 SB and a Golf Pirelli I can vouch for both.
The Golf does feel underpowered when compared to the S3 but, to be honest there isnt much in it. The main difference as you've already noticed is that the S3 puts the power down a whole lot better - I havent yet once seen my traction control light come on (come to think of it does it have one???)
Value for money wise I think the Golf is hard to beat. However, I can see why you probably dont want to come down from an S3. My next replacement is going to be even harder than the last time I changed.
Get a SB with roof rails and stick a roof box on for those family weekends away when you cant fit a lot in the S3's tiny boot.
Owning both a S3 SB and a Golf Pirelli I can vouch for both.
The Golf does feel underpowered when compared to the S3 but, to be honest there isnt much in it. The main difference as you've already noticed is that the S3 puts the power down a whole lot better - I havent yet once seen my traction control light come on (come to think of it does it have one???)
Value for money wise I think the Golf is hard to beat. However, I can see why you probably dont want to come down from an S3. My next replacement is going to be even harder than the last time I changed.
Get a SB with roof rails and stick a roof box on for those family weekends away when you cant fit a lot in the S3's tiny boot.
Such a tough one this,Hear is a link to my mrs baby forum. She has put a similer post up asking for there opinon.
Such a double edge sword lol
http://community.babycentre.co.uk/post/a5475995/cars_-_3dr_or_5dr?
Such a double edge sword lol
http://community.babycentre.co.uk/post/a5475995/cars_-_3dr_or_5dr?
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,138
- Reaction score
- 148
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Moo Moo Land
- Website
- www.google.co.uk
I'd say stick with the S3 too.
Although I do have the 5 door (S3 SB) as I really needed the buckets and they were not practical enough for me with getting the two little ones in and out of the back. Plus I like the shape esp with the chrome roof rails.
If it wasnt for wanting the buckets that much it would have been a harder choice over 3 dr or 5 dr. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But both cars are certainly big enough. I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old plus all of their bits and bobs and the S3 is well big enough.
The wife does have a Nissan Qasqai but thats due to a combination of her Golf being rear ended by a ****** big truck and wanting something a bit bigger until her confidence grew again, and also her running her own business and wanting something for that.
She would much rather have a Mini Cooer S now that her confidence is back again though, but small cars and her business need just wouldnt go, so she has to keep the QQ.
I think the point I'm trying to make is what others have said, you dont need a huge car even with two little ones. Just get the right car seats and your away.
Regarding the 5dr v 3 dr debate over getting the little ones in and out, i'd agree that its easier standing in the footwell on a 3dr than standing with your ar#e out in the rain bending over. BUt now that my little ones can strap themselves in its easier for them just getting in the back via the doors themselves.
Although I do have the 5 door (S3 SB) as I really needed the buckets and they were not practical enough for me with getting the two little ones in and out of the back. Plus I like the shape esp with the chrome roof rails.
If it wasnt for wanting the buckets that much it would have been a harder choice over 3 dr or 5 dr. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But both cars are certainly big enough. I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old plus all of their bits and bobs and the S3 is well big enough.
The wife does have a Nissan Qasqai but thats due to a combination of her Golf being rear ended by a ****** big truck and wanting something a bit bigger until her confidence grew again, and also her running her own business and wanting something for that.
She would much rather have a Mini Cooer S now that her confidence is back again though, but small cars and her business need just wouldnt go, so she has to keep the QQ.
I think the point I'm trying to make is what others have said, you dont need a huge car even with two little ones. Just get the right car seats and your away.
Regarding the 5dr v 3 dr debate over getting the little ones in and out, i'd agree that its easier standing in the footwell on a 3dr than standing with your ar#e out in the rain bending over. BUt now that my little ones can strap themselves in its easier for them just getting in the back via the doors themselves.
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2006
- Messages
- 1,969
- Reaction score
- 687
- Points
- 113
When our first lad arrived we had a pair of 3 dr Metros and coped no problem.
By the time of the 2nd, we had moved up to a 3 dr Rover 200 and a 5 dr Golf. I did not like taking them in the Golf as they put their little feet on the back of the cloth Recaros so the 200 was used for most things. Again no problems over about 40,000 miles.
Just be sensible when buying the baby equipment, too much gear is bad news!
prt
By the time of the 2nd, we had moved up to a 3 dr Rover 200 and a 5 dr Golf. I did not like taking them in the Golf as they put their little feet on the back of the cloth Recaros so the 200 was used for most things. Again no problems over about 40,000 miles.
Just be sensible when buying the baby equipment, too much gear is bad news!
prt
I have to agree with the other posts, 3 doors are fine with kids, and the really do provide more room to buckle them in, esp if its raining. You just get in behind them!
However, if its going to be your main family car you may find you'll need more boot room. Although a pushchair won't take up all the room in the boot it does make it awkward getting anything else in. And remember never to under estimate the amount of stuff you need for things like a weekend away, it'll amaze you.
To add to that I found we always come away from a relatives house with presents of some sort when we had new born, so don't count on returning with less the you arrive with!
Its only now that my children are 5 and 6 that we felt ok getting rid of the people carrier for a mini and soley relying on my car for family duties.
Regards
Rob
However, if its going to be your main family car you may find you'll need more boot room. Although a pushchair won't take up all the room in the boot it does make it awkward getting anything else in. And remember never to under estimate the amount of stuff you need for things like a weekend away, it'll amaze you.
To add to that I found we always come away from a relatives house with presents of some sort when we had new born, so don't count on returning with less the you arrive with!
Its only now that my children are 5 and 6 that we felt ok getting rid of the people carrier for a mini and soley relying on my car for family duties.
Regards
Rob
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,350
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 38
- Location
- noun: a particular place or position
You see, this is the kind of thinking that annoys me about my sister-in-law (not meaning to offend you in any way here Rob). The amount of stuff you need for a kid (even on a weekend away) is minimal. Some people feel the need to take every possession they have which is remotely related to children, so yes, you will need a people carrier/estate if you're one of those people. But if you take literally what is needed and nothing else, an A3 is easily big enough.
Like I said before, we considered a TT, as even that would have been big enough. The only reason we decided on the S3 was because it was easier to sling my bikes in the back of that, than mess around fitting a rack to a TT.
Like I said before, we considered a TT, as even that would have been big enough. The only reason we decided on the S3 was because it was easier to sling my bikes in the back of that, than mess around fitting a rack to a TT.
Couldn't agree more. Like I said earlier - my missus manages in her Mini every single day with our two kids. Pushchair goes in the boot and all the shopping goes in the footwells and passenger seat. I've offered to invest in a larger car for her many times but I just get a puzzled look as if to say "why would I need more space unless we are having a third child ?". Which we're not.
beanoir
Large Member
Why don't you wait until the baby has been born and give it a go with the S3, then you will be able to decide whats best after actually trying it out for yourself?
I know mothers to be like to "nest" but that "nesting" shouldn't extend to the car, it doesn't need to be sorted out before the baby arrives.
Try it out, if you don't like it, then change it, if it works fine, keep it.
I know mothers to be like to "nest" but that "nesting" shouldn't extend to the car, it doesn't need to be sorted out before the baby arrives.
Try it out, if you don't like it, then change it, if it works fine, keep it.
Kind of "on topic"...
We ventured out for the first time with our baby in the A3, plus the Maclaren pushchair in the back. I couldn't make it fit in the boot without dropping one of the rear seat backs. Is there a special way that I should be wedging the Maclaren in?
The car is a quattro, which means it loses some lower boot space...
We ventured out for the first time with our baby in the A3, plus the Maclaren pushchair in the back. I couldn't make it fit in the boot without dropping one of the rear seat backs. Is there a special way that I should be wedging the Maclaren in?
The car is a quattro, which means it loses some lower boot space...
Spin140
Registered User
Buy the right pushchair and try it for fitment first, I on't mean to sound harsh but there is such a variation in size its unreal.
When my wife was pregnant with our daughter I made exactly the same mistake and convinced myself I needed a bigger car than my then current A3 S-line, I traded it for an A4 S-line Avant and sold it 3 months later, no offence but I hated it and soon realised you do not need lots of room just lots of common sense, leave the crap at home and take just what you will need, not everything you might need !!
I swapped the A4 for my first 3 door S3, bought a roof box and even used it for weekend away, theboot morethan adequate and the roof box taking care of the push chair and travel cot, job done and one very happy Daddy.
Keep the S3 and see how you get on, a clever one to get the Mrs on side is to mention how much safer a 3 door is when the child becomes a toddler, no messing with windows or door latches, just hope she has never noticed the 'lock' buttons on the drivers side
Now I have ordered another S3 in 5 door format but more for carrying adults rather than our 3 year old who is currently loving my interim TTS and limbs in and out with no trouble at all. Having a kid should enrich your life, not rob you of the things you already enjoy, have no regrets - enjoy every minute of the kid and also your car.
When my wife was pregnant with our daughter I made exactly the same mistake and convinced myself I needed a bigger car than my then current A3 S-line, I traded it for an A4 S-line Avant and sold it 3 months later, no offence but I hated it and soon realised you do not need lots of room just lots of common sense, leave the crap at home and take just what you will need, not everything you might need !!
I swapped the A4 for my first 3 door S3, bought a roof box and even used it for weekend away, theboot morethan adequate and the roof box taking care of the push chair and travel cot, job done and one very happy Daddy.
Keep the S3 and see how you get on, a clever one to get the Mrs on side is to mention how much safer a 3 door is when the child becomes a toddler, no messing with windows or door latches, just hope she has never noticed the 'lock' buttons on the drivers side
Now I have ordered another S3 in 5 door format but more for carrying adults rather than our 3 year old who is currently loving my interim TTS and limbs in and out with no trouble at all. Having a kid should enrich your life, not rob you of the things you already enjoy, have no regrets - enjoy every minute of the kid and also your car.
HotboxDeluxe
automatic
Hooray for this thread, there's a load of old b******s talked about kids and cars, when I was a nipper there was none of this nonsense, didn't even have a ****** seatbelt in my dad's mini, let alone my own chair/rear door/suited and hatted chauffeur like Prince-bleedin'-Charles 
Not that I'm saying you should strap kids to the bonnet or anything, but at the same time you don't need an 8-seater Maybach to cart your solitary newborn around....
Not that I'm saying you should strap kids to the bonnet or anything, but at the same time you don't need an 8-seater Maybach to cart your solitary newborn around....
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,138
- Reaction score
- 148
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Moo Moo Land
- Website
- www.google.co.uk
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2007
- Messages
- 17,105
- Reaction score
- 719
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Salford, Manchester
- Website
- www.facebook.com
Hence why I ain't having any till I'm in the right place i.e. married/financially secure etcThere's a lot of sense been stated on this thread.
beanoir
Large Member
Here here! I remember my mum bought a 4x4 to cart me and my brother around in, but we're not talking a Range Rover or BMW X5 or similar X-Factor following, Jordon worshipping, footballers wife type wagon...we're talking a Fiat Panda Sisley 4X4 and you know what, I loved that car!
Bring the kids up humble, and they'll understand how the world really works, and that starts with their taxi.
