1 car? 2 cars? new car?

Crabman

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Where has anyone been unkind? Just because you don't want to hear the answers, does not mean that posts have been unkind.

When you post about your woes on an internet forum you need to be prepared to hear stuff that you may prefer to ignore... the truth hurts sometimes!

With respect, they asked for advice on their car situation and this thread is on the Motoring Board.

If they were looking for family planning advice they would have found the 'Marriage, Couples & Family MoneySaving' board and posted there.

If you don't have useful advice in terms of the query in the OP, I would respectfully suggest you refrain from posting on this thread.

Buellguy

OK sensible head on - If you decide the 1 car route make sure that there is enough money to keep it serviced - that way it will last. Not keeping it serviced is false economy - things will go wrong with it far faster and a lot worse (I'm amazed the Audi could pass an MOT without being serviced for that long). Things like tyres, brake pads/discs are not 'things that crop up' - they are consumables and should be factored into running the car (OK as should servicing etc). OK an alternator going might be an emergency - but might also have been picked up at a service allowing a far cheaper repair than a new replacement

Lum

My family managed with a 3 door Mini, though this was when I was a teenager and my stepbrother was a little under 1 years old. We could squeeze all 4 of us and the baby related kit into the Mini somehow.

So I'm sure you'll manage fine with a 3 door Hyundai. Why not try it for a few weeks and see how you get on?

forgotmyname

Saving money by not servicing it has probably cost you more.

Its a worthless wreck.

What money are you putting into a new car? Put this towards repairing the ones you have?

Why is a Getz not big enough for a family. When we started a family we had a mini and went everywhere in it. Even holidays.

eschaton

Crabman wrote: »

With respect, they asked for advice on their car situation and this thread is on the Motoring Board.

If they were looking for family planning advice they would have found the 'Marriage, Couples & Family MoneySaving' board and posted there.

If you don't have useful advice in terms of the query in the OP, I would respectfully suggest you refrain from posting on this thread.

And with respect, I gave advice in post #2 regarding the car. It was ignored.

Some people ask for help but don't like the answer if it isn't the answer they are looking for.

eschaton

Lum wrote: »

My family managed with a 3 door Mini, though this was when I was a teenager and my stepbrother was a little under 1 years old. We could squeeze all 4 of us and the baby related kit into the Mini somehow.

So I'm sure you'll manage fine with a 3 door Hyundai. Why not try it for a few weeks and see how you get on?

I remember my Dad having a Ford Fiesta when we were young. The 4 of us fitted in even for two week family holidays with all the luggage.

These days have a kid and they want a big car or MPV, changed days.

learningaboutinsurance

Crabman wrote: »

With respect, they asked for advice on their car situation and this thread is on the Motoring Board.

If they were looking for family planning advice they would have found the 'Marriage, Couples & Family MoneySaving' board and posted there.

If you don't have useful advice in terms of the query in the OP, I would respectfully suggest you refrain from posting on this thread.

thats fine, but the OP mentioned they going for another Baby aswell.

OP'S quote: "The Audi is my husbands main car and on its last legs, and we haven't had the money to service either car for about 5 years. (have a toddler, would like another one soon)."

the fact they are unable to afford a service and mention on the motoring board about having another baby. people will have their own opinions. The is an Open Forum

My opinion is if the OP hasn't got the spare cash to service the cars and hasn't in 5 years. hows the OP planning on supporting a child. OP then mentions Maintaining a child is not that expensive. what planet is she on. i can tell you now its if you cannot service a car once a year which as i mentioned in my first post for 2-300 pounds how in the hell you going to support a child which cost can be upto 200 pounds a month if you do not have spare income to service a car

scaredofdebt

The OP has asked for advice about cars in the cars section of the forum, enough of the lectures about how much it costs to have children, the OP already knows that!

I'd certainly go down to one car as it will save money.

If you can't afford servicing then buy a Haynes manual (few quid second hand) and do what you can yourself, an oil change once a year is a good start and will cost about two gallons of petrol.

See how you get on with the Hyundai for a few months and save the money you're saving on the Audi to pay debts, save up for the baby and possibly a slightly bigger car.

That car is fine for the family as it is, for some strange reason people nowadays think they need an MPV when they've only got one child, I know I did!

My neighbours have a 7 year old and they cope with an Audi TT (tiny rear seats).

Good luck on all fronts!

mikey72

The getz could be a bit small for overnight trips.
I remember our Nova with 2 kids of a similar age.
Ok until you need the double buggy, travel cot, sterilizer, nappies, changing mat.....
Finished up with a roof box in the end.
I'd have got rid of both, and looked for a medium sized car.
Or kept the Audi and had it serviced if it was worth it.

barbiedoll

Sell the Audi for parts or scrap it. (You'll get a few quid and save more on tax, insurance etc.)

Make do with the Getz for now while the kid(s) are small, but spend the cash from the Audi on a decent service.

Keep up the maintenance on the Getz then have a look at how much they sell for, small cars are very much in demand now. Get quotes for the dented roof.

Keep an eye out for a larger car (Mondeo, Focus, larger Vauxhall models etc) there are lots of bargains in the 2 litre range now as the tax is more expensive. Try to find a friend who knows about cars to help you choose. Trade up when you feel you can afford it.