Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

just because you have kids, you need an SUV or 4x4 height vehicle

This always baffles me. Ours have climbed in themselves since they were two. Before that we'd pick them up and put them in. It's not that challenging.

I mean if you have some sort of chronic mobility issue, I get it. And I probably wouldn't want to be putting a baby in the back of a 2 door coupe, but still.

Me neither. My dad put us into the back of a Mk1 Escort 3 door when we were small. Then it was a Mitsubishi Galant Coupé, then it was normal 4 door hatchbacks and saloons (2 Corollas and a Citroën BX, Peugeot 405, Rover 400, Rover 600). I don't recall it ever being a problem.

SUVs are for old people with non-functional knees, or they are for people with actual things to tow, but they basically became a thing after councils put speed bumps everywhere.

just because you have kids, you need an SUV or 4x4 height vehicle

That fucking grates too. I think the sweet spot (because obviously I would) is the not-quite-MPV, like the C-MAX. It is essentially just a slightly swollen Focus. But there is no real wasted space. I wouldn't want a Galaxy or even an S-Max (or Mondeo or Superbe etc). Things like Qashqais and (spits) Jukes, Evoques, GLCs etc are bulbous on the outside but not that big inside.

The seat is just slightly higher and the windows slightly taller (I think) in a C-Max compared to its Focus mate. And that is enough to make the visibility a lot better.

make MPVs great again!

My kid is now starting nursery which is a 15 minute drive away, unfortunately it's down a dual carriage way and then an unlit country road which means we cant walk/cycle atm (I'm starting to second guess our choice, although has the ofsted outstanding).

Anyway, how fucked is my A4 TDI going to be with that daily drive, I think I already know the answer. I just need a second opinion on sorting something else out.

EDIT... electric is a nono due to terraced house and shitty neighbours

although has the ofsted outstanding

Unless you're fully set on the place, I wouldn't pay any attention to this. If there is one within walk/cycle distance that you like (consider setting, safeguarding, care etc), then you'll be much better off. My life became immeasurably better when I switched from driving to cycling the childminder/school run.

Otherwise, those two short journeys (4, I suppose) will probably not help your diesel. I would look at plug-in hybrid so at least you can charge it when you get the chance.

15 minutes each way or round trip? Got to be getting up to temperature in 30 minutes, or even 15?

just scanned through a couple of his vids (and subbed to the channel)
the VR6 bagged sharan is very cool!

Put the larger child in a front-facing chair = loads of room.

Skoda Superb

Unfortunately there are lots of new rules with children and seats.

Or just leave the car to idle for 10 minutes before you leave if possible

That explains why most 5 seaters become 4 seaters. It doesn't explain why you need the height and exterior size of an suv.

That's the thing, none of the arguments seem to make much sense to me. If you have a massive RR, Land Cruser or similar then of course they do actually have a lot of room inside (assuming you need it). But so many SUVs you see still have the same interior issue as a hatchback - only room for 2 with rear child seats.

Again with getting your kids in. If the car was a normal height they'd just get themselves in from a young age.

That’s true. Still doesn’t mean SUVs are the solution

We just need people to start fetishising MPVs they way they do with long pertruding long protruding German estates.

Talking of which I saw a mint condition Mk1 Renault Espace yesterday in Cahors. Great looking things.

When I was a kid, my dad was a Renault salesman and he brought home an Avantime for a couple of days once. I remember thinking it was like a spaceship inside. It had screens and a wide sweeping dashboard and crazy legroom. They were ahead of their time but didn't catch on and sold really badly.

He also brought home a 3.0L V6 Clio for one day which I still vividly remember as being the craziest road car I've been in.

I had a Quadra for a bit. It was ace.

Forget how close you are to my parents part of the world.

Cahors seems to be a Mecca for minty old citroens / Renaults.

Aux Chateaux du Sud-Ouest is on another level though. Can't help but sneak a peak whenever we drive into town.

Funny how marketing works isn't it?

This is basically what outdoor lifestyle transporters are.

Maybe thats the key for the MPV. A rebrand.

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Yes it takes a rustic, full bodied red to marinade an aged Espace.

Do like a 90s Espace

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Let the people have their SUVs. Keeps them away from the good stuff.

This is amazing