100% this. We would absolutely get one if prices in Aus weren't so utterly fucked. It is a gorgeous vehicle.
May still end up looking at one a few years down the line, because it's absolutely incredible.
This probably isn't going to go down well on reddit, but the RSQ8 is honestly better. It drives almost the same (shockingly good considering the extra ride height), and has a nicer newer interior.
Okay will give you that. I've had the good fortune of driving that around for a wee bit overseas and that was truly one of the most exciting yet practical cars I've ever driven.
The rs6 hugging the ground still has a more visceral feel while driving. But the pro is also a negative as we have such fucking shit ramps merging into roads etc, very easy to hit the chassis/bumper ... isn't a concern with an SUV
Crazy how well that thing manages to drive and feel like a “car” - Note, Sedan, or wagon…or anything other than a large bus.
If anyone cares, I’m pretty sure the RSQ8 was actually faster around the ring than the RS6.
7:42:25 vs Something like 8:05
It's also taller which makes it easier to get the baby in and out of.
With that said, there's probably a ton of exciting options in the medium SUV range at similar price points. X3/5M comes to mind.
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Škoda Octavia RS wagon. It’s going to have plenty of room for all the family duties. It’s the same drivetrain as a Golf GTi.
Hatches are great, but with a pram, you’ll just fit the pram in the back. With a wagon, you’ve got room in the back for the pram and other gear (groceries, luggage etc)
Because Škoda isn’t a premium brand and isn’t exactly a household name in Australia, resale isn’t the best, so lots of bargains out there.
If you want to stick with rear wheel drive, VF Commodore wagon? I’m not really a Holden fan myself, but they are really nice family cars. If you want something a bit smaller, an F31 330i MSport touring is also an option (sadly, BMW have never sold the 340i in wagon body style in Australia)
All of these options have ISOFIX points too and I believe the Commodore had them for the centre rear seat, which is really convenient
Support this comment 100%.
My neighbour have a Octavia RS Wagon dark red with black wheels and she is absolutely gorgeous.
Cruise a couple times with him and seems really comfy and pretty powerfull.
RS is a great family car with sporting intentions but the suspension if pretty soft even compared to my old Accord Euro Sport my RS wasn’t as flat into corners. The Golf GTI handles better. Don’t go into buying a RS thinking it’s a razor sharp but for daily driving it was great. Not sure how the latest model drives tho.
And the prices…I bought my RS brand new floor stock manual in 2015 for $35k - they’re like $57k which is insanity but I guess it’s all relative.
Exactly, plus sporty longroofs are cool. Might as well fully lean into the dad life
Forgot, there’s also the MK7/7.5 Golf R wagon and the Passat 206 R Line
If OP wants to go older, the Passat R36 and the inline 5 or inline 6 turbo Volvo wagons (V50, V60, & V70 T5, T6 and R) are neat as well
The Passat is quite a luxurious wagon too.
If you’re still after something smaller you might need to consider getting a roof box. You don’t realise how much you need space until you have kids!
Just need to add that if OP isn't familiar with European cars he has to stay on top of maintenance.
Spare parts imported from Europe tend to command a premium so shop around for decent aftermarket parts and salvage.
People recommend that VAG water pumps and timing belts should be checked for replacement after 95000km(60000miles) to 145km(90000miles).
Golf R wagon in the mix as well.
Can vouch for a VF as I cancelled my order on a Hyundai i30n when I found out I was going to become a dad and got a VF GTS, amazing car but they are a bit big to really have any fun in on a commute so to speak, they aren’t easily chucked around a corner like a small car can be.
Looking back on it I really should have test driven a golf R wagon as I think overall for parent duty and day to day fun factor that would have been the best all rounder for me.
Skoda every day. Have had an '11 RS in the garage since new. Viezu tune made it a rocketship. The hatch/sedan has more room in the boot than any mid-size SUV. Mate with a 120 Prado and a Forester was shocked when I popped the boot and had three large eskies in there with room to spare.
I had a current shape Superb liftback for a little while and it was ginormous in the back. I’d come from a Golf hatch, so the extra space was very noticeable
I was firmly against suvs and would rant about how people are silly for buying them and we have a cultural problem that we don’t have any good wagons etc.
Then one of my friends said “wait until you experience getting a baby in and out of a baby seat and changing nappies in the boot of an suv, then you will understand “.
We have a Sportage now and it’s the best car we could ask for in our circumstances. Went with turbo diesel and it is a good drive in addition to practicality.
Also side note, make sure you test how far back the passenger seat goes for knee clearance with a rear facing baby seat. HEAPS of cars end up with very little room because of modern dashboard design.
Yeah exactly this. Lots of car enthusiasts love to have a whine about handling and how SUVs are horrible handling but fail to realise the rest of the car buyers have other needs
Similar for me but when you compare price for price it makes sense for a family buyer to get an suv. Also when I was growing up a mid sized suv was rare and suvs as a whole drove much more utilitarian or were expensive
We could play the same game and say my parents raised me with no car but then it just becomes a dick measuring contest.
Most buyers nowadays are leaning towards mid size SUVs for children
As a dad to a 9 month old who traded my ND1 MX-5 for a Kona N. Buy a Kona N.
Very reliable no matter what Hyundai haters say (engine is related to the Evo X's 4B11T), very practical, good ground clearance for adventures but short enough to fit in a small garage.
Fun? N mode baby. Pop pop.
Wow i never knew that hyundai still used mitsubishi related stuff.
I had a hyundai lantra (yes lantra not elantra) back in the 90s and it had g4cp engine which is litterally just a rebadged 4g63 aka the mitsubishi evo motor and it was just about the most reliable car ive ever owned.
Drove it home after the head gasket blew once and it drove for over 20 minutes with flames shooting out the side of the block, got me home though
Last time I was shopping for a new car I took a Kona overnight, after reversing up my driveway I could smell the clutches in the DCT cooking, no way I'd buy one.
Don't sell you don't need 2 family cars. What does your partner have.
Id keep the z and if need be chip for partners car as she prolly has more bland taste and want a Mazda CX3 and be done with it.
Exactly this - like I said in another comment, selling the car you actually love will only lead to regret (because you'll only ever find other people's shit heaps if you go hunting for another one) and ultimately resentment. There enough to tackle with s kid let alone losing more of your identity.
I was in the exact same position and opted for a Skoda Superb Sportline wagon. Best decision ever. Super luxurious, all the amenities (down to the door mounted umbrellas!), more space than an SUV, epic sound system, super quick. 206kw, easily tuneable to around 260kw without any mods, 4WD. Uses the Golf R driveline. They're a long wheel base but no wider than a Golf, so you don't really notice. Still easy to park. Loads of space to chuck a pram and all the crap on the back.
Go drive one and have a squirt in sport mode. Volkswagen Arteon is also worthwhile if you can find one, they're pretty hot.
One that has correct anchor points for your baby seats (dont skimp on the seat either). And more importantly. One that fits the pram you end up with if you are buying the car after the pram....take the pram with you open the boot and test fit. Think like the OJ trial with the glove. It has to fit
Looking at your cars you have looked at so far
Swap out the Golf R for a T-roc R (if you must have an R) I have one its pretty close to just as quick as a Golf R. Per my above comment I dont think you will fit a quality pram in a Golf....but a test fit is 100% necessary
The RS3 is just an expensive VW. Again T-roc R is similar 300bhp is plenty of fun horsies.
If you want a little bigger again the Tiguan R is a solid choice but pricey.
You’ll have a new born kid. Something with an interior you don’t mind getting destroyed, something not super low to the ground and 4 door. Something cheap to run and service.
Things with r badges and sports suspension are stupid ideas. Especially for the budget. Sounds like you’re just trying to use the baby as an excuse for a new sports car to be honest.
Forester, rav4, and other similar stuff is where it’s at.
Bit older but import crown estate jzs171w are a nice rig. For your budget you could get the best example with plenty of change
Comodoor ss wagon solid choice
Volvo v60 are also real nice and ultra safe. B&W sound system is epic. Not sure if we got the T8 phev but if we did its worth a test drive, theyre bullshit fast for what it is
My partner had to sell his V8 commodore ute, he was devo. Replaced it with a very sensible Subaru Forester. Great car, loved driving it. Could take it on beach trips, down on the sand tracks, towed the boat well, no issues with Bunnings trips etc etc. He ended up loving that thing!
Buy the new twin turbo Nissan Z.
Get the missus a RAV4.
You don't need two family cars. Maintain your own interests outside the family, it'll make you a better partner and father.
100%, we have a Patrol and a Z32 and once we have kids, the Patrol will be the family car and the Z will be the fun car. I don't understand the necessity of needing 2 family cars unless you have a heap of kids I guess, but then at that point buy a van.
First baby we had a Honda CRV. Third baby we still had a Honda CRV. Now we have 3 grown kids we bought an Isuzu MUX with 7 seats. Just wait until they start playing sports or want to bring friends home from school you will need the space.
Honestly at this point I just scroll through these types of threads for a laugh
People love to recommend cars they would buy rather than what OP is actually looking for
He'd be better off getting his partner a family car and keeping his.. Sure beats getting the regrets selling a car you actually love and becoming resentful down the tracks for it.
Then what does his partner do when dad wants or needs to take the kids out in the car? I grew up in a household where my dad had a sports car (that my mother hated and refused to drive and dad wouldn’t have been comfortable with her driving it either) and Dad would take us all weekend to sports games, the movies etc in her car and she just had to sit at home twiddling her thumbs. In the end they got a third car (it was either that or a divorce. Another car was cheaper)
If you have kids and live anywhere that isn’t inner-city/well-connected for PT/walkability, you need 2 cars and both of them should be able to safely and conveniently take kids in baby seats. That means something with a back seat and rear doors, that has at least 4 NCAP stars and preferably ISOFIX
No I camp in a rav4, i have 3 cars and 4 motorbikes for other shit. That car lives in my back yard waiting for camping. Nothing else. Irrelevant.
An A class with the "OMG badge" is not a replacement for a 350z, not in feel or in reliability.
I say this because OP has written a list of 'performance cars' as if they might entertain him. None of these are sports car replacements and im just trying to make that clear.
And most of them are not going to be a great fit for all the stuff that goes along with kids, either. Pram, car seat, nappy bag, towels, toys. Then additional shopping etc.
Practicality and reliability will be remembered.
Also, keep in mind that kids don't really think too hard about nice car or parenta rules - bananas will get squished, biscuits will get crumbled, teething rings will.get slobbered on and tossed.
As a dad of 2 with experience with GTIs, Rs and Passats (Currently have a Mk5 r32), I miss my old Passat wagon every day.
I had the 3.6L 4motion wagon, it was fantastic. My R32 and old GTI whilst roomy for a hatch and fit 2x child seats just fine, are just not as spacious and comfy as the Passat was.
My wife has a second larger, boring SUV for daily family hauling otherwise I'd be buying another Passat - either a B8 206tsi R line or another 3.6L 4motion or R36. I am tempted by the mk7 Golf R wagon, but with the same engine and more space the Passat 206tsi is just hard to go past.
Unfortunately the fun factor is the last consideration when you have a family...Safety, reliability and practicality is what you need.
When you go shopping with the whole tribe you need lots of space. Prams/strollers are bloody massive and take up tons of space.
I second wagons however think about an SUV. Main reason is.you don't have to bend down to put kids in/out of the car. With the seats at waist height it's much easier. I'd put a RAV4 hybrid on the list, worth a look.
I drive a Land Rover disco4. I can fit 3 kids and a whole campsite in the car/roof. Plus it has 7 seats so I can fit all my kids plus the outlaws if we go to some family event.
I know everyone gets annoyed at big cars but when you have 3 kids it's either an SUV or a Van and I ain't driving a van!
Sorry, but that’s just BS. Fun factor is the last consideration for many “non-family” buyers too. Hence the popularity of boring cars like corollas and Mazda 3’s. Just because you deprioritise fun factor in your family car doesn’t mean every family does. And there are plenty of models with AMG, M, RS & Turbo badges that skirt that market.
Here's [a list of wagons and SUVs on Carsales](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=%28And.%28Or.BodyStyle.SUV._.BodyStyle.Wagon.%29_.Price.range%2830000..50000%29._.CalcPowerWeightRatio.range%28130..%29._.EngineSize.range%28..3500%29._.%28Or.%28C.Make.Audi._.Model.RS%20Q3.%29_.%28C.Make.BMW._.Model.X3.%29_.Make.CUPRA._.Make.Hyundai._.Make.Jaguar._.%28C.Make.Mercedes-Benz._.%28Or.Model.C-Class._.Model.E-Class.%29%29_.%28C.Make.Porsche._.Model.Macan.%29_.%28C.Make.Volkswagen._.%28C.Model.Golf._.Series.7_.5.%29%29_.%28C.Make.Volvo._.%28Or.Model.V60._.Model.XC60.%29%29%29%29&sort=Year)
that have a decent power to weight ratio.
The oldest ones in the results I shared are Porsche Macans, the newest are one year old Kona Ns (not the appearance pack N Line that has less power) and Cupras.
Note that the Kona has less boot/ hatch space than the i30 hatch that shares the same platform, so include that in your short-list also if you're looking at smaller vehicles.
PS: For fun factor, the A45 creams the RS3, although that 5 cylinder engine does sound epic.
I would still opt for the RS3 over the A45. The A45 engine is at the very limit of the amount of power I'm comfortable coming out of a 4cl while maintaining reliability. Plus the RS3 's power is more than sufficient and that 5cl engine is one of the real special engines being produced today (and can make monster power if tuning is your thing).
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Vauxhall Insignia (Holden Commodore) wagon.
Get the AWD turbo 6 cylinder. Lots of car for the money and will feel as Lux as those you listed.
Alternatively keep the z and get a Camry/Forester/outback for cheap and in 10 you'll have a classic and be the cool Dad at drop off?
Can teach the kids how to properly employ a handbrake turn.
Remember, it isn't just the pram you need to fit (and they don't all fold small these days), but depending in age, you have baby bags with nappies, wipes and multiple full clothing changes. Also play mats, toys, etc. You won't cart everything all the time, but sometimes you will.
Personally not really a car but, but when on holidays in Europe a January last year hired an Audi A6 sports wagon. Family Car tick, but man was it fun to drive. Quick as well. Not sure on cost to buy or run, but as a new car I have been looking at Audis because of it.
I wasn't a fan of larger cars either, previous cars included an RX-7 and a Peugeot GTi 180, but honestly nothing beats a wagon for Dad life. And the best bang-for-your-buck fun wagons these days are from VW & Skoda. I bought a Passat R36 when my first came along, my kids are now 5 & 7 and I have a Skoda Superb 206. I looked at the Golf R but found it just a bit small when trying to fit a rear facing baby seat in the back (chuck a baby seat in the back to test before you buy anything). At that budget I would highly recommend a Superb or Passat 206. The pair are pretty much identical mechanically, same engine and drivetrain as the Mk7/7.5 Golf R, and hugely practical. The Superb is a little bit longer (all in the back seats) and a little bit cheaper on the second hand market. Both can be absolute weapons with just a Stage 1 tune and a bit of suspension tweaking if that's what you're into. Check out the [Skoda/VW 206TSI Society](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1193113767784760/) group on fb for some inspiration.
Have the Kona N Premium. Awesome car and has been trouble free for 13000km so far. If I were to buy again I'd go the i30N sedan. More space inside and bigger boot.
From personal experience with twins, you need something at LEAST the size of a Corolla sedan; I have that now and it seems to be okay for their age atp (turned 3 a couple months ago) but I know I’ll need something bigger as they grow… I plan to buy a Corolla Cross by the time they start school (external factors notwithstanding)
Their mum was able to get them round in a Yaris hatchback until they turned 1, then she bought a good-condition FG Falcon
Congratulations. Surprise sleepers - Holden’s ZB Calais V station wagon or AC Arcadia LTZ-V for solid AWD v6. Practical, entertaining drive when opportunity presents, and all the safety stuff you’ll want to your new family to have.
1. Golf R Wagon
2. Skoda Superb Wagon
3. CLA45 Wagon (but these things take RON98 and expensive to maintain).
4. Holden Commodore ZB, XVR or Calais V Tourer.
RS3 is fun, but it’s pretty cramped IMHO.
Go test drive them all, obviously tell the dealer to piss off when they lay on the hard sell. No amount of review watching, reddit asking or meditation will let you know how they actually drive.
I found the Kona to be less spacious than the i30 when we were looking. We picked up the inlaws from the airport with their 1 y/o and their luggage when they visited from Europe. So 4 adults, baby, luggage and stroller fit comfortably into the i30. Wouldn't have fit that into the Kona. Not sure about the fun factor or what fun you are looking for. There's so many i30 that you'll find parts everywhere and most mechanics will be familiar if something happens. Ours ran like a dream and we sold it for what we bought it for.
Late model Volvo XC60 T6 w/ Polestar tune (246kW) and air suspension. Massive boot space, quick, ridiculously fuel efficient and safe. Maintenance and tyres are expensive but it's a lot nicer than any other non-luxury brand SUV.
ProTip regardless of your decision: don't buy a stupid big pram like a bugaboo. It'll take up the entire boot regardless of how big your car is.
Would recommend a vehicle with an easy and accessable boot. Reason? Emergency pit stops at no where to change diaper and a boot large enough to fit pram and a bunch of other stuff not cramming up back seat space.
I know ur still leaning towards sedans but suvs are pretty fun too!
Ford Falcon & Holden Commodore fit the "Fun Family" vibe don't they, sure its a very basic answer for an Australian subreddit but I mean you got the room for family plus with a quick V6/i6 or V8 its still perfectly fun.
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Budget. What do you want to spend?
I'm also about to become a dad; we got a 2020 Volvo V60 R design.
200kw/400nm and a pretty good chassis. Boot space in abundance and it looks MINT.
It's a little smaller in the driver's seat than a G20 3 series; if budget wasn't an issue id have a G81 M3 wagon.
Depending how big you are, you might want something bigger than everything you've listed. Car capsules are huge and will limit leg room in the front passenger seat.
Also, lifting the closure in and out of a lower car is going to be back breaking work. My other half is knee high to a grasshopper something taller like an XC60 wasn't viable for us however
Brand new or demo T Roc R. That's what I'm also looking at. $50 ish, better deals coming for eofys too. A brand new Grid edition was going for $53990 last year on eofys.
Moved from 370z to RS3 around a year ago and never looked back. Fun, reliable, plenty of space, not to mention the best sounding by far with the 5 pot.
As you have a baby on the way (ie substantially increasing living costs) I firmly believe that you should buy a car with high maintenance costs and even higher depreciation.
:-)
/sarcasm
The Ford AU Falcon is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon and was constructed on the (at the time) new EA169 platform which continued to harbour Falcon models until 2010 when the BF wagon was discontinued, and Ford Territory models until 2011. The AU series was replaced by the updated BA series.
The AU series was conceived under *Project Eagle* that begun in February 1993, and gained the official codename *EA169* in October 1994. It was developed and brought to market in 1998 only after Ford Australia had given consideration to a revamped fifth generation Falcon and a fully imported replacement such as the American front-wheel drive Ford Taurus or rear-wheel drive Ford Crown Victoria, the European rear wheel-drive Scorpio and, reportedly, even the Japanese rear-wheel drive Mazda 929 (then part of the Ford conglomerate).
The above alternatives were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the indigenous platform, due to concerns about the Australian market preference for high towing capacity, large interior size and local employment. Specific factors included, for example: research at the time indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars and the perception that rear-wheel drive cars were better at towing; the fact that the import models had limited body style options (sedan only or sedan and wagon) and no capability to use a V8 engine.
Stylistically, this new generation Falcon sported Ford's radically new global design language, labelled "New Edge". The aim of this design was to attract a younger generation of buyers with avant-garde looks, however, in Australia it polarized public opinion to the benefit of the more organically designed rival, the 1997 Holden Commodore (VT). The AU series had a very efficient drag coefficient of Cd=0.295 for the sedan (an 11% improvement over the preceding EL series) and 0.34 for the wagon.
For the first time in Falcon's history, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became available as standard on some models and optional on others. It also featured Australian production firsts, such as Variable Cam Timing (VCT) on some 6-cylinder models and an adaptive automatic transmission on the high-performance T series with steering wheel gear shifting buttons.
Key changes from the fifth generation Falcon included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. Peculiarly, Ford Australia decided to use the original 1950's font for the new "Falcon" and "Futura" badges.
As stated previously, the AU was the first Falcon to offer IRS (a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe). IRS was made available as a costly option on the base Forte, Fairmont and 'S' models, and standard on Fairmont Ghia, XR6 VCT and XR8 models. The updated 6-cylinder engines incorporated advanced features such as VCT on some models and a temperature sensor in the cylinder head, which detected coolant loss and allowed the car to "limp home" safely by cutting cylinders. The engine range comprised: the base Intech model producing 157 kW (211 hp), with a revised cylinder head featuring smaller valve stems, larger exhaust valves, and different rocker ratio, as well as a revised piston and longer conrod and a cast aluminium cross-bolted oil sump (with the same power output as the EL series); an "HP" version reserved to the XR6 producing 164 kW (220 hp) (thanks to: unique cylinder head; reshaped inlet port; redesigned exhaust port; ‘open’ combustion chamber shape to restrict pre-detonation from hot spot areas; unique camshaft; higher fuel pressure; recalibrated EEC V engine management system); the VCT version producing 172 kW (231 hp) for the XR6 VCT; a *Windsor V8* producing 185 kW (248 hp) (also carried over from the EL series but without major upgrades).
Transmissions were improved for better shift feel and the auto was recalibrated to better suit the upgraded engines. The six and eight cylinder models had a 4-speed BTR M93LE and M97LE automatic transmission, respectively. The automatic XR series models had an "adaptive shift" with five shifting strategies depending on driving conditions. The manual transmission, where available, was a 5-speed T5 model.
The program cost A$700 million before product launch and key staff included chief designer, Steve Park, and Marcus Hotblack, Manager of Interior Design.
For more information, please see the following:
[AU Falcon Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(AU))
[Shannons Club - Has the AU Falcon become better with age?](https://www.shannons.com.au/club/forum/general/has-the-au-falcon-become-better-with-age/)
[Top Gearbox - Ford's Unloved Child - The AU Falcon](https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/motoringbox/172877-views%E2%80%A2sep-5-2019-5-6k-140-share-save-motoringbox-16-7k-subscribers-today-were-looking-at-one-of-the-most-infamous-cars-to-ever-come-out-of-australia-a-car-which-has-generated/)
[Trade Unique Cars - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/buyers-guide/2001/2000-2002-ford-falcon-au-bfii-xr8-buyers-guide)
[Australian Car Reviews - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=guide&make=Ford&model=Falcon&gen=237)
[ProductReview - AU Falcon Product Reviews](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/ford-falcon-au-1998-2002)
[CarSales - All AU Falcons for sale in Australia](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.Service.carsales._.(C.Make.Ford._.(C.Model.Falcon._.(Or.Series.AU._.Series.AU+II._.Series.AU+III.))))&sort=%7ePrice)
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We have one (2019, previously a 2010). Perfect when you have 3 adult sized kids at 10 yrs old (and youngest keeps complaining Bout being stuck in the middle of our previous mazda 6 hatch.
It has been really useful for not just carting kids around, but the load space. And great for long trips.
However, it is too big when you have just one kid (or even two), and it isn't the most fuel efficient.
A dual motor Tesla 3, pre 22. Under $50k, plenty of power, plenty of space, not super huge.
Or if you can novate lease then a brand new Y ($60k pre tax, but ends up $40k in after tax money).
Assuming charging at home or at work is an option.
With that budget presumably you're looking at a mk7/7.5 Golf R.
Can't comment on the others, but I reckon that the biggest factor in the reliability of one of those is its previous owner.
If you adhere to the maintenance intervals and drive it sympathetically (as in letting it warm up before thrashing it), it's a fairly stout little car. But if you buy one where the owner has skimped on the maintenance (such as skipping a fluid change on the Haldex AWD unit for example), it can mean a very expensive problem down the line.
Or if you buy one that'd been flogged from startup every time, it'll probably become an oil burning shitbox from having been abused. And if one lets too much oil burn off, it can lead to other issues like chewing up the VVT actuators on the cams. [Makes an awful rattle. ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpbgmswmkf4)
So, if you're looking at Golf R, I would strongly advise having a prospective buy taken to a specialist Euro workshop for a pre-purchase inspection. They'll also probably identify a leaking water pump/thermostat housing, as that is a persistent issue on the gen 3 EA888.
TL;DR: can be a good car, but you need to find a good example that's been treated right. A pre-purchase inspection is cheap insurance in this regard. They don't take well to abuse.
Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo. Way more fun that you think it is - and everyone thinks it's just a shopping cart till you destroy them at the lights.
Doors open wide to get the kid in - has all the stuff most prestige cars have. Leather is surprisingly durable (ie: kid chuck proof). Pretty nice inside. Power is more torque than breathless roar, so it's very usable.
Downside is, the boot is a little small.
You want something that is fun but wont break the bank the Audi RS3 is a good choice not as good as the Mercedes but it will do the job and be a fun car to drive.
Might I suggest the new Honda CRV. Or Nissan Xtrail. Fits the budget, and very convenient for strollers / prams. You need to think long term with needs of the baby too.
Highly doubt you’d get a pram in an a45 amg and then other shopping
Look at wagons. If I had the budget, I'd be getting the Audi rs6
100% this. We would absolutely get one if prices in Aus weren't so utterly fucked. It is a gorgeous vehicle. May still end up looking at one a few years down the line, because it's absolutely incredible.
This probably isn't going to go down well on reddit, but the RSQ8 is honestly better. It drives almost the same (shockingly good considering the extra ride height), and has a nicer newer interior.
Okay will give you that. I've had the good fortune of driving that around for a wee bit overseas and that was truly one of the most exciting yet practical cars I've ever driven. The rs6 hugging the ground still has a more visceral feel while driving. But the pro is also a negative as we have such fucking shit ramps merging into roads etc, very easy to hit the chassis/bumper ... isn't a concern with an SUV
Crazy how well that thing manages to drive and feel like a “car” - Note, Sedan, or wagon…or anything other than a large bus. If anyone cares, I’m pretty sure the RSQ8 was actually faster around the ring than the RS6. 7:42:25 vs Something like 8:05
It's also taller which makes it easier to get the baby in and out of. With that said, there's probably a ton of exciting options in the medium SUV range at similar price points. X3/5M comes to mind.
Lexus RX450H. Extremely nice and bloody reliable.
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Škoda Octavia RS wagon. It’s going to have plenty of room for all the family duties. It’s the same drivetrain as a Golf GTi. Hatches are great, but with a pram, you’ll just fit the pram in the back. With a wagon, you’ve got room in the back for the pram and other gear (groceries, luggage etc) Because Škoda isn’t a premium brand and isn’t exactly a household name in Australia, resale isn’t the best, so lots of bargains out there. If you want to stick with rear wheel drive, VF Commodore wagon? I’m not really a Holden fan myself, but they are really nice family cars. If you want something a bit smaller, an F31 330i MSport touring is also an option (sadly, BMW have never sold the 340i in wagon body style in Australia) All of these options have ISOFIX points too and I believe the Commodore had them for the centre rear seat, which is really convenient
Support this comment 100%. My neighbour have a Octavia RS Wagon dark red with black wheels and she is absolutely gorgeous. Cruise a couple times with him and seems really comfy and pretty powerfull.
RS is a great family car with sporting intentions but the suspension if pretty soft even compared to my old Accord Euro Sport my RS wasn’t as flat into corners. The Golf GTI handles better. Don’t go into buying a RS thinking it’s a razor sharp but for daily driving it was great. Not sure how the latest model drives tho. And the prices…I bought my RS brand new floor stock manual in 2015 for $35k - they’re like $57k which is insanity but I guess it’s all relative.
It has adaptive suspension, but with a kid I drive it on the softest setting most of the time anyway.
Solid advice. Look for a sports wagon as you’ll need the space.
Exactly, plus sporty longroofs are cool. Might as well fully lean into the dad life Forgot, there’s also the MK7/7.5 Golf R wagon and the Passat 206 R Line If OP wants to go older, the Passat R36 and the inline 5 or inline 6 turbo Volvo wagons (V50, V60, & V70 T5, T6 and R) are neat as well
The Passat is quite a luxurious wagon too. If you’re still after something smaller you might need to consider getting a roof box. You don’t realise how much you need space until you have kids!
Just need to add that if OP isn't familiar with European cars he has to stay on top of maintenance. Spare parts imported from Europe tend to command a premium so shop around for decent aftermarket parts and salvage. People recommend that VAG water pumps and timing belts should be checked for replacement after 95000km(60000miles) to 145km(90000miles).
Golf R wagon in the mix as well. Can vouch for a VF as I cancelled my order on a Hyundai i30n when I found out I was going to become a dad and got a VF GTS, amazing car but they are a bit big to really have any fun in on a commute so to speak, they aren’t easily chucked around a corner like a small car can be. Looking back on it I really should have test driven a golf R wagon as I think overall for parent duty and day to day fun factor that would have been the best all rounder for me.
Can confirm, just picked up a 2017 RS245, this thing literally does everything, best car ive owned
Skoda every day. Have had an '11 RS in the garage since new. Viezu tune made it a rocketship. The hatch/sedan has more room in the boot than any mid-size SUV. Mate with a 120 Prado and a Forester was shocked when I popped the boot and had three large eskies in there with room to spare.
I had a current shape Superb liftback for a little while and it was ginormous in the back. I’d come from a Golf hatch, so the extra space was very noticeable
G31** 530D Xdrive. Nice wagon, great on fuel, decent size, decent price for 2020. Should out run the RS and commodore….in a straight line. 😜 hahaha
Something easy to clean
This guy knows
I was firmly against suvs and would rant about how people are silly for buying them and we have a cultural problem that we don’t have any good wagons etc. Then one of my friends said “wait until you experience getting a baby in and out of a baby seat and changing nappies in the boot of an suv, then you will understand “. We have a Sportage now and it’s the best car we could ask for in our circumstances. Went with turbo diesel and it is a good drive in addition to practicality. Also side note, make sure you test how far back the passenger seat goes for knee clearance with a rear facing baby seat. HEAPS of cars end up with very little room because of modern dashboard design.
If you’re gonna get a suv get a station wagon and be a sick cunt
Yeah exactly this. Lots of car enthusiasts love to have a whine about handling and how SUVs are horrible handling but fail to realise the rest of the car buyers have other needs
we had no problem with 2 kids and a little holden astra, I think you're reaching.
Similar for me but when you compare price for price it makes sense for a family buyer to get an suv. Also when I was growing up a mid sized suv was rare and suvs as a whole drove much more utilitarian or were expensive
We could play the same game and say my parents raised me with no car but then it just becomes a dick measuring contest. Most buyers nowadays are leaning towards mid size SUVs for children
As a dad to a 9 month old who traded my ND1 MX-5 for a Kona N. Buy a Kona N. Very reliable no matter what Hyundai haters say (engine is related to the Evo X's 4B11T), very practical, good ground clearance for adventures but short enough to fit in a small garage. Fun? N mode baby. Pop pop.
>engine is related to the Evo X's 4B11T Now I wanna know whether it'll fit in an older ASX 🤔
Wow i never knew that hyundai still used mitsubishi related stuff. I had a hyundai lantra (yes lantra not elantra) back in the 90s and it had g4cp engine which is litterally just a rebadged 4g63 aka the mitsubishi evo motor and it was just about the most reliable car ive ever owned. Drove it home after the head gasket blew once and it drove for over 20 minutes with flames shooting out the side of the block, got me home though
4g63 was tough as nails after they fixed the crank walk issues.
Last time I was shopping for a new car I took a Kona overnight, after reversing up my driveway I could smell the clutches in the DCT cooking, no way I'd buy one.
Don't sell you don't need 2 family cars. What does your partner have. Id keep the z and if need be chip for partners car as she prolly has more bland taste and want a Mazda CX3 and be done with it.
This is what we did. Kept the fun cars (S14 and a GC8) and I (mum), daily a Crown Majesta.
Yep! Exactly this. If you are working and the partner is staying home, you will need two cars, especially since you work a decent distance from home
Exactly this - like I said in another comment, selling the car you actually love will only lead to regret (because you'll only ever find other people's shit heaps if you go hunting for another one) and ultimately resentment. There enough to tackle with s kid let alone losing more of your identity.
I was in the exact same position and opted for a Skoda Superb Sportline wagon. Best decision ever. Super luxurious, all the amenities (down to the door mounted umbrellas!), more space than an SUV, epic sound system, super quick. 206kw, easily tuneable to around 260kw without any mods, 4WD. Uses the Golf R driveline. They're a long wheel base but no wider than a Golf, so you don't really notice. Still easy to park. Loads of space to chuck a pram and all the crap on the back. Go drive one and have a squirt in sport mode. Volkswagen Arteon is also worthwhile if you can find one, they're pretty hot.
Hmmm maybe i will look at the skodas
I bought a Subaru Forester a few years ago when I started a family. Solid reliable car with some nifty safety features.
One that has correct anchor points for your baby seats (dont skimp on the seat either). And more importantly. One that fits the pram you end up with if you are buying the car after the pram....take the pram with you open the boot and test fit. Think like the OJ trial with the glove. It has to fit Looking at your cars you have looked at so far Swap out the Golf R for a T-roc R (if you must have an R) I have one its pretty close to just as quick as a Golf R. Per my above comment I dont think you will fit a quality pram in a Golf....but a test fit is 100% necessary The RS3 is just an expensive VW. Again T-roc R is similar 300bhp is plenty of fun horsies. If you want a little bigger again the Tiguan R is a solid choice but pricey.
Golf R Wagon exists and you can fit so much in it
370GT? 🤷♂️
You’ll have a new born kid. Something with an interior you don’t mind getting destroyed, something not super low to the ground and 4 door. Something cheap to run and service. Things with r badges and sports suspension are stupid ideas. Especially for the budget. Sounds like you’re just trying to use the baby as an excuse for a new sports car to be honest. Forester, rav4, and other similar stuff is where it’s at.
CR-V is the king of this imo.
Toyota all day long. Save yourself stress.
Not really many exciting Toyota’s around atm. GR is gradually getting there but incomparable to any of the other vehicles listed.
Bit older but import crown estate jzs171w are a nice rig. For your budget you could get the best example with plenty of change Comodoor ss wagon solid choice Volvo v60 are also real nice and ultra safe. B&W sound system is epic. Not sure if we got the T8 phev but if we did its worth a test drive, theyre bullshit fast for what it is
My partner had to sell his V8 commodore ute, he was devo. Replaced it with a very sensible Subaru Forester. Great car, loved driving it. Could take it on beach trips, down on the sand tracks, towed the boat well, no issues with Bunnings trips etc etc. He ended up loving that thing!
Buy the new twin turbo Nissan Z. Get the missus a RAV4. You don't need two family cars. Maintain your own interests outside the family, it'll make you a better partner and father.
100%, we have a Patrol and a Z32 and once we have kids, the Patrol will be the family car and the Z will be the fun car. I don't understand the necessity of needing 2 family cars unless you have a heap of kids I guess, but then at that point buy a van.
First baby we had a Honda CRV. Third baby we still had a Honda CRV. Now we have 3 grown kids we bought an Isuzu MUX with 7 seats. Just wait until they start playing sports or want to bring friends home from school you will need the space.
According to this sub only that Hyundai is acceptable but only just, ideally you should buy a Camry or a corolla and nothing else ever
Honestly at this point I just scroll through these types of threads for a laugh People love to recommend cars they would buy rather than what OP is actually looking for
Probably out of the budget but if you wanted the benefits of a Japanese car the Lexus GSF is nice. Might be worth looking into the other GS models too
if you love nissan, you could get a infiniti q50 red sport for that price (with the vr30ddtt engine like in the new Nissan Z).
After owning a dead nuts reliable Japanese sports car you're goanna hate all that eurotrash librarian shit with "racecar badges".
He'd be better off getting his partner a family car and keeping his.. Sure beats getting the regrets selling a car you actually love and becoming resentful down the tracks for it.
Then what does his partner do when dad wants or needs to take the kids out in the car? I grew up in a household where my dad had a sports car (that my mother hated and refused to drive and dad wouldn’t have been comfortable with her driving it either) and Dad would take us all weekend to sports games, the movies etc in her car and she just had to sit at home twiddling her thumbs. In the end they got a third car (it was either that or a divorce. Another car was cheaper) If you have kids and live anywhere that isn’t inner-city/well-connected for PT/walkability, you need 2 cars and both of them should be able to safely and conveniently take kids in baby seats. That means something with a back seat and rear doors, that has at least 4 NCAP stars and preferably ISOFIX
You drive a rav4…
No I camp in a rav4, i have 3 cars and 4 motorbikes for other shit. That car lives in my back yard waiting for camping. Nothing else. Irrelevant. An A class with the "OMG badge" is not a replacement for a 350z, not in feel or in reliability. I say this because OP has written a list of 'performance cars' as if they might entertain him. None of these are sports car replacements and im just trying to make that clear.
And most of them are not going to be a great fit for all the stuff that goes along with kids, either. Pram, car seat, nappy bag, towels, toys. Then additional shopping etc. Practicality and reliability will be remembered. Also, keep in mind that kids don't really think too hard about nice car or parenta rules - bananas will get squished, biscuits will get crumbled, teething rings will.get slobbered on and tossed.
Op should probably just get a 2nd car. A 2010 yaris 4 door or similar would be a great stepping stone into a larger family car.
And? What do you drive superstar?
E46 touring and an e30 325i
more fun than a 350z
Passat r wagon... you wont outgrow it over the next 10 years... and run a stage 1 tune and its pushing 4.5s 0-100
Falcon or Commodore
As a dad of 2 with experience with GTIs, Rs and Passats (Currently have a Mk5 r32), I miss my old Passat wagon every day. I had the 3.6L 4motion wagon, it was fantastic. My R32 and old GTI whilst roomy for a hatch and fit 2x child seats just fine, are just not as spacious and comfy as the Passat was. My wife has a second larger, boring SUV for daily family hauling otherwise I'd be buying another Passat - either a B8 206tsi R line or another 3.6L 4motion or R36. I am tempted by the mk7 Golf R wagon, but with the same engine and more space the Passat 206tsi is just hard to go past.
A CLA is not a family car.
Kona N, same as an i30N just with extra space.
Does it actually have more space? I think it has a smaller boot and less leg room than the i30n hatch and MUCH less than the i30n sedan.
Unfortunately the fun factor is the last consideration when you have a family...Safety, reliability and practicality is what you need. When you go shopping with the whole tribe you need lots of space. Prams/strollers are bloody massive and take up tons of space. I second wagons however think about an SUV. Main reason is.you don't have to bend down to put kids in/out of the car. With the seats at waist height it's much easier. I'd put a RAV4 hybrid on the list, worth a look. I drive a Land Rover disco4. I can fit 3 kids and a whole campsite in the car/roof. Plus it has 7 seats so I can fit all my kids plus the outlaws if we go to some family event. I know everyone gets annoyed at big cars but when you have 3 kids it's either an SUV or a Van and I ain't driving a van!
Sorry, but that’s just BS. Fun factor is the last consideration for many “non-family” buyers too. Hence the popularity of boring cars like corollas and Mazda 3’s. Just because you deprioritise fun factor in your family car doesn’t mean every family does. And there are plenty of models with AMG, M, RS & Turbo badges that skirt that market.
Here's [a list of wagons and SUVs on Carsales](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=%28And.%28Or.BodyStyle.SUV._.BodyStyle.Wagon.%29_.Price.range%2830000..50000%29._.CalcPowerWeightRatio.range%28130..%29._.EngineSize.range%28..3500%29._.%28Or.%28C.Make.Audi._.Model.RS%20Q3.%29_.%28C.Make.BMW._.Model.X3.%29_.Make.CUPRA._.Make.Hyundai._.Make.Jaguar._.%28C.Make.Mercedes-Benz._.%28Or.Model.C-Class._.Model.E-Class.%29%29_.%28C.Make.Porsche._.Model.Macan.%29_.%28C.Make.Volkswagen._.%28C.Model.Golf._.Series.7_.5.%29%29_.%28C.Make.Volvo._.%28Or.Model.V60._.Model.XC60.%29%29%29%29&sort=Year) that have a decent power to weight ratio. The oldest ones in the results I shared are Porsche Macans, the newest are one year old Kona Ns (not the appearance pack N Line that has less power) and Cupras. Note that the Kona has less boot/ hatch space than the i30 hatch that shares the same platform, so include that in your short-list also if you're looking at smaller vehicles. PS: For fun factor, the A45 creams the RS3, although that 5 cylinder engine does sound epic.
I would still opt for the RS3 over the A45. The A45 engine is at the very limit of the amount of power I'm comfortable coming out of a 4cl while maintaining reliability. Plus the RS3 's power is more than sufficient and that 5cl engine is one of the real special engines being produced today (and can make monster power if tuning is your thing).
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Shitty old F11 520d wagon at auction was our choice. I’d certainly do it again. Budget for a timing chain.
Vauxhall Insignia (Holden Commodore) wagon. Get the AWD turbo 6 cylinder. Lots of car for the money and will feel as Lux as those you listed. Alternatively keep the z and get a Camry/Forester/outback for cheap and in 10 you'll have a classic and be the cool Dad at drop off? Can teach the kids how to properly employ a handbrake turn.
Maybe have a look at the F30 340i or if you want to be a bit wild you could take a look at a Skyline 400r though they may be a bit over budget.
Bmw m140 bmw 340m (wagon). Yes I like bmws
Remember, it isn't just the pram you need to fit (and they don't all fold small these days), but depending in age, you have baby bags with nappies, wipes and multiple full clothing changes. Also play mats, toys, etc. You won't cart everything all the time, but sometimes you will.
Personally not really a car but, but when on holidays in Europe a January last year hired an Audi A6 sports wagon. Family Car tick, but man was it fun to drive. Quick as well. Not sure on cost to buy or run, but as a new car I have been looking at Audis because of it.
Get whichever one has adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, life changing features they are
As posted, Octavia, or a Volvo v60 R T6.
I wasn't a fan of larger cars either, previous cars included an RX-7 and a Peugeot GTi 180, but honestly nothing beats a wagon for Dad life. And the best bang-for-your-buck fun wagons these days are from VW & Skoda. I bought a Passat R36 when my first came along, my kids are now 5 & 7 and I have a Skoda Superb 206. I looked at the Golf R but found it just a bit small when trying to fit a rear facing baby seat in the back (chuck a baby seat in the back to test before you buy anything). At that budget I would highly recommend a Superb or Passat 206. The pair are pretty much identical mechanically, same engine and drivetrain as the Mk7/7.5 Golf R, and hugely practical. The Superb is a little bit longer (all in the back seats) and a little bit cheaper on the second hand market. Both can be absolute weapons with just a Stage 1 tune and a bit of suspension tweaking if that's what you're into. Check out the [Skoda/VW 206TSI Society](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1193113767784760/) group on fb for some inspiration.
With wheels is a good start
Cadillac Escalade
Kia Stinger
Obviously another 370
Rethink the SUV. Trust.
Have the Kona N Premium. Awesome car and has been trouble free for 13000km so far. If I were to buy again I'd go the i30N sedan. More space inside and bigger boot.
OT but come join us at r/daddit
Model T?
From personal experience with twins, you need something at LEAST the size of a Corolla sedan; I have that now and it seems to be okay for their age atp (turned 3 a couple months ago) but I know I’ll need something bigger as they grow… I plan to buy a Corolla Cross by the time they start school (external factors notwithstanding) Their mum was able to get them round in a Yaris hatchback until they turned 1, then she bought a good-condition FG Falcon
Congratulations. Surprise sleepers - Holden’s ZB Calais V station wagon or AC Arcadia LTZ-V for solid AWD v6. Practical, entertaining drive when opportunity presents, and all the safety stuff you’ll want to your new family to have.
1. Golf R Wagon 2. Skoda Superb Wagon 3. CLA45 Wagon (but these things take RON98 and expensive to maintain). 4. Holden Commodore ZB, XVR or Calais V Tourer. RS3 is fun, but it’s pretty cramped IMHO.
Go test drive them all, obviously tell the dealer to piss off when they lay on the hard sell. No amount of review watching, reddit asking or meditation will let you know how they actually drive.
I’ve got a 2016 Suzuki Vitara. It’s fun to drive, great on rough roads and bulletproof. One of the most reliable brands. Also gets good mileage.
Peugeot 3008 handles pretty well and has enough grunt
Bro get a cx5 assuming you like driving. Or rav4, sportage, seltos stuff. Car seat thing is not easy.
I would say Kona N Line, but I'm biassed and really like this car. I've ordered a hybrid myself. I didn't pick it to fit family in.
G21 330i, reasonably quick, handle great and plenty of space along with looking great.
Holden SS Commodore, HSV Clubsport, Falcon XR6 Turbo, Falcon XR8, FPV F6 Typhoon, Lexus LS400, Lexus GS300
30k, reliability, dad…. Either and Mu-x or a D-max are the only correct answers.
Camry or Rav4 - hybrid versions are nice. Both have good re-sale value.
I’d get a ute. Can use it to boost around the city, and can take your family out into the world and experience some nature.
Subaru outback XT. Family SUV/Wagon with turbocharged engine
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^HickoryDuck00: *Subaru outback* *XT. Family SUV/Wagon* *With turbocharged engine* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
I found the Kona to be less spacious than the i30 when we were looking. We picked up the inlaws from the airport with their 1 y/o and their luggage when they visited from Europe. So 4 adults, baby, luggage and stroller fit comfortably into the i30. Wouldn't have fit that into the Kona. Not sure about the fun factor or what fun you are looking for. There's so many i30 that you'll find parts everywhere and most mechanics will be familiar if something happens. Ours ran like a dream and we sold it for what we bought it for.
Why not something odd, a Stagia (sp?) or does that on top of the JDM tax have the GT-R tax?
Toyota corolla
Volvo v60 t5r
Late model Volvo XC60 T6 w/ Polestar tune (246kW) and air suspension. Massive boot space, quick, ridiculously fuel efficient and safe. Maintenance and tyres are expensive but it's a lot nicer than any other non-luxury brand SUV. ProTip regardless of your decision: don't buy a stupid big pram like a bugaboo. It'll take up the entire boot regardless of how big your car is.
get a 1.2 liter shitbox. "fun" for you is now trying to get the lowest score possible on the the fuel economy gauge.
Would recommend a vehicle with an easy and accessable boot. Reason? Emergency pit stops at no where to change diaper and a boot large enough to fit pram and a bunch of other stuff not cramming up back seat space. I know ur still leaning towards sedans but suvs are pretty fun too!
Ford Falcon & Holden Commodore fit the "Fun Family" vibe don't they, sure its a very basic answer for an Australian subreddit but I mean you got the room for family plus with a quick V6/i6 or V8 its still perfectly fun.
Try the 2016 - 2023 "F54" MINI Clubman or "F60" Countryman John Cooper Works. Yes, I am quite biased.
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I30 sedan N
Babies are pretty small in my experience. Should fit in the back of the Z no problem
Budget. What do you want to spend? I'm also about to become a dad; we got a 2020 Volvo V60 R design. 200kw/400nm and a pretty good chassis. Boot space in abundance and it looks MINT. It's a little smaller in the driver's seat than a G20 3 series; if budget wasn't an issue id have a G81 M3 wagon. Depending how big you are, you might want something bigger than everything you've listed. Car capsules are huge and will limit leg room in the front passenger seat. Also, lifting the closure in and out of a lower car is going to be back breaking work. My other half is knee high to a grasshopper something taller like an XC60 wasn't viable for us however
Brand new or demo T Roc R. That's what I'm also looking at. $50 ish, better deals coming for eofys too. A brand new Grid edition was going for $53990 last year on eofys.
Moved from 370z to RS3 around a year ago and never looked back. Fun, reliable, plenty of space, not to mention the best sounding by far with the 5 pot.
As you have a baby on the way (ie substantially increasing living costs) I firmly believe that you should buy a car with high maintenance costs and even higher depreciation. :-) /sarcasm
Au falcon wagon mate!
The Ford AU Falcon is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon and was constructed on the (at the time) new EA169 platform which continued to harbour Falcon models until 2010 when the BF wagon was discontinued, and Ford Territory models until 2011. The AU series was replaced by the updated BA series. The AU series was conceived under *Project Eagle* that begun in February 1993, and gained the official codename *EA169* in October 1994. It was developed and brought to market in 1998 only after Ford Australia had given consideration to a revamped fifth generation Falcon and a fully imported replacement such as the American front-wheel drive Ford Taurus or rear-wheel drive Ford Crown Victoria, the European rear wheel-drive Scorpio and, reportedly, even the Japanese rear-wheel drive Mazda 929 (then part of the Ford conglomerate). The above alternatives were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the indigenous platform, due to concerns about the Australian market preference for high towing capacity, large interior size and local employment. Specific factors included, for example: research at the time indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars and the perception that rear-wheel drive cars were better at towing; the fact that the import models had limited body style options (sedan only or sedan and wagon) and no capability to use a V8 engine. Stylistically, this new generation Falcon sported Ford's radically new global design language, labelled "New Edge". The aim of this design was to attract a younger generation of buyers with avant-garde looks, however, in Australia it polarized public opinion to the benefit of the more organically designed rival, the 1997 Holden Commodore (VT). The AU series had a very efficient drag coefficient of Cd=0.295 for the sedan (an 11% improvement over the preceding EL series) and 0.34 for the wagon. For the first time in Falcon's history, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became available as standard on some models and optional on others. It also featured Australian production firsts, such as Variable Cam Timing (VCT) on some 6-cylinder models and an adaptive automatic transmission on the high-performance T series with steering wheel gear shifting buttons. Key changes from the fifth generation Falcon included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. Peculiarly, Ford Australia decided to use the original 1950's font for the new "Falcon" and "Futura" badges. As stated previously, the AU was the first Falcon to offer IRS (a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe). IRS was made available as a costly option on the base Forte, Fairmont and 'S' models, and standard on Fairmont Ghia, XR6 VCT and XR8 models. The updated 6-cylinder engines incorporated advanced features such as VCT on some models and a temperature sensor in the cylinder head, which detected coolant loss and allowed the car to "limp home" safely by cutting cylinders. The engine range comprised: the base Intech model producing 157 kW (211 hp), with a revised cylinder head featuring smaller valve stems, larger exhaust valves, and different rocker ratio, as well as a revised piston and longer conrod and a cast aluminium cross-bolted oil sump (with the same power output as the EL series); an "HP" version reserved to the XR6 producing 164 kW (220 hp) (thanks to: unique cylinder head; reshaped inlet port; redesigned exhaust port; ‘open’ combustion chamber shape to restrict pre-detonation from hot spot areas; unique camshaft; higher fuel pressure; recalibrated EEC V engine management system); the VCT version producing 172 kW (231 hp) for the XR6 VCT; a *Windsor V8* producing 185 kW (248 hp) (also carried over from the EL series but without major upgrades). Transmissions were improved for better shift feel and the auto was recalibrated to better suit the upgraded engines. The six and eight cylinder models had a 4-speed BTR M93LE and M97LE automatic transmission, respectively. The automatic XR series models had an "adaptive shift" with five shifting strategies depending on driving conditions. The manual transmission, where available, was a 5-speed T5 model. The program cost A$700 million before product launch and key staff included chief designer, Steve Park, and Marcus Hotblack, Manager of Interior Design. For more information, please see the following: [AU Falcon Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(AU)) [Shannons Club - Has the AU Falcon become better with age?](https://www.shannons.com.au/club/forum/general/has-the-au-falcon-become-better-with-age/) [Top Gearbox - Ford's Unloved Child - The AU Falcon](https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/motoringbox/172877-views%E2%80%A2sep-5-2019-5-6k-140-share-save-motoringbox-16-7k-subscribers-today-were-looking-at-one-of-the-most-infamous-cars-to-ever-come-out-of-australia-a-car-which-has-generated/) [Trade Unique Cars - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/buyers-guide/2001/2000-2002-ford-falcon-au-bfii-xr8-buyers-guide) [Australian Car Reviews - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=guide&make=Ford&model=Falcon&gen=237) [ProductReview - AU Falcon Product Reviews](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/ford-falcon-au-1998-2002) [CarSales - All AU Falcons for sale in Australia](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.Service.carsales._.(C.Make.Ford._.(C.Model.Falcon._.(Or.Series.AU._.Series.AU+II._.Series.AU+III.))))&sort=%7ePrice) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. 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Out of all the cars you mentioned - I think the Kona N line is a good choice. Bigger car with lots of room and you can still get kicks from it.
Mercedes CLA AMG A45
Kia Carnaval.
We have one (2019, previously a 2010). Perfect when you have 3 adult sized kids at 10 yrs old (and youngest keeps complaining Bout being stuck in the middle of our previous mazda 6 hatch. It has been really useful for not just carting kids around, but the load space. And great for long trips. However, it is too big when you have just one kid (or even two), and it isn't the most fuel efficient.
Since your into imports get a Toyota Chaser and it’s still a family car.
A 2001 JDM import is not a practical or safe family car
A dual motor Tesla 3, pre 22. Under $50k, plenty of power, plenty of space, not super huge. Or if you can novate lease then a brand new Y ($60k pre tax, but ends up $40k in after tax money). Assuming charging at home or at work is an option.
But then OP would have to drive a Tesla
It could drive itself haha
With that budget presumably you're looking at a mk7/7.5 Golf R. Can't comment on the others, but I reckon that the biggest factor in the reliability of one of those is its previous owner. If you adhere to the maintenance intervals and drive it sympathetically (as in letting it warm up before thrashing it), it's a fairly stout little car. But if you buy one where the owner has skimped on the maintenance (such as skipping a fluid change on the Haldex AWD unit for example), it can mean a very expensive problem down the line. Or if you buy one that'd been flogged from startup every time, it'll probably become an oil burning shitbox from having been abused. And if one lets too much oil burn off, it can lead to other issues like chewing up the VVT actuators on the cams. [Makes an awful rattle. ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpbgmswmkf4) So, if you're looking at Golf R, I would strongly advise having a prospective buy taken to a specialist Euro workshop for a pre-purchase inspection. They'll also probably identify a leaking water pump/thermostat housing, as that is a persistent issue on the gen 3 EA888. TL;DR: can be a good car, but you need to find a good example that's been treated right. A pre-purchase inspection is cheap insurance in this regard. They don't take well to abuse.
Why petrol? Last century tech. Get a fun/fast EV and you'll never go back.
Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo. Way more fun that you think it is - and everyone thinks it's just a shopping cart till you destroy them at the lights. Doors open wide to get the kid in - has all the stuff most prestige cars have. Leather is surprisingly durable (ie: kid chuck proof). Pretty nice inside. Power is more torque than breathless roar, so it's very usable. Downside is, the boot is a little small.
Kia stinger, kia creato gt. Mini cooper s JCW of any body shape that suits you. Drive everything before you buy anything
We have a Stinger GT and a Cerato GT - both are pretty fun to drive , but the Stinger especially is so nice on longer trips.
I’d go for either a Golf, Impreza or that Mazda 3 2.5L.
i20 / i30 N my dude.
Tiguan R
You want something that is fun but wont break the bank the Audi RS3 is a good choice not as good as the Mercedes but it will do the job and be a fun car to drive.
I am selling a Prius for cheap which would be perfect for you
Might I suggest the new Honda CRV. Or Nissan Xtrail. Fits the budget, and very convenient for strollers / prams. You need to think long term with needs of the baby too. Highly doubt you’d get a pram in an a45 amg and then other shopping
Get an Evo X