Car choice: A car for a growing family

Jemima Blair owns a 2010 Mini Cooper. However, her family is growing and she needs more seats…She has a budget of about £12,000

James Ruppert
Friday 10 February 2017 11:59 GMT
Comments
The Audi A3 Sportback can accommodate a family and luggage
The Audi A3 Sportback can accommodate a family and luggage (Audi)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A car for the head

It seems a bit ambitious to go from a relatively small two-door car to a full-blown people carrier, but children do come with an awful lot of baggage. The quick family fix that is not so boring would be an Audi A3 Sportback. It isn’t huge, and I know that Jemima does not want anything unwieldy to cramp her urban lifestyle. A 2012 1.6 TDi SE Sportback is £12,000 with 36,000 miles on the clock.

Mini have expanded their range to include a hatchback
Mini have expanded their range to include a hatchback (Mini)

A car for the heart

In recent years the Mini range has grown in scale and scope too - so back to a more “grown-up” Mini. Jemima loves her Cooper and we know she is reluctant to give up the sportiness and style that she has always enjoyed. The Mini has grown up to become the Countryman, which is a proper four-door hatch. With around £12,000 to spend she can get a 1.6 Cooper All4 version. I came across a 2013 example with just 13,000 miles and an automatic transmission that would make life a lot easier. It is a four wheel drive, which should make it safer when she visits relatives in Europe during winter. It cost £12,000.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in