Like emmzzi and wimble, it's time to get a new car. The Shaguar is like driving a big dumb sofa and just isn't quite me. Not to mention getting laughed at by a security guard for being almost too tiny to see over steering wheel (crap world that only builds executive cars for big six foot guys not weeny little squits like me). I'll tell him where to stuff his cushion. Never quite stopped missing the old MX-5 sexy little 2-door (named Buffy) which was totally me but which I selflessly sold when Nugget came along to get more space for child seat.
So need to find a car with a good balance of: sexy and zippy, but practical and with a boot big enough to fit a pushchair, shopping, assorted kid stuff. If I go for a 2-dr like an Audi TT, it will be fun but require 3-D packing skills. Think Nugget would like sitting up front on work days. But would have to keep Precious Husband's ancient machine for family outings (unless baby or husband goes on the roof rack). If I do sensible thing and get a 4-dr, it needs to be SPECIAL. Would rather die than live in Ford Mondeo land. Yes I know it's sad but cars matter (to me).
Currently mega dangerous on the road because I'm checking out every other car that goes past. Hard to remember to watch the road when I'm thinking "hmm is that a Volkswagen Ghia 1960" how impractical exactly would a classic car be???
4-dr definitely more helpful when it comes to small children, sad to say. Did a year of shlepping smallclanger in narenek's 2dr Almera and some things are a nuisance - leaning over/through to do his seatbelt up for him, for instance. (Easier with a baby than with a three year old, oddly enough.)
Not all 2-drs have disable-able airbags, I believe, so something to consider if looking at those.
I think it's Citroen who're doing the sliding door models?
These have the advantage of allowing you direct access to the interior, without the limitation of having to open the door to 90 degrees (which isn't possible on most cars, and requires more room anyway).
Dunno if you could get that in sexy or SPECIAL though :)
Or the Mazda 5. Or other cars you'd find by googling for "sliding doors" :)
Problem is, they tend not to be sexy. More practical. The other option, clearly, would be to go for a convertible. More "sliding roof" than sliding door :)
OOh, rust bucket. And trust me, you don't want to risk going over 87 mph!
However, Wikipedia says:
DMC Houston announced on July 30, 2007 that the car would be returning into very limited production (about 20 cars per year) in 2008. [35] The newly produced cars will have a base price of $57,500
My brother has a Pug 306 Cabriolet and a 2 and a half year old. It's quite nice - sporty 2.0L engine. Perhaps you want something a bit newer but I'm sure there are similar
Failing that, most hatches have a powerful sporty version. Skodas are quite popular amongst the car bores I know:)
Avoid classic cars unless you actually want to spend a lot of time tinkering.
I like the new folding hard top version of the MX5 Mk3. What about a Mazda RX-8 (I'm sure a child seat could be squeezed in) or a Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo? (The Mondeo is a good car btw)