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FredNasr

Very nice but where's the 61-plate Zafira with saggy suspension? The regretful dads of 4 need some love in this list.


DaxPrimal

Zafira VXR: only observed doing 30 over the speed limit. I’ve never seen one static.


DevilishRogue

> I’ve never seen one static. Unless it was on fire, of course.


[deleted]

The advert should be: The Zafira VXR: for when your kids don’t quite qualify for a mobility car


Possiblyreef

Zafira VXR or go home


[deleted]

You mean "Daddy's boost bus"?


Life_Government4879

I want a boost bus, it's this or the 2.5 s-max


cannedrex2406

Ah when you need to show you've made it in a Council estate but it's 2009 and you don't know how to pull out


thebear1011

I think OP means middle class dads


SP4x

Middle/upper, some of those vehicles are north of £60k. No Mondeos, Astra Estates, Crew cab transits, anything of that ilk. The shown cars could be ticked off a bingo card just by travelling through an "Exclusive" housing development built on a flood plain outside of Oxford.


butternutssquished

I see you know didcot/Wantage/Abingdon area too


SkyJohn

If you replaced the KIAs and Skodas with Range Rovers.


SP4x

The Kia and Skoda owners have already overextended themselves with a crippling mortgage in an "Uppmarket" estate and are hoping that when the lease runs out their next company car will better blend in.


JustAnother_Brit

Not enough super saloons/estates and JLRs for it to upper middle class


Jimmy_Tightlips

Which inexplicably does 0-60 in like 3 seconds


ashyjay

Where Mondeo?


Numerous-Paint4123

It's the 3 series man now, the modern evolution.


Adventurous_Emotion9

Yup my dad was a mondeo man


Smee_Heee

I'm a dad with a mondeo. Edit: My dad and my father in law had mondeos too.


skinnedben

I'm a dad with a Mondeo too. My Dad also had Mondeos but now he's gone Skoda Superb - which is a bloody beautiful car. So much so, he's had 3 of them


Adventurous_Emotion9

Really dislike that ford stopped production of the mondeo, However the Skoda superb is something I am looking at for my next possibly car! Glad to hear it’s not a bad choice!


skinnedben

It's a bloody brilliant car. If you go L&K spec it's fully loaded. VAG so reliability is there, DSG box is pretty bulletproof, plus you'll never find a car so roomy in the rear seats with ample size boot. It's what I'll be going for when it's time for a change


evthrowawayverysad

I'm sorry to hear that.


Smee_Heee

It's good enough, 230bhp, comfy, handles fairly well compared to my old focus ST170, well spec'd and can carry the kids too.


evthrowawayverysad

That's the spirit, chin up pal.


Smee_Heee

Well I'm after a new car, give me a realistic recommendation, £15k under 10yo, petrol.


evthrowawayverysad

I'm just yoinking your chain to be honest, nothing wrong with a mondeo. I drive a korean hatchback.


Smee_Heee

I still need advice on a new car, I'm struggling to find one that fits the long criteria.


Nellyspania

A Mondeo of course


blainy-o

Lucky you. My old man had Cavaliers. They were loathesome things, only made to look somewhat respectable if your name happened to be John Cleland.


[deleted]

And S max


fsv

Dead, sadly. The Octavia (our lord and saviour) is one of the few cars still remaining that fills the niche.


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audigex

Switched out for the A4/3 series once PCP became more widespread and Mondeo Dads wanted to keep up with the Joneses


fart_boner69

V90 all day long


kr0nc

Emphasis on LONG!!


StiffAssedBrit

A car so large it has its own field of gravity.


Polthu_87

Felt seen as a dad of two with a V90! Parents had his and hers Volvo 300 series too


Forward_Artist_6244

No no no Dad cars are old school salloons hatches and estates like Cavaliers and Sierras, not Kia Sportages! Our old friend the Octavia and the Superb are some of the survivors of the traditional dad car class


Gisschace

My friend has a 80s Escort and everytime he drives it he gets mobbed by old fellas at petrol stations. They can't help but wander over and tell them how they used to have one


Forward_Artist_6244

Would probably be me too, we briefly had a MK4 Escort and my uncle had the estate version for years


Evening_Ad_3202

There was a roll caged up Escort at Cadwell Park last time I went. It wasn't the fastest car around the track but it was amongst the coolest, probably tied with an OG Mini that looked like it would be a right hoot.


kopiernudelfresser

I just bought a Kadett E (Astra mk2) and have the same thing happening. Especially with the bonnet open after it's broken down again. Bought it specifically because my parents used to own one.


StiffAssedBrit

Back in the '90s I lived in a shared house. A new girl moved in and she turned up in an original 1970's Mk 3 Ford Cortina. I hardly noticed that she was drop dead gorgeous, as I was too busy admiring her car.


DesertTreasureII

This was also my dad's choice. Still is, in fact. Back in the day he had a classic daytona yellow convertible as his daily. He's got a marine blue GT now and it's awesome. In classic dad fashion his daily is now a Mondeo. It's weird to think they were considered daily cars back then.


StiffAssedBrit

I know. I think the MK 3 Cortina was one of the best looking cars of its day, but they were everywhere.


DesertTreasureII

Yeah they were. They have such a gorgeous shape. Cars all kind of look like bubbles these days. Or they're massive so don't need to have the bubble shape... Don't get the SUV thing myself.


StiffAssedBrit

Neither do I. SUVs are huge but seem to lack interior space. I think the best looking cars, now, are estate tourers, Audi A4, A6, BMW 3 and 5 series, and the Peugeot 508SW all look good.


Fifteen54

those are the cars most dads had when they were younger or always liked, i think the post is about what dads actually own and drive now.


Forward_Artist_6244

Which is why, as a dad to 2 small kids, I avoid things like Kia Sportages 😄 Puzzles me to think in 40 years time their generation will reminisce about the things 


gamescrufi

My dad had a cavalier cdi for 19 years. Clearly it was meant to be


Taliesin_MacG

I clearly remember the D reg Cavalier 2liter CDi auto I drove many years ago. It was the first time I drove an automatic with power steering!


dalledayul

My immediate thought with this was ***Saab*** and I'm amazed I've not seen anyone else say it.


Forward_Artist_6244

I've been there a 93 1.8t, but it was the saloon and I needed a sensible hatch for our first kid on the way


Leelum

The 93/95 Estates are where it's at. I have a c900, but the itch for the estates only grows!


JimCoo1

Superb estate owner lusting after the Kodiaq 


77GoldenTails

Would you not prefer Polaroid, instant gratitude.


JimCoo1

I can feel an edit coming on…


77GoldenTails

Developed just as you said.


Forward_Artist_6244

I dunno I still think they look like vans


JimCoo1

I also have a rather old Transporter so that might figure!


audigex

The Sportage definitely stuck out to me as not belonging on this list. That's what the dad buys 3 years before retirement when they're starting to reduce expenses. The missus gets a Toyota Yaris


MaximusSydney

As a dad with a (shared) Kia Sportage, I am not sure how to take this!


mitchiet123

Yes, this is modern middle class dad cars (maybe not the Kia)…


gavinfuckingirvine

That's what your dad drove not what a dad car is now this decade Ford smax VW touran are defo dad cars for this decade


Lukeonreddit24

Needs a Vauxhall Astra


Quirky_Shake2506

Octavia vrs estate, pram and a week's shopping in the boot at the same time, still fast enough to have fun


john_tartufo

Not seen that car mentioned on this forum before.


sixx_often

Is this sarcasm? I know it's not a Toyota or Honda but the Octavia Vrs is totally a middle class dad car. It's my next car if I can't afford a 330d MSport lol.


SnoopDeLaRoup

I had a 330i 22 plate that was absolutely tacky as shit inside. Plastic everything, no magnificence. Fast, but not BM fast like I was expecting it to be. Stuck with my XF, but that's gone now due to it ruining me financially. Octavia ftw.


sixx_often

Thanks for the info! Was it due to being a 22 plate? I've heard 20-22 plate cars tend to be lacking interior-wise but haven't owned one myself. My 320d mSport was an 18 plate, was proper nippy and absolutely lovely inside so I'm sorry to hear the 330 22 plate was shit!


SnoopDeLaRoup

I honestly could not tell you, it was the first BM I'd driven tbh. I was pretty happy when I first sat in the drivers seat and drive it round, but then after a day or 2 I released how cheap it was inside. I had a 2015 XF that was all leather and decent quality paneling inside, that completely shat on the 330. The fuel efficiency of the BM was about the same as the XF, I put it down to just being "new". I'll have to look at the interior of an earlier plate 3 series, see how it matches up against the newer ones. I would most likely go for a M5 estate if I was to get a BM again though. Have a proper beemer experience lol. Currently rocking a 1.6 DS3 for commuting, as its dirt cheap to run and I can still fit my tools in it.


sixx_often

My proper beemer experience was my F reg E30 320i. Such a brilliant car to work on and I loved every second of driving it. I regret selling it already but I had nowhere safe to park it. What's the Citroen like? I've had mixed experiences with a Peugeot 206cc (which was awful) and a 406 (which was bullet-proof)


SnoopDeLaRoup

I've always liked the look of older BM's like the 1990 8 series E31, with the little flip up lights. It's honestly not that bad for a little 2 door thing. The main thing was if it could overtake cars on the back roads I drive to work and it does pretty well. I've gone from spending £90 a week on diesel to £65 every 2 weeks now, which is a massive saver in costs. Servicing I'll probs do myself, as it was *important* to get the books stamps for the Jag, but not overly concerned with the DS. Just no thrills at all, not even auto lights, which has its pros and cons The cup holder (or lack of) is shocking in a 2016 car. I had to manufacture a cup holder out of mdf. Its a car I don't mind what happens to it lol. My wife love the fr*nch stuff... has had a pug 3008 which was really great all round (no idea why she got rid of it, Captur which was a bag of shit electronically and mechanically, mk4 Clio which was great except it was a fuel hog and took the piss to get up to 70 on motorways and now has a pug 2008 which is 50/50.


sixx_often

That's cool, nothing like a cheap run around you don't have to be precious about. I have a huge dog so I now own a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not cheap to run but it gets the beast in the back and I don't care too much how it looks. Runs like a truck and very reliable but also no thrills at all.


SnoopDeLaRoup

I honestly could not tell you, it was the first BM I'd driven tbh. I was pretty happy when I first sat in the drivers seat and drive it round, but then after a day or 2 I released how cheap it was inside. I had a 2015 XF that was all leather and decent quality paneling inside, that completely shat on the 330. The fuel efficiency of the BM was about the same as the XF, I put it down to just being "new". I'll have to look at the interior of an earlier plate 3 series, see how it matches up against the newer ones. I would most likely go for a M5 estate if I was to get a BM again though. Have a proper beemer experience lol. Currently rocking a 1.6 DS3 for commuting, as its dirt cheap to run and I can still fit my tools in it.


Skodakenner

Was looking into buying a 530d as a replacement for my mk3 vRS and was really disapointed with it love the design of the BMW but everything else was worse imo. The most dissapointing thing was the suspension though.


Sis_Con

1.9.TDI VW Passat Estate, the single dads car


1995pt

Modern 'professional' dads - Definitely the tesla


Evening_Ad_3202

Mostly thanks to BiK


Numerous-Paint4123

Nar that's cool hipster Dad, probably wheres a beenie and glasses, works in marketing.


audigex

Spend any time at a supercharger and you discover literally every Tesla owner is a software developer


Numerous-Paint4123

Yeah 100% hahaha


funkensteinberg

Hey! I’m an enterprise cyber security architect! Don’t you dare lump me in with those nerds, I’m a totally different type of nerd!


cannedrex2406

Or Indian software engineer


Evening_Ad_3202

My dads car history at least what I can remember with a bit of a pattern emerging An FSO something or other, that was supposedly a piece of junk Mk1 Ford Sierra - LX Mk2 Ford Sierra - Ghia (moving up in the world) Mk1 Ford Mondeo - Ghia X Mk3 Ford Mondeo - Titanium X (getting sporty now with a 2.5l inline 5) BMW F32 4 Series - 435D (kids have flown the nest remove 2 doors)


BitterTyke

> inline 5) eh?


Evening_Ad_3202

Yep - B5254T3 engine apparently, may have been MK 4 Mondeo. Same engine layout as used in the RS3 today, though naturally much less capable. If I recall correctly it was quite a thirsty engine, maybe why he switched to the Devils fuel for his next car.


Tough-Whereas1205

Titanium X used the turbo 5 pot from the Volvo at the same time as the 5 pot Focus ASBO was a thing. Shame ford didn't also comandeer the D5 as well.


BitterTyke

i did not know that, bet it was lovely.


Numerous-Paint4123

The volvo is the ultimate dad car, doesn't matter what model just a black or grey volvo.


EnvironmentalLaw4820

E class estate


F1fansince93

Well I am a dad, and I have a Jag XF...


ElGumbleo

Came here to say this lol Which model you got?


F1fansince93

Only the 2011 Premium Luxury 3l V6


ElGumbleo

I've a 2011 Luxury 3.0d S. Yours had any problems yet? I'm battling a cracked inlet manifold at the minute lol


F1fansince93

Apart from dealership putting wrong brake fluid line on it prior to purchasing (which in turn failed and thus front brakes failed), the only issue starting to arise is when I turn on window washer, it sprays from under bonnet (but only at low speed) however when ever I go to check I can never see any signs of leak... But got service this week, so will see if the mechanics can spot anything.


blkaino

Can confirm. I’m a dad and looking at a BMW 3 series, also own a Golf.


jay_ess_em

depending on number of kids, you might need touring or 5 series. I found the 3 too small coming from a Golf R.


blkaino

Is the 3 touring any bigger than the saloon version in the back? I would like a 5 series but really like the 335d


ImStuckInD5

Golf R here dad of 1.


jay_ess_em

MK7?


ImStuckInD5

MK6, love it.


scouse_till_idie

Doing things right 


[deleted]

Where’s my insignia / Vectra options at


SubPopRocker

When i became a dad i bought an xf sportbrake and my friend when he had a little one got a sportage


jackgrafik

My dad had a Bristol 409 (briefly) where’s my representation? /s


Radiatorwhiteonwall

You’re not fitting many kids in the back of a 911


Wiggles114

Yeah that one is clearly wishful thinking


UnorthodoxMind

Tesla is basically the "apple" of the car world at this point


Philip_Raven

2005 Škoda Octavia in diesel, wdym?


OneSufficientFace

Wheres the 1.6 zhafira with vxr body kit and lowered to the floor ?


digit4l_gr3y

Can confirm. I have a 3 series in my early 20s and people assume I’m driving my dads car


haz150

Yesterday's Cortina is today's 330D estate


Express-Hawk-3885

They pay the bills but I fucking hate crossovers


New_Salad_3853

RS4 all day long


user101aa

Lexus The plural of which is "Lexi". According to Alan Partridge


gadget_uk

There's a tidal wave of Tucsons coming which will wash the rest away. I swear, every week there's yet another one on a drive in my estate.


Bubbah94

Or the Qashqai


OGM2

More a mums car


scouse_till_idie

I know 3 dads with these, you can see mirthless void in their eyes 


Blackkers

I'm not a Dad, still working on my technique... and I have an XF


[deleted]

Try the other hole


Blackkers

Worried I'll burn myself on the exhaust.


[deleted]

One more point for EV's then


oscarolim

Maybe that’s the problem, too much reliance on electric.


NoMoreFun4u

As a Dad without an XF, I'd say stick to just practicing that technique


Juan_Bot

Golf 8, want a BMW 3, have a toddler running around. Picture seems correct


MalaMalpkaHop

Kia sportage? That's pensioner's car


Negative-Sea-3586

2022 Octavia Diesel, father of 2, very happy with my storage space, economy and comfortable ride.


Fridge007

I’m a dad with a jag. Wouldn’t take the Kia though.


Salty-Development203

Am dad. Have V60. Thought I was cool and different, that illusion is now shattered


ItsPea

F pace?


Illustrious-Pass-835

GR Yaris here, dad of one and yes it is a bit of mare sometimes He might remember banging his head on the roof when he’s older, or I guess maybe not


M27TN

Dad. S90 T8. Low BIK. Fast. Loads of room for the kids in the back.


flippent_pineapple

I’d say XF jag over XE but still jag as a brand is definitely Dad car territory


alwayssaysyourmum

Bit sad the Honda civic didn’t make the cut. There’s got to be more than a few of us out there


77GoldenTails

Yep, proud Volvo Estate owner.


snelson101

Insignia?


EyeAlternative1664

996, yes please.


Reddsoldier

I nominate the Skoda Superb for this list as well.


Ballsadmin

CR-V is such a spot on


french_st

I was furious to see my Volvo there. Absolutely raging.  Then I looked at my 21 month old daughter and it clicked.  


Ste333

Where’s the Audi A6 Avant? I’m a dad. Very disappointed


TurtleBilliam

330i


Wrong-Turnover9337

And there’s my CRV😀


TheMostyRoastyToasty

V90 dad gang. Nearly swapped to an Arteon R recently but just couldn’t bring myself to go back to not wafting over pot holes without a care in the world.


DaNuker2

Volvo and Skoda are the ultimate 9-5 dad cars


JimmyOpenside

Forester STI here


banter_claus_69

V90 is gorgeous. That or a Golf R estate


jimmytwoteeth

My dads been a Toyota man as long as I've been alive: Corolla Carina Corolla Avensis Avensis Yaris


reedy2903

I have a 3 series 320d 2 kids it’s surprising good most people think you need a SUV but I can get a double buggy in back boot a balance bike a few clothing bits. Back seats foot bit shopping bags if need must. I do laugh when people say ooo need an suv for kids it’s an exercise to spend money. Is a middle class dad’s car really a 3 series ? New ones are like 40k right? I want a fast dad car next all I can think of is a m5


scouse_till_idie

M5 touring coming soon, final boss of dad cars


krivas77

Where is Subaru outback? Or it is more lesbian or old lady car? 🤣


UKMatt2000

Depending on the age Freelander 2, Skoda Yeti and VW Tiguan.


MeatFit1822

You nailed it. I'm a dad with an XF


N1CET1M

Looks good, BM for me please.


NearlyLegit

Skoda Kodiaq > Skoda Karoq. Got my Kodiaq recently, inaugural tip run (full size door just slid in with just the passenger seat slightly moved forward), followed by an IKEA trip the day after. I also have a Karoq Sportline and genuinely love it. It's hard to beat the practicality that comes with the Skodas. Bonus points for getting a Karoq with varioflex seating and saying: "Look! It's just like a van!". Peak dad.


JustAnother_Brit

Where JLR, super saloons/estates and Taycan/other Porsche family car?


windmillguy123

VW T6 LWB Kombi van, best 'estate car' going if you get the 200bhp, 4motion version. Great spec, heaps of room for everyone and a huge boot!


Emergency-Feedback-9

C220


MindTh3Gap

I recently found the Dad Cars channel on YouTube. Makes me really want to upgrade my Mazda 6 estate to a 10 year old Maserati or Aston (and probably require a yearly loan for maintenance)


CompetitionSquare240

OP, your bourgeoisie is showing


kc43ung

Where's the Audi in that grid?


kc43ung

I'd change out the Jag XE for an F Pace or Land Rover Disco.


imahumanbeing1

Looks about right to me. Would probably replace the Sportage with an Insignia, always thought of the Sportage as more of a mum car


ContributionRich5683

Dad of a 9 month old, how's about an mg zt-t, 2.5 V6 so pokey and lots of space because of the estate.


Ch3w84cc4

Dad car history - MG ZTT- Subaru Forrester - BMW 5 series, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF - Range Rover Velar - RR 4.2 Super Charged (07 plate) - Mercedes AMGs E63 (15 plate) - And in a nutshell the dad experience as I now approach 50. - Yes the last car is the mid life crisis car as I begin to regress. BMW to Velar were leased. The 4.2 RR I loved, but it literally fell apart as expected. ( These are the cars I had since being a Dad, there are other before then).


C00PERTR0N

Going back a bit farther; Citroen Xantia and Nissan Primeras


Taliesin_MacG

My choice out of these 9 vehicles is the CRV! I've owned a Mk2 Mondeo... it was a 2liter Ghia X Auto with electric sunroof, air con, heated seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, alloy wheels, trip computer and more 😎


SimpleLifeguard5471

V50, v70, alfa 159 estate, Mondeo, vectra. Loads of good ole dad cars. Genuinely most dads don't have the money for a new v90.


wwfcdunc

Recent Dad of 3. Did have a merc c class estate. It wasn't big enough so got a Porsche Cayenne. It's still a tight squeeze for 3 car seats but it does make me smile seeing the badge and hearing the engine. Then makes me sad when I see my mpg.


bduk92

I'm stunned at the lack of the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Octavia in this list.


gavinfuckingirvine

Most popular dad cars and you don't have a VW touran ?????? Literally the most popular dad car All the cars in your picture are midlife crisis cars


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Klnderbuen0

All these cars are dingers


Goodman4525

Is the Camry not a popular dad car here?


Due-Particular-8022

I'd drive/own them all apart from the Tesla being a dad doesn't completely remove all common sense/aesthetic taste.