Opinions/Advice Please - Trade in and upgrade now or later?

So we've been looking at trading in our current cars and upgrading. We've currently got a 2005 Mazda 3 hatch and a 2007 Lancer VRX sedan that we own outright (no loans). Both really good cars, the Lancer chews a bit on fuel but other than that can't fault them for our current circumstances.

We currently have a 9 year old DD and a bub on the way, due in November. Both will fit comfortably in our current cars, however we are planning another addition in the next 2-3 years which will see our family outgrow our cars.

The plan is to trade in both cars, and look at something like a Mitsubishi Outlander or Nissan X-trail as the "family car" which will be primarily mine, and a small car such as a Colt as DH's runabout for work etc. Looking primarily at either ex-demo models or used but relatively new if that makes sense.

What we're not sure of is whether it's better to do this now (or soon) to get a higher trade in value on them, or wait until we actually need to do it and save the money we'd be paying in loan repayments into a savings account to put towards the new cars?

Now. :)

we've just traded our 2007 outlander and no way could you get 3 kids across the back seat...!

I thought 3 seats meant three baby seats could fit? is this not always the case? :o

Fortunately for us we won't need 3 baby seats across the back, but so long as there is enough room for 2 + DD we're good. Though we both sat in the back while looking at them and there was still enough room for another adult - maybe the newer ones are a bit wider?

No m2r you cant always fit them in even though the seats have anchor points the are so many different seats it can be tricky.

I think you should changeover now you never know what will happen in a few years.

Wooohoo!! We're picking up our new Outlander today - traded the Lancer and we're going to keep the Mazda as a runabout/DH's car. So excited!