Ben Marshall is the man behind DadCars. Ben has been doing a fantastic job of highlighting that becoming a parent doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream car.
We loved talking to Ben about his love of cars, how his DB9 copes with family life, and what he is doing with DadCars.
Tell us about DadCars – what’s it all about?
When you become a Dad, the consensus is you need to get a sensible, practical car and put your car dreams on hold until they grow up… I reject this notion and encourage others to do the same. Get the most exciting thing you can comfortably afford and start making memories with your children.
The DadCars Youtube channel releases a new video review each week, featuring an exciting potential Dadcar. I see if baby and child seats fit in the car, talk about running costs and take it out for a drive with my children on board to see if it’s a suitable Dadcar. I have already featured several Aston Martins, Maseratis, Porsches and more. I’ve even managed to review a Quattroporte with all four of my children on board.
My mission is to test every exciting car for its usability with children, creating a comprehensive back catalogue of content so Dads around the world can see what cars could work for family life. When you hear the phrase “DadCar”, if a Passat or a Qashqai springs to mind, then I’ve still got work to do.
What made you start DadCars in the first place?
Can you fit child seats in the back of a DB9?… Before my first DadB9 youtube video it was a question asked every few months on Aston Martin groups and forums. I myself googled it, checked youtube, searched forums and there was no definitive answer. So when I first pulled up at home in my 2009 DB9 I genuinely didn’t know if I had purchased a chocolate teapot. After a few child seats failed to fit, I found a solution that worked really well. So I made the first DadCars video on the DadB9 to answer that question for anyone going forward. I then had a kind person reach out and offer his 3200GT to review, following that I’ve had a constant stream of kind car enthusiasts offering me their cars to film for the channel.
Where did your interest in cars come from?
Playing with diecast models of Ferraris are my earliest memories. When I was a child, a chap on my road got an Elise S1 and I was captivated by it. Shortly after that, the original Gran Turismo game (on PlayStation) came out, me, my brother and friends were hooked. When my older brother picked up his mk2 MR2, he took me along and the drive home is a core memory for me, I couldn’t believe we had a mid engine 2 seater from Gran Turismo… if I close my eyes I can almost smell the 90s JDM interior.
Do your children enjoy getting driven around in the cars you get to test out?
They genuinely argue about who’s getting to come along and do a DadCars filming day. I make the days as fun as possible for them, it’s basically one on one time with Dad and I’ve had some wonderful conversations with them during the long round trip days in the DadB9. Growing up in a family of 4 myself, I always really appreciated that one on one time.
I think they see the enthusiasm I have for these cars and how excited I get when they take an interest as well. I love that they will always have these DadCars videos to look back on.
How do you find your DB9 copes with family life?
Honestly with the 2,4 and 5 year old it’s a doddle, they can climb into their seats themselves and the car is so compact, tightening the harnesses is easy as everyone is within arms reach. Rear facing baby seats is a different story, it’s technically doable but not practical. The boot is bigger than people say, I am 5’11 and I can fit in the boot.
While out driving they ask me to make it loud and go fast, so this gives me the perfect excuse to leave it in 2nd gear around town and make the V12 sing. If anyone complains, I say the kids wanted me to. Children give you full justification to act like a child yourself. Then when you pull up at the shops, you park up in parent and child parking with no fear of car park dents… it’s genuinely a brilliant Dadcar and the more you use it, the more reliable it is, these cars like to be driven!
Of all the cars you’ve driven so far, which has surprised you the most in its capability to suit Dad life?
I’ve been searching for a Dadcar that I can fit all four of my children in. So I need something with a flat rear (no transmission tunnel) seat to accommodate a 3 across multimac with the eldest on the passenger side. Having recently featured a lotus Evora on the channel, that currently sits top of the list to replace the Aston. A mid engine car with rear seats, a good level of refinement that handles and feels like a true lotus. The Evora is a special car.
What’s the main thing you look for when deciding if a car can be a good match for family use?
With young children, it comes down to what child seats fit. You’d be surprised how much this varies with 2+2s. I have to carry around a load of different style car seats to test with each car I film.
If like me, your other half drives, then their car can be the main family wagon. Leaving things fairly open for you… the DB9 rear seats are probably the most compact that I’ve tested and I’ve taken my eldest 3 out for the day in it countless times. It frustrates me when I see driveways with two great hulking SUVs on the drive, unless that’s truly what floats your boat, it’s simply not required.
Taking practicality out of the equation, Is there a car that you’d love to own regardless of whether it would suit family life or not?
In my early 20s I made a promise to myself that I would own a V12 Lamborghini one day. However the manual models just keep rising in value, as they didnt make them in huge numbers like they do today, so that may no longer be realistic. Another car that’s always appealed to me is a Lotus Esprit. One on one time in a two seater would be very special.
What’s next for you?
I will continue to put out a new DadCars review each and every week on the DadCars Youtube channel. This is now a long term commitment I have made to myself and I have the support of my wife and children with this. I have some very exciting classic cars penciled in to feature when the weather brightens up this year. As well as running some DadCars meets – exciting cars with a bouncy castle and activities for children. Cars, coffee and kids!
Where can people find out more about DadCars?
Head over to the DadCars Youtube channel and if you enjoy the content, subscribe! Instagram DadCars88 and Facebook DadCars. We also have a DadCars Facebook group and have Dads around the world posting pictures of their cars with child seats. I am always looking for more interesting cars to feature so please reach out, my email address is dadcars.ben@gmail.com.
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