I really need some advice.

Neither my wife nor I have a great deal of driving experiance, my wife more than I. We need a car, we have a new baby coming and we need it now.

People keep telling me to by a banger and get some more experiance for awhile and buy new later. I understand the arguement they make but it just pains me to spent 5-10 grand on something that will be too small for us (like a small hatchback) or just an old piece of junk on its last legs. I also dont want to put our firstborn into a deathtrap. I'd rather pay extra...

Its not a lot of money for a car, but hey 5-10K, is still a nice chunk of my salary. I also dont want to go through the hassle of selling it or trading it in, just to go through this mess in 3 years. I am not a gearhead, i'd rather by something decent now and keep it 10 years. Furthermore I have the money now, who knows what will happen in 3 years...

I'd rather spend 15-20K and get something decent. Part of the problem is that we need a automatic gearbox (the wife cant drive stick) and in France you are looking at 10,000 first price for something decent.

What I really want is a small-medium MPV/Crossover AUTO, but again the good ones start at 15K (with a automatic gearbox). E.G Skoda Yeti, GOLF PLUS, NISSAN QASHQAI, C3 Picasso. (something like this).

The only thing thats cheap are the French cars, and while I do think think the French do make a decent car, everyone tells me the autos are rubbish (espicially Renault). Because I need the auto, I am advised to get German, American, or Japanese but that costs much much more...

So my question to you all: AM I CRAZY IN MY LOGIC? Most people think I am. And what I am saying to contrary to all opinion. I need some clarity.

Advice Really Appriciated...