Which comfortable dog-mobile for £5k?
Discussion
Bit of a difficult one, I've been thinking about this for weeks and haven't come up with an ideal answer...
£5k budget is all I have, so if I get a 10 year old 150k miles Volvo V70 I can only spend £3k because I'll need the other £2k to get it working properly. Been there, done that.
I'm looking for a car which will carry two Labrador-sized dogs in the boot without the tailgate whacking their heads when I close it. So a square-backed hatchback could work, but it may have to be an estate.
It must be 5 door so I can get a baby seat in the back.
And it must be VERY comfortable. I like sporty style seats, but anything supportive will do. Lots of adjustments are essential - the seat base must be able to tilt, not just height adjustment. Also the driving position should be spot on - no offset pedals or steering wheels please.
So the musts:
1) 2 dogs in boot
2) 5 doors
3) Good driving position, comfortable driver's seat with base tilt
4) Not too worn out. Lets try to stick to 100k and 10 year maximum.
5) Manual gearbox
Other than that... Not too thirsty would be a bonus. Also I'd prefer something that was fast enough for overtaking and didn't roll onto it's roof on twisty roads.
Cars I've considered:
Focus - only the ST-3 has decent seats and 5 door ones are very scarce. They'd use up the full budget which will make the fuel economy a bit painful.
Mondeo - With the Mk4, even the Titanium-X doesn't have tilting seats. 8-way seats were a very rare option. In the Mk3 only the ST-220 had tilting seats - I'm still thinking about an ST-220 and whether I can live with 20mpg.
V50 - This was the fore-runner until I test-drove one. What an utter embarrassment of a Volvo. The seats are crap. Yes they tilt but they are nothing like proper Volvo seats fitted to bigger models. And there's no space for my clutch foot to rest.
V70 - They hold their value too well. For £5k I'd be looking at quite tired examples, and having owned a couple of worn-out Volvos in the past I don't want to repeat the experience.
£5k budget is all I have, so if I get a 10 year old 150k miles Volvo V70 I can only spend £3k because I'll need the other £2k to get it working properly. Been there, done that.
I'm looking for a car which will carry two Labrador-sized dogs in the boot without the tailgate whacking their heads when I close it. So a square-backed hatchback could work, but it may have to be an estate.
It must be 5 door so I can get a baby seat in the back.
And it must be VERY comfortable. I like sporty style seats, but anything supportive will do. Lots of adjustments are essential - the seat base must be able to tilt, not just height adjustment. Also the driving position should be spot on - no offset pedals or steering wheels please.
So the musts:
1) 2 dogs in boot
2) 5 doors
3) Good driving position, comfortable driver's seat with base tilt
4) Not too worn out. Lets try to stick to 100k and 10 year maximum.
5) Manual gearbox
Other than that... Not too thirsty would be a bonus. Also I'd prefer something that was fast enough for overtaking and didn't roll onto it's roof on twisty roads.
Cars I've considered:
Focus - only the ST-3 has decent seats and 5 door ones are very scarce. They'd use up the full budget which will make the fuel economy a bit painful.
Mondeo - With the Mk4, even the Titanium-X doesn't have tilting seats. 8-way seats were a very rare option. In the Mk3 only the ST-220 had tilting seats - I'm still thinking about an ST-220 and whether I can live with 20mpg.
V50 - This was the fore-runner until I test-drove one. What an utter embarrassment of a Volvo. The seats are crap. Yes they tilt but they are nothing like proper Volvo seats fitted to bigger models. And there's no space for my clutch foot to rest.
V70 - They hold their value too well. For £5k I'd be looking at quite tired examples, and having owned a couple of worn-out Volvos in the past I don't want to repeat the experience.
Edited by R E S T E C P on Thursday 30th June 03:05
Does it have to be fast too? You mention fuel economy concerns and then list the two of the most thirsty Fords in that price bracket.
Do you want fuel efficiency or speed as a priority? Other than modern turbo cars cruising at lower speeds (<70mpg) you'll probably find that most warm/hot cars will be rubbish on fuel, particularly if you boot it.
Do you want fuel efficiency or speed as a priority? Other than modern turbo cars cruising at lower speeds (<70mpg) you'll probably find that most warm/hot cars will be rubbish on fuel, particularly if you boot it.
Colonial said:
Saab 9-5 has to be in with a shout.
my 9-5 was the most comfortable car I have ever owned. How about this one?
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by brman on Thursday 30th June 08:21
Afromonk said:
Mazda 6 estate?
My Mom has one of these for taking the dog to shows inc a cage and accessories, all fits well and is very comfy
Hers is a 2010/2011 so probably out the price range but an older might be in the running??
I've currently got a 6. The saab was more comfortable (not that the 6 is uncomfortable, I just found the saab very good) but the mazda drives much better.My Mom has one of these for taking the dog to shows inc a cage and accessories, all fits well and is very comfy
Hers is a 2010/2011 so probably out the price range but an older might be in the running??
Audi A6 estate might be another option?
Accord Tourer (Gen7). I have one, a 2.4 auto in EX spec.
For that you get wonderfully shaped leather seats, nav, cruise, Bluetooth, parking sensors etc etc. The rear is very "square" so lots of room for the mutts and plenty of rear space for my 4 year old and seat etc.
£5k gets you a late model facelifted Gen7. I've done 75k miles in 2 and 1/2 years (from 50k to 125k) in mine and it's been a revelation on the comfort front. Coming from Octavia and 5 series, it's been awesome. And of course, being a Honda, as long as you change the oil on time, every time, it's utterly bomb proof. In that 75k i've done 7 oil changes, it's chain driven but the guide rail is oil lubricated, so clean oil is a must to avoid failure, other than discs, pads and tyres it's needed two rear calipers, that's it! Every time I get in it and turn the key, I know it's going to start, move, get the job done and get me home agsain, value in itself.
And the icing on the cake and why you should buy it? The electric tailgate! A button on the key, or in the cabin, or on the tailgate itself and you've safely stowed the pooches away.
For that you get wonderfully shaped leather seats, nav, cruise, Bluetooth, parking sensors etc etc. The rear is very "square" so lots of room for the mutts and plenty of rear space for my 4 year old and seat etc.
£5k gets you a late model facelifted Gen7. I've done 75k miles in 2 and 1/2 years (from 50k to 125k) in mine and it's been a revelation on the comfort front. Coming from Octavia and 5 series, it's been awesome. And of course, being a Honda, as long as you change the oil on time, every time, it's utterly bomb proof. In that 75k i've done 7 oil changes, it's chain driven but the guide rail is oil lubricated, so clean oil is a must to avoid failure, other than discs, pads and tyres it's needed two rear calipers, that's it! Every time I get in it and turn the key, I know it's going to start, move, get the job done and get me home agsain, value in itself.
And the icing on the cake and why you should buy it? The electric tailgate! A button on the key, or in the cabin, or on the tailgate itself and you've safely stowed the pooches away.
Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 30th June 08:52
I'm looking in the same market at the moment, so interested in your comments on the V50. My head says V50 or Mondeo, but I find myself looking at Alfa 159 Sportwagons. Having had 3 156 Sportwagons they're decent cars with a little bit of style.
I'd probably still go with the V50 in the end.
I'd probably still go with the V50 in the end.
Thanks for the replies, some good options to consider 
Fuel economy is a bonus but not essential. But if it's low, it has to be fun too.
How about this one?
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...I did think about a 9-5. Isn't there a risk of very expensive breakdowns with parts not being available?
Mazda 6 is a definite option! I've heard lots of praise about them, but do you know if any came with tilting seats?
Audi estates hold their value too well, I'm not sure the older ones are worth the asking price. But I will have a look.
Alfa 159 would be lovely! But I need it to get me to work every day. I know it's just a stereotype and many people have reliable ones, but there is some truth in it and I don't know if I'm lucky enough to get a good one.
PlayFair said:
Octavia VRS?
I did try one. Nearly fits the bill and the seats were decent but no tilt.spookly said:
Does it have to be fast too? You mention fuel economy concerns and then list the two of the most thirsty Fords in that price bracket.
Fast enough to overtake comfortably, doesn't need to be proper fast. If the 0-60 is in double digits it's almost certainly too slow.Fuel economy is a bonus but not essential. But if it's low, it has to be fun too.
brman said:
Colonial said:
Saab 9-5 has to be in with a shout.
my 9-5 was the most comfortable car I have ever owned. How about this one?
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
brman said:
Afromonk said:
Mazda 6 estate?
My Mom has one of these for taking the dog to shows inc a cage and accessories, all fits well and is very comfy... Audi A6 estate might be another option?Audi estates hold their value too well, I'm not sure the older ones are worth the asking price. But I will have a look.
MDMA . said:
That one's an automatic, but yes I'd definitely consider a manual one. The seats look a bit flat, but I've never sat in one. I like to sit "in" a seat rather than "on" it. Are they comfortable & adjustable?Jasandjules said:
I've used Passat estates for many years now as the dog carriers.
4k should get you an 08/09 plate...
I currently have a 2012 Passat estate and it is the least comfortable car I've ever driven. It is the car that has "inspired" my search for comfort. Flat seats, offset pedals, crap driving position. Perfect for the dogs and very practical though, and mechanically it has been great. In some ways I'll miss it when it's gone. But I would still like it gone as soon as possible.4k should get you an 08/09 plate...
eltax91 said:
Accord Tourer (Gen7).
My parents have one (a diesel), and I do like it, but wouldn't say the seat is that special. Are there any trim levels that have better seats with a tilting base?Camoradi said:
My head says V50 or Mondeo, but I find myself looking at Alfa 159 Sportwagons. Having had 3 156 Sportwagons they're decent cars with a little bit of style.
I'd probably still go with the V50 in the end.
Make sure you test drive one for long enough. I suppose it's not fair to say they're uncomfortable. They're better than the equivalent Focus. But the seats aren't comparable to bigger Volvos. Also, I have size 13 feet so this may not be an issue for most, but there wasn't nearly enough space to the left of the clutch pedal to rest my foot.I'd probably still go with the V50 in the end.
Alfa 159 would be lovely! But I need it to get me to work every day. I know it's just a stereotype and many people have reliable ones, but there is some truth in it and I don't know if I'm lucky enough to get a good one.
Krikkit said:
V70
Definitely fits the "comfort" requirement. I've had many Volvos and would happily have another, but the V70 holds its value very well and I'd be looking at quite tired examples.Edited by R E S T E C P on Thursday 30th June 09:39
R E S T E C P said:
eltax91 said:
Accord Tourer (Gen7).
My parents have one (a diesel), and I do like it, but wouldn't say the seat is that special. Are there any trim levels that have better seats with a tilting base?
One car that hasn't been mentioned is the Jaguar X-Type estate. Boot is a decent size and SE models get an electrically adjustable seat base on both the front and rear of the seat.
The vast majority of cars out there are the 2.0 diesel which isn't the most refined unit in the world but has good economy. Might be worth seeking out the 3.0 V6 petrol if you need the performance.
The vast majority of cars out there are the 2.0 diesel which isn't the most refined unit in the world but has good economy. Might be worth seeking out the 3.0 V6 petrol if you need the performance.
We were in a similar situation a couple of years ago - were after an estate suitable for carrying 2 greyhounds, so needed plenty of headroom.
I found most estates have over styled rears with limited space in the boot. BMW 3 series and Audi were the worst for this.
Both the Accord and XF boots weren't tall enough for the dogs either sadly.
We ended up with a Focus Titanium X - plenty of room in the back for them both as it's a very square foot, plus that version has upgraded seats. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in most directions and is extremely comfy on long runs. Seats are very nearly as comfy as those in the 9-3 Sportwagon it replaced.
I found most estates have over styled rears with limited space in the boot. BMW 3 series and Audi were the worst for this.
Both the Accord and XF boots weren't tall enough for the dogs either sadly.
We ended up with a Focus Titanium X - plenty of room in the back for them both as it's a very square foot, plus that version has upgraded seats. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in most directions and is extremely comfy on long runs. Seats are very nearly as comfy as those in the 9-3 Sportwagon it replaced.
IanCress said:
One car that hasn't been mentioned is the Jaguar X-Type estate. Boot is a decent size and SE models get an electrically adjustable seat base on both the front and rear of the seat.
The vast majority of cars out there are the 2.0 diesel which isn't the most refined unit in the world but has good economy. Might be worth seeking out the 3.0 V6 petrol if you need the performance.
I used to have a 2001 2.5 when it was about 8 years old / 100k miles. I loved the car but not the constant faults. Maybe I was just unlucky. I'll add it to the list though, if a really good example appears I would be tempted The vast majority of cars out there are the 2.0 diesel which isn't the most refined unit in the world but has good economy. Might be worth seeking out the 3.0 V6 petrol if you need the performance.
.rscott said:
We ended up with a Focus Titanium X - plenty of room in the back for them both as it's a very square foot, plus that version has upgraded seats. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in most directions and is extremely comfy on long runs. Seats are very nearly as comfy as those in the 9-3 Sportwagon it replaced.
Titanium X would be the Mk3?I have tried out a couple of Mk3s, but the seats are identical in all models from Zetec to Tit-X (other than half leather trim or coloured bits, but the seats are the same). I found them a bit flat for me and also no tilt adjust even on the Tit-X. I like nice big bolsters and lots of thigh support - that was missing.
Focus would have been the ideal choice otherwise. Perfect size and feels nice to drive.
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