whats best estate car for a small dog walking business?

whats best estate car for a small dog walking business?

Author
Discussion

ange40

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi -Im new to forum so hope I don't go on abit!
Im starting up my own dog walking business. Currently I own from new, a 4 year old, very reliable Mondeo 2.0 163bhp diesel hatchback. Now I require an estate car for business (do not want a van as still needed as family car too)which is one of the best estates to own for good economy, excellent reliability and a budget of £12k. Prices of Ford Mondeo 163bhp estates are very overpriced with very high mileage. My current Mondeo only has 25K on it and I do not wish to own any vehicle over 50K.
Any advice please?
thank you

Sensibleboy

1,141 posts

124 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Something petrol as I imagine you'll be doing lots of short runs (and walks!).

Lost soul

8,712 posts

181 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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TwigtheWonderkid

43,248 posts

149 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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OP, can you recommend someone who is prepared to walk large dogs?

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
If you want to go up to Newfie sized hounds you will need a Passat sized estate. A mondeo should also do the trick.

ange40

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
liking the dog van! Interesting re petrol - as a diesel owner of 15 years just presumed id need a diesel? What make/model estate car is a good buy for my budget please?
thank you

ange40

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
If you want to go up to Newfie sized hounds you will need a Passat sized estate. A mondeo should also do the trick.
I don't want to limit myself in work so guess bigger estate car would be best thank you.

Kentish

15,169 posts

233 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Volvo V70 is a great car to drive & very reliable.
Low load area which is easier for dogs to jump in and usually have a factory fit dog guard too.

BMW 5 series touring is another good choice but the Volvo is bigger.

Have you considered a medium size van with windows such as a Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar (all the same van with different trim & badge)?

They are very car like to drive (easy to drive) and very refined, well equipped and above all very reliable (after 2006; as the earlier ones had gearbox issues). They have a cavernous load area but don't feel huge to manoeuvre.

MikeO996

2,008 posts

223 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
If you think Mondeos are over-priced you're gonna struggle.
I suspect you need a van.

ange40

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Kentish said:
Volvo V70 is a great car to drive & very reliable.
Low load area which is easier for dogs to jump in and usually have a factory fit dog guard too.

BMW 5 series touring is another good choice but the Volvo is bigger.

Have you considered a medium size van with windows such as a Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar (all the same van with different trim & badge)?

They are very car like to drive (easy to drive) and very refined, well equipped and above all very reliable (after 2006; as the earlier ones had gearbox issues). They have a cavernous load area but don't feel huge to manoeuvre.
Thank you , hadn't thought of a medium sized van with windows. will investigate too.
Would petrol or diesel be best? id be doing short runs and lots of stops.

Jakg

3,451 posts

167 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
How many dogs?

The police dog cars come up for sale with the cage still installed iirc.

Around here, Focus or Mondeo, no rear seats, 2 full size dog "tunnels".

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
But yes an MPV type machine might also be useful if you took out the back seats and installed "lock points" that harnesses could be attached to. Or some cages welded in (some people don't mind their dogs being caged when travelling).

L100NYY

35,078 posts

242 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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Got to be a Rover, surely?

IanCress

4,409 posts

165 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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Definitely petrol. Modern diesels don't like short runs with lots of stops, they need to get up to temperature regularly.

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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Dacia Logan MCV, massive boot and a top spec new petrol can be had for £9,795.00?

Petrol Only

1,592 posts

174 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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Skoda Octavia estate.

Regularly carry two large dogs in it

maffski

1,866 posts

158 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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Something like a Berlingo Multispace?


Berlingo 4 by David ..., on Flickr

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

182 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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A reliable but battered van is a far better idea - a friend of mine with a dog-walking business has a Peugeot Partner which she picked up for very little - sub £2k. Wanting a nice car with fewer than 50k and using it for business is, I'm afraid, not sensible. Dogs wreck cars (I know - I have three) and when it's a business I'm guessing you'll have a fair number to look after in all weathers. They'll ruin the interior, scratch the paint, and generally destroy any part they can.


krobbo

85 posts

119 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
Petrol Only said:
Skoda Octavia estate.

Regularly carry two large dogs in it
+1. This is what I would choose, with a TSI petrol if within budget.

hoagypubdog

590 posts

143 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
I've been running a dog walking business for last 11 years and use a Dacia Duster for transporting dogs, lots of room in the boot.