Subaru + Labrador

Subaru + Labrador

Author
Discussion

HughS47

Original Poster:

571 posts

133 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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I used to own a GB270 wagon (002) and miss it terribly. I'm hopefully changing jobs soon (and loosing the 85 mile/day commute) so can change the replacement diesel Golf back to a subaru.

From memory, the pooch would fit in the back of the GB270 wagon. Alternatives i'm considering are an '06 STI forester (getting a test drive is proving difficult) and an '08-'09 STI hatch.

Would an STI hatch have a boot capable of swallowing a 26kg labrador? For longer trips I'll be using a roof box.

Any dog + hatch owners out there?

peter8171

183 posts

142 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Surely it's a bit cruel putting the dog in a roof box for longer trips? ;-)

HughS47

Original Poster:

571 posts

133 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Wouldn't that be a cracking solution - not having to hoover the car every fortnight!!

v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Go for the Forester when you have a dog. It's not just the area, it's the much greater height available for the dog; makes it much more comfortable for them. Also, don't just look at STi's, look at FXT's too as they're extremely capable cars. Realistically, one can not use the full power of any STi most of the time + with only a few simple tweeks an FXT can be made to handle, go and stop as well as any STi...and the money saved can be invested in a good set of winter wheels & tyres...and plenty of dog food thumbup

assynt road

378 posts

186 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Our newfoundland fits in our Forester XT, at least for short journeys so a Labrador would have no trouble. The XT is a really hoot to drive as well, its makes lots of torque at low revs, just where you need it.

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Yep Forester + 30kg labrador here. An STI would be fine but you'll need to get a boot liner and some carpet to stop yours sliding about. A hatch would be way too small.

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

HughS47

Original Poster:

571 posts

133 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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That's a great write up for both cars - I hadn't considered an XT previously. If I find something locally it might be worth a look.

v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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HughS47 said:
That's a great write up for both cars - I hadn't considered an XT previously. If I find something locally it might be worth a look.
Hugh, have a chat with some of us on the subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/ . They're a great bunch of guys, hugely knowledgeable and will endorse the XT as a super-surprising Q car. I've a 2006 2.5 FXT and they're a bucket load of fun, very comfortable and will handle whatever is thrown at it. Ask on the forum if there's an owner near you and could you come to take a look at what FXT's are all about; 227bhp in standard form et al...

nickofh

603 posts

117 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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08 Hatch & Dog owner here!

2 cockers and a great dane.

Forester is the way forward for a lab sized dog imo. The boot floor is just too high to give enough head room.

Screaming Beagle

187 posts

171 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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Been there done that in a wrx hatch and a sti hatch. It was always a compromise. Forester (turbo) is way to go

Screaming Beagle

187 posts

171 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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thats not a turbo by the way! saving up presently for a new XT.

pad58

12,543 posts

180 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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I have a hatch with a Lab, TBH if I could afford a forester STi I'd get one , however she's getting older now and may have trouble jumping into a 4X4 FO car.

My Golf is okay ,but personally I'm looking at an estate with steps for her something as low as poss.




PH dog lovers Matters.

GravelBen

15,656 posts

229 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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Legacy GT or 3.0R wagon another fun doggie-hauler too. Bigger boot than a Forester though not as tall.

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 11th January 22:14

Screaming Beagle

187 posts

171 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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Or 3.6R Outback? There are some around at non ridiculous prices now.

IvanSTi

635 posts

118 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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IMO it all depends what you want from the car when the mutts aren't in it?

Although they are great fun (Yes, I've had one) a Foz isn't as good/capable as an Impreza on the road/track.

So all depends what you want from the car.

You could also wait and get one of these in STi form when they come out http://www.carscoops.com/2015/01/subaru-uk-confirm...

nickofh

603 posts

117 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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IvanSTi said:
IMO it all depends what you want from the car when the mutts aren't in it?

Although they are great fun (Yes, I've had one) a Foz isn't as good/capable as an Impreza on the road/track.

So all depends what you want from the car.

You could also wait and get one of these in STi form when they come out http://www.carscoops.com/2015/01/subaru-uk-confirm...
Thanks for that! I know once again what my perfect all round car is and finally with the 2.0 Direct Injection Turbo !




Mr Taxpayer

438 posts

119 months

Tuesday 13th January 2015
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Formerly owned a Border Collie and Forester XT. It's like they were made for each other smile

rouge59

332 posts

126 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
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Another vote for the FXT here. Mine comfortably fits both my huge 39kg greyhound & my lunatic little Patterdale in the back, plus it has a rubber boot liner so it cleans very easily.

HughS47

Original Poster:

571 posts

133 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
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39kg greyhound?! What the hell do you feed it?

I'll definitely have a look at the XT's when the time comes. Plenty about - anything spec wise that's worth hunting for? I'm not familiar with the trim levels they came with. Like the Imprezas, is it grey plastic and a tape deck?

Jack Blag

941 posts

212 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
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Subaru Outback 3.0Rn... great car and our lab loves it!