Never thought I'd do this... What estate....
Never thought I'd do this... What estate....
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Discussion

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Ok,

Wanting to obtain a slightly newer workhorse. The current Passat Estate is getting tired.

BUT, we have some reasonable sized dogs. Such that a new Passat is too low for them to sit up in the boot. And as we often take at least two of them out at a time, one needs to go in the boot (the rear seats are wholly taken up by the other one)..

It is just really a dog and shopping run car so I don't really want to spend more than 5k.

At the moment the only things I can think of are a V70 or Honda Accord (neither has yet been tested by the mutts to ensure they can actually sit and stand up in the boot).

Any other options?

Lizardking

435 posts

228 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Subaru Forester maybe?

Monkeylegend

29,233 posts

260 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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E Class?

fjord

2,143 posts

166 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Vectra?

The 1.9d is reliable and will pull 45+mpg all day long.

The boot is huge, and if you ever drop the back seats, you can fit the moons of jupiter in there.

McSam

6,753 posts

204 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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longblackcoat

5,047 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
S211 Mercedes is your answer - get a decent (i.e. non-rusty, non-minicabbed) one and it'll be perfect for your needs. Any engine, but for low mileages I'd avoid the diesels - the 320 petrol is great

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
I think a Vectra will be far too small - it is the newer cars with the sloping windows that seems to cause the problems, if it helps this dog is 30" to his shoulders......

Basically put him in a nice new Passat yesterday and he couldn't sit properly, had his head down at shoulder level and we can't do that to him!

Will look at Mercs, I know a few we looked at looked like they had dropping roof shapes.

eltax91

10,757 posts

235 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Accord. It's very square in the boot. You may get both dogs in it.

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
Will look at Mercs, I know a few we looked at looked like they had dropping roof shapes.
That's why I specified that one - it's a nice square shape. Someone I know with an even larger dog than yours has precisely the type of Merc I mentioned and there's enough room. Just.

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
McSam said:
I like your optimism but there is no chance in hell he'd fit in a boot that small....

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
longblackcoat said:
Jasandjules said:
Will look at Mercs, I know a few we looked at looked like they had dropping roof shapes.
That's why I specified that one - it's a nice square shape. Someone I know with an even larger dog than yours has precisely the type of Merc I mentioned and there's enough room. Just.
Yes it does look like it might just do the job. Will have to pop him in one to find out. Ta for that, I had generally discounted Mercs on the sloping roof basis.

And both dogs in the back of the Accord? I can't get two males in the back of the Passat. But an Accord does seem like a good size at least too, will have to go check one out.



Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

275 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Jasandjules said:
Any other options?
Large - Mazda 6

Small - BMW 3 series

radiodanno

1,092 posts

159 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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I'd have a 3.0 Mondeo personally. Huge boot, nice and square and a lovely motor.

rallycross

13,750 posts

266 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Mondeo v6. great answer.

An X-Trail will give you a massive boot and nice and high, might be worth a look (if you can put up with a horrible rolly polly 4x4) a fast estate will be much more fun though.

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
radiodanno said:
I'd have a 3.0 Mondeo personally. Huge boot, nice and square and a lovely motor.
Friend brought a Mondeo over Sunday, it had a tiny boot (well, for the purposes of putting my mutt in!) - too low a roof... Dog couldn't sit up at all.


RDB

334 posts

208 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Never thought I'd find myself suggesting an MPV but if height is an issue, what about an S-Max or similar?

Jasandjules

Original Poster:

72,597 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
RDB said:
Never thought I'd find myself suggesting an MPV but if height is an issue, what about an S-Max or similar?
I am currently in dispute with the OH about this. An estate is bad enough, a Volvo estate I feel I need to be 50 before I can buy it............. I really, really want to avoid an MPV if I can...

chris watton

22,547 posts

289 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Why not an MGZT-T estate - going for silly money and there's quite a few low milers. We bought one when we came back to live in the UK, and we had loads of moving to do plus 5 dogs. I initially only wanted to keep it until we settled in, but ended up having it for the next three years!

StuntmanMike

15,061 posts

180 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
I think a Vectra will be far too small - it is the newer cars with the sloping windows that seems to cause the problems, if it helps this dog is 30" to his shoulders......

Basically put him in a nice new Passat yesterday and he couldn't sit properly, had his head down at shoulder level and we can't do that to him!

Will look at Mercs, I know a few we looked at looked like they had dropping roof shapes.
Watching this with interest, 30 inch is a big mutt what is it? If it helps im in the same predicament, the wifes Honda Jazz is the best vehicle I have found, the base of the back seats fold up, the floor is low and the dog loves it, It is just a bit small for a family car so my 2 door car is going this year.

McSam

6,753 posts

204 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
McSam said:
I like your optimism but there is no chance in hell he'd fit in a boot that small....
Bugger.

Alright then:



Happy now? wink