Which car for the dog? - Hound Estate

[ooid]

Hello all,

We need a new car to carry our naughty beagle. Currently using our daily Lexus, and I realized its getting pretty dirty very quickly! I would like to get something quite reliable and can handle daily duties + dog. I've been looking at Volvo 240se estates, my neighbour had one and it was pretty brilliant as a school runner. Are they solid as they say or am I just going to buy another money-pit? I thought about getting a used Lexus Rx400h but I really don't want to spend more than a grand just for a bloody hound estate!

[RDMcG]

My old Cayenne ( 2008 and 250,000km) does an excellent job of canine transport.....

[Jamescrs]

I'd probably look at something like an old Mondeo or Vectra personally if it's just for moving a dog around and doing dirty work (so to speak). There will be loads around on Gumtree and places like that cheap.

[troika]

Subaru Legacy (but you might need to get a black lab).

[ZX10R NIN]

407

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nissan Primera

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Signum

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Vectra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Avensis

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

MG ZT190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Laguna

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

9-5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ooid]

Thanks all,

So no volvo 240 Se recommendation here?

I assumed this would have been fine?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240se-auto-estate...

[ninjag]

I'd go with an estate over an SUV as it's easier for smaller dogs like a Beagle to jump in when they get older (fine when they are young though). I ditched SUVs for this very reason as my Beagle is now over ten years old and if he can't be arsed jumping in properly with an SUV he can scratch hell out of your bumper (if painted).

Tinted windows at the rear help keep it a little cooler and also as you'll probably remove any form of hard parcel shelf it gives you more privacy.

Ideally if you can get a car with vents in the rear/boot it helps when it's hot.

[ZX10R NIN]

ooid said:

Thanks all,

So no volvo 240 Se recommendation here?

I assumed this would have been fine?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240se-auto-estate...

When you can buy something like this for £200 (at the moment it depends where the bidding goes) more & it'll be as reliable as the Volvo the question becomes more of a case of why would you buy the 240?

[ooid]

Hi Gents,

So still looking at hound estate

I've come to three options now;

- Saab 9-5
- Volvo V70 (1995-2000)
- Vw Golf mk4, 4 motion (2.8) - Yes! madness - I know it's not an estate, but I would probably turn the back seats into a dog area!

I realize the third option, VW's are on a similar budget and I always loved their noise! I did have a brand new 4 motion, 1.8, 20 years ago (still in the family), I remember they were quite reliable but it does not get enough love here in U.K. ? Is there something to worry in terms of reliability? or should I just go ahead with Saab and get on with Sweedish reliability..

Cheers

Edited by ooid on Wednesday 17th July 20:38

[ninjag]

At a grand budget I'd get something like the Accord Tourer petrol. Huge boot and if you go for the Executive then it's fully loaded, very comfortable electric leather seats and the 2.4 petrol is a great engine. The Vtec engagement at 6000rpm through to 7200rpm is addictive and the Japanese built engine loves it.

This one is pre 2006 so is lower tax as well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

[kinghottinger]

Honda Civic 2006 to 2011 or so is a great car for a dog. The back seat flips up, leaving 2/3rds of the floor back there ready for the dog's travel bed. Any dog can just step into the area through the door, no need to jump in. If you're traveling with 3 passengers, the hatch area is also big, and you can make it more spacious by using the false floor area. They're cheap, reliable and frugal, 1.8 petrol does 40+ easy. It goes alright too. You can pick one up for a grand.

[mickeyredeyes]

We had a Lexus Is220d with beige interior when we got out Springer. Last dog wagon was Volvo V70. Plenty of dog room and ours had a dog guard, though I'd recommend a crate for a beagle.