13k, dog carrier, interesting.

[darren9]

We’ve just got a bullmastiff puppy which means one of the current cars (focus ST or mini) has to be replaced with something that’s capable of taking what will shortly be a massive hound.

I think I want the impossible (don’t we all when buying) …

I want the car to be comfortable and frugal enough for my 70mile commute each day.

It needs to be able to take 2 adults, 2 kids a mastiff and a french bulldog (though we don’t often go far with the dogs)

Id like it to be fairly interesting in some way. It needs to be good to drive and nice to look at.

Budget is about 13k

I’d quite like a 3*d touring Msport. But I don’t think they’re particularly big inside and we live in a rural location and struggled with a 1 series in winter due to its low suspension, wide tyres and RWD.

Is there anything that fits the criteria or should I just keep cramming the dog in the back of the focus?

[Gad-Westy]

Good challenge! I'm taking an interest in this because this type of car is sort of on our radar as well. 2 kids. Rural. Dalmation. Biased toward comfort but a bit of speed is always nice. I actually think the quest for fun with a big car can be a bit futile or expensive so I tend to lean much more towards soothing and get my driving kicks from other stuff. I find 3 series/A4 etc too small so always look at the next size up. Current car is an E61 5 series. Does everything well but a bit lethargic and I'm getting itchy feet.

I'm allergic to diesels and SUV's so I'll ignore those for a sec though being sensible here, you do get much more choice if you're less myopic than me.

This looks great VFM
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...

Some other food for thought though:

Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 4x4 (A bit dull but a lot of car for the £'s)
Audi S6 V10 (though being sensible the later 3.0 TFSi is pretty powerful and probably costs half as much to own)
Insignia VXR (look great value but not a fan personally)
V60 3.0 AWD (I like these but probably a bit small and horrendous turning cicrle)

If they all sound a bit dull, steal £3k from somewhere and say many prayers and buy this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...

Edited by Gad-Westy on Thursday 7th October 16:55

[ZX10R NIN]

darren9 said:

We’ve just got a bullmastiff puppy which means one of the current cars (focus ST or mini) has to be replaced with something that’s capable of taking what will shortly be a massive hound.

I think I want the impossible (don’t we all when buying) …

I want the car to be comfortable and frugal enough for my 70mile commute each day.

It needs to be able to take 2 adults, 2 kids a mastiff and a french bulldog (though we don’t often go far with the dogs)

Id like it to be fairly interesting in some way. It needs to be good to drive and nice to look at.

Budget is about 13k

I’d quite like a 3*d touring Msport. But I don’t think they’re particularly big inside and we live in a rural location and struggled with a 1 series in winter due to its low suspension, wide tyres and RWD.

Is there anything that fits the criteria or should I just keep cramming the dog in the back of the focus?

You want the impossible, so go for the best compromise you can find.

My first pick is the Mercedes E350cdi you'll get a nicely spec'd one in budget you'll have space & with the 3.0d a nice amount of pace too, as well as being sensible fuel wise.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...

Or if you want it a bit more frugal there's the E250cdi, personally I feel the 350 is the better drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...

The XF would be next preferably in S Premium Luxury spec: They ride really well (better than the Mercedes/BMW/Audi) but they're a little less spacious so you may want to check one out for size:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...

But a Premium Luxury is still a nice option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...

Out of the mainstream options with a small stretch of the budget you could get a mew shape Insignia in Elite Nav spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

In terms of looking nice I think they look good in SRI VX Line 170 spec, they're also huge inside:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

The Mondeo Titanium 210 is a good pick but they're hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...

508 GT180 nice spec smart & a decent amount of go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110068...

Would a Focus ST185 Estate be big enough?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...

If it is then the V60 in D5 spec could be the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...

D4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110068...

Interesting/Alternate options:

V60 D6 Plug in Hybrid it'll be very frugal & fast:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

Insignia VXR it won't be frugal but it'll certainly be interesting

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...

508 RXH diesel hybrid it'll be frugal spacious & comfortable

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...

The E Class & XF's are the pick the 3.0d drivetrains mean a smoother more relaxed steer both will get up & go should the mood take you but when it doesn't they great family transport.

[aaron_2000]

If you can stretch the budget a little bit you could get into an A6 BiTDI for around £13500-£14k. A 535d would be a good one, I remember we had the whole family, luggage and an adult Newfy in one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

[Bendo]

Shout for the E Class here. I brought a lowly E220 s212 on a 65 plate as was more bothered about spec. Was concerned it would be slow but it's not excessively slow, big but here though, its such a big wafty car I've never felt like really pushing it. Just a nice relaxing cruiser. Maybe I'm getting old.

[georgeyboy12345]

No point in getting anything nice if it's going to get wrecked by dogs and kids

Get this Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi and be done with it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...


Some others if you don't want the Duster

Skoda Superb Outdoor TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...


Vauxhall Insignia CDTi Country
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...


Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...


BMW 320d xDrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...


Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

[ninjag]

2012+ (facelift) Jaguar XF 3.0d S Portfolio Sportbrake will tick a lot of boxes. You'll need winter or all-season tyres though for the snow.

At 275ps and 600Nm of torque with the parallel-sequential twin turbo there's plenty of power over the whole rev range with the excellent ZF8 transmission. Fantastically precise steering, rear self-levelling suspension and Jaguar's suspension trickery to make it excellent over our crap roads yet remains poised, very well insulated cabin allowing you to enjoy the top spec Meridian Surround Sound system, heated front windscreen, heated and cooled seats etc etc.

An extra bonus is that regular servicing is not luxury cost but merely standard prices with plenty of pattern parts available. The oil is extracted from the top if desired, the oil filter is on top for easy change etc.

I would have kept mine were it not for all the short journeys I do. If they did their 3.0 V6 supercharged petrol in estate guise then I would have bought one, but alas they don't so I had to move brand.

[flying-banana]

I'll suggest the XF as well, but consider the 2.2 diesel, you can get them remapped for an extra 40bhp...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021082767...

Also, slightly under budget, an Alfa 159? The 2.4 5cyl diesel & the 3.2 v6 are both available with 4wd...this isn't the best example, but really nice ones do appear from time to time...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021092878...

[CoreyDog]

We have a 50kg German Shepherd... Don't get a 3 Series Estate, it's just too small.

We started with a Volvo V50 Estate which worked for a while but he outgrew it so we now have a SMax Sport 240 but unfortunately that definitely won't tick your frugile option as it drinks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

These are very roomy in the back, fit our lad just fine, only reason went for S Max over one was we travel to Northern Scotland a few times a year and just needed that little extra room for luggage etc.

[addey]

This is a timely thread as I am in the market for a similar car. Was set on getting something petrol but there is so little choice if you want a bit of power. Now looking at the e-class and xf sportbrake with the 3.0 diesel, would be interested to know if there are any known issues with these engines?

[cayman-black]

That e class 350cdi that ZX10R posted up looks excellent, great engine also.

[darren9]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Some interesting stuff. I like the jaaaaaaags. But I’m a bit concerned that we’ll have the same issue of rwd fat tyres and slippery roads for a third of the year.

[Greg_D]

i worry that the saloons won't have enough head height for a full grown pony-dog, i'd be looking at some godawful suv type thing.

The actual answer is probably a ford galaxy ghia x, but strewth, you've really given up when you get one of those....

the alternative is a couple of grand shed midsize suv and the seats folded flat (or a small van)

[ZX10R NIN]

darren9 said:

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Some interesting stuff. I like the jaaaaaaags. But I’m a bit concerned that we’ll have the same issue of rwd fat tyres and slippery roads for a third of the year.

Get some decent cross climate/winter tyres & you'll be fine in all but the worst condition.

[flying-banana]

A Merc CLS....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091373...

[Swampy1982]

flying-banana said:

A Merc CLS....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091373...

I think you either missed, or underestimate the size if his dog...

[flying-banana]

Swampy1982 said:

flying-banana said:

A Merc CLS....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091373...

I think you either missed, or underestimate the size if his dog...

The floor space in the boot of a CLS estate is pretty big, not much height admittedly...but all my dogs over the years have nearly always laid down in the car rather than sit up

[biggbn]

Our 65kg lad loves my mini. Not much space for anything else though!!

[TeamBigfoot]

I would lean towards the bigger estates. I'd also think about how big your Bullmastiff will get. Usually the size of the mum and dad will give a good indication. Bullmastiffs can come in a spectrum of sizes.

Ours is one of the bigger ones (76kg) and doesn't fit into our Golf MK7 estate comfortably:



We also have a LWB R Class which is good for carrying him and family around. I'd also consider the height of the boot as you'll likely need a ramp as yours grows. Its not advised for them to be jumping in an out of car boots as it could put excess pressure on their joints and its pretty hard to lift a 50+ kg dog (especially when they're wet and muddy). Lots of folk use a ramp, which would need to be stored somewhere when on the move so that needs to be considered.

My starting point would be to look at the puppy's parents to get an idea of its fully grown size.

[Greg_D]

looking at the size of some of those, i'd definitely go for something like a galaxy, you will need the headroom...