10-15k Daily Driver / Dogmobile
Discussion
Given I don't want to put the dog in my F80 M3 and the missus' Citigo is a little too small for a Labrador, we're looking for a sensible second car to pick up dog duties and do a 50 mile round trip four times a week. Ideally something 3 years old with a decent amount of toys. I realise this price bracket probably puts us in boring hatchback/crossover SUV/estate territory, but the dream would be to have something automatic with adaptive cruise to ease the motorway miles. Guessing we'd be looking at petrol with that mileage.
Budget is 15k max ideally, but spending a bit less would be preferable.
I've gone round in circles considering practically everything, but a Vitara SZ5 seems to tick most of the boxes. Can't get an auto for under 15k though.
Decently specced Fabia estate an option? Help me out, my head hurts.
Budget is 15k max ideally, but spending a bit less would be preferable.
I've gone round in circles considering practically everything, but a Vitara SZ5 seems to tick most of the boxes. Can't get an auto for under 15k though.
Decently specced Fabia estate an option? Help me out, my head hurts.
ayeeTEA said:
Y
Hadn't thought of that but I'd rather not get into a finance deal given current deals being mostly pants.
Skoda Octavia Estate is what I would go for personally Hadn't thought of that but I'd rather not get into a finance deal given current deals being mostly pants.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209059...
Bannock said:
I'd sort of written off the Civic as I've owned a 2006 turbodiesel model in the past. Had it for 10 years or so before the electrics started to play up and got rid. Not a bad shout though, just not sure I could convince myself to go for another.ayeeTEA said:
Is a diesel the right choice when only doing 200-250 miles a week? Decent amount of car for the money, but just shy of one or two toys for my liking. I realise I'm probably asking too much at this budget.
It depends on the roads the car is travelling on - city / A road etcnigh on 1000 miles a month, I would favour the diesel as it would cost two tanks of fuel give or take.
ayeeTEA said:
Bannock said:
I'd sort of written off the Civic as I've owned a 2006 turbodiesel model in the past. Had it for 10 years or so before the electrics started to play up and got rid. Not a bad shout though, just not sure I could convince myself to go for another.I'm recommending it from the point of view of owning one currently and it seems to me that it's the car which does absolutely everything, and does it all very well. It's really a warm hatch disguised as an estate, it carries my family of 4 (inc. 2 teenagers of inexplicable tallness, and no, the milkman is a short arse), plus dog and luggage with aplomb. We went (minus dog) to Montenegro and back from the UK this summer for a long holiday, it performed brilliantly. Absolute reliability, too. It's a lovely thing to drive, really eager and responsive. Particular shout out to the slick TC auto gearbox, such a revelation after driving some DCT automated manuals. Revs to infinity and beyond. The Lord alone knows why SUVs are so popular and models like this get deleted by manufacturers, it's just so much better than any comparable size/budget SUV could possibly be in pretty much every regard.
To each his own!
I'm going to ignore a few of your criteria and suggest a QX70 (ideally in one of the 'S' trims)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207117...
I picked one up the same as above (but black) with slightly more miles for just under £15k a few months ago as a stop gap while the Mrs new Tucson is delayed (and delayed and delayed...). So impressed with it that we're thinking about just keeping it and binning the Tucson order!
Or save a bit of money and go for an FX.
Will fit a dog, automatic, adaptive cruise, heated & cooled electric seats, sunroof, electric tailgate, 3l Merc engine, adaptive suspension
MPG not great around town but we did a road trip in July and the economy was really surprising. Had a little over 3/4 tank in Dundee and drove to Chester and had a few day trips around there, then went over to Stoke area and had a couple of days back and forth to Alton Towers and only needed to fill up before we set off back up the road again. Had the cruise set at 80 for most of the way too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207117...
I picked one up the same as above (but black) with slightly more miles for just under £15k a few months ago as a stop gap while the Mrs new Tucson is delayed (and delayed and delayed...). So impressed with it that we're thinking about just keeping it and binning the Tucson order!
Or save a bit of money and go for an FX.
Will fit a dog, automatic, adaptive cruise, heated & cooled electric seats, sunroof, electric tailgate, 3l Merc engine, adaptive suspension
MPG not great around town but we did a road trip in July and the economy was really surprising. Had a little over 3/4 tank in Dundee and drove to Chester and had a few day trips around there, then went over to Stoke area and had a couple of days back and forth to Alton Towers and only needed to fill up before we set off back up the road again. Had the cruise set at 80 for most of the way too.
Edited by ilikejam on Friday 9th September 13:33
ayeeTEA said:
Pretty much a door to door motorway run.
25 miles of primarily motorway cruising? I'd go diesel, personally... If you were talking low speed crawls across town I would avoid it, but that sounds like the kind of trips that keep modern diesel emissions systems happy (ie: trouble free).I'd be looking at something a bit like this...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207197...
Volvo's 2.4 5-cyl diesel is a cracking engine with a bit of character and enough performance to keep things moving... And great seats as always with Volvo's.
Adaptive cruise I think was an option (definitely was on the S80 on the same platform) so you may be able to find one with it.
I'd definitely be avoiding the Socially Unacceptable Vehicles if it were me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207197...
Volvo's 2.4 5-cyl diesel is a cracking engine with a bit of character and enough performance to keep things moving... And great seats as always with Volvo's.
Adaptive cruise I think was an option (definitely was on the S80 on the same platform) so you may be able to find one with it.
I'd definitely be avoiding the Socially Unacceptable Vehicles if it were me

Edited by Brassblaster on Friday 9th September 14:27
I think the Skoda Karoq fits the bill for you to be honest. And you already have a Citigo so another Skoda shouldn’t be too bad.
I’d personally go for the 1.0 petrol as its an excellent engine and returns great MPG but the diesels are cheaper.
Has adaptive cruise as standard in most models and the DSG is a great box, quick and snappy.
Boring but just excellent.
This one is the fancy pants model, an SE-L, with the economical and trusty 1.6 TDI.
I’d go for at the very minimum SE Tech models as they have great kit as standard including Acc…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SE Tech models can be had from about £13.5
You could also look at it’s little sister, the Kamiq, but beware its pretty small (based on the Fabia) and also the spec is probably a bit worse.
There’s also the Kodiaq which is a lot bigger but more expensive.
This is the middle of the range option perfect for you.
It’s the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan/ Suzuki Vitara/ RAV4/ Kia Sportage etc..
I’d personally go for the 1.0 petrol as its an excellent engine and returns great MPG but the diesels are cheaper.
Has adaptive cruise as standard in most models and the DSG is a great box, quick and snappy.
Boring but just excellent.
This one is the fancy pants model, an SE-L, with the economical and trusty 1.6 TDI.
I’d go for at the very minimum SE Tech models as they have great kit as standard including Acc…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SE Tech models can be had from about £13.5
You could also look at it’s little sister, the Kamiq, but beware its pretty small (based on the Fabia) and also the spec is probably a bit worse.
There’s also the Kodiaq which is a lot bigger but more expensive.
This is the middle of the range option perfect for you.
It’s the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan/ Suzuki Vitara/ RAV4/ Kia Sportage etc..
Edited by VS02 on Friday 9th September 15:36
VS02 said:
I think the Skoda Karoq fits the bill for you to be honest. And you already have a Citigo so another Skoda shouldn’t be too bad.
I’d personally go for the 1.0 petrol as its an excellent engine and returns great MPG but the diesels are cheaper.
Has adaptive cruise as standard in most models and the DSG is a great box, quick and snappy.
Boring but just excellent.
This one is the fancy pants model, an SE-L, with the economical and trusty 1.6 TDI.
I’d go for at the very minimum SE Tech models as they have great kit as standard including Acc…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SE Tech models can be had from about £13.5
You could also look at it’s little sister, the Kamiq, but beware its pretty small (based on the Fabia) and also the spec is probably a bit worse.
There’s also the Kodiaq which is a lot bigger but more expensive.
This is the middle of the range option perfect for you.
It’s the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan/ Suzuki Vitara/ RAV4/ Kia Sportage etc..
Will be a bit soul destroying driving around that lump with 115bhp to pull it along, no?I’d personally go for the 1.0 petrol as its an excellent engine and returns great MPG but the diesels are cheaper.
Has adaptive cruise as standard in most models and the DSG is a great box, quick and snappy.
Boring but just excellent.
This one is the fancy pants model, an SE-L, with the economical and trusty 1.6 TDI.
I’d go for at the very minimum SE Tech models as they have great kit as standard including Acc…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SE Tech models can be had from about £13.5
You could also look at it’s little sister, the Kamiq, but beware its pretty small (based on the Fabia) and also the spec is probably a bit worse.
There’s also the Kodiaq which is a lot bigger but more expensive.
This is the middle of the range option perfect for you.
It’s the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan/ Suzuki Vitara/ RAV4/ Kia Sportage etc..
Edited by VS02 on Friday 9th September 15:36
Al U said:
Will be a bit soul destroying driving around that lump with 115bhp to pull it along, no?
Op asked for a dog wagon for some mediocre motorway miles. Just stick it on ACC and relax. No need for it to be the “ultimate driving machine” its just a generic 4x4 to be used as a means of transporting his canine friend.Its well kitted, extremely practical, comfy seats, nice interior, just boring to drive, but very safe and predictable. It’s Used car of the year 2022, What car 5* rating, and one of the best selling cars in the UK for good reason.
OP was interested in the Suzuki Vitara to start with, so I’d say I gave a pretty good suggestion.
Edited by VS02 on Friday 9th September 16:12
ayeeTEA said:
Given I don't want to put the dog in my F80 M3 and the missus' Citigo is a little too small for a Labrador, we're looking for a sensible second car to pick up dog duties and do a 50 mile round trip four times a week. Ideally something 3 years old with a decent amount of toys. I realise this price bracket probably puts us in boring hatchback/crossover SUV/estate territory, but the dream would be to have something automatic with adaptive cruise to ease the motorway miles. Guessing we'd be looking at petrol with that mileage.
Budget is 15k max ideally, but spending a bit less would be preferable.
I've gone round in circles considering practically everything, but a Vitara SZ5 seems to tick most of the boxes. Can't get an auto for under 15k though.
Decently specced Fabia estate an option? Help me out, my head hurts.
How big is your dog?Budget is 15k max ideally, but spending a bit less would be preferable.
I've gone round in circles considering practically everything, but a Vitara SZ5 seems to tick most of the boxes. Can't get an auto for under 15k though.
Decently specced Fabia estate an option? Help me out, my head hurts.
I ask this because a normal hatch can work.
In which case these three would be my picks.
Q30 diesel these come loaded with kit:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207167...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Petrol:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203153...
V40 R Design Pro D4:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...
T3:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207217...
308 GT diesel these have a huge boot:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208118...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208188...
Petrol
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208018...
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