Exciting car big enough for a large dog

[KaoGeorge]

Looking for ideas for a car that has a big enough boot for a large Labrador but is also fun to take down some twisty country lanes. So probably an estate or suv and around 25k. Am only 23 though so needs relatively affordable insurance. Currently have a mapped megane rs 250 and don’t want to have to give up on having something fun.

Cheers

[ZX10R NIN]

CLA45 Estate if you can find one.

RS3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045...

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

Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275...

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

Or keep the Megane & buy an Insignia VXR estate:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102088...

[samoht]

W204 C63 estate would be the obvious suggestion, don't know if it's big enough or if you'll get insured.
RS4 is the other obvious equivalent.

[James-gbg1e]

I think a C43 (mine, also have a lab) or the C63 are going to be out of reach on price and/or age.

I think you'd enjoy a Seat Leon Cupra ST, or a Golf R Estate given your current car, budget and age. Both effectively the same car, both AWD, 300bhp~ and family/dog friendly.

Can recommend Travall (brand) for boot kit, I have the dog guard, rubber mat and boot divider in mine. Means you can pack up the boot nicely whilst doggo gets the other half, and doesn't rattle!

[KaoGeorge]

Thanks for the suggestions. The boot kit is interesting I’ll look into that as well

[biggbn]

Volvo v60 t6 polestar? Under the radar, kinda classy, likely to have been sympathetically owned?

[samoht]

Mk3 facelift Focus ST Estate might also be an option, eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106113...

[dmsims]

We had a Lab and a Toller in the back of a Golf GTE so I would say any hatchback!

[James-gbg1e]

Something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021071449...

Travall set for it:

https://www.travall.co.uk/seat/safety-plus-pack-td...

Waiting for my snow foam to drip off the car so thought I'd be helpful (or not) :-)

FWIW I had 24 months in a Cupra (MY18) and didn't have any issues. Superb car for blasting about the lanes in, very sleeper too. With a remap they respond very nicely too.

[OldGermanHeaps]

3l allroad with a remap. Sporty when you want it, goes like fk, comfy at the twiddle of a knob and cheap to run.

[ninjag]

S4 B8.5 Avant should be right on your budget. Supercharged AWD fun with a very tunable engine. Make sure it's the late 2014 CREC engine to avoid valve carbon build up.

[RDMcG]

I have used a Cayenne V8 for years for my Great Danes from puppyhood to old age...has worked very well:

[James-gbg1e]

RDMcG said:

I have used a Cayenne V8 for years for my Great Danes from puppyhood to old age...has worked very well:

SUV's are too high for most dogs though, especially as they get older. Needlessly so when estates exist.

[RDMcG]

James-gbg1e said:

SUV's are too high for most dogs though, especially as they get older. Needlessly so when estates exist.

Five dogs and no problems. If I had a little dog that might be different. In my case I have a Panamera ST which does estate duty but does not have the vertical space for an energetic large dog, and is less suitable for heavy duty towing.

[neil-c]

I would have to say that dog ownership and the requirement for some fun element would certainly steer towards an estate/hatch rather than an SUV. I have a large SUV and a lab myself and it’s a fair jump when they’re young or old. I had the car before the dog otherwise it would have been a different choice. Do you need an estate? Are you intending carrying stuff as well as the dog? Holidays, camping trips? If not then a hatch will be fine. If you do feel you need an estate then I think your options have pretty much been covered. I’d add a Skoda Octavia VRS petrol estate and a BMW 340 touring might just sneak into your budget. Have to saw though a V60 polestar is probably the most interesting car.

Saw the focus ST estate mentioned above. I was looking at swapping the wife’s car out at the start of the year and could get a new model ST estate for 25k back then. As I’m sure you’re aware you really are buying in a sellers market.

Like the look of that travel system though, was precious looking at crates for about £400 but that system looks much more practical.

Edited by neil-c on Sunday 15th August 22:08

[21ATS]

Milo the Goldendoodle in the back of our Audi S6, with his mate Buddy.

[AJB88]

Bought a "cheap" SAAB 9-3 Aero V6 estate for our 2 dogs (Husky and Wolfdog). Same engine as the Vectra VXR and Insignia VXR.

[biggbn]

The big lad and the wee fella in the back of my mini...

[KaoGeorge]

Yeah I think it will probably end up being an estate. My mrs has an a class at the moment but because of the angle of the back seats their isn’t actually that much space in the boot for a dog. So I guess a hatchback is possible but it would need to be able to carry other things as well as the dog.

[dunc69]

Octavia vRS Petrol DSG Estate. Quick enough, really roomy, good fun.

Easily mapped if more pace required. Enough to cover a wide budget. Good luck!