Dog Estate, £5k for canine, boat tow and continental duties
Discussion
So an amalgamation of an old past thread and where I'm at now...
This is my predicament, currently I have an MX5 as my 2nd car, a yellow Mk1. It's low, bumpy (on BC racing coil overs) and noisy, but great fun, so used for alternative commuting transport when the weather is looking dryish, local weekend transport when the sun is out and not a lot else. It also steps in as transport when either my day to day vehicle (VW T4 van used as a mobile surf shed/camper/daily driver) is at the garage, or the girlfriend's Corsa is at the garage.
We now have this:
So the dog has arrived and an MX5 isn't ideal, the dog has a fair bit of growing to do. Basically the car will have to be used as main dog transport as there is limited room in the van for dog + surf boards (the dog is only 13 weeks in the photo and has a lot of growing to do), and the girlfriend doesn't want her car becoming a dog smelling shed. It'll have to do continental trips to France, Austria and beyond, so not too horrific on fuel (a previous XJR averaged 23mpg, 30 would be better on a long run).It may also be used for sporadic boat towing and launch duties (a small Rib, looking to get a slightly larger one that will be circa 1te inc trailer). Being handy in the odd snow dump we have here on the Yorkshire Moors would also be a plus. And some character of some sort.
Therefore thoughts on vehicles for dog have progressed to (using some previous input):
Disco 2 TD5
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways, a Landrover, 4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, high driving position, like the light leather interiors
Cons: Slow, rear chassis rust, leaking sunroofs, bits and pieces to keep on top of. ACE/air bag rear suspension & 3 amigos, fuel consumption, a bit pricey for an old wagon (£4-5k for a facelift in good nick)....
Audi A6 C5 TDi Allroad manual:
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, fuel consumption ok for continental trips. Probably cheaper than a Disco 2. Can raise the suspension..
Cons: Air suspension. Chocolate cams?
Audi A6 C5 2.5TDi V6 avant:
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, fuel consumption reasonable for continental trips. No air suspension. Probably cheaper than an Allroad
Cons: Chocolate cams? Less "different". Can't raise the suspension.
Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B Manual
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, Flat 6. Probably cheaper than a Disco 2. Probably more reliable than all the above.
Cons: Fuel consumption. Specifc parts, rusty suspension struts.
Any further ideas for dog/boat transport? Given I don't like many of the sportage/hilux surf/shogun sport type off roaders. £5k max as it'll be a 3rd vehicle, 4wd preferable but not necessarily essential (as a grey fergie is looking very likely for home based boat launching to its mooring).
No rush, I'll probably only get round to doing some purchasing in May/June
! In the meantime my van is now officially full with a dog crate and struggles to fit surfboards in 
This is my predicament, currently I have an MX5 as my 2nd car, a yellow Mk1. It's low, bumpy (on BC racing coil overs) and noisy, but great fun, so used for alternative commuting transport when the weather is looking dryish, local weekend transport when the sun is out and not a lot else. It also steps in as transport when either my day to day vehicle (VW T4 van used as a mobile surf shed/camper/daily driver) is at the garage, or the girlfriend's Corsa is at the garage.
We now have this:
So the dog has arrived and an MX5 isn't ideal, the dog has a fair bit of growing to do. Basically the car will have to be used as main dog transport as there is limited room in the van for dog + surf boards (the dog is only 13 weeks in the photo and has a lot of growing to do), and the girlfriend doesn't want her car becoming a dog smelling shed. It'll have to do continental trips to France, Austria and beyond, so not too horrific on fuel (a previous XJR averaged 23mpg, 30 would be better on a long run).It may also be used for sporadic boat towing and launch duties (a small Rib, looking to get a slightly larger one that will be circa 1te inc trailer). Being handy in the odd snow dump we have here on the Yorkshire Moors would also be a plus. And some character of some sort.
Therefore thoughts on vehicles for dog have progressed to (using some previous input):
Disco 2 TD5
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways, a Landrover, 4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, high driving position, like the light leather interiors
Cons: Slow, rear chassis rust, leaking sunroofs, bits and pieces to keep on top of. ACE/air bag rear suspension & 3 amigos, fuel consumption, a bit pricey for an old wagon (£4-5k for a facelift in good nick)....
Audi A6 C5 TDi Allroad manual:
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, fuel consumption ok for continental trips. Probably cheaper than a Disco 2. Can raise the suspension..
Cons: Air suspension. Chocolate cams?
Audi A6 C5 2.5TDi V6 avant:
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, fuel consumption reasonable for continental trips. No air suspension. Probably cheaper than an Allroad
Cons: Chocolate cams? Less "different". Can't raise the suspension.
Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B Manual
Pros: 4wd, can tow boat and launch on slippy slipways,4wd for in snow on t'Yorkshire Moors, Flat 6. Probably cheaper than a Disco 2. Probably more reliable than all the above.
Cons: Fuel consumption. Specifc parts, rusty suspension struts.
Any further ideas for dog/boat transport? Given I don't like many of the sportage/hilux surf/shogun sport type off roaders. £5k max as it'll be a 3rd vehicle, 4wd preferable but not necessarily essential (as a grey fergie is looking very likely for home based boat launching to its mooring).
No rush, I'll probably only get round to doing some purchasing in May/June
! In the meantime my van is now officially full with a dog crate and struggles to fit surfboards in Edited by TiminYorkshire on Monday 6th March 20:48
spookly said:
Estate?? That dog isn't very big even if he's going to grow.
He's still growing!
He should be pointer size when he's finished (being a wire haired Vizsla), not huge, but not titchy. I understand he could go on the back seats quite happily, but when we go places we take tonnes of rubbish (bikes, boards etc.) and when friends and family are staying a 5/7 seater plus boot for the dog is a big plus, then only one person has to miss out on the Black Sheep!
otolith said:
I got an E320cdi Merc estate for the same sort of budget and a GSD sized dog problem. It's a 7-seater too, though two of the are folding jump seats in the boot.
Is that the earlier IL6 or the V6? How are you finding the maintenance? Could be suitable apart from boat launch duties, but that's lower down the list, I guess it would tow well.Speed addicted said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Something like this?
I bought a Legacy 2.5 (for about half your budget) as a utility car because they're typically reliable and decently enjoyable to drive.
Legacy and Outbacks are under consideration, happy to pay less than £5k! Out of interest how big is the Legacy tank and what kind of range do you get on it? Once upon a time I had an old '96 GTB and the tank was pitifully small, made long trips a bit of a chore.Something like this?
I bought a Legacy 2.5 (for about half your budget) as a utility car because they're typically reliable and decently enjoyable to drive.
Edited by TiminYorkshire on Tuesday 7th March 08:16
I launch my current Rib (a small 4m Avon Searider) using my T4 van, on to its mooring so launch and recovery only once a year at high tide. Potentially we might be upgrading to a 5.4m searider with a view to trailing it to the west coast of Scotland may be once a year, so launching requirements are lower down the pecking order, more of a nice to have...
Do the A6 (C6) have any big issues to look out for? And are they "proper" Quattro or haldex like some of the other VAG group?
I didn't realise those newer Grand Cherokees were so cheap! The girlfriend thinks the older ones look old mannish, but I may try and get her to look at/try one of the 3.0crds.
Do the A6 (C6) have any big issues to look out for? And are they "proper" Quattro or haldex like some of the other VAG group?
I didn't realise those newer Grand Cherokees were so cheap! The girlfriend thinks the older ones look old mannish, but I may try and get her to look at/try one of the 3.0crds.
Edited by TiminYorkshire on Tuesday 7th March 11:49 Cherokee stuff
Edited by TiminYorkshire on Tuesday 7th March 11:50
TurboHatchback said:
My personal biased opinion would be towards a WK Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Overland. They have the best 4x4 system in the business and are noticeably faster and more refined than any other proper 4x4 at the price point.
Just has a more detailed look, power performance and even fuel consumption looks pretty good on these as far as proper 4x4s go, it looks like a nice compromise. How do you find yours in the real world? Pros and cons of ownership?
Have you used it in the snow at all?
TobyLerone said:
I had one of these, with 200k miles on it. The integrated metal folding down dog grate was a tidy little idea. A simple, but nice thing to have that I've missed on all my cars since.
The D5 engine is a tough engine, and didn't give me any issues. Parts are pricey if you need anything though.
Basic, AWD, good car. Id happily have another.
Only issue is that they're haldex type 4wd, and if getting 4wd I'd prefer something with a more full time system. I've mentioned D5 V70s of the fwd variety before, the girlfriend thinks they look like a hearse so although I'm a fan they may be off the menu...The D5 engine is a tough engine, and didn't give me any issues. Parts are pricey if you need anything though.
Basic, AWD, good car. Id happily have another.
I've looked at 3 Overland 3.0CRDs so far, two with oil leaks and one was just shabby in general, so finding a nice one that isn't at the other end of the country is proving difficult.
This has got me considering Disco TD5s again, but the chassis rot on them is putting me off even though I like their aesthetic/space/truck like appeal.
I'm also thing about Outback 3.0Rns, I like the idea of the panoramic sun roof, and probably adequate for launching the rib off a slipway if we go further afield (I have an old tractor for launching it on to its mooring at home now). The Subaru seems sensible with the added attraction of some performance.
3 different cars all with their pros and cons. The budget has crept up as I've saved more, although I don't want to spend it if I don't have to. Apologies for thinking out loud, I'm bored of checking the classifieds, I guess it's time to start travelling further afield to look at vehicles....
This has got me considering Disco TD5s again, but the chassis rot on them is putting me off even though I like their aesthetic/space/truck like appeal.
I'm also thing about Outback 3.0Rns, I like the idea of the panoramic sun roof, and probably adequate for launching the rib off a slipway if we go further afield (I have an old tractor for launching it on to its mooring at home now). The Subaru seems sensible with the added attraction of some performance.
3 different cars all with their pros and cons. The budget has crept up as I've saved more, although I don't want to spend it if I don't have to. Apologies for thinking out loud, I'm bored of checking the classifieds, I guess it's time to start travelling further afield to look at vehicles....
Edited by TiminYorkshire on Thursday 27th July 14:48
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff