My fiesta has died, had it's MOT today and has failed so badly it would cost about £400 for the repairs just for it to pass and it's got a list of advisories as long as my arm. It's my first car so I feel really sorry about it but in my heart I think I'd be better off using the repair money with my savings to get a new(used) car.
I need something a little bigger anyway as the fiesta is a little cramped for the doggies and all their luggage when I go places.
What is a good car for two dogs (and I'd like a third in the future)?
Does anyone know of a wonder car that will run on water, cost nothing to insure and never ever break? :)

I went from a Fiesta to a Ford Fusion.  It's virtually identical, but with a slightly bigger boot and no bottom 'lip' to the boot (making it easier for dogs to jump in).  It's not the coolest or trendiest car, but I'm happy with it so far... it's nearly as nippy as the Fiesta.  Ideally I would have liked an estate, but they are sooo much more expensive to buy, a Fusion seemed a nice compromise.  Oh, and 3 Labs fit in the boot just about (although they do all snuggle in together...)

I love my Skoda Roomster 2, not as expensive as the estates, fits 2-3 Beardies in with gear very easily!

Kay

When I lost my partner there was a bit of compo and a car was the most important thing for me to buy as sometimes have problems getting around. I did loads and loads of research including those Europe test thingies (cant remember what they are called.) Over and over I came up with Skoda. I bought an eighteen month old Skoda Octavia five years ago. Cheap to run. Very roomy with a humungous boot and very very reliable. Hope not tempting fate but in those five years had no trouble whatsoever. Looks good too. Skoda are definitely not what they used to be!!

> Skoda are definitely not what they used to be!!

In all honesty, they have a VW engine, so would expect the highest rate of reliability.  My VW is the best runner, and although she's going soon, I love the cars.  Being an impatient so and so, I expect a car to start immediately!  Yes, I would guess the Skoda to be reliable.  Good suggestion.

well iv had a mini copper (the old one) a ford granada , a peuguot 205, a vauxhall caviler, then a Nissan primera, a vauxhall vectra, honda accord.now a vw golf, gotta say longest runner and best car of all with the least repairs needed over 5 years and it was a p reg plate high miles when i bought it for £650.00 at auction was my Nissan primera Big hatch back boot to best car iv ever had,

oh and even when i thought this car was dead the rac came out and got her going for me and told me the engine sounded great still i was however planing to get another car anyhow so i scraped it for £70.00 and this was over year ago now and if i check the number plate on dvla web site its still taxed so is still running :-)

I have a VW passatt and it's just great...loads of room in the back I can get Three Bernies in for short trips and two for longer trips. It's nice to drive and runs of fresh air. With the back seats down I could get 4 in easily. I love it but sadly may have to trade it in for ....I am thinking a Vito?? Now that Wizzy Woo is a vetran I am going to take her out to show a bit so need the extra space without putting the seat down.
Aileen

Cheers for all the suggestions, I have no clue about cars so was feeling really daunted about what to look at. Going to start looking now that I've got some ideas and my mechanic neighbour said he would come with me to check out any I fancy, which is a relief :)

I loved my Vauxhall Astra estates and will go back to them eventually , but at the mo i have a Citroen Picasso which is lovely and roomy and you sit up higher to drive .  Also had no probs for 4 years so will be having another while the kids are little .

I've had Vauxhall's and VW's both great going cars, would go back to them in a minute, if I didnt have 8 dogs!
Vauxhall Astra Estates, have plenty of room and lovely to drive, as is the VW Golf's.

I had a Kia Carens diesel nice car, comfortable big boot area. Just got a mini car (Toyota IQ) and unlike James MAy (Top Gear) with the seats down I fit a cocker and border collie in fine.

But for two bigger dogs and one more on the way Kia's are a cheaper car, and good runners with a 7 year gurarantee.

I'd like to say that diesel engines are probably cheapest to run and most reliable if you are doing lots of longer distances.
This is just my opinion on cars my knowledge is probably limited, and it really is a very subjective topic.

Karen :)

I had a Toyota Corolla, I loved it, my dad still his it's the 1.4 Corolla and I can fold the back seats flat and put the dog crate in, and it's a big crate!  I also used a dog guard in mine with no problems. 

just swapped(6 days ago) from citroen zx estate to a citroen berlingo. big enough for 2 dog crate in back with back seats still up, more than double if you put seats down. I have the 2lt HDi diesel which is MORE economical than the 1900 cc engine, its only £145 tax and reasonably insurance. compared to the old zx it feels a bit like a tardis inside with all the space and has load of pockets and cubby-holes for bits :-) Had citroens for the last 30+ years and v reliable.
Chris

On my 7th Astra Estate.  I change them every 3 years ....  Just a brilliant workhorse. 

I have a VW Golf hatchback and on a short journey at a squeeze i can get 2 Berner's in the boot and with the back seats down i can get 2 Berner's and a Lab and there is still room.
I'm going to stay with this for now, even though i so want a new car and have a list with the top being a Volvo V70 estate, VW Passett estate and then potentially a can either the VW Transporter or the Merc Vito. But with little money to buy something new i will wait and see next year or at least until this one dies, which i hope is not soon.
VW Golf is diesel 1.9 GT TDI and runs around 45-50mpg, so very economical.

Ive got a renault scenic and I love it.  Lots of space for the dogs and all the other bits and pieces and when I first got it I couldnt believe how many little hidey holes it has to store away lots of things you dont use that often.  If I were to change my car (which dont think is on the cards for a bit) I would definately get another.