Although I have 4  large and 1 medium sized dogs they rarely all go in the car at once. I currently have a Honda CRV and although I love it I'm getting fed up with the high costs which come with running it (insurance, road tax, petrol, tyres etc) so was thinking of downsizing. Can any of you doggie people recommend a small car suitable for carrying a couple of people with a few dogs. I don't really do much mileage but what mileage I do do is usually with a couple of dogs.

My initial thoughts were a Honda Jazz or Nissan Note.

Citroen Berlingo :)

Got a full size crate from apeople carrier in the back minus the back seats (didn't want to fork out for a new crate!)

but plenty of room and loads of cubby holes for stashing stuff!

I have honda jazz and gsd wouldn't recommend if large dogs unless you put the back seats down then of course you will only have room for one passenge I usually ignore the boot and dogs go on back seat then its fine for dogs but still only one passenger if that matters to you. Nice small car thoughr

I'm not fussed about passengers, so would probably have to back seats flat on a permanent basis.

Can't beat a Micra in my opinion, but I don't know if that's too small? I can fit 3 small spaniels on the back seat with harnesses.

Only time my back seat has been up is to stop the cage moving are you supposed to ask people to sit on it?

My car has a lot of room in the back with the seats down, which remain down all the time. It is very ecomonical and the tax isn't that high either. I have a Golf Mark 4, which is an 02 plate. Its diesel and its also for sale :-), comes with tailgate too from Barjo..

My previous car was a skoda fabia that was good more room with seats up in the boot but generally seats down good space. Great little car wouldnt hesitate to get another and well priced and relaiable The do a sort of 4x4  thingy that may be worth a look. Mind suejaw seems to have an idea there lol 

I love my ford Transit Connect, the dog can have the whole back, its like a dog kennel on wheels. Some vans are kitted out divided into sections to separate dogs and for equipment. I would never go back to a car.

I have a Citroen Picasso, diesel 1998cc. It's excellent on fuel - 43mpg and upwards around the town and up to 55-60mpg on a run. Tax is £120 pa (might be £125 I can't remember). The cargo space fits a big crate (made to measure) for a GR and a small terrier cross. Seats fold flat and there is a huge amount of room in it. I collected a three seater settee in it for my daughter and managed to shut the tailgate as well - seats out for that one though.

This is the third one I have had and they have all been brilliant - touch wood :-O

When I changed my Polo, I did look at the Nissan Note, but glad that I didn't get it now.  I decided on the Toyota Auris.  Plenty of space (I put the back seats down for 3 Collies) and I don't run a car for passengers, so that's fine for me.  I could easily get a few Yorkies and Chi's in too if it was really necessary!

It comes up as an "A" rating for safety - there are 7 airbags and it has the one factor that pleases my aging bones.  When you have driven a million miles to a show, and get out of the car bent double with back ache, it does take a while to feel human again.  The Auris is a dream, holds the spine so, so comfortable.  Oh boy, showing my age!

I was amazed at how low the insurance was, and it's low road tax too.

Hi,
I have a Fiat 500 (new model) as my run around and with the back seats down I can get one of my bullmastiffs and a couple of pugs in quite easily.
£35 a year tax, low insurance and 57/60 mpg (depending how fast you drive!). At a push I have had two of my bullies in there for quick trip to the vets/park etc, when my van was being serviced. It's a great little car.
Regards
Karen

Kia Cerato.  I can fit in a Glodie, Rough Collie and two shiddies along with a crates suitcases and shopping for going away.  Not to metion all the grooming stuff, including shampoos (lol).  Then you come back with more.  Last time i came back with a table and dog bed that used to shower them.  Mind you, we also managed to put it all in a Citroen lol.  The kia had more room.

My old Escort was excellent for boot space.  Told a Toyota will match the Kia for space.

Ive got an IQ Toyota looks tiny but I use it with me ,OH and a BC and Cocker. 60MPG tax exempt but its small. I go up and down to Kent in it with the dogs.

Have you looked at the Vauxhall Meriva?  It's a great 5 seater, 5 door  car but the back seats drop down and lie flush with the boot space to make a smashing dog area.  I've got 5 though usually don't carry all of them together.  I have had 4 in the back though - 3 big dogs and a little one.

Ford fusion...lot of car spec and space for your money as it never qute found its place in the market..wasnt marketed well and missed its target apparantly but is cheap and easy to find on parts, economical and nice to drive with a low back...an ideal dog car and hopefully my next!

Renault kangoo- best of both worlds especially with back seats down- HUge amount of space, cheap insurance, great mpg and very reliable (unless you forget to top with coolant and blow the engine :O)

> Ive got an IQ Toyota

Went to have a look at Toyota's yesterday and was quite pleasantly surprised at the space in the back of the IQ. The 5 dogs don't generally travel together and I'm sure I could get a couple in there. I'd just like to be able to put a tailgate guard so I could leave the back open at agility training and shows. I rarely have passengers so that wouldn't be a problem. How is the comfort/ride quality when traveling on motorways etc. I've only done 33,000 miles in my current car (54 plate) and really can't justify the "luxury" of a big car for the costs involved in running it and the small mileage I do.

Also had a look at the Honda Jazz and the "magic" seats at the back make for a very large boot area which is also completely flat.

Think I might just have to have some test drives.

> Think I might just have to have some test drives.

Would 100% agree with that.  I have a friend that bought the Toyota Avensis without test driving.  I borrowed it several times before I was ready to buy my new car.  I tested the Auris and the Yaris.  Ended up with the Auris for the fabulous comfort.  I have the far better car than my friend, who forked out far more than me. I cannot believe he didn't test drive.

>> Also had a look at the Honda Jazz and the "magic" seats at the back make for a very large boot area which is also completely flat.

I had a honda jazz for 5 years and absolutely loved it.  I used to flip the back seat up so there was a large space where the back seats should be and also had a seperate boot space.  this was when the 2 dogs couldn't be trusted together in the boot!  The jazz is like a tardis and the amount of space when the back seats are folded flat down is amazing.

the down side to the Jazz is that unless you have a boot liner it does smell of dog and its a smell thats hard to shift as there is so much carpet in it.  I also had some problems with the car in the 5 years (needed a new gear box and the seals on the windows leaked) BUT even though it was out of standard warranty Honda fixed both of these at no cost to myself.  the customer service that goes with Honda is fantastic and I found that everything was done no quibble.

Go for a jazz, they are idiot proof to drive, very flexible, reliable and although they are usually driven by pensioners they are quite nippy wee motors.

I've had Honda's for the last 12 years, so know the customer service and quality of the cars. I think I'm really going to notice the difference having had a "luxury" 4x4 for ages, but what's the point in spending out on it when it's hardly used?

Will definitely book some test drives before making a decision.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I love my IQ as I saidI go to Kent which is about 100 miles (we are in Hampshire). Have a  TEST DRIVE ITS A HOOT, you can turn it on a sixpence and I get 60mpg on a run. I usually cruise at about 75/80mph. On short runs around town ect I get 48mpg ish and then its usually me and Whistler & Jake (Collie & Cocker) and they can both lie down, they do a nice boot cover. But I went to halfords and got a big green boot cover thing. The only downside I can see is I have to lift Whistler he will not jump but it is quite big for what is a tiny car. Good luck on yor buy.
Viv
X

Thanks Viv, I'll let you know how I get on!

Well, I'm in a dilemma now!

Test drove the IQ on Thursday and loved it but still have a nagging doubt in the back of my mind regarding space in the back for the dogs. A friend brought hers to agility training on Tuesday to show me her Flatcoat in situ and there was plenty of space for her. How do you secure your dogs in the back Whistler? My friend usually uses a harness. Also, my Mother (89) would also be driving it, only a couple of times a week on very short journeys, and she feels it is only half a car and not safe (despite the 5 star safety rating). I love the quirky look and all the spec. which comes as standard.

Test drove the Jazz today, which my Mum prefers (it's more like a car!) and I'm sure would be more adaptable for the dogs and I'm sure I could fit a crate into it. But it somehow seems like a "pensioners" car (sorry to any Jazz owners!).

Oh, what to do?????

> Oh, what to do?????

Keep on looking at other makes and models in which you're both happy?

I know what your mum means by feeling safe. I would never ever entertain the idea of a Ford KA, Peugout 106 or a Citroen Saxo.. None have very good impact factors and would easily be crushed in a serious RTC. I like my vehicles to have substance to them and after being to a few RTC's and viewing photos of some and seeing what can happen I was very happy with the outcome of most Volvo's and also the German makes. Not all 4x4's are great safety wise either. The Vitara is not very safe.

> Test drove the Jazz today, which my Mum prefers (it's more like a car!) and I'm sure would be more adaptable for the dogs and I'm sure I could fit a crate into it. But it somehow seems like a "pensioners" car (sorry to any Jazz owners!).

ROFL, it is!!  I had mine for 5 years as I fell in love with how simple it is after driving my friends Jazz.  I was won over with all the awards it won, how easy it was to drive, the space etc but it was only after I bought it that I realised how rare it is to see anyone other than pensioners driving them.  They feel quite nippy when you drive them but the only people who identify with you are Sunday drivers and people heading to the post office to pick up their pension lol

When I travel distances they are on the back seat belted in, short journies 2 to 3 miles they just sit in the back. Its also got abot 9 airbags ect...  so really safe but Im a convert cause it is so cheap to run, and so easy to park.

Had another test drive in the IQ today, and I still love it, but no matter what I say Mum doesn't like it so we've opted for a Yaris on the proviso that when she stops driving I'll get my IQ (she is 89 so can't go on driving forever!).

I know its addictive, glad you are settled but when she gives up driving!! Ive called mine "Beryl" first car I have ever named Im having such fun in it. The IQ fills a market really I can fit three adults and my son's are 6 5" & 6 3" easily with me and Whistler, its a big car front and a small on rear - I love it!!