any one suggest a 4x4, not too expensive, but looks good, must have big boot for big dogs.

Depends how big you need.  The Mitsubishi kingcabs are becoming increasinly popular.  We have one for work and it's very nice to drive and the dogs have masses of space in the back, plus you get the back seats.  We also use an Isuzu Trooper ocasionally which has hardly any room at all.  We have a Dhaitsu Fourtrak Fieldman for our own use which isn't the most comfortable and some would say didn't look good but it fits 6 dogs in comfort.

Helen

Don't think it's what your looking for but I've got my eye open for a cheap Landrover Defender. Looking at these I was suprised at how cheap Landrover Discovery's are on the second hand market!

Best wishes, John

We have a Toyota Hi-lux surf, they are a 4 seater plus the large boot area, and reasonably priced, you can pick up very low milage imports, with about 60,00 miles or lower for about £4,000, and plenty of room for the dogs

I'm with Britney, we have a Toyota Hi-Lux Surf (in fact we've had two in the past couple of months - saw one and then saw a better one shortly after!) and the boot is massive.  Plus the back seat folds down flat to increase the space if necessary.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Don't think it's what your looking for but I've got my eye open for a cheap Landrover Defender. Looking at these I was suprised at how cheap Landrover Discovery's are on the second hand market!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thats probabaly because all the feed back I got from them when I was looking for a 4x4 was they go wrong very easily and cost alot to repair!!!!!! Not the best vehicles to buy second hand(and thats from a guy who sells nearly new second hand vehicles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(just what I heard from 2 different sources!!!!!!)
HTH
Lea

About the biggest boot on a 4x4 is the Toyota Landcruiser Amazon or the Nissan Patrol.  Maybe a second hand one?  Very reliable the Toyotas.
Dawn.

I often look longingly at the Defenders, I would love one (Took my test on a SWB series 2a,and had a long line of Land Rovers, SWB & LWB, up till about 10 years ago - all 2ndhand!)  However,  I love the fuel consumption and easy drive of my Mercedes A Class, so I will keep on looking, but keep the cheque book in the pocket.

Friend has a Pajero (which is same as a shogun, but some sort of grey import I think) spacious in the back, very roomy in the front, and she says a dream to drive.
bye
Gwen

I have recently got a Nissan Xtrail and am delighted with it so far. Reasonably priced, good mpg, comfortable drive and great reviews. I have taken out the back seat and put in a large custom built cage for the dogs because I need the boot for other gear.

I have a Mitsubishi Pajero, I can fit 3 big Labradors comfortably in the 'boot' or the back seat folds into itself and tucks away behind the front seats, leaving the whole back space free for upto 6 hairy passengers. I drive up and down the country to shows, Yorkshire was 5 1/2 hrs without a stretch, I'm driving to Scotland for a mating at the end of the year and I'm looking forward to the drive, so is Mason :)  fuel consumption is good, especially on a long run. They are classed as an 'Import' but you just have to have an immobiliser fitted for insurance purposes. On human days out I've had 7 comfortable passengers with all their luggage :)

I have had my Nissan X-Trail for nearly a year and the other day had in it,
Double crate in the back with 2 Dobes
Rigid agility tunnel
2 jumps (home made and v. solid :)  )
rigid plastic garden chair
tray of tomato plants
the "fridge" that lives in the car anyway
Husband and two plastic boxes of his tools
large bag
+ all the other stuff that lives in the car anyway.
~~

I have a diesel and it I generally seem to get around 40 mpg so it is much more economical than many of the other 4 x 4's.  This may be because I generally drive in the two wheel mode

Trouble is, there is not much alternative to a Defender for carrying 300 gallons of water in open barrels across a bumpy field or sitting in wearing an inch thick layer of mud! Plenty of 4WD's but not many workhorses.

Best wishes, John

Rob reckons the land rover is THE best work horse.  We've had one sat outside for over a year waiting for an engine to be put in.  Now the fourtrak is starting to cause problems, I think it will happen quite soon :-D

Helen

I would love a Defender but having lost my car expert (and fixer) recently I am wary about buying one.  Does anyone know what they are like regarding reliability and running/repair costs?

Fi

I'm the proud owner of a Defender, they aren't the most economical but they sure make up for it!!  Great to own, ideal workhorse!! They are for the rough and tumbler mind, when it rains its nothing to have rain dribbling in the door down your leg, leaks are the norm!! Well, it is with the fellow landie owners I know!!  and I suggest investing in some thermals and a good hat in the winter, the heaters are reasonably good but there's lots of draughts!!!  But I have to confess I love it!! :) I wouldn't be without mine absolutely love it!! As I understand it, and I suppose like with most things, the newer models have lots more on/with them, and as I always say, the more there is, the more to go wrong!  Touch wood and all that,  I've been lucky enough to find mine reliable and reasonable to run, but then I'm biases I'm a landie lover!!! :)