I'm looking at getting a new car in the next sort of year (depending on circumstances then, anyway). I under 21 so my biggest issue is car insurance, I'm looking to spend up to £8k for something up to 3 years old, or £15k if brand new.

I have a vauxhall corsa at the moment which just fits in a double decker dog trolley, dog stuff, chairs, etc but has the back seats folded down. The dog then sits on the passengers knee in the front or if I'm on my own on the front seat with a harness/belt which isn't ideal. Everything moves and slides round in the boot too which can be distracting and possibly dangerous (although has been ok so far - in an emergency brake I'm not sure something wouldn't go flying).

I'm currently considering a few different cars, all have pro's/con's but I can't really stuff it with all my doggie gear to test it. I'm currently considering these cars-

Hyundai I30 - I haven't had a good look at one of these, but they are nicely within my budget and are good on insurance and running costs. Boot space looks on, but some pictures show the seats completely flat where others they tilt up. I'd hope a 5 door would fit a cage and dog trolley in the back.

Ford Fiesta - Love this car (to drive and appearance), and it is good on running costs and within budget too. With this I would hope to have dog trolley etc in the boot and cage on the back seat as the 5 door seems pretty spacious. They really hold their value too!

Suzuki Swift - I've looked at a few of these and like the low boot which is good for a cage but you can also put a ledge in which levels the boot with the back seats when you fold them flat. This seemed really good for doggy stuff. They are good value to buy second hand, but they drop it a lot more quickly than the fiesta.

VW Polo - My least favorite, but still suitable/being considered. It seems to have good boot space, however feels smaller than the others. I'm considering a golf, however could only find them within my 'budget' at 4/5 years old and with vvv high mileage. I could get an estate, although the whole costs of a golf are more (insurance, petrol, etc) so its probably not going to be the best choice despite having more space.

I've considered Kias (Cee'd and Rio) but they seem very basic and old fashioned inside, and I'm wanting a car I'm going to enjoy driving daily rather than just a car for shows. The same with a Meriva, which is massive inside but has bad reviews.

I only have a toy breed but would like more space in the car when going to a show, so its not as much of a squeeze, and so the dogs can be caged when in the car. Suggestions and advise please!

We currently drive a diesel VW Polo, and I can get 6 of my dogs in it without crates.

The VW Caddy Van/MPV is the same engine in a van base vehicle.

> Suzuki Swift - I've looked at a few of these and like the low boot which is good for a cage

I passed my test in one of these, and they really aren't much bigger than my Nissan Micra! I suppose if you have a small breed and can travel two dogs together then it might do, but personally I'm looking for something bigger later this year and will definitely go for a Citroen Berlingo.... You can take two of the back seats out (won't affect insurance) and have enough room in the back for a large crate, and one beside the remaining back seat. Plenty of room for gear etc.  One of my dogs doesn't like crates so there is the option to have him in a car harness tethered on the floor instead.  I gather a lot of dog people have Berlingos (have travelled with someone in one, who has) and the consensus is they are one of the best dog cars. Bigger than the others you've been looking at, though. The newer models are in the price range you've quoted, including the diesel automatic, and there are plenty of 10-ish year old berlingos around for under £5K.

PS: I drove a Hyundai i15 when my instructor's Swift was in the garage - I was begging him to keep it!

I have been really pleased with my Honda Jazz.

Plenty of room, very cheap on petrol and a dream to park. I can go to shows with 2 medium sized dogs, a soft crate, 2 kids and my husband, quite comfortably in it.

Probably too big / expensive at the mo, but for the future you might consider a Galaxy. We are on our 3rd now and I love them. We have 3 Cavaliers and an American cocker. The car fits 2 crates for the dogs, and all our luggage and the dog luggage for a week away. Or I can have 1 crate for 2 dogs going to a show, plus my show gear. Or I can take a friend and fit all her stuff in too. I think our best in the old Galaxy was 3 people and 7 Cavaliers going to a companion show!

When I was last looking for a car a few ppeople said look at skodas, because they use VW engines these days? You could look st a polo estate, they're very roomy. I had a golf estate that I loved.

The good thing about the skoda and vw polo estates are the small engine size- cheap to tax and insure.

Have a look at a Toyota Verso-S (it's NOT the same as the larger Verso). You can't get them new anymore, as they've been discontinued, but they are an amazingly spacious small car. I've been really happy with mine. I'd also consider a Honda Jazz as with the "magic" seats the rear area is very spacious and can easily cope with dog cages/stuff.

I have a Skoda Octavia. Ok, I'm cheating. It's an ex police dog vehicle ;-) so was kitted out with a purpose built washable dog area, plughole  included :-) Best car I've ever driven. I've had several estate cars over the years and I would say to anyone looking to replace a car, check out the 'boot' space. Make sure that your cages will fit before you buy. I made a mistake with one car when I only checked out the height, I forgot to take into account the wheel arches.

I'm totally biased and say you get for what you pay for. VW's which are diesel and high mileage isn't an issue, the engines go on and on.
Personally I'd look at a Golf if honest. Or a Polo. I have a Golf hatchback, well trying to sell it, 02 plate and it easily fits in with back seats down a BMD, Rott, Lab and other stuff!!

> but I can't really stuff it with all my doggie gear to test it

Yes you can.  If you are buying new then most garages will let you try anything!  Load up your current car then drive around the garages with a tape measure and a camera. 

Incidentally we have the Hyundai i3o diesel for our 2nd runaround car.  I've been very pleased with it so far.  Good on running costs, lots of room inside, nice spec, and very practical.  It does however have a highish boot lip which might be an issue for some dogs jumping in and out.  We have a Volvo V50 for the dogs but I can squish 2 x 30kg dogs in the i30 boot for local journeys and both can find enough room to lie down.  I haven't had to put the seat down yet (only had it 2 weeks) and can't remember if they are flat although I'm fairly sure they are...

A tip to stop stuff from sliding too much is to use bungee straps.  Look for tie down points in the boot of any car you are viewing and get creative with looping to handles and headrests etc.

Mazda's have a low booty lip at the back. 

A friend with two large dogs who doesn't need back seats up finds the Mazda two diesel fine for the two GSD/Lab size dogs.

Before our series of Peugeots, we had an Astra which was brilliant, other than the fact it didn't open to the floor of the back which was difficult with our Bassets.   After that died (sad day but it owed us nothing), we bought a Peugeot 206 SW which wasn't good.   It was a Motability car and we found out later they strip them out - it was very noisy especially on the roof when it rained.  It was also a diesel which again was noisy until warmed up.  We didn't keep it for long before we switched to a 207 SW.   That was great, tailgate opened to the floor and tons of room for our Basset and Whippet.   And the back seats folded pretty much flat.   We traded that in before it was 3 however (and needing the MOT) for another one - second hand but with a very low mileage.   We changed that last summer for a brand new Peugeot 2008 Crossover, petrol/manual.   I have to say I didn't think the 207 SW could be bettered, but it has been.

Long before the Astra, we had an estate Passat, the 'old model' which was also great but mainly a motorway car.  It wasn't ideal for back/country roads.   Sure moved on the motorways which was good as at the time, we were campaigning several of our Bassets across the country.

I love my VW Sharan. Great for big slobbery Bernese..
Aileen

go for a skoda preferably octavia estate  GREAT!

I looked at ex police vehicles and you can get a lot for your money, since there is alays a good selection kitted out with rates--and you know they will have a full service history. I had a Golf 2.0 SDI before and managed to fit 4 medium sized gundogs plus show crates and other paraphernalia, but it was a real squeeze. One thing you might want to consider is whether it's really worth buying a new car...dogs do create a wear and tear issue which when it comes to resale or trade in will have an impact. My last car was bought new, but now I am convinced that buying secondhand is a better deal all round. I bought a Toyata Corolla estate 2.2D with 60,000 miles on it for £2200, it runs perfectly and is very economical--not as much fun as the Golf, but better suited to our current needs.