Me and OH currently discussing future change of vehicle, and wanted to know what you've found a great car for 2 big dogs (GSD's in my case). Ideally, I would like the step up into the back to be as low as possible, so they don't have to jump too far. Currently have a Mondeo estate, which is good, but def need air conditioning! I'm not posey, this car is definitely for the dogs benefit. I was thinking perhaps an Astra estate?
Kat

Hi

I have a citreon piccaso loads of boot room and the back seats are so easy to drop forward to give you extra space if needed they are good reliable cars as well and quite economical .god luck with your search

John.

We have a Honda Accord Tourer Estate, it has loads of boot space, Air con as standard, and a guard that comes out of the seats that fastens into the roof. The seats fold flat in one motion, and we wouldnt be without it. It is also fantastic with petrol, very economical, much better than our previous car the Honda CR-V.

Rachel

I drive a ford explorer , i bought my wife a jaguar xkr. We can only get 3 in the explorer and one in my wifes car :)

Second the Tourer, I love it!

M.

Whilst I love my Astra estate....I have a 51 reg with air con and mines the 1.7 turbo diesel
izuzu engine with the LS trim. (which normally means air con, electric front windows etc).

I'm not sure that you'd fit 2 big hairy GSD's in the boot..I currently am able to get 3 Boxer's
in the boot in my guardsman cage, but it is the most dogs that I'd feel happiest with. Anything more
and it's too cramped. It might be better & more room with just the tailgate guard and rear seat guards?
Sadly one of my Boxers is car protective and does go at the windows, therefore I deny them access through
having the cage.

I love the car, comfortable and very economical - but I don't 'boot' her :)
She's also the first car I've had with air con..a must with dogs nowadays.
She's the 3rd Astra estate I've had and I'm happiest with a vauxhall :)
Another car to look at would be the Vectra estate which would be on par for size with the mondeo.
The older Vectra's used to be a little smaller in width due to the rear suspension strut's but a bigger space
if you use guards rather than cage. I haven't looked at a newer one to see if they are better.

Kirstine

I have a Zafira 2.0dti  suberb for size and economy ( 55 MPG) . Bought it solely for the dogs. I get a huge grooming trolley is all my grooming stuff and 4 20 * 19* 30 inch boxes in

I've just got a second hand Ford Galaxy as I have 4 retrievers and two teenagers, and use it with the rear two seats out - there is loads of space and the added advantage of being able to put the seats back and have 7 people in the car (without dogs obviously!) when necessary.

Jan,

The Zafira is quite like the Galaxy I think it that respect.  The 2 seats and the back of the Zafira fold into the floor.

In fact I have only had them up once but they are there if you need them.  The Galaxy is a bit wider that the Zafira inside so gives a bit more room but the fuel consumption wasn't as good for me.  I have done 60,000 now in 2 years so I need to balance the economy with the space. I do really like the Galaxy though as you don't sacrifice comfort :-)

Thanks all, I shall have a look at each and every one of them. Economy would be nice, and I need to buy second hand. Agree aircon is a real must with dogs now, hence the desire to change! (I wouldn't mind being cool either!)
Kat

I have the honda stream 2.0 vtec, same as the accord but much bigger boot, higher too so lost of air space, it's actually a 7 seater though they do fold down, big plus is climate control as standard (would never buy another car without climate much better than just air con) and there is a vent in the boot blowing cool air con straight onto the dogs.

Plus it is a fantastic drive - i'm very impressed which is not easy to do where cars are concerned.

Sharon

Have you not thought of a van?
I'm only saying as i am sick and tired to the back teeth of hoovering stubborn hairs off the upholstery and we are looking out for a van asap that we can simply brush out the back and of course clean two seats but thats better than hoovering 2 front and a large back seats.

There are a number of vans converted by the makers into MPV's.  tyhere is the Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo, Peugeot Partner and Fiat Doblo. 

You get the full height of a van with practicval interiors and a full van load are when the seats are foled forward.  See a lot of them at shows, and they are generally cheaper than an equivalent estate car.

those with a lot of big dogs tend to drive the bigger panel vans.

We're looking at these at the minute. We had a van but it was no use if you wanted/needed to carry passengers and we don't really want anything as big as an estate car or an MPV. Plus, they do seem to be economical and competitively priced. Still think they look like the pope-mobile though...

The Zafira is based on the Astra chassis :D
Just have more head room and the flexible seating...

We have a Galaxy, not cheap and possibly not a very low jump, though the Cavs can manage it ok. But it's really roomy. We take out the two rear seats so it's like having a 5 door car with a HUGE boot!  :-)

Nissan X-Trail - diesel.  Economical, roomy, comfortable.  Bought with my dogs in mind

We've got a Vauxhall Meriva (its one of those where you can fold down the seats) they were half price from Arnold Clarke AND they've got a big boot  :)

Thanks chaps
No a van doesn't really appeal to me, and the dogs really love to watch the world go by! I do know someone who bought an old taxi! Great for the dogs I guess, but a bit 'clunky' for me. Never heard of the Meriva? Some of these cars sound fantastic, but I think getting into big bucks I don't have (unless I win the lottery!)
K

Nor had I heard of a Meriva before my boyfriend spotted it!  It was brand new, reduced to about £6k from over £12K (had to get credit) but its a brilliant car.  I just wanted something with big boot space.  Have to say though that that is as far as my knowledge goes, i can't even drive (although I am a brilliant passenger)

:D)