4-5k do it all hack
Discussion
Hi all
I'm looking at flogging my Jaguar XF and buying something that is both cheaper to run/own, and can fit the dog in the boot.
Not wishing to finance anything so I have a rather modest 5k budget.
The car will be used for commuting 6 days per month, 53 miles each way, taking the dog places, and early next year will need to accommodate child seat, and associated baby gumpf.
So criteria in brief is:
Boot suitable for a labrador, so preferably estate or hatch
Isofix points and room for car seat, buggy
Comfortable enough for long but occasional commute, auto preffered but not essential
Reasonably good on fuel, road tax and repair costs
Will last a couple of years without exploding
Preferably compact-ish, as my Mrs has a weird aversion to driving what she sees as a big car - refuses to drive my jag for example.
Any pointers on some left field choices I may not have thought of would be appreciated, bonus for anything mildly interesting or good looking.
Thanks!
I'm looking at flogging my Jaguar XF and buying something that is both cheaper to run/own, and can fit the dog in the boot.
Not wishing to finance anything so I have a rather modest 5k budget.
The car will be used for commuting 6 days per month, 53 miles each way, taking the dog places, and early next year will need to accommodate child seat, and associated baby gumpf.
So criteria in brief is:
Boot suitable for a labrador, so preferably estate or hatch
Isofix points and room for car seat, buggy
Comfortable enough for long but occasional commute, auto preffered but not essential
Reasonably good on fuel, road tax and repair costs
Will last a couple of years without exploding
Preferably compact-ish, as my Mrs has a weird aversion to driving what she sees as a big car - refuses to drive my jag for example.
Any pointers on some left field choices I may not have thought of would be appreciated, bonus for anything mildly interesting or good looking.
Thanks!
Vsix and Vtec said:
8th gen Honda Civic. They're like a small van inside. Alternatively, a Rover 75/MG ZT estate (not with the 1.8, only the BMW diesel or the Honda 2.5 v6), at that price you should find plenty of nice Mondeo estates too.
The civic did cross my mind but they're quite harsh and I wasn't sure about the rear roof line for the dog - mondeo is currently top of the list at the moment M.F.D said:
Golf V GTI?
How are these holding up now to age? I was thinking maybe a MK 5 or 6, but not the GTI... decent enough boot, father in law had one and could put their golden retriever in there no problem! The only thing putting me off is every VW I've ever had has been hideously unreliable, and ive had a few...with the exception of the MK7 R which was faultless. Raymond Reddington said:
Vsix and Vtec said:
8th gen Honda Civic. They're like a small van inside. Alternatively, a Rover 75/MG ZT estate (not with the 1.8, only the BMW diesel or the Honda 2.5 v6), at that price you should find plenty of nice Mondeo estates too.
The civic did cross my mind but they're quite harsh and I wasn't sure about the rear roof line for the dog - mondeo is currently top of the list at the moment biggbn said:
Civic and smaller Jazz habe those wonderful seats that fold like cinema seats, dogs get LOADS of space. Civic estate is a brilliant bit of kit also
Indeed they do, but the idea is the dog goes in the boot with dog guard and child in rear seats. Lab is quite happy in the back seat of the XF but don't want him loose in there when the baby arrives 
would consider a newer civic estate but don't think they're in budget sadly Raymond Reddington said:
biggbn said:
Civic and smaller Jazz habe those wonderful seats that fold like cinema seats, dogs get LOADS of space. Civic estate is a brilliant bit of kit also
Indeed they do, but the idea is the dog goes in the boot with dog guard and child in rear seats. Lab is quite happy in the back seat of the XF but don't want him loose in there when the baby arrives would consider a newer civic estate but don't think they're in budget sadly As said above, the Octavia is the obvious choice in my head.
Although a Honda CRV diesel is huge space inside, but really isnt that big outside, similar dimensions to a normal estate.
If you have the dog in the boot, you can even keep pushchairs in separate compartment as so:
https://paultan.org/images.paultan.org/images/crv/...
Otherwise a Skoda yeti/Roomster will also do
Although a Honda CRV diesel is huge space inside, but really isnt that big outside, similar dimensions to a normal estate.
If you have the dog in the boot, you can even keep pushchairs in separate compartment as so:
https://paultan.org/images.paultan.org/images/crv/...
Otherwise a Skoda yeti/Roomster will also do
Edited by Shabaza on Wednesday 12th July 12:17
Shabaza said:
As said above, the Octavia is the obvious choice in my head.
Although a Honda CRV diesel is huge space inside, but really isnt that big outside, similar dimensions to a normal estate.
Otherwise a Skoda yeti/Roomster will also do
Skoda roomster is a great shout, often forgotten about!! Although a Honda CRV diesel is huge space inside, but really isnt that big outside, similar dimensions to a normal estate.
Otherwise a Skoda yeti/Roomster will also do
My Sister-in-law had one of these....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...
Fun little estate which she ran until the second child arrived, then she traded it for an Octavia VRS. Not sure if the boot is lab sized though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...
Fun little estate which she ran until the second child arrived, then she traded it for an Octavia VRS. Not sure if the boot is lab sized though.
I refiltered the above search for automatic diesel SUV between £4k-£5k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
It's quite an interesting list. You have an Infiniti EX 3.0, Vauxhall Antara 2.2 (I've never heard of before), Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2, Mitsubishi Shogan 3.2, Nissan Pathfinder 2.5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0, Ford Kuga 2.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
It's quite an interesting list. You have an Infiniti EX 3.0, Vauxhall Antara 2.2 (I've never heard of before), Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2, Mitsubishi Shogan 3.2, Nissan Pathfinder 2.5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0, Ford Kuga 2.0
Raymond Reddington said:
How are these holding up now to age? I was thinking maybe a MK 5 or 6, but not the GTI... decent enough boot, father in law had one and could put their golden retriever in there no problem! The only thing putting me off is every VW I've ever had has been hideously unreliable, and ive had a few...with the exception of the MK7 R which was faultless.
Not personally owned one but heard many praise them around this budget as a mega do it all car. I think they are pretty robust tbh, front wings rust but apart from that a well cared for one would be pretty hassle free to run.Sorry I missed the poster before my last reply, Octavia would be a great shout.
Thanks a lot for all the suggestions, loads to think about
I particularly like the Fabia VRs estate so thanks to the poster who suggested that one - petrol, auto, dog would fit nicely in the boot and it's small enough that my Mrs would probably drive it with minimal fuss. Does anyone know if this engine is any good? I know some VAG cars of this era suffer problems with a twin charged engine that's meant to be s
t. I'd be slightly concerned about an aging DSG but I'd service it and keep fingers crossed.
Other options all good too, Insignia seem like great value but a clutch and flywheel on one of these seems to almost write the car off as its a pricey job, also vaguely remember stories of oil pickup blockage issues on the diesel, or something. I'd imagine 1.8 petrol would be reliable but very slow, 2.0t maybe a good shout. Would prefer smaller sized car really but will look at all options.
The CRV split boot looks genuinely good, although not sure loading and unloading of said dhead labrador would go as swimmingly as I'd like.
Thanks a lot for all the suggestions, loads to think about
I particularly like the Fabia VRs estate so thanks to the poster who suggested that one - petrol, auto, dog would fit nicely in the boot and it's small enough that my Mrs would probably drive it with minimal fuss. Does anyone know if this engine is any good? I know some VAG cars of this era suffer problems with a twin charged engine that's meant to be s
t. I'd be slightly concerned about an aging DSG but I'd service it and keep fingers crossed. Other options all good too, Insignia seem like great value but a clutch and flywheel on one of these seems to almost write the car off as its a pricey job, also vaguely remember stories of oil pickup blockage issues on the diesel, or something. I'd imagine 1.8 petrol would be reliable but very slow, 2.0t maybe a good shout. Would prefer smaller sized car really but will look at all options.
The CRV split boot looks genuinely good, although not sure loading and unloading of said d
head labrador would go as swimmingly as I'd like.Edited by Raymond Reddington on Wednesday 12th July 16:56
leef44 said:
I refiltered the above search for automatic diesel SUV between £4k-£5k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
It's quite an interesting list. You have an Infiniti EX 3.0, Vauxhall Antara 2.2 (I've never heard of before), Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2, Mitsubishi Shogan 3.2, Nissan Pathfinder 2.5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0, Ford Kuga 2.0
Old discovery 3, audi Q7, what could possibly go wrong https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
It's quite an interesting list. You have an Infiniti EX 3.0, Vauxhall Antara 2.2 (I've never heard of before), Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2, Mitsubishi Shogan 3.2, Nissan Pathfinder 2.5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0, Ford Kuga 2.0
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