Commuting Vehicle + Dog

keithclancy

Have posted on this before.

Basically doing 40000km/year, have a small dogs (8 kilo whippet)

The Volvo I have now is too big to be honest, I don't need all the space when driving to Work.

I don't have kids so the back seats rarely see use.

Mainly my wants are.
Automatic
Diesel
Comfortable Seats
Climate Control
Reliable
Economical

Thinking of an Audi A3 Sportback with DSG ?
Seems to be the only smallish car that ticks all the above and has space in the back for a small dog.

Any other options ?

bazz26

I really don't see the A3 Sportback being all that smaller than the V50 you have at the moment. The Sportback is half estate/hatchback. Have you looked at a conventional hatchback like a Golf, Focus, Astra?

keithclancy

bazz26 wrote: »

I really don't see the A3 Sportback being all that smaller than the V50 you have at the moment. The Sportback is half estate/hatchback. Have you looked at a conventional hatchback like a Golf, Focus, Astra?

Much smaller I would have thought

Don't like the Astra
Focus is pretty much what the V50 is based on.
Golf has a shelf for a boot.

Outkast_IRE

How urgent do you need to change ?

If I was in your position and could afford a new car I would be holding off till new year for the Honda Civic Tourer

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/coming-soon/honda-civic-tourer-concept/

Everyone seems confident its coming early in new year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtobfHeQ994

justsomebloke

From looking on line there only seems to be a 20cm difference in length between the sportsback and the V50

keithclancy

justsomebloke wrote: »

From looking on line there only seems to be a 20cm difference in length between the sportsback and the V50

Really .. the thread is going down this route ?

Only in this forum. :rolleyes:

Marcusm

justsomebloke wrote: »

From looking on line there only seems to be a 20cm difference in length between the sportsback and the V50

That's 8 inches; a fair bit by any measure (leg room, boot space etc )

justsomebloke

Sorry silly me using numbers instead of a photo to actually check the difference in size between 2 objects

dr.fuzzenstein

Whatever you buy, it will get ruined.
Buy mats, baskets, blankets to cover up any bit of carpet and upholstery and be prepared to valet your car once a month (also get a carpet shampooer) and hoover at least once a week. And for people to say "Oh you have dogs" the second they open a door and catch a whiff of your car. That smell and hair will get everywhere.
That is if you're lucky and the dog is not car sick (like mine), this will add colourful decorations to your carpets and seats.
Don't forget a divider so the dog(s) don't jump all over you on a journey.
Oh the joys of dog ownership.

keithclancy

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Whatever you buy, it will get ruined.
Buy mats, baskets, blankets to cover up any bit of carpet and upholstery and be prepared to valet your car once a month (also get a carpet shampooer) and hoover at least once a week. And for people to say "Oh you have dogs" the second they open a door and catch a whiff of your car. That smell and hair will get everywhere.
That is if you're lucky and the dog is not car sick (like mine), this will add colourful decorations to your carpets and seats.
Don't forget a divider so the dog(s) don't jump all over you on a journey.
Oh the joys of dog ownership.

I've had the Dog+Car for 3 years ... it doesn't shed and everyone comments on how clean the car is when they get into it.

Never fouls the car.

Did take the neighbours dog once in the car (small jack russell) and the whole boot was destroyed with hair.

Have a Divider so the she has her own space in the boot.

Outside is a different story, I wash it about twice a year.



Picture of Dog for an Idea of the Size.

dr.fuzzenstein

Lucky so and so!
I only take my three on weekends and the car is destroyed with hair, sand (from the beach) and general grit. Have just about given up on it and the nozzle for my Vax mysteriously broke (as I rolled over it in my car), this doesn't help things...:pac: