Looking to buy a new car with open boot space

Ms Tootsie

Hi all

I dont even know where to start this. Basically our car kicked the bucket over the weekend and we are now in dire need of getting a new one. We are getting married in a few weeks so need something urgently.

Ideally we would like a car that will be suitable for a family in the next two years (all going well) and we have a dog so we would like a car with a boot that can be opened up for him to sit in. Something like this car boot: http://pictures.autotrader.ie/servlet/media?xwm=y&id=50213d74-a757-4e06-bccf-33cc0b45db7e&width=400&height=300

We do not use the car for commuting but every few weeks we would do a 4 hour round trip to see my parents on twisty country roads.

Would prefer petrol to diesel and definitely not an automatic. Ideally something with low road tax as well since we only use it at weekends I would feel shafted paying high tax for a car.

Would prefer a dealer rather than a private sale as well will probably go with part finance.

The car we had in mind was the Nissan Qashqai as it ticked all our boxes bar the issue of the closed boot.

We want something durable as well as we are hoping to get at least 4-5 years out of it.

Any advice on models would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

colm_mcm

On any hatchback you can remove the parcel shelf to give you an open boot

Something with a low loading floor should be considered too if theres a dog

advertsfox

Qashquai + 2?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Qashqai-+2/1.6-5Dr-/33413659841941410/advert?channel=CARS

Ms Tootsie

"On any hatchback you can remove the parcel shelf to give you an open boot"

We have done that before but find the parcel base tends to get battered very quickly and also the boot in those cars is not really made to be used in the way we would like so the dog sinks into the spare wheel storage :rolleyes:

According to himself for the money we are going to be spending it would just be easy to get the one with the boot section that slides back and forth for the convenience of it. That is all well and good but finding one with that option that still ticks all our other boxes is not an easy task.

tony1980

We use a Mondeo Hatchback (Petrol) 1.8. Tax isn't low though 636 annually. I don't do alot of driving, usually spend about 30 a week on petrol getting to work and doing some driving around town to shops, etc.
We have a Rough Collie and have found the boot is fantastic for her. We used to travel up and down to Ballybunion to a mobile home we had and the boot was great for the dog, loads of space in them. We have a 19 month old also and another one on the way in November, plenty of space in the back for them, I can fit a buggy in the boot and still have room for the dog.

Just take the cover off the boot so the dog has head space and the boot is open.

What kind of budget are you thinking?

You might like an A Class?

colm_mcm

kaza2710 wrote: »

"On any hatchback you can remove the parcel shelf to give you an open boot"

We have done that before but find the parcel base tends to get battered very quickly and also the boot in those cars is not really made to be used in the way we would like so the dog sinks into the spare wheel storage :rolleyes:

According to himself for the money we are going to be spending it would just be easy to get the one with the boot section that slides back and forth for the convenience of it. That is all well and good but finding one with that option that still ticks all our other boxes is not an easy task.

Problem with those sliding shelves is that the dog is probably gonna destroy it.

Ms Tootsie

advertsfox wrote: »

Qashquai + 2?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Qashqai-+2/1.6-5Dr-/33413659841941410/advert?channel=CARS

This would have been my preference but himself thinks it is very big eek:. and looks like a people carrier. I am hoping to actually go view one with him as I think it could be a winner. Low tax and not too hard on petrol. The reviews all say it handles very well on twisty roads which would be ideal for our longer journeys up to my folks.

Ms Tootsie

Deleted User wrote: »

What kind of budget are you thinking?

You might like an A Class?

15k-20k

Ms Tootsie

colm_mcm wrote: »

Problem with those sliding shelves is that the dog is probably gonna destroy it.

Thankfully he tends to just sleep in the car - hates travelling so he has no desire to chew, eat or play while in the car. For now anyway!!

Taylor365

kaza2710 wrote: »

Thankfully he tends to just sleep in the car - hates travelling so he has no desire to chew, eat or play while in the car. For now anyway!!

The husband is it?

Ms Tootsie

:D:D:D:D:D I wish!!

justsomebloke

If you are looking at starting a family have you thought whether you will go with rear facing seats till thy are around 3. If so this may have an impact on the car you chose as you would have to make sure there is enough space in the back to accommodate a big rear facing seat.

Other then that estates are going to be our best bet. Something like this probably won't offer the comfort on long drives and back space maybe slighlty limited but other then that it ticks the boxes

Ms Tootsie

justsomebloke wrote: »

If you are looking at starting a family have you thought whether you will go with rear facing seats till thy are around 3. If so this may have an impact on the car you chose as you would have to make sure there is enough space in the back to accommodate a big rear facing seat.

I never thought of this! Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.

justsomebloke wrote: »

Other then that estates are going to be our best bet. Something like this probably won't offer the comfort on long drives and back space maybe slighlty limited but other then that it ticks the boxes

Personally I am a big fan of Skodas. My first car was a Skoda and I couldnt fault it even though it was back when Skodas were far from trendy. Lasted me daily 2 hours round trips to college, easy on petrol and never gave me a moments worry. Passed the NCT every year with not a bother bar a few light bulb and tyre changes.

justsomebloke

Also a prius may tick alot of the boxes as well (well exept being an automatic)

Ms Tootsie

Prius was my number one choice. But himself refuses to get an automatic - says they are not fuel efficient and my argument of it being a hybrid so therefore instantly more fuel efficient fell on deaf ears.

justsomebloke

kaza2710 wrote: »

Prius was my number one choice. But himself refuses to get an automatic - says they are not fuel efficient and my argument of it being a hybrid so therefore instantly more fuel efficient fell on deaf ears.

eh your OH doesn't want to get a 60 mpg car cause it's not fuel efficient

My counter arguement to that would be it's not to late to call off the wedding as god only knows what his other beliefs are

He should do some research on automatic cars!

Ms Tootsie

Oh I know!! But he is dead set against automatic. Also really enjoys driving and feels the automatic takes away from that so unfortunately automatics are out

Ms Tootsie

Any one had any experience of the Toyota Rav4?

colm_mcm

kaza2710 wrote: »

Oh I know!! But he is dead set against automatic. Also really enjoys driving and feels the automatic takes away from that so unfortunately automatics are out

Has he actually ever driven a modern automatic though?

colm_mcm

kaza2710 wrote: »

Any one had any experience of the Toyota Rav4?

Yep, could be a runner. Low boot floor and easy access for the dog.

Full time 4wd though and the 2.2 diesel isn't very well thought of.
Petrols are also 4wd and quite hard on fuel.

Think they brought a 2wd diesel around 2010 but I'm not certain.

Yakuza

You can get a cage and a protective floor mat for the boot in the QQ+2 (and most other hatchbacks, I'd imagine):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-Nissan-Qashqai-2-Removable-Dog-Guard-Partition-Rack-Sunroof-Cars-/121060138552

hadook

Skoda Yeti.

I have a Roomster for the dogs and even the 17 year old spaniel x in the middle has no trouble getting in and out of the boot. There's loads of room in the back and the Yeti is basically a bigger, nicer, better car (that I couldn't justify, not that I'm bitter )

Layinghen

Gorgeous dogs