|
|
Post by bromptonaut on Apr 28, 2021 20:52:23 GMT
My son, 26, is looking for a car to replace his worn out Pug 107.
Wants something bigger - conventionally Astra/Focus sized. He and his partner intend to buy a house together soon and, medium term, a dog features too - possibly up to Lab size. Needs estate type layout.
Kids later.
Not got usage or overall miles to justify a diesel but longer holiday trips UK/abroad are likely. As it's not just a commuter car he's not (yet) at the point where a pure EV would fit the bill. Petrol or maybe a hybrid?
Budget up to £13k.
He's in Liverpool if it makes a difference.
Same message on C4P but I thought I'd sound you guys too.
|
|
bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by bpg on Apr 28, 2021 21:01:15 GMT
He's going to need something bigger than Focus/Astra size if they want a Lab. Medium size dog cage is your limit in a Mk4 Focus estate.
No point buying an SMax now if grandBromps aren't on the scene for 8 years the car will be knackered and need replacing by then.
|
|
bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by bpg on Apr 28, 2021 21:06:57 GMT
The answer has got to be a Westfield or something equally impractical. Once house ownership, dogs and kids come along he'll be to old and knackered to enjoy simple, just the two of us motoring again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Apr 29, 2021 6:55:51 GMT
Renegade
😉
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425 
|
Post by WDB on Apr 29, 2021 7:45:52 GMT
He's going to need something bigger than Focus/Astra size if they want a Lab. Medium size dog cage is your limit in a Mk4 Focus estate. Even with part of the seat folded? If it’s going to be a two-person car, using the built-in flexibility seems a better option than buying an E220 or a Mondeo that will be mostly empty most of the time. As an illustration, the i3’s boot is tiny but it becomes as good as an estate in five-seat mode with the seats folded, so we do that a lot. It’s not tall enough inside for a big dog, so I’m not suggesting one for Brompino; just observing that there’s plenty of choice if what he needs are two seats and a cargo deck. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2021 7:51:29 GMT
Seriously, Civic Tourer. Have you seen the "magic" rear seat arrangement? Lift the rear seat cushions and you have an ideal place to put a Labrador. And the boot istelf is far bigger for a dog than it's got any right to be. Honestly can't recommend the car enough. Other than that, is he not a Berlingo fan?  |
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Apr 29, 2021 7:53:13 GMT
On a general note, it sounds like they are in the prime of their lives right now. The time for having the best adventures and making the best memories. It would be nice for them to get something that adds to those in some way as opposed to something that simply does a job. If they like cars anyway. Might not be a priority to them.
|
|
bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by bpg on Apr 29, 2021 8:10:57 GMT
Even with part of the seat folded? If it’s going to be a two-person car, using the built-in flexibility seems a better option than buying an E220 or a Mondeo that will be mostly empty most of the time. As an illustration, the i3’s boot is tiny but it becomes as good as an estate in five-seat mode with the seats folded, so we do that a lot. It’s not tall enough inside for a big dog, so I’m not suggesting one for Brompino; just observing that there’s plenty of choice if what he needs are two seats and a cargo deck. There are a lot of ifs, ands and buts in the spec. It's not unreasonable to assume a dog will be around for 10 to 15 years, the folded seat(s) may or may not always be an option if little ones plus car seats, buggies and whatever other paraphernalia comes along. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2021 8:31:24 GMT
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425
|
Post by WDB on Apr 29, 2021 8:43:50 GMT
It's not unreasonable to assume a dog will be around for 10 to 15 years, the folded seat(s) may or may not always be an option if little ones plus car seats, buggies and whatever other paraphernalia comes along. But I’d still buy the car I need now, then worry about more space when I know extra regular occupants are going to be a factor. My memory of that phase of life is hazy, but I do recall that it involved a deliberate act and a reasonable notice period — certainly long enough to find a bigger car. |
|
bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by bpg on Apr 29, 2021 8:48:51 GMT
How do you transport your dog Al ? Do you use a cage or use a seatbelt adaptor to the collar/some harness system ?
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425
|
Post by WDB on Apr 29, 2021 8:51:25 GMT
Is that a Thing? So in an accident the dog is stopped by its neck?
|
|
bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
|
Post by bpg on Apr 29, 2021 8:56:10 GMT
Over here anything inside the car has to be restrained to stop it being flung around in an accident. I have seen some adapters, like short leads, never thought of buying one or using one. Harnesses on the back seat or cages in the boot are the norm.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2021 9:35:46 GMT
How do you transport your dog Al ? Do you use a cage or use a seatbelt adaptor to the collar/some harness system ? She goes in a cage in the boot usually. I can see the magic seat thing being handy for a short local journey with a larger dog, maybe using a harness, but yes of course a cage is better. www.edmunds.com/honda/fit/2007/long-term-road-test/2007-honda-fit-fit-for-a-dog.htmlIt's very handy for bikes, too, if you don't want to use it for a dog. |
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425
|
Post by WDB on Apr 29, 2021 10:00:51 GMT
That is clever. The E estate could achieve some of the same effect by removing the seat cushion — something I did once in five years. But then of course that had to go somewhere, or be left behind.
That is a truly tiny bike in the video.
|
|
