Which car for my dogs?

doubleglaze

Here's the pickle I'm in: I know almost nothing about cars and I need to go and buy myself one. I'd be grateful for suggestions.

I have two Non-negotiable requirements:
1) The car needs to be as utterly reliable as a car can be.
2) I need enough boot space to fit 3 arthritic sheepdogs.

In addition, I have one slightly negotiable requirement:

3) the car needs to cheap to run and with a low devaluation cost per annum over its lifetime.

In relation to requirement number 3) :

Up to now, I've managed on a devaluation cost of about €1000 per annum, road tax of about €170 per annum, comprehensive insurance of about €300 per annum and almost feck all maintenance costs, but I'm willing to spend a bit more now that I've a few more bob in the pocket. However, I'm not satisfied with an annual devaluation cost of €2000 per annum.

One option might be a Honda Jazz, but the boot might be a tad small.

I also considered a Dacia Sandero, but the lip of the boot is too high for arthritic dogs.

I don't mind driving ancient cars and don't care about aesthetics or image.

I know there are many car enthusiasts out there and I'd be very grateful for any pointers/suggestions, etc.

pete4130

A Honda Jazz for 3 dogs? Seriously?

You need an estate, simple as. Buy an older estate, something like a Focus or Mondeo that has depreciated as much as it is ever likely to. Cheap to run, cheap to repair, lots of spare parts/2nd hand/used parts as there are plenty of them about.

Then it comes down to how much yo drive per year and if petrol or diesel makes sense. Petrol will be cheaper to buy and run if you do less than about 15K a year.

There are many estates out there that will do the job. Volvo V70, Accord Estate, Corrolla estate, passat estate....

I've never owned any car other than an estate (focus, lancers, foresters) and they are just SO much more practical than any hatchback.

Raphael

As a Honda Jazz owner, the boot itself probably wouldn't fit 3 dogs, but if you drop the back seats you should have enough room - it's a piece of cake to do also (at least in the newer ones, I think the headrest in the older ones made it a bit more awkward, but you could always leave those off if you're not using the backseat for passengers) Look how happy these fella are: http://www.honda.co.jp/dog/honda-car/fit/image/fit-p-004.jpg, http://www.honda.co.jp/dog/honda-car/fit/image/076.jpg

Car tax is 270 annually for a post-08 1.3L engine, the pre-08 is about 385 for the same. I'd suggest against the 1.2, personally, unless you have no desire to ever go near a motorway - even the 1.3 is a little reluctant to get up to speed. If you don't mind the loss of power, that'll only be 330 car tax for a pre-08, and I haven't a clue what the emissions are on the new 1.2s.

Haven't really had it long enough to make any comment on the reliability, but it was one of the reasons I got it.

maceocc2

What about a subaru outback or forester, great cars. Reliable and heaps of space in the back:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-outback-2-5-litre-petrol/5115550
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-forester-turbo/5290592

pete4130

maceocc2 wrote: »

What about a subaru outback or forester, great cars. Reliable and heaps of space in the back:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-outback-2-5-litre-petrol/5115550
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-forester-turbo/5290592

I was going to suggest a Forester. Fantastic cars but the tax is too high on them (about €600 pa for the 2.0L) and fuel economy is slightly high on them with the AWD train on them. Foresters are pretty awesome in handling, reasonable performance, great grip, load space, practicality, toughness etc...

...I always ask why I don't actually own one myself

doubleglaze

Great replies thus far.

I should add that the car is only required for short journeys - a 5 minute spin to the beach (and the same on the way back, after their walk). Once a month, on average, the dogs will go for a longer spin - a 20 minute trip out the road and the same amount for the return trip, with a walk break in between.

They will never go on longer car journeys than that. That is why I considered a non-estate car.

Tea 1000

I'm baffled... what can you tax for €170 a year and only lose €1000 a year on depreciation?

doubleglaze

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'm baffled... what can you tax for €170 a year and only lose €1000 a year on depreciation?

Think a reliable mini-car, bought second-hand, that you drive into the ground....

jkb_dub

You could also consider a dog ramp to get into and out of the boot if the height is a concern...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Gear-Travel-Lite-Tri-Fold/dp/B003IWYPXK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374498746&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+ramp

Tea 1000

doubleglaze wrote: »

Think a reliable mini-car, bought second-hand, that you drive into the ground....

But even 1.3 litre cars are nearly €400 to tax...

pete4130

Petrol it is then. Buy an older Focus for a few hundred €, a 1.4 would do. Tax is about €400 a year and depreciation is probably €50 a year. You're already saving about €500 on the tax offset against depreciation.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-vehicle-details/5377848

Mileage is low on the above car. Make sure you get it checked out (cartell check, mechanic to look over it etc) and if it's clean you might get it for €1000. Add the €450ish in for tax and you're on the road until May 2014 with the current NCT. Even in 2 years you'd probably get about €500 for the car if you were to sell it on with NCT and some tax with it. Thats €500 a year motoring.

doubleglaze

Pete, you're doing great!

As reliability is of way more importance to me than the cost (I have to be on time where I'm supposed to be), I'm going to avoid an old car this time around. Been there, done that, etc., etc.

I don't mind splurging out on a newer car - even a cheaper brand new model - and keep driving it for years and years as long as it continues to be reliable. Averaged out, over its lifespan, I'd like depreciation costs to be a good bit sub-2000 per annum. It doesn't matter to me if depreciation costs in the first two years or so hit the 2000.

Tea, I'm going to PM you.

joolsveer

I have two dogs and when they are in the car they wear harnesses which clip into the seat belt fittings. If you put your dogs in the boot how will you secure them?

doubleglaze

joolsveer wrote: »

I have two dogs and when they are in the car they wear harnesses which clip into the seat belt fittings. If you put your dogs in the boot how will you secure them?

I don't know. But I have no notion of putting them on any of the seats as they tend to be filthy after a walk and the sand and hair is a huge problem, even in a car with leather seats, so they'll have to make do with a boot.

Tea 1000

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/1.6-DUAL/37213717243072820/advert?channel=CARS

Del2005

doubleglaze wrote: »

Pete, you're doing great!

As reliability is of way more importance to me than the cost (I have to be on time where I'm supposed to be), I'm going to avoid an old car this time around. Been there, done that, etc., etc.

I don't mind splurging out on a newer car - even a cheaper brand new model - and keep driving it for years and years as long as it continues to be reliable. Averaged out, over its lifespan, I'd like depreciation costs to be a good bit sub-2000 per annum. It doesn't matter to me if depreciation costs in the first two years or so hit the 2000.

Tea, I'm going to PM you.

No make or type of car can meet your reliable goal. Buying new doesn't mean reliable, all it means is that it'll more than likely be a warranty claim. Just as 2nd hand doesn't mean unreliable.

The only way to guarantee 100% reliability is to have a few cars so if one doesn't work you've a back up.

pete4130

I think it might be illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the car. In an accident you'll have 3 dogs flying at the back of your head at whatever speed you were going. You can get proper car seat covers for dogs in the back seat so seats being dirty isn't a problem.

There are special dog seat belt harnesses too to keep the dogs secure. If all 3 are in the boot it's worth considering a rear cargo barrier to keep them secure. I'd rather have dirty seats than 3 x 10-20KG dogs flying at me.

doubleglaze

The rear cargo barrier is what I had in mind. I've tried car seat covers such as the one you linked to, but it didn't work out. I want my dogs off the back seats and in the boot for several reasons.

doubleglaze

Pete, I'm going to PM you as I've just had an interesting offer over the phone...