The Lemon Fool

I can fit a max 32" wide crate in my car, Audi A1, for puppy but the rear seats do not fold down flat so crate is on a slope which means puppy slides about when travelling. Puppy has proven her impossibility of being in the car and not in her crate. The other downside is that it is either crate or luggage, not both and since we are planning on going on holiday next year and driving it is necessary to do something constructive.

Mrs Bnc and I have decided that we should part-exchange our cars, she also has an Audi A1, slightly different spec, and buy an estate car whose boot can accommodate puppy and luggage. After some 14 Audis over the years it is going to be wrench to change brands but i do not want to get an Audi Avant because it is disproportionately expensive.for my requirements. Also, Audi is not what is was. Another wrench it that currently our cars are kept in a garage but a bigger car would not fit so would have to be parked on the driveway.

We are seriously considering Skoda, either the Superb Estate or Octavia estate or possibly Kamiq or Karaok.

Does anyone have any of those models (and a dog) and if so then I'd appreciate any comments. thank you.

Take a look at the VW T-Cross it has movable back seats and so is something of a tardis.

He might have some tips for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chrzpnL1OEM

Our 1974 Land Rover would also be suitable, if you're good at DIY and have a slightly hair-shirt taste in transport

V8

88V8 wrote:... Our 1974 Land Rover would also be suitable, if you're good at DIY and have a slightly hair-shirt taste in transport ...

Would the DIY include cutting the beast down to size to fit into BnC's garage (with or without the dangling tennis ball).

Skoda Octavia Estate, still VAG but lower prices and better running costs. Whetever you look at get a tape measure in there first to measure up in all three dimensions and make sure, as some vehicles can look like a Tardis but actually just be a telephone box. Alternatively Land Rover 110, as mentioned by 88V8

MM


ps: if anyone wants a dog of a car I see them on a daily basis

When I saw the thread title I thought you were offering a swap.

My old neighbour bought a pedigree puppy at the height of the lockdown last year, spent ££££ refencing the garden to keep it in, and then I found out how much it cost to insure and feed,

Turned out the capital outlay is what I'm selling the Maserati for, and on- costs are about the same.

Paul

MonsterMork wrote:Alternatively Land Rover 110, as mentioned by 88V8

Actually, it's an 88.

Length 12ft, width 5ft.
Not a modern overweight oversized barge. Indeed, smaller than the average new so-called small car.

I commend it to you, although we won't mention the height.

V8

Far be it from me to deny you an excuse for a new car, but there may be alternative solutions.

A some dimensional lumber and tie downs could level the crate.

My brothers dogs ride in harnesses connected to the child seat tiedowns in the back seat. This solves most of the problems of loose dogs, though they do whine a bit.

A some dimensional lumber and tie downs could level the crate.

Any attempt to level the crate is met by the underside of the car roof at the top of the boot lid objecting. I have to position the crate on the seats otherwise the boot lid won't close.

We're tried using dog seat belts connected to a harness on dog and the seat head rest, also one that connects the harness direct to the seat belt holder. Puppy chewed through the belts then got started on the car seat belt holder. I have found out that damaged seat belts is a fail for MoT.

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Looks like we are going to get a Skoda Octavia Estate SE First Edition (2020 model) diesel ex demo. for a test drive, I spent 5 minutes or so driving an Octavia Hatch 2021.


FAO: PD. It's going to mean parking in the driveway. Thanks for the memory.

brightncheerful wrote: Puppy chewed through the belts then got started on the car seat belt holder. I have found out that damaged seat belts is a fail for MoT.

Er, yes!

As an aside (of sorts) would people kindly remove dogs and other animals (including squawking spawn of satan children) from vehicles before presenting the car for an MoT?

MM

The only car that springs to mind is, the now rather ancient, Hillman Husky.

HTH

Leothebear wrote:The only car that springs to mind is, the now rather ancient, Hillman Husky.

HTH

I think there were a lot of Rovers that would have worked well.