Help me find a car and prevent a murder!

[StillMedusa]

The murder of DH that is...
We need to get a new (second hand) car. 8k max budget.
It needs to be big enough to put a large dog in the boot, needs roof rails (dh is a kayaker) and decent MPG (he moans like sin of he gets less than 45mpg anywhere)
So far we have looked at (tested a few before we locked down again) a renault estate , and a ssanyong korando (mpg way worse than quoted)

We have pretty much decided that the korando/kuga sort of cross over SUVs don't fit the bill as the boots arent massive (and the sills are high up) and they seem thirsty.

I think a Skoda Yeti or a Dacia Duster would be spot on (we also camp and load the car to the hilt) but a smaller car would be ok as long as the 24kg dog was ok in the boot. I'd even be happy with a Berlingo or similar.

We are going round in circles looking at cars online. Neither of us are fussed about fancy extras .. aircon is the only 'must have' (again for the dog )

Any suggestions from dog owning campers or people who need a decent load space? Yetis are my favourite but tend to be a bit over our budget . Anyone with a Duster?

Skoda superb or Passat estate?
Have you looked at them?

My OH has a duster. He got it in 2019 and still loves its. We have roof bars on it now and there is no extra noise. We use it for camping- we have a huge tent and a roof box- and it’s great. I don’t drive it each day but do enjoy driving it when I get a chance. It’s cheap and cheerful but only gets about 43 mpg when he’s doing urban driving (over country winding roads).
We don’t have a dog but we have a large toddler!

Well worth considering as they are great value for money IMO.

Kia Sportage ? Only 1.6 or diesel so not too thirsty . I had one and loved it!

Or Kia Soul which is a bit smaller?

Jeep Renegade.

@huuuuunnnndderrricks

Kia Sportage ? Only 1.6 or diesel so not too thirsty . I had one and loved it!

This. Or sorento for lots of space

The inside of the sportage and boots is huge compared to its rivals ! We sat in all of them when we chose that and it's so spacious !

If 4 wheel drive isn't important, then Skoda Octavia / VW Passat / Ford Mondeo estates have massive boots.

I absolutely adore my duster ! Boot is huge!

Octavia is brill, I'd recommend. We live rurally up a massive hill and have no problems with it.

Skoda Octavia definitely!!

The boot on the Yeti is tall and narrow. I can see it having a lot of volume, but not particularly dog friendly.

Recruit2020 Have you got one, or driven one? I just found one that meets the budget adnd DH's eyes lit up as he loves how they look!

4Wd not essential as I drive a Panda 4x4 so any really dire dog walk excursions..we take my doggy wagon

3 series estate, you can get a decent second hand one well within budget. Big boot and perfect for a kayak on top. Go on forever. Might be a dirty diesel but will be economical.

You need an estate! We have a 7 stone dog, ski and cycle and I CBA with putting stuff beyond the mountain bikes on the roof so the inside also must be massive. I

've had a BMW 5 Series and and Mercedes E Class and both would fit your bill. I looked at the Octavia when I bought the Merc and I didn't go for it because the boot has a lip, it wasn't flat-load which is a nightmare if you've filled it with heavy things and then have to lift them out. I think the latest Skoda Superb has a flat load boot so that might be next when I fancy a change.

Skoda Octavia Estate, largest boot we could find. Great for large dog and camping.

@stillmedusa yes had mine over 18 months. Great! Comfy to drive. Good on fuel. Great prices on a couple of years old. No complaints. We have a sportage too lovely also but feels a bit hemmed in, slopey roof not a lot of head room. X

I have a jeep renegade. It is huge fun but I don't think will be big enough for your needs. We used to have Octavias and they drive like butter. Huge boot, roof rails for kayaks no probs and goes like the clappers. Meets your needs so I'd go for that. We changed because we tow and wanted to upgrade the caravan and Octavias don't tow much. VW Tiguan? Although pricey. Seats are nice too and they are VWs in chasis. Octavias are Audis. Jeep Renegade are Fiat.