A Dog compatible car!

Angelo · 22nd October 2007, 16:09

Hi Car gurus,

I need a piece of advice from all u guys. I am planning to buy a second car. I have a 2 year old Baleno and have no regrets with the car..its simply great. I need to buy another car as it is getting difficult for me and my husband to share a car as our work timings are different.

We have nearly shortlisted the Skoda Octavia. I am in love with the car..and the best thing i liked about the octavia is that its rear seats are completely foldable and my St.Bernard and happily hop in with a lot of room for him to enjoy a drive...i have also heard that the car gives a good mileage 19-20 in city conditions...

My husband is also suggesting that we evaluate Scorpio, Optra and Innova...but i am somehow keen on a Skoda..

so here are my top requirements-
1. Fuel efficient car - i don;t mind a diesel car...i drive about 40-50 kms everyday.
2. My dog should fit into a car.
3. Not much of maintenance
4. Self driving comfort

So which is the one for me?

tsk1979 · 22nd October 2007, 16:36

st. Bernard! I suggest Innova. A Skoda will be a tight fit for your dog.
Its more of a Van, but apart from the Scorpio or Safari its the only one which is high roofed.
You want low maintenance and peace of mind, and Innova is among the best for those criteria.

wolfinstein · 22nd October 2007, 16:38

I'm not sure if the seats will survive in a skoda....! Rightly said Innova/Scorpio or Safari will fit in perfectly- You do ofcourse need tough seat covers.

You may also like to look at Indigo Marina TD, Good car,spacious and efficient.

vkochar · 22nd October 2007, 16:40

HI !! St. Bernard in a Skoda sounds Bad - The space will be too tight for the dog. I would suggest a Innova - A good reliable car.

Skoda - he would mess up your roof if he decides to sit !!

sumitkalindi · 22nd October 2007, 16:55

I would also suggest you to check out the Innova, The most car like VAN? UV in right now.

DirtyDan · 22nd October 2007, 16:59

Tuesday I solved world peace. Wednesday I solved world hunger. But this one is giving me fits. Mahindra Bolero. Big rear area and who cares if the mutt off-loads his lunch inside...it's a Bolero.

greatDrive · 22nd October 2007, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelo

i have also heard that the car gives a good mileage 19-20 in city conditions...

All things which you hear may not be correct always, I doubt a milage of 19-20 from Skoda even if it is deisel. Another disadvantage is that its high on maintenance.
Go through this thread and you will understand.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...ustomer-2.html (Skoda dealership == "Utter negligence and milking the compelled customer")

Innova looks a better option.

superavi · 22nd October 2007, 17:07

I like people who love their dogs!

Why dont you try the Skoda Octavia Combi? A skoda estate - that's got acres of room in the back for the dog even if he's a St Bernard.

Superavi

shuvc · 22nd October 2007, 17:18

Innova or get the new Safari !

Else, wait for the Chevy Captiva.

MaserQ · 22nd October 2007, 17:20

I second what superavi suggested. Simply beacuse you would have space for 5 adults, couple of picnic baskets and personal space for your dog at the rear. The Indigo Marina is similar but smaller package in many ways. Other options are Innova/Scorpio/Safari.

Best thing would be to test drive each one and decide. Dont forget to take your st bernard along! That might scare the dealer into giving you a hefty discount.

badboyscad · 22nd October 2007, 17:31

@angelo: ocatavia will be bad idea for a st.bernard..innova..umm..ok but then maintenace cost of a toyota is high..

IMHO scorpio or safari is the right choice..the model with 2 rear folding seats will fit your st.bernard just fine..dont know about safari's details though..but i own a scorpio and guess what..my GREAT DANE has no trouble enjoying a ride in it..maintenance cost is low compared with safari or innova.. mileage: you can expect 12 to 13 kms per litre iout of the Crde version( mine is a direct injection 2003 model and still returns 10 to 11 kmpl)..

tsk1979 · 22nd October 2007, 17:36

Maintenance cost of Toyota is high!!??
It will definitely be less than that of a Skoda mate!

badboyscad · 22nd October 2007, 17:39

yeah, definitely less than skoda..but i said the innova maintenance cost would be high when compared with that of the safari or scorpio

and one more thing.. a st.bernard will definitely be a tight squeeze in a skoda octavia.

tsk1979 · 22nd October 2007, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by badboyscad

yeah, definitely less than skoda..but i said the innova maintenance cost would be high when compared with that of the safari or scorpio

and one more thing.. a st.bernard will definitely be a tight squeeze in a skoda octavia.

I really doubt that. Toyotas are more reliable, and you are much less likely needing unscheduled spares than you are with Safari or Scorpio.
If the Innova was a high maintenance vehicle, it would not be such a hit among taxi operators.

Akshay1234 · 22nd October 2007, 17:48

definitely the innova. it even has ac vents at the rear for your st bernard.

22nd October 2007, 16:09	#1
Angelo Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	A Dog compatible car! Hi Car gurus, I need a piece of advice from all u guys. I am planning to buy a second car. I have a 2 year old Baleno and have no regrets with the car..its simply great. I need to buy another car as it is getting difficult for me and my husband to share a car as our work timings are different. We have nearly shortlisted the Skoda Octavia. I am in love with the car..and the best thing i liked about the octavia is that its rear seats are completely foldable and my St.Bernard and happily hop in with a lot of room for him to enjoy a drive...i have also heard that the car gives a good mileage 19-20 in city conditions... My husband is also suggesting that we evaluate Scorpio, Optra and Innova...but i am somehow keen on a Skoda.. so here are my top requirements- 1. Fuel efficient car - i don;t mind a diesel car...i drive about 40-50 kms everyday. 2. My dog should fit into a car. 3. Not much of maintenance 4. Self driving comfort So which is the one for me?
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 16:36	#2
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	st. Bernard! I suggest Innova. A Skoda will be a tight fit for your dog. Its more of a Van, but apart from the Scorpio or Safari its the only one which is high roofed. You want low maintenance and peace of mind, and Innova is among the best for those criteria.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 16:38	#3
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	I'm not sure if the seats will survive in a skoda....! Rightly said Innova/Scorpio or Safari will fit in perfectly- You do ofcourse need tough seat covers. You may also like to look at Indigo Marina TD, Good car,spacious and efficient. Last edited by wolfinstein : 22nd October 2007 at 16:40.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 16:40	#4
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	HI !! St. Bernard in a Skoda sounds Bad - The space will be too tight for the dog. I would suggest a Innova - A good reliable car. Skoda - he would mess up your roof if he decides to sit !!
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 16:55	#5
sumitkalindi BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 376 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	I would also suggest you to check out the Innova, The most car like VAN? UV in right now.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 16:59	#6
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,075 Thanked: 1,565 Times	Tuesday I solved world peace. Wednesday I solved world hunger. But this one is giving me fits. Mahindra Bolero. Big rear area and who cares if the mutt off-loads his lunch inside...it's a Bolero.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:07	#8
superavi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London Posts: 286 Thanked: 29 Times	Skoda Ocatavia Combi? I like people who love their dogs! Why dont you try the Skoda Octavia Combi? A skoda estate - that's got acres of room in the back for the dog even if he's a St Bernard. Superavi
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:18	#9
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	Innova or get the new Safari ! Else, wait for the Chevy Captiva.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:20	#10
MaserQ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,196 Thanked: 166 Times	I second what superavi suggested. Simply beacuse you would have space for 5 adults, couple of picnic baskets and personal space for your dog at the rear. The Indigo Marina is similar but smaller package in many ways. Other options are Innova/Scorpio/Safari. Best thing would be to test drive each one and decide. Dont forget to take your st bernard along! That might scare the dealer into giving you a hefty discount.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:31	#11
badboyscad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TN Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 477 Times View My Garage	@angelo: ocatavia will be bad idea for a st.bernard..innova..umm..ok but then maintenace cost of a toyota is high.. IMHO scorpio or safari is the right choice..the model with 2 rear folding seats will fit your st.bernard just fine..dont know about safari's details though..but i own a scorpio and guess what..my GREAT DANE has no trouble enjoying a ride in it..maintenance cost is low compared with safari or innova.. mileage: you can expect 12 to 13 kms per litre iout of the Crde version( mine is a direct injection 2003 model and still returns 10 to 11 kmpl)..
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:36	#12
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Maintenance cost of Toyota is high!!?? It will definitely be less than that of a Skoda mate!
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:39	#13
badboyscad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TN Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 477 Times View My Garage	yeah, definitely less than skoda..but i said the innova maintenance cost would be high when compared with that of the safari or scorpio and one more thing.. a st.bernard will definitely be a tight squeeze in a skoda octavia. Last edited by badboyscad : 22nd October 2007 at 17:40.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2007, 17:48	#15
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	definitely the innova. it even has ac vents at the rear for your st bernard.
	() Thanks