need car, pram, have dog... advice?

[jenjams]

How about a Mitsubishi Outlander. The newer models have a bit of boot space. You would have to see if there is enough leg room for your DH though.
Things like the Rav 4 and X Trail wont have enough space in the boot.

[SammyRo]

We have an astra wagon and a beema q three wheeler. Although we haven't actually used it yet, when we tried it at the shop, the pram fitted longways and only took up about half of the boot, so there would be enough boot space left over for the dog. The new Rav 4 has fairly decent boot size, but other small suvs like the mazda and ford have tiny boot space.

HTH

[Phteven]

DH's car is an Audi wagon. After the pram is in there's still plenty of room - enough for a dog.

[Muppity]

The other option is to get a car harness for your pooch - one that attaches like a seatbelt and keeps them in a seat - we have them. I have only ever seem them at the pet shop so aren't sure how effective they are.

[belfie]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the great suggestions. AJP & Jenjams - the Outlander is one that's still on the list... just need to go have a look at it! I was driving behind one today trying to peer into the boot (quite difficult to do) but was concerned it didn't look that big. So saying, it wasn't a very good vantage point!!

SammyRo, I've just spent the last 20 mins looking at Astra's, as I'd managed to miss them! They look pretty good spacewise, and seem to have great boot space! The head/leg room is almost identical to the Mazda too. Plus it's a smaller car (i'm coming from a hatch, so I prefer smaller than bigger... I just want my space too - very greedy).

At this stage, I imagine 3 wheeler would sit across the boot (behind seats) with dog behind that??? (haven't had a stroller in my hot little hands yet though, so don't really know what I'm on about!). Certainly the Mazda looked like that would all fit in the boot... d'ya think the car dealers would mind if I turned up with my dog & stroller to try it out? hahaha

dachlostar - I think the audi would be out of my budget, but gosh it looks nice

TaffyLou - we currently use the seatbelt harness for the dog, which is great (she's on the back seat in both hatch & sedan)... but would prefer doggy in the boot particularly when bubs is little. Plus if I have a second bubs... would like to have space for them all, which would definitely mean doggy in the boot.

Cheers,
Belfie

[LuluHB]

I've got a Honda MDX, which would be way too big for what you want from what you've said, but the CRV (its little "brother") from memory had really good boot space too. The Holden Adventra was pretty good for "boot" space too I think. Whatever way you go, I would absolutely be getting a stationwagon or SUV with a proper divider between the back and your kids. The thought of two babies in the backseat as well as a dog, even one in a harness, leaves me cold.

The alternative might be a "muppet bus" like the Taragos etc. Not exactly the most stylish but sooooo much space for everything and everyone.

[Pretty Butterfly]

My ExH has a CRV, and it would be great. He takes his rottie everywhere, and there is still heaps of room for a pram. And they aren't too exps... His has a cargo barrier, so the dog cant get our kids when they are in his car!!

[Beach Mama]

You mentioned the Outback, what about the Subaru Forester? We have a 2005 and it is fantastic, pleny of boot space, you can get a wire cage from the back if you want to separate bub and pooch, and there would still be plenty of room for any pram as it is a high deep boot.
Good luck!