We have two bearded collies and 22ins is a bare minimum for dogs that size and occasionally they need to be kept apart.

In a way we already do that with the Cee'd SW.

One dog is in a crate that just fits across the boot, anything deeper and the rear window would be in jeopardy. The second dog fits in another crate on the folded rear passenger seat. However Mrs SDA wants to start showing our younger dog and that involves transporting a grooming trolley as well, which is basically a 3ft by 2ft table with folding legs and trolley wheels. There is no room for such a large item in the Cee'd along with the crates. However putting the crates side by side in a boot should leave lots of space behind the front seats for the trolley and other luggage.

When we showed dogs before we had a Horizons Unlimited Innovation Campervan. It was based on a SWB Transit with a unique hightop roof. It had four individual belted seats which turned into two single beds. There was a fridge, sink, gas hobs, proper caravan toilet, half wardrobe and roof lockers. Its unique facility was a 2ft deep space between the wheel arches where we had a custom-made two dog Barjo crate. We still have the crate but it only fits a Tranny. We were hoping to do it in a less wholehearted way this time, hence the search for the right car.

A previous model Santa Fe might do, but I need the measurement between the narrowest part of the boot (usually the wheel arches) to see if it works.

The 205 rear suspension design was a work of genius - and designed by a Briton: a Mr Channer. His son used to be a work colleague.

Of all the small cars SWMBO has had, the two 205s, and two Ford Kas, were the ones I really enjoyed driving - more so than the Minis she's had recently, and much more so than the very disappointing Peugeot 206.

Surely the Galymax autoboxes are twin clutch configuration, like the VW DSG, but made by different companies. I've read a whole litany of issues with them as they go over 3 or 4 years old, including a number on HJ. Give me a good old, dependable torque converter box anytime. Recently HJ commented that VW appear to have got over the 'hesitation' issue that bugged VW's DSG, but I'd still opt for a 'normal' autobox AND a decent length warranty when I can.

I know the 2.2 engined Galymaxes have a 'normal' autobox but the cheapest used ones are above my budget.

Edited by Steamdrivenandy on 28/09/2014 at 13:05

Oh absolutely and our expenditure reduced. Automatics attract quite a premium on some used cars, higher VED rates and worse fuel consumption.

The last time I was able to 'swing' a manual on her was when we bought a Transit based campervan and then a Fiat based motorhome. Both weren't available as automatics at the time. She never drove either.

I believe the lugs are the locating pins for the backs of the third row of seats. I'm not sure whether they don't exist in 5 seated Tourans?

The lugs are at about eye height for a standing bearded collie and would protrude into the side of the crate. They're normally covered by a sprung loaded plastic shroud to stop users injuring themselves. You could cut a suitable hole in the side of each crate, but I'm not sure what it would do to the crate's structural integrity and you'd still have a steel lug waiting to poke a dog in the face.