In message , Lobster
writes
Kat wrote:

Thanks for the unput. Driving with the back door of an estate open
enable you to carry longer objects only. Driving with a hatchback's
hatch open will enable you to carry longer *and* taller objacts in
some cases. See what I'm saying?

Another point to consider which I don't think anyone's mentioned yet -
think about whether you want an estate/hatchback with/without a rear
lip on the tailgate. If you have one, there's the advantage that your
boot contents stay reasonably together and don't fall out every time
you open the tailgate; but it also means you have to lift heavy objects
(like bags of sand or plaster) over the lip each time. A big
consideration if you're worried about your back, as you say. I think
most if not all hatchbacks will have the lip (is that the right word??!)

We have one car with a flat tailgate, one with a 12" lip - give me the
flat one anytime.

David

A split tailgate was one feature which convinced me to buy my current
car, Fiat Marea estate.
Normally the "bumper" part forms a 5" high lip to keep stuff from
rolling out of the boot. But it drops down to give a flat load space
when need. I've carted long timber (16') back from the BM by leaving
just the lower tailgate open with the timber sticking out the back.
Very useful workhorse car last year when I was building "The Shed" (tm),
materials kit boxes, tool boxes, saw bench, mitre saws, more toolboxes
all transported with ease.

My other life (regular mountain biking trips) means I wouldn't now
consider anything other than an estate car, pref a TD.

--
steve