Good dog cars?

[Sheesh]

We had a 1995 Saturn that we used as our dog car (used to take the dogs to the park, to the vet, etc), so we didn't mess up the interior of our newer Saturn Ion. On Wednesday night, as Mr. Sheesh was turning onto our street, someone rear-ended him. We think that the damage is enough for the insurance company to "total" the car, since it's so old and not worth much money, so we're trying to figure out our options.

I think we'll probably look to buy a used older car that we can use as just a dog car (and second vehicle for those rare times that we need a second car) or we'll trade in our Ion for something with a back area for the dogs (like a smaller SUV).

If you have dogs, what type of vehicle works well for you? For reference, our dogs are both about 60 lbs (one is an Aussie, the other is a mixed-breed shepherd). We're open to a variety of options but want to make the best decision we can because we know we'll have this car for years to come. Thanks!

[doc]

I like my subaru forester for dogs. Then my dog got too big and I had to upgrade, but yours are a bit smaller.

[makbike]

I have a Great Dane (130 lbs) and a Blue Tick Hound (65 lbs) which I haul around in my old 1994 Ford Escort Station Wagon. I fondly refer to as my dog mobile. I also have a 2003 Ford Focus Station Wagon and it was purchased so that I could haul the dogs in it but not until the other car gives up the ghost. Both cars also work equally well when it comes to hauling my bicycles to club rides - lots of room for dogs or bikes.

[Sheesh]

Makbike - Great point! Our 1995 Saturn was also our bike car because it had a roof rack (and our 2004 Saturn has a sunroof so we can't put the rack on it), which means we need to be able to transport bikes with this new, used car, too.

I've looked at some Focus Hatchbacks online and it looks like that might work if we can take out the piece that connects to the hatchback. Anyone know whether this is possible? I've never owned a hatchback before...

Doc - We've looked at some Suburus online and they don't seem to depreciate much (which is great for a new owner, but stinks if you're buying used!). Thanks for the recommendation though!

[spokewench]

I recommend Subarus - I've had two and they are the best cars ever! They are reliable, good to drive, and go forever. I should never have gotten rid of the first one I owned!

[mtbdarby]

I just got a used Honda Pilot - my dream car! It works great for hauling my two dogs (50 lbs and 65 lbs) or for hauling my bikes. I did get a bed liner for the back so it's easier to clean muddy dog or bike stuff. One note if you get an suv: the age of your dogs. My dogs are 10 and 8. My 10 yo is starting to show signs of arthritis and had a hard time jumping in the vehicle. I looked at the forrester and legecy before the pilot and didn't like how either drove, but it's my primary vehicle and I drive about 10 hours a week.

JMO. Happy Shopping!

[LBTC]

IMHO any wagon will work for you. We have the Mazda 6 Sportwagon and LOVE it!! The dogs, both border collies, are 55 and 75 lbs, so they are big enough to count in your survey. :) They find the wagon quite comfortable, although they definitely prefer it if we have the seats folded down so they can get closer to us.

Previously we had a van that was perfect in many ways, but a complete lemon and total source of frustration. The Toyota Sienna was a good choice for space as the dogs, gear, bikes, luggage and people could ALL fit inside if necessary. And the middle side windows actually rolled down.

The Mazda has not caused us a second of trouble, and I think the dogs like it better as the windows are low enough for them to see out of easily. And, yes, the bikes ride on the roof! :)

Good luck and have fun!

~T~

[Bad JuJu]

I'm thinking Subaru for my next car--which won't be for a while because apparently Toyotas never die. Anyway, both the Subaru Legacy station wagon and the Forester seem to be popular among my friends with dogs. They're also highly rated by Consumer Reports (the cars, not the friends with dogs LOL). I need a vehicle that will accommodate a rear tow hitch for a bike rack, roof racks for kayaks, and of course, the large chocolatey fellow shown in my avatar :) , and the Subaru models seem equal to all my requirements.

On the other hand, my neighbor-with-dog just got a Honda CRV and both she and her dog are very happy with it so far.

[Chimiska]

We have a Subaru Forrester, as does our son (with big Golden). The back of the Subaru has a fence that can be put in to keep the dog in the back. And it holds a Golden nicely. Be sure it is NOT one of the "high performance" engines: they REQUIRE hi-test gas. (little 4 cylinder engine, lays flat near bottom of car, making it hard to tip over). Great mileage too. CU really likes it. We like ours.
Chim

[KnottedYet]

I've had 3 Subarus now (1986 wagon, 1996 wagon, 2005 wagon) and have hauled dogs in all of them. And bikes.

If you google the Ultimate Subaru Message Board you can find their "for sale" section. Subi lovers selling their beloved Subis. Most are older models and generally the prices are very good and the cars have been well maintained.

At the least you can post a request that one of the USMB folks in your area help you find a used Subi wagon. These guys are always noticing Subis for sale near them.

[farrellcollie]

I have a volkswagen passat wagon that I bought for the dogs (65 lb collie and 45+ collie mix) - at the time I was looking, the back was larger than the subaru which was my second choice.

[wavedancer]

Another Passat Wagon here. I keep the rear seats folded down most of the time because there is usually a dog, a bike, or kayaking gear in it! I got some vinyl carpet protector runners and cut them to shape to protect the carpeted cargo area and the back of the seats. Makes it easy to sweep out the sand and dirt. I also have a yoga sticky mat on top so sweet Ebby doesn't slide around when she is in the back.

Ebby is a twelve-year-old lab mix and sometimes has trouble jumping into the back now. I guess I will be looking at ramp options soon!

[anakiwa]

Just to plug the Subaru Forrester one more time- this summer I managed to transport:
3 people
3 bicycles
1 dog
all inside the car
(though truth be told it was a 30 lb dog and was sitting on the lap of one of the people).

Only downside of the Subaru (or any higher SUV type vehicle) is that if the dog is old or injured it will need help getting in (my dog recently had knee surgery and needs a significant boost to get into the car).

[snapdragen]

Another dog and subaru lover here. My Forester is currently decorated in nose prints from Chloe's trip to the beauty parlor.

[xeney]

We have three dogs (40, 80, and 80 pounds), and we looked at the Forrester, the RAV4, and the Honda CRV. We settled on the RAV4 partly because it got the best gas mileage of the three, and partly because it was the best choice for our dogs. We take the two rear seats out (or fold them up) and there is plenty of space for all three dogs in the back. One of our dogs has hip dysplasia, and the RAV4 has a low entry point at the rear that is really easy for him to use.

We have also put bikes in the back many times, although we usually use a rack that attaches to the spare tire. (We got a roof rack when we bought the car, but the drag gives us terrible gas mileage so we don't use it much ... plus we have to remove it in order to haul our canoe.)

Ours is the 2002 model, and I know the current model is pretty different. But we love ours. The rear seats are out of it most of the time, though, because we use it more for cargo/dogs than for hauling extra passengers.

[Sheesh]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We're going to check out a few dealers tomorrow to see what they have on the lot. I think we may have it narrowed down to a Jeep Liberty or a Rav4. It will be Tuesday before we can actually do anything (once we know for sure the status on the Saturn), but it certainly helps to start looking now.

[eclectic]

so many choices!

When I was out looking I too wanted a dog friendly/bike friendly vehicle. Mainly DOG HAIR friendly! I was seriously looking at the Toyota Matrix or the Pontiac Vibe (virtually the same car just different labels) as a smaller car. It has a totally uncarpeted interior and comes in AWD.

I test drove a honda element and if I lived near a beach or the mountains it would have been my choice but for here not necessary - Also totally uncarpeted.

I ended up w/ a Honda CRV which I love and I just put the back seats down and layed an old sheet over all.

I really like the new RAV 4's (I didn't like the older styles - the CRV was much nicer and roomier) My aunt has a Rav 4 and 2 BIG dogs, she is 6 feet tall herself and finds it comfortable

Good luck and let us know what you decide

[roguedog]

have had my 4rnr for almost 20 yrs. its been thru dogs, skiing, moving, college, numerous road trips, hauling horse equip.. basically every whim of my life.

i love it. with the back seats down, the dog has plenty of room in the back to stand and roam about or just lie down.

i love it. i call it "ole trusty."

[crazybikinchic]

Exploders are great trucks.:D Guess I should actually say Explorer. Great for hauling dogs and bikes.

[Tuckervill]

+1 for the Forester or Legacy Outback, even though I ended up not buying one after my Beetle got totaled. I got a '07 Honda Element, because my 6'7" tall hubby couldn't fit in the Subarus. (I really wanted a Honda Fit, but it turns out the Beetle is the only small car he CAN fit into.)

He doesn't really fit in the Element, either, because of the funky shelf on the passenger side at his knee level, but it's tolerable. For long trips he can sit in the back. With the dogs! :)

But I look longingly at the Foresters as they drive by me sometimes, and then I snap to my senses and feel grateful I have a such a fine husband, who would have bought a Subaru anyway, if that's what I had really wanted.

Karen

[KnottedYet]

My 6'7" uncle is as much a Subi nut as I am. (well, MORE of a Subi nut, truth be told) I don't know how on earth he manages to fit in the Subis, but he does it somehow.

Seems like a Forester would have a lot more "tall person" room than a Legacy, but I've never seen my uncle in a Forester.

He hauls dogs in his Subi wagons, too.

[Wahine]

I drive a Nissan Xterra. The first model out - 2000. I love it. It has a very reliable engine and lots of room for animals, bikes and windsurfing gear. But I have to reiterate what others have already stated. Getting a big dog into an SUV as they age is a tough chore. I used to have a 130 lb Bullmastiff and my SUV was great until he hit about 9 yrs old. Then I started noticing that he would limp the day after he had gone for a car ride. I ended up training him to use a small rubbermaid step ladder to get in and out of the back. That worked alright until he was about 11 yrs then he started having trouble with the nerves in his back legs and he couldn't reliably use the step ladder. I ended up heaving him into the truck most days if I had to take him someplace. Not a pretty sight. Ultimately, I had to have him put down in February of this year and I miss him dearly.:( :( :(

In the end, I had the vet come to the house to do the deed. It was just way too much for me to try to get him inside the vehicle.

I still love my truck buy I've vowed that when I'm ready to get another dog, I will get a ramp and use it always to prevent unnecessary joint trauma. I love my big dogs and they need all the help with their joints that they can get.

[Tuckervill]

My 6'7" uncle is as much a Subi nut as I am. (well, MORE of a Subi nut, truth be told) I don't know how on earth he manages to fit in the Subis, but he does it somehow.

My hubby is all leg. He doesn't need extraordinary headroom, just lots of room for those giraffe legs to fold up. He also has flexibility and circulation issues, so if he drives, he needs room to move around a bit. That didn't exist for him in the Subarus.

The looks he used to get as he folded into the Beetle!

Karen

[Sheesh]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! We found a 1999 Toyota Rav 4 with 35,000 miles on it for about $8k, so we bought it today! All the other used cars with room in the back for dogs were closer to $13-15k, which is out of our price range for a second car (especially one that's really just used for hauling the dogs), so the car we found was perfect!

[xeney]

Sheesh, I bet you will love that car. Ours is a later model, but whenever we take it to the mountains we see a lot of the older ones like that, usually with dogs inside, bikes on the back, and rafts on the top! They are very popular with young outdoorsy types and they will go just about anywhere. Congratulations!

[Lenusik]

We are in LOVE with our Nissan Murano. My hubby is 6'6. He does not fit in any Subaru or Honda element, already tried. But Murano is the best. Plust, we have 3 dogs, a 120 pond Rotti, a 54 and 27 pound mutts. We all fit and love to take trips.


My hubby is all leg. He doesn't need extraordinary headroom, just lots of room for those giraffe legs to fold up. He also has flexibility and circulation issues, so if he drives, he needs room to move around a bit. That didn't exist for him in the Subarus.

The looks he used to get as he folded into the Beetle!

Karen