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Thread: Good dog cars?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    293

    Good dog cars?

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    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!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    508
    I like my subaru forester for dogs. Then my dog got too big and I had to upgrade, but yours are a bit smaller.
    .......__o
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Shelbyville, KY
    Posts
    1,472
    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.
    Marcie

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    293
    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!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Flagstaff AZ
    Posts
    2,516
    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!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,139
    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!
    Dar
    _____________________________________________
    “Minds are like parachutes...they only function when they are open. - Thomas Dewar"

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Vernon, British Columbia
    Posts
    2,226
    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~
    The butterflies are within you.

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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Florida panhandle
    Posts
    1,498
    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.
    Bad JuJu: Team TE Bianchista
    "The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress." -Roth
    Read my blog: Works in Progress

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    19
    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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    I'm the only one allowed to whine
    Posts
    10,557
    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.
    "If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    254
    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.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Cape Cod, MA
    Posts
    414
    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!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    269
    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).

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Sillycon Valley, California
    Posts
    4,872
    Another dog and subaru lover here. My Forester is currently decorated in nose prints from Chloe's trip to the beauty parlor.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    747
    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.

 

 

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