Dog friendly cars?

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Backward_Cinderella

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#1
So we're in the market for a new car. The Daewoo keeps freaking out on us, and we've more than passed the amount that I bought it for in repairs. We've got a couple in mind, and I'm looking for some more opinions from other dog people. So far my choices are:

Honda's CRV

Toyota's 4Runner and Rav4

Kia's Sorento

Saturn's
Vue

and finally
Nissan's Rav
 

mmorlino

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#3
No Kia or Saturn - poor quality. I would go with the CRV - it gets good gas mileage and it's quality. It also has the dog room :) However, it doesn't have much pick-me-up as it's only a 4 cylinder engine. Would you be okay with that? (you kind of have to sacrifice the pick-me-up if you want good gas mileage)

I have a Ford Explorer and I absolutely love it, but the gas mileage is about 22mpg (and I drive under 65 at all times). It's big, but not too big. Has the back space that's huge and perfect to throw my doxies in. They can't jump over the back seat so it's a great space for them.
 

Artfish

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#4
The Honda Element, though ugly as s***, is very well known to be EXTREMELY dog friendly and able to cram all sorts of crates inside. There's a ton of seating/cargo configurations. But it's ugly as s***.

I also have on my list the Subaru Forester. You just cannot kill a Forester. The Dodge Nitro has a very nice cargo area, too. Can cram a LOT of fishing gear into a Nitro so dogs should not be a problem. :) But it's a Dodge........
 

Brattina88

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#5
I don't know a whole lot about cars, but look for something with easy to clean interior - and play around with the seats if you can. Do they fold up, down, etc? I have a PT cruiser and its really easy to fold the seats down, move this level thing in the back(trunk) and throw a couple crates in the back for transports :D

Is toyota the one with the recall? shows how much I pay attentions to what everyone's been talking about. lol :p

I like the Kia's Sorento :eek:
 

colliewog

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#6
I have a Pontiac Aztek - VERY dog friendly. They don't make them anymore, but if you find one used ....

Otherwise, I'd go with the Element if it were me. :)
 

FoxyWench

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#7
yeah toyota has the recal stuff going on right now, i still like their cars though.
i like the rav 4 over the 4runner but prefer the look of the older models, it seems they got alot bulkier over the past few years and i dont like the newer ones as much.

i do have to say, mum got a new prius in the fall and im REALY suprised at how nice the car is, LOTS of interior space!!!

i would also say look into subarus (most likley my next car will be a used outback or forrester, and the suzuki sx4 (im REALY digging the sx4 and if i could get a new car thats what ill likely go for, there a peppy subcompact with 4 wheel dirve and the back folds down nicely for crates/dogs, not a great choice if youll have people and dogs though.
 

Lolas Dad

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#8
With all the Toyota problems lately I'd be looking at a Ford Escape. It has a better safety rating than the Toyota RAV4. Saturn is going under so if there was a problem how would it get fixed? Kia is Korean so I would not even consider one of those. They might be ok with Electronics such as Samsung TV's and such but how safe are they when it comes to making cars?

The thing to do is look for safety first then look at how it would fit the dog.
 

jesirose

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#9
I did the same search, and decided on a 4Runner or a Rav4. When I can finally afford a new car, that's my choice.
 

Jules

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#11
We bought a 2010 Ford Escape and it has pleeenty of room. We went on a halfway cross-country vacation with two large crates (one for the cats and one for T-Bone), plus all our luggage. The seats in the back fold down completely flat. I love that car! The gas mileage is great, we get about 23-25 in the city and about 28-30 on the highway. We got a great deal on a new one (even though I didn't want to buy new) and the prices for the pre-owned ones are pretty good.

ETA: And we have the 6 cylinder and not the hybrid.
 

MandyPug

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#12
Nissan's ROGUE. LOL Sorry everyone!!!
My DREAM car! Oh i would die if one showed up in my drive way in place of my crappy little sunfire.

My aunt has a toyota 4 runner, it's a few years old and it's great. Power, great on gas, not too big or too small, and plenty of cargo room for the doggehs.

I'm not a huge fan of domestics right now, they don't seem to be keeping up with the imports (yes i know i drive a pontiac, but i don't LIKE it! lol).
 

BostonBanker

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#13
I was looking at pretty much the same choices as you when I was shopping. Drove the CR-V a couple of times and really wanted that, then swung over to the Toyota dealership just to look. I drove the Matrix first, which I LOVED. Tons of go and super quiet inside. With the seats down, I could fit Meg's crate in the back (though just barely). While chatting, the dealer mentioned they had just gotten a Rav-4 in that I could look at. Less than a year old, 8k miles, came with a set of new snow tires. Woman had purchased it from them originally and was moving to NYC, so she sold it back to the dealer. I wound up going home with the Rav, as they gave me a much better deal on my trade in than Honda would offer.

I've been really happy with the Toyota (no recall as mine is a 2008). Gas mileage seems great (coming from a full sized Silverado and Tahoe before, so that's not saying much perhaps!), it's pleasant to drive, great to park, and has done well on bad roads. The size has been great with Meg. I got really nice custom floor mats and seat covers, so it cleans up well even after a nasty weekend at a wet agility trial. More than enough room for the two of us, and I think I'll be fine if I add a second dog.
 

Bigpoodleperson

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#14
I love the nissan rouge. I would have one in a heartbeat. I Almost bought one, but with how much i drive i needed a little better gas milage. I decided on a pontiac vibe. It gets great gas milage, the seats fold flat in the back with Tons of room, and they are plastic lined in the back. Works great for us!!
 

Snark

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#15
Still driving the 1999 Chevy Astro van (not our everyday vehicle). Like it because it IS all wheel drive, can carry 2 large crates in the back plus luggage (and still keep the middle seat) and has separate air conditioning for the back section. It's got outlets for our electric coolers and is pretty darn comfortable for our marathon trips to the east coast (we always drive straight thru - an 18 hour trip).
 

Xandra

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#16
Subaru Forester (and I'm paraphrasing someone else' suggestion here lol)

Independent suspension.

Decent ground clearance.

Stable (doesn't roll very easily).

Permanent all wheel drive.
 

ds5160

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#17
I bought an '06 Rav4 with the V6 engine. More power than I need, enough towing capacity to do tow materials for small house projects, and enough rear cargo area to hold the dogs' crates and our luggage. Mileage on long trips has been 27 mpg, with two bikes on the roof. I loved the old 4Runners, but they are too big for me now. I've even put 5 adults in the thing and they were all comfortable for the hour long ride.
 

AGonzalez

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#18
Haha, my Mustang is the kid/dog car. I can fit all 3 kids and the dog - just not for a long distance trip because poor Lacey gets a little smooshed.

What about the Chevy Avalanche? We have the Explorer Sport Trac and it's been pretty decent except for electrical, but the Avalanche is very similar, 4 doors, but has a truck bed, which is great for in the summer to put a crate in the bed of the truck and put the doggy there.

I don't know, my next 2nd vehicle will be something with 3rd row seating...probably like a Suburban, but I'm not too picky on gas mileage.
 

JennSLK

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#20
My DREAM car! Oh i would die if one showed up in my drive way in place of my crappy little sunfire.
Dont diss the sunfire. LOL. I have a 2 door. I put 4 dog crates, my show stuff, the dog's show stuff AND the doberman and beagle in it and drove 3hrs to a show. Enough cloths and dog stuff for a weekend show. Granted Emma and Jazz were both on the front seat.
 

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