Need Doodle-mobile recommendations/ RESULTS

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

We are in the process of looking for a different SUV for more practical purposes, like lugging 2 big doodles and soon, car seat and grandson around in.  Neither the dogs, baby or I need a Lexus and having them damage the seats like they have is too frustrating when I consider resale, so the time is now before more damage is done.

What type do you have and what do you like or dislike about your SUV in regards to the practicality of having your doodle travel in it?  Thanks.

 

RESULTS: This is what we all either have, wish we had or wish we didn't have. I only included the comments of why we did not like the vehicle because there was too much of the good to mention about the others. Just a summary for us all to review. Comments anyone?

Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7.
Honda Element   "good for doods, not for travel"
Honda Odyssey
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota RAV4
Jeep Grand Cherokee, "good for doods, poor gas mileage"
Toyota Highlander
Nissan Murano
Nissan Pathfinder  "too tall for medium dood to jump into"
Hyandai Santa Fe  "too small"
Ford Explorer
Subaru Outback  "smells like dog"
And of course :

Echo's Corvette with side car!!!

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

i had looked at the Murano and it is definitely a very nice SUV. It is every bit as nice as the Lexus and that's what i want to get away from is the luxury of it and have one that is more utilitarian and durable.  I love it for all the reasons that make it a Lexus, but doodle-mobile it is NOT!!!   There are just SO MANY choices out there!  I hate making decisions to begin with.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Does anyone have a Hyundai Santa Fe? My mom has one, 2009, that she wants to trade  and I was considering it. this just came up tonight when I told her I was selling my car.  It looks small to me? Thoughts hyundai owners out there?

[Michael Gurley]

I have a Ford Explorer, Ironman edition. It has leather seats which are good to wipe off, a huge back trunk area that can fit a huge crate or two medium ones, and window locks so my dood can't roll the window up on her neck (other than that one time).

 

It's perfect! I have a doggie seat belt harness for her though, just to keep her safe if I make a sudden stop or turn.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I have a friend who had one a couple of years ago and it is a small SUV.  It is basically the same size as the Ford Escape which I think is a bit too small!.  We did a lot of ladies golf road trips in both and it was only good for the two of us and no more passengers.  By the time you got two sets of clubs in and a weekender suitcase each, it was full!

[Melissa & Porter]

My next car is the Honda Odyssey.  28 mpg hwy. 

I am kinda interested in the 2011 Nissan Quest because I like the style, but the back seats are not removable, and I like to be able to fit big things from Costco or Ikea :-) 

When shopping, I check out in the cubic feet of Interior Space and the Turning Circle. 

You'll find that some mid-size SUVs are pretty small on the inside YET will be a pain in the butt to park/maneuver.  Others will have more interior space and a smaller turning circle.  These are big considerations for me because I have a family of five, a mom who makes prolonged visits, a big dog AND I live outside New York City and want to be able to street-park easily.

[Lynn D.]

I originally had a Nissan Pathfinder LE. I hate to admit that I loved it. I used it to rescue a couple of doodles. That made me realize that there was NO WAY it was going to work for my medium sized dood. The tail gate is too tall for a medium dood to jump up onto. So before I even put down my doodly deposit I went and got a Subaru Outback, my 3rd Subie. Its a good vehicle, very versitile. I love the cargo mat in the back, cleaning is a breeze. HOWEVER, after 5 months of occasional rides and near weekly baths, it smells like dog. A 36" kennel doesn't fit well and is a huge obstruction in my rear view. I am not a fan of having my dood loose in the car. BTW, I spent about 6 months of car shopping before I bought my Outback. Echo is nearly 8 months old and can't jump into the car. So 13 months into ownership of my 2010 Outback, I am researching a new vehicle. So far I have found that a Honda Ridgeline fits what I need/want the best.

1. Human cab won't smell like a dog, much less dog hair.

2. 4x4 or AWD (I live in the mtns), though even if I didn't I would probably require this anyway.

3. Nice, upscale. HAS to have lots of buttons! Bluetooth, satt radio, seat heaters, mirror heaters (need one with a steering wheel heater).

4. Has a POWER window to the bed of the truck. I will be able to heat/cool the bed (with a cap) on it super easy.

 

I looked at the Lexus 450h, a hybrid has been on my short list of cars for a long time. I really like it, beautiful car but the cargo area is NOT big enough. The cab would still smell doggy and Echo wouldn't be able to jump in on his own. This is a big issues for me because I don't want to get dirty by picking him up. While the rigeline has a tall tailgate, the gate ALSO swings out, so I can teach Echo to use the step on the back bumper to get up into the bed of the truck.

 

I keep going back to the Corvette, that is a true drivers car! But the only way that is doable is if Echo had a side car, which he would totally love.

[Melissa & Porter]

>> I keep going back to the Corvette, that is a true drivers car! But the only way that is doable is if Echo had a side car, >> which he would totally love.

 

ROFLOL :-))

 

[Lynn D.]

The heart wants what the heart wants!

 

I would get him a pair of Doggles and maybe one of those little leather hats.

[Melissa & Porter]

And that is why my husband has a mini cooperS, which does not even fit our whole family at once :-)

[Lynn D.]

Haha! We just bought our first Mini Cooper S! Pepperwhite, hardtop. It's so nice! Great gas mileage, except it requires premium gas.

FYI, the Mini is not a replacement for my Outback. We traded in the garage queen for something fun.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I love the mini cooper, that is a FUn car. Not what we need, but fun!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Lynn, why do you think your Outback smells like dog? Are the seats fabric? Is there carpet in the cargo area? Interesting as I have been carrying Murphy around for almost 18 months in the back of our lexus and I bought a big carpeted matt to put in the back that I clean occassionally and it has leather seats that are easy to clean. He has gotten in it pretty dirty at times and the car actually still smells like new.  Interesting.