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!!!

 

[Lynn D.]

So sorry, I didn't see this post till today!

 

The outback smells like dog because he rides in it. I have done a few details- wash, vacuum, wipe down surfaces. But his kennel rides in the car all the time which gets wiped out and vacuumed as well.

 

I have leather seats with rubber mats in the cargo area. I guess Echo is just a stinker!

No other dog, he's my one and only!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Doodles don't smell!  That is suppose to be one of the nice things about them.  They don't have doggie breath and don't smell...at least MY Doodle doesn't.  My car never smells like Gracie.  Now our Lab that we used to have...boy he stunk two days after a bath!  The car stunk too!

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

Oh Nancie, don't take it personally :) I was asking Lynn about why her car smelled like dog. Maybe she does have another dog. Because it is rare to hear of a doodle smelling. I agree with you, my two don;t smell either. Now the breath is debatable when we have chewed our fish oil tablet or had salmon for dinner!!!  LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have an old Minivan that works perfectly for us. I have the rear seats in the back down and took the seat out behind the passenger seat and we have ourselves a doodle mobile. The right rear door opens with a button and it is easy in and out with my dogs. I would never have anything else but a van and my kids are full grown :)

[BG and Gavin]

My sister-in-law shows Airedales.  She swears by her Honda Element.  She is on her second one.  Easily handles large crates.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We were headed towards the Element (Dog version) when we ended up with our Odyssey!  It seemed like the perfect vehicle for dirty wet dogs.  However, we spoke to a man in a parking lot one day that had one and asked him about traveling long distances in one and he said "No Way" that the ride was not a smooth ride.  It was great for tooling around town, but not over the road!    Since we do all our traveling by ground now that we have the Doods, needed something comfortable as well as practical for the doggies!

[Lynn D.]

The Honda Element is neat, well built for dogs, but gets TERRIBLE gas mileage and has zero power.

They are going out of production in the next 2-3 months, FYI.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

DH has the Toyota Sequoia but it has been deemed a "no doodle zone".  Though we did use for soccer carpool.  It has a third 60/40 split seat that fold flat with a touch of a button.  It had plenty room to hold 4 highschool soccer girls and all their related gear.

I drive a Toyota Camry Hybrid and just love it.  Unfortunately it can't hold a crate and I have can't hold more than 2 doods.  In 2 years when my lease is up I am hoping that the milage for their Hybrid SUVs is a bit better.

[Stella]

I upgraded to a Toyota RAV4 when we got our second doodle.  For a mid-size it has a lot of room in the front and the back, the back seat moves backward and forward and collapses down completely flat.  If you get the one with the external tire on the back of the car, you get a really nice storage area under the trunk - there is a flap in the floor of the trunk that lifts up.  It also isn't so high that they can't jump in and out of the back - both my boys travel in the trunk.

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

I have thought about this as well and Toyota has a 0% financing offer right now. i have a friend that has one, no dogs, but loves it also. thanks

[Stella]

If I had the money and didn't care about gas prices or the environment I would upgrade to a 4runner!! 

[HrseMom]

Have a crossover and love it. My gas bill is MUCH lower than that of the huge SUV I just traded :). Ordered a pet barrier that keeps Bella in the rear. We use a top carrier for gear on long trips. WeatherTech cargo mat for the rear. All the dirt and mud stays in the back!