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!!!

 

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I have a jeep grand cherokee, the one Webber and I traveled cross country in.  If it weren't for the 20 miles to the gal. on the road, and 14 in town, it would be the perfect doodlemobile.  There is a ton of room in the back with all the seats down, which flop down easily and leave enough toom for a double bed, the leather wipes off paw prints, heavy duty floor mats bluetooth ,sat radio and in dash 6 CD player.  It feels solid and the seats are comfortable on long rides.  The two doodle dogs can sleep in the back or be strapped in their seat belts.  If only it wasn't a gas hog.  I would love to have the 2011 since they have fancied it up.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I don't have an SUV - my dream for a doodle mobile :)  DH says we need to buy a YARD for the doodle first (house hunting!).

 

However, my dad has the Toyota Highlander and LOVES it. Great mileage, no frills, etc.. He has put 250,000 miles on it and it just goes and goes! 

 

I think the new ones have a third row option??

[Melissa & Porter]

Highlanders do have a third row and are rated quite high in lots of regards. I would get one if I had two kids, but since I need the third row all the time, it is not the best choice.  It lacks leg room in that third row and cargo space when the third row is in full use.

This is an interesting article:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordabl...

Good luck on the house hunting!

 

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I have had 2 mini-vans and I am mini-vanned out.  So we have 1 doodle, 2 kids, and lots of kid friends.  I wanted an SUV that could hold all but not be the size of a Hummer.  I looked at EVERYTHING, I swear I must have test drove every single SUV out there.  I ended up buying a Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7.  It has the hatch that opens to the side in back, a nice big roomy cargo area that is actually a folded down 3rd row - just in case.  Its not huge either, its on the smaller side like a Toyota Highlander.  It gets great gas milage and doesn't have any blind spots.  I personally love it :-)

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

Going out to do some car shopping today. Looks like the Suzuki Grand Vitara might require a look see. I saw the Ford Escape today at the dog park and it looked big enough from the outside. Anyone have that?

[Kelly H]

I have an Escape, I love it, the back part is large enough for our crate andthe back seats fold down flat too for more storage. I would say if you are going to be traveling with more overnight with more than one other person and the dogs frequently, I would look for something a little bigger. It gets very good gas mileage for an SUV.

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

Anyone have a Ford Escort? Pro's and Con's?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey, does this mean Gracie Doodle's Doodle Limo is "chopped liver" or something!!!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Okay, all you Doodle people who are buying new cars...listen up.  I have awesome Canine seat covers for Gracie Doodle's Doodle Limo and they are a lifesaver (waterproof and nothing falls through).  I had them on my other car and totally consider them an investment if you are buying nice cars with leather seats (especially).  These are custom made to your make, model and year.  Machine washable and I just hang them out to dry in the patio.  If you have 60/40 split seats it isn't a problem because there is velcro everywhere to allow you to open the seat covers to lay the seat down.  They also have little covers that go over the unused seat belt holes so you don't get dirt or sand in them.  I also bought the ones that go on the back of the carpeted seat backs so when I lay them down flat they are protected as well.  Plus side panels that tuck into the window sill so you won't get your wood or leather scratched.  I had them for 4 years in my VW Touareg for Gracie and the back seats looked like brand new when I sold the car.  I how have them in my 2011 Ford Flex.  You can Google Canine Seat Covers (which is the company who makes them) but I found the best way (for me) was using Autoanything.com.  You go to the seat cover link and then the Canine seat cover link. You can view all the options but the ones I got were the custom ones that are specific to your car.  Yes, $200-$300 but you need to consider how much you paid for your car and one of you just posted that you already have two toe nail holes in your leather.  BTW...you can get leather repaired.  It is one of the best investments you can make for your car if you are one who takes care of cars.  Also, very easy to install so if you have a car load of people, they are easy to take off and you have instant clean seats for them to sit on.  At least go check it out!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

O.K. - I was SOLD on this but then I went to the autoanything/seat covers/ pet/ pick your make - guess what - no Lexus!!!!!  Now I'm sad.  Sniff sniff.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh wow, I am so sorry.  I can't believe they don't had them for the Lexus.  You might want to give them a call.  They are located here in California so it will be long distance.  I called for my Flex because they had them for the 2009 and 2010 and I just wanted to make darn sure the 2011 was the exact same seat construction and configuration.

[Sue]

They had them for my Lexus RX 300, and I plan to order them. thanks for the info.