What car for owner with two dogs????

subaru forester. plenty of room and bulletproof engine.

 

Thats easy. Honda Pilot.

 

From a two dog owner and very familiar with snow and ice. Get a Toyota Sienna van. Dump the two furthest back seats for the dogs. Get a dog net right behind the rear seats. Then get yourself a set of studded snow tires.

 

I'd agree here.

 

I'd get a late-model but used Jeep Cherokee just for the fact that it's got 4WD and it's not a real "pretty" SUV you would care if the dogs messed up. I don't know too much about them, but my brother has an '89 Jeep and it's pretty reliable and low maintenance. And nobody cares if it smells like dog, unlike the Lexus I used to have.

 

Volvo xc90 or xc70 "cross country" wagon

 

Can you get range rovers for between that money?

 

yes you can

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=252675525&dealer_id=27533300&car_year=2004&rdm=1234453030870&model=RANGE&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=ROV&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30041&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=22&standard=false

 

I don't think the model is as important as the materials/accessories. Obviously you want a car with as little cloth as possible. Even though this will be the "dog" car, you'll want to make it presentable and human-friendly from time to time. We have an Escape with black leather and it cleans up real nice. I use a cargo liner in the back and it looks brand new underneath. And the dark leather seats are tough and stain-resistant. Some things to seriously consider are a harness that connects to the seat belt for the non-crated dog as well as an entry step. A lot of dogs suffer ligament and joint injuries jumping in and out of vehicles. There's a good one that attaches to trailer hitches (if you have one) that swings back underneath the bumper when not in use. Most of us grew up driving around with our dogs hanging their heads out the windows. They love this, but there are a couple risks: the first is an eye injury from airborne debris. The second is, in the event of a collision, not only can an un-harnessed dog get seriously injured or worse, but they also become un-secured ballast and can inflict injury on the passengers.

 

Yes, but can you afford the maintenance on one in that price range?

 

+1

I've got a Grand Cherokee and two Newfoundlands. If they'll fit, I'm sure that your two dogs will. I will say that there isn't much room left over in the back with both dogs in my GC. If I had to haul the dogs and much else, I'd opt for something larger like a Tahoe/Yukon.

Jack's comments about the features and materials of a dog-toting vehicle are also spot on.

 

Too bad a McLaren F1 isn't in that price range.....Be cool having dogs slobber on both sides of you. My two Basset Hounds love the MazdaSpeed6.....

 

I've got a picture somewhere of my 328 when I went for one of my first big drives. I took my dog Senna--I had a seat protector and harness for her--and when our group pulled over everyone was laughing at the drool running all the way to the back of the car.

 

I agree.....I have been the proud owner of 3 dogs that ranged in weight from 185-215 lbs. This was over a 20 yr period so I had only one at a time, but for extremely large breeds the mini van is the best way to go.
You have two large dogs, so the ease of entry to the vehicle is key to save the hind legs of larger dogs.

 

I just got rid of my '05 explorer - 20mpg on the highway, zero maintainance problems over the 35k miles I put on it in 2 years, and 4wd. Comfortable cruiser and plenty of space for a couple of pups, especially if you fold the middle seats flat. I would get another if I ever needed another SUV.

 

If you want something that won't break and won't depreciate much, a Honda pilot is a good choice. We had one with 3 labs. If you want true off road capability i.e. low range differential, then a 4runner is great. Our labs like it fine although they seem to prefer the back seat of our Tundra best (dogs love trucks).

Dave

 

Do the dogs drive or do you have some reason to haul them around in a car?

 

I'm disappointed, Frank. I was certain that you'd put your canned message about friends not letting friends drive SUV's. You doing ok today?

 

Dog-Cargo-Barrier
Backseat-Pet-Barrier

I am looking at getting another Malamute from a rescue organization and my first thought is the XC90, but I kinda am a Volvo fanboy in a way. 8Snake makes a good point on the in/out. The step that goes in the trailer hitch is essential for an SUV of any size. Most dogs can handle getting in/out of a wagon pretty easily but as they age or hip displaysia takes hold it can be tough to even get off the couch. Ramps for cars or for SUVs with the Pet Step.

You can pick up a big old 4x4 pick up for cheap and toss a shell on the back, this give the dogs a lot of space and seperates them from you in the car. I hate a wet nose when I am in traffic! Plus in CA, dogs must now be in a cargo area or secured with a petbelt. With a truck you toss in a section of carpet and if they get muddy from playing, you can always hose it down! Sadly women want an SUV for a false sense of security and I'll say for a small SUV the Volvo is quite stylish where Honas may have low operational costs, they lack a lot of comfort and personality.

 

VW Passat Wagon TDI! Great fuel economy and PLENTY of room and VERY NICE to boot!

My wife has the previous gen Jetta wagon TDI and LOVE IT! She is about ready to upgrade to the new Jetta Sportwagen TDI I think...

James

 

Well, people that haul their dogs around everywhere they go deserve to drive an SUV...

 

Touché!

 

A pick-up truck. Put the *****es in the back.