Ideal Agility Mobile For Us Addicts

[Calliesmom]

I'm resurrecting this thread because by the end of the year DH and I will be replacing his car (a 2003 Mazda Tribute--looks like a Ford Escape). We need something bigger. Currently both dogs ride in their crates which are belted in in the middle of the car. I didn't like them in the very back because the back of DH's car is straight up and down and any collision from behind would hit the crates (and the dogs). But that means there is only room for 2 people, and because the crates are secured, there's no taking them in or out.

And to add to that, we are likely going to have a third dog at some point in the future (probably in 1-2 years) and right now having 3 crates in the car plus our stuff is virtually impossible.

Also, my husband and I both drive 45+ minutes to work every day (in the opposite direction, unfortunately) and his car isn't particularly safe--has 160,000+ miles, and doesn't have 4WD (remember, snow/ice is new to us!)

All this to say that we are looking closely at the Honda Pilot, GMC Acadia, and the Mazda CX-9. I know, they're huge. But we want 3 crates, easily accessible, plus the option to still have backseats in use. Gas mileage isn't great (better than my husband's old car) but safety is more important for us.

Wanted to say that I created a big spreadsheet comparing cost, cargo space (width at narrowest point, length between back seats and front seats as well as cubic feet), gas mileage, and a few other items. It also includes photos of the car, cargo space w/seats up and cargo w/seats down. The spreadsheet includes over 40 vehicles. I'm happy to share with anyone who is interested, just let me know and I'll email it.

yay- Ashley made another spreadsheet.
yes, I'd love to see it so I can narrow down potential future vehicles

 

[dmeyer123]

I have a 2000 Honda CRV with 203,000 miles on it. It is the perfect car for me. Between my painting (which is my job) and my dogs this car could not be better....unless I could get it new again. It's AWD and a 5 speed....I love my little SUV. I'll keep it going as long as possible!!! Plenty of room, too. Once, we had 3 humans, 2 GSDs, 2 Shelties, one Pit Bull and a Shih/Poo in it for a trip to the beach!! Everyone was comfy.

 

[k9kreationz]

Rachel posted about a study, that led to a blog about cars for dog ppl. I haven't read through it yet, but thought I'd share: http://4pdrive.wordpress.com/
Not a ton of cars listed, but a lot already. Just in case anyone was wondering.

 

[Hurtseverywhere]

Well I got spoiled last year when we rented the town & country van for 2 weeks to go on vacation and to the agility trial up north held everything for 2 weeks vacation for 3 people and 3 dogs crates and ezups and all the other crap with room to spare ,nice comfort & luxury, and milage was tolerable, the other Little Item I looked at was a Forest River 28 ft triple slide motorhome, but I think I need to finish paying for the house first . I kinda wish Toyota or Honda would go hybrid with their minivans, a hybrid odesey would be something I would consider.