I have to say my favorite dog hauling vehicle is the Lexus RX300 (and i'm on my second one -- the first one was totalled in a massive 5-car interstate accident which I walked away from without a scratch or even a bruise).
This midsize SUV gets 19+ mpg (even in the city traffic) and 22 on the highway, the back seats fold completely flat allowing tons of level room for dog crates, dogs without crates, and it's relatively low to the ground (more like a van) allowing for easier access by the dogs. I can also throw my mountain bike in the back and it fits fine -- I have hauled 8 X11 foot rugs, furniture, and more stuff than you can imagine would fit from the looks of this vehicle on the outside... The Lexus dealership always gives me a free loaner (always another RX300) and they wash & vacuum my car whenever I come in for service -- I've never had to do anything other than routine maintenance -- oil changes, services and replace tires and brake pads -- this car is totally trouble free -- and with almost 80,000 miles. Roadside assistance is free and wonderful if you ever need it (like for a flat tire) The air conditioner works great (and I'm in Memphis where it will be 110 heat index today!) -- there's a back seat A/C vent to keep the canines comfy..., the stereo system is superb and the seats are so comfortable. It's more like a nice comfy car with the advantages of an SUV. It also has a quick engine that will really accelerate when you need the power. Lexus has just changed the RX for this year -- it's a little wider w/ a little more space inside the cargo area and it looks awesome. They are very reasonably priced..compared to a lot of choices out there... especially when you consider the fact that you never have to spend anything other than on routine maintenance. (Even the tires aren't expensive) I could go on and on, but visit their site and see for yourself -- better yet, go drive one!! I will always have one of these! http://www.lexus.com/models/rx/index.html Happy motoring -- and I'm so glad you're OK after the wreck, Andrea!! Jennifer Burgess Rex (BMD) and Mabel (Lab) Memphis -----Original Message----- From: Nancy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 4:38 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List Subject: Re: Dog cars- need help Hi - I have to second the 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan. The back windows go down - one of only two on the market that do. The Honda MPV's do also, but it is a smaller minivan and doesn't come in an AWD version. The Sienna's rear seat also folds into the floor - really handy when you are on the road and either need the seats or the space, and you don't have a handy spot to store. My current dogmobile is a 96 Caravan - so I know that the folding option, as odd as it may sound at first, will come in really handy. We have a loaded one on order - leather seats (easier to clean), and AWD. For some reason, here in NH, the AWD version is harder to find. Also, it is lower to the ground than an SUV - something we wanted to consider for the dogs. At 40K, it isn't cheap, but our plan is to use it until we run it into the ground, and it will last the life of our dogs. Good luck! Nancy Deb + Tom Sharlow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi Andrea, Sorry to hear about your accident. Hopefully everyone is OK. I am waiting for a good excuse to get rid of my VW Passat wagon to get a bigger dog vehicle. My VW has been great but I want something a bit roomier for the dogs. I do worry about them in the car not crated. In the past I was never interested in mini-vans and one reason was because the passenger windows don't go down. However, I have decided on the new (2004) Toyota Sienna mini-van. The passenger windows do go down, the AC is in the back, AWD is available. It is wider than most vans so could fit 2 crates side by side and still have the back seat or fold down the back seat to put another crate in. It also has good ratings (as most Toyotas do). Good luck finding the right vehicle. Debbie Sharlow ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrea Stefanac" To: "Berner-L" Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 3:42 PM Subject: Dog cars- need help > Hi all, > I'm in a bit of dilemma. I was in a car accident with > my '95 Subaru Legacy wagon last week. I had one crate > that sat sideways in the very rear of the car. If all > 3 dogs went with me, one was in the crate and 2 were > loose in the folded down back seat. With now having 3 > big dogs (and one a potential show dog) and more dog > stuff to haul around, I'm in a quandry of trying to > decide what type of vehicle to get now (my car was > totalled by the insurance company). I really want All > wheel drive (AWD) or 4 wheel drive for those nasty, > muddy show parking areas. > > I'm currently looking at a used Subaru Outback b/c I > really liked my car and a Chevy Astro van. Barkley's > breeder has a GMC Safari van (same as the Astro) and > just loves it. It has over 100,000 miles and has only > been in the shop for maintenance stuff. Hers has barn > doors in the back and rear air conditioning which > would be a huge bonus with the dogs in addition to > easily getting at least 3 good size crates in it. I'm > trying to look down the road a bit as far as future > use of the vehicle. The Astro vans are definitely > roomier than most other mini-vans and most others > don't have AWD as an option. However according to > Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for > Highway Safety, the Astro/Safari have poor reliablity > and poor safety. I'm also not sure that I want to try > a big minivan everyday (or a big SUV- which hubby has > so no point buying another, we would just trade cars). > > The Outback of course has great reliablity and great > safety scores. But it has the same interior space as > my other car, which was getting a bit and that was > without the eventual grooming table, generator, blow > dryer, etc. > > Anyone have any experience with these cars (or others > to recommend?) or comments?? > > Thanks, > Andrea Stefanac > & Chance CD NDD CGC TT > & Barkley- show hopeful > Richmond, VA > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! > http://sbc.yahoo.com > --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
