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Our DogCars choices get sloppy wet kisses from MyRide.com
By Gina Spadafori
July 29, 2009
Our DogCars.com site started for a single reason: I wanted to buy a new vehicle. I started reviewing new vans, wagons and SUVs from a dog-lover’s point of view, posting the reviews into this blog.
Before too long, we had a lot of reviews and no real way for people to find them. So we started our DogCars.com Web site. Two years ago, we thought it would be fun to celebrate our top cars in a variety of categories, so we started the DogCars.com Best In Show DogCar of the Year award, choosing the Honda Element as our first winner and the Dodge Grand Caravan as our second.
And we kept reviewing as many vehicles as we could get our hands on, although Kim and Keith do most of the driving and writing now.
We got a lot of attention for our efforts, and sparked some change. Car-makers realized that they were missing a part of the market with special needs, and started to pitch to pet-owners. Honda, Toyota and Volvo did more than pitch: They put together special features into some of their models to appeal to dog-owners.
We’re pretty proud of those accomplisments, and of helping people find out more about how to travel with their dogs in safety and comfort.
A few weeks ago, the folks at Autobytel.com asked us to partner with them to suggest the top vehicles for dog-lovers, for their MyRide.com Web site. Keith pulled all the information together from the reviews Kim and I wrote, and from Dr. Becker’s advice on safe and comfortable travel, and the team at MyRide.com did the rest.
Here’s the article. We’re pretty happy with how it turned out.
And no, I still haven’t been able to decide on a new car. But I’m going to have to, soon, because my 1998 Plymouth Voyager isn’t going to hang on forever!
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I thought for sure you’d be getting an Element.
Comment by Debbie — July 29, 2009 @ 11:14 am
I am in LOVE with that dog in the last picture.
Comment by Original Lori — July 29, 2009 @ 11:22 am
I probably will get an Element. I just haven’t managed to pull the trigger yet. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 29, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Gina—I’ve been asking around about the Element since I was considering it for my next car—-when the dog-friendly package came out. When you drove it, did you find it had large blind spots near the pillars? That was one concern I heard about it.
Comment by Original Lori — July 29, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
There is, but I didn’t find it to be a problem when I was aware and using the mirrors. And of the vehicles I drove, there were some with a lot more visibility problems than the Element has.
I would think about the new Element with the dog-friendly built-ins, but I would kinda rather by a used one. I’m also really, really tempted to keep the Voyager van just for when I need to take ALL the dogs — and getting something dog-friendly like a Honda Fit for running around town. A little hatchback is more than enough for short trips with to two big dogs.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 29, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Yeah, used would be nice. Maybe I’ll look at a pre-2008 CR-V. I’d like to stick with Subaru, but I don’t like what they’ve done to my Forester this year, looks-wise. Plus…long term preparation for 2 crated dogs, since I keep my cars a long time. Hmmmm….
Comment by Original Lori — July 29, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
The “old” CR-Vs were wonderful. The new design is too slanted in the rear to be of any use at all. If you go “cute ute,” I’d look at the RAV-4. I also liked the Mitsubishi Outlander a lot. And the Ford Escape, which even comes in a hybrid!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 29, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
“…my 1998 Plymouth Voyager isn’t going to hang on forever!”
And now would be a perfect time to get a new ride! I just checked online as I also have a Ply Voy (1997) and the MPG is 18 so you can get some of those free govt. car bucks that are around!
Comment by CathyA — July 29, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
I know! I’m so tempted.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 29, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
I’ve been thinking about the Element for my next car, too (I have two large retrievers—and usually foster a third). They do have a new version, the SC, which is lower to the ground than the original so it might be easier for a dog to get in. I’ve looked at the “expected” features for the dog version coming out in the fall—and I must say, I am underwhelmed. I cared about the tie downs and the ramp—but not the dog bed (I can supply my own) or the dog print seat covers or the special dog tag! So I definitely wouldn’t pay extra for the dog one.
Comment by Arlene — July 30, 2009 @ 9:08 pm