"Dog" Cars?

You will NOT be able to fit 3 crates and 3-4 humans in an Element.  2 and 2 is a perfect number though.  The mileage on the newer ones is better, but on the one I have it's 20mpg every day driving and 24 or a little bit better on the highway.  They do get buffeted by the wind, but no more than any other SUVish type I've driven. 

I think you'd be better off with a pickup that has a full shell on top. 

I really love my Subaru Outback. Mine's a '97, and I average 26 mpg in stop and go everyday driving. I can cram a surprising amount of junk into it when necessary.

I love my '06 Subaru Imprezza Outback Sport. It's a bit smaller than the outback (basically about the same as the forrester, but cheaper and gets better mileage). My only complaint is that tall people can definately not sit in the back seat. [8D]

This is actually the first new car I ever owned. Resale on subes is high, so it was either new (with great financing) or tons of miles for only a few grand less.

Re: Element: what about stacking crates? Is the Element tall enough to stack two 24" tall crates? What about the length of the space behind the second row - long enough for a 32 or 36" crate? If both measurements work, I bet I could figure out a good way to secure the crates and get 4 crates and 4 humans in the Element lol. I'd have a wall of crates. [] Hmmm...sounds like a visit to the dealership is in order w/ my trusty measuring tape tagging along.

Re: Outbacks: I like my parents' Outback, but it seems like you lose a lot of height due to the slope of the hatch. My parents were able to fit 2 36" crates in the car w/ the seat down but that was about it because of the hatch slope. [8|] It certainly is a great car for dogs that rid loose tho - I swear I could fit 4 medium size dogs in the cargo area alone if I didn't use crates.

Out of all the cars you listed I like the Tundra the best myself. Their is a solution for AC circulation: CoolK9 Rear A/C System

Have you checked out Yahoo Auto (fill in the New Cars 'make & model' section) They have customer feedback which I like. You get the good & bad feedback. The Honda CRV (I learned from Yahoo auto feedback) used to lean/pull heavily to the right, defect that couldn't be fixed in '05 models I was looking at. Not sure if the newer models have the same problem.

I have a Toyota Rav4 myself. I keep my three dogs in seat belts = more room among other things. I plan to trade into a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab at the end of my lease. I don't dislike my Rav4 (other than the way the rear door opens) I just miss my Tacoma. I'm a truck girl. Good luck & happy vehicle hunting.

Well I understand you "pain". We too are in the market for a new car...well actuall 2 cars. I currently drive a Ford Explorer which has 170,000 miles on it. It is still running well but for how long. I want another Explorer but they are so expensive. We have 3 dogs so we need size too.

My husband drives a Subaru Outback wagon. We like the car but it is starting to cause us $$$$ not your typical Subaru. So we are looking first for him. We are looking at the Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 but they are a bit pricey too. On the other end of the spectrum are the Jeep Compass or Patriot. I don't know much about them though. We require 4WD. I live in MI and after having a car with 4W I will never own one with out while I live in MI. It sure makes a difference in winter time commuting. Good Luck let me know what you decide.

Toyota Tundras are awesome but keep in mind that it is possible for dogs to feel car sick back there bouncing around (even in a crate).  This has happened to us.
 
Jeep Cherokee Sports are roomy but not as roomy (or comfortable) as a Volvo V-70 AWD Cross Country Wagon...there is a ton of room in this car!  ...and you can get a used one for the price range you are looking.
 
I know a couple people who have the Honda Element who say the car is lacking in "hiney" big time...if that matters to you.
 
My in-laws have a Honda CRV, there is not a lot of room in there.

Here in the northeast, I decided to go with an SUV, so the dogs would be in the same compartment with the heater!  When you have a hound, comfort is important LOL.  But, I confess, I submitted to the urge for the big Yukon, because I also needed something that could pull a loaded horse trailer, as well as have room for my 6' tall BF and (at the time) five dogs.  The gas mileage does suck, but I figure if it gets too bad, I can always get a little 4 cyl. beater to run around in during the week, and just use the big bad guy on the weekends. 
One of my friends has 7 dogs, and she has a 4WD minivan that holds everyone.
Have you thought about a hybrid SUV?  I don't know what mileage they get, or what the capacity is, but might be worth a looksee.  Perhaps you'd get an energy credit on your taxes, depending where you live.
One of my friends has a 4WD minivan that holds two humans and seven dogs...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Honda Odyssey.  I can fit 3 good sized crates and 3 people or 2 big crates and 4 people.  I bought mine used as a 4 year old vehicle for about 18k.  It's a lot but it also has leather heated front seats and automatic temperature control.  While it's not AWD I have no need for 4 wheel drive.  It may get you going in snow but it won't help you stop or steer.  I see more people off the road on 37 in light snow in SUV's than anything else.  Toyota's minivan has AWD though and HOnda may make one in the future.  We looked at the Pilot and just didn't think there was enough space for crates.

If you're going to the CPE trial in Lebanon on the 21st or 22nd find me and I'll show you.

I also considered the Hyundai Santa Fe.  Saw one at a dog show and she had a good sized crate in the back and could have fit another one that was a little smaller next to it.

My solution is two big crates, two dogs per crate.  They get along fine traveling and when we trial, we'll bring extra crates along to set up outside or inside so they don't have to spend the whole time in them.  Plus, I could easily stack two more crates on top of the ones in there now, but the dogs would have to be small so I could lift them in, it'd just be too high without creating steps of some kind for them.  I can't wait to test it out at our first trial on the 21st. 

ORIGINAL: stardog85

Re: Element: what about stacking crates? Is the Element tall enough to stack two 24" tall crates? What about the length of the space behind the second row - long enough for a 32 or 36" crate? If both measurements work, I bet I could figure out a good way to secure the crates and get 4 crates and 4 humans in the Element lol. I'd have a wall of crates. [] Hmmm...sounds like a visit to the dealership is in order w/ my trusty measuring tape tagging along.

You could certainly stack two 24" crates, that shouldn't be a problem.  To be honest, I don't know if a 36" would fit behind the seats- I've always either removed or folded the seats against the bulkhead before putting the crates in.  If you put a #75 Vari-Kennel in the back, you have probably hmmmm 18" of space on top, and about 6 or 7" side to side. (But you have to put it in so that the crate doors are facing to the side.)

One other thing I like about it is that despite the amazing amount of room in it, it drives like a small car.

ORIGINAL: TAOofGoldyShep
I know a couple people who have the Honda Element who say the car is lacking in "hiney" big time...if that matters to you.

Well it does have enough power (166HP) to get up to speed, but not much more than that.  The torque is non-existent, so don't think you'll win any stoplight races.[]

ahhhh...welcome to my world...I have reviewed so many vehicles over the past 2 years I know hate cars.
First if the 32" is an over all ( both crates) measurement you probably do not have a problem....if 32' in a single crate measurement none of the vehilce you have listed will pull that off. ( except the Tundra)
 
The gas milage is the sticker here. Most of the really useful vehicles will not provide that gas mileage so you are going to have to sacrifice some functionality in lue of the mileage.
 
TUNDRA...
The Tundra as an example will not give you that milage rating...unless you choose the smallest engine size or add in something like a prechamber fuel mixer and air intake system. With the small engine in the Tundra you are left with an underpowered bulky vehicle that is not comfortable to drive at expressway speeds.
There are after market ventilation systems for the cap however. Vents you can add to increase circulation. they are available at most off road, truck, and especially hunting outfitters.
 
ELEMENT...
Your fiance' is right about the Element...it is so ugly it is cute...they are easy to clean and maintain so long as you spring for the rubber floor ( which is honda ripping you off by the way...if you strip out ANY other vehicle what do you get? a rubber floor...why do you pay extra for it at Honda then?)
Two people I do work for had Elements and both had transmission trouble at about 60,000 miles. I do not know if that is systematic of the vehicle but could be worth checking into.
 
FORESTER...
If you want AWD...might as well go with the champs. Subaru has been building nothing but AWD since 1971 and they know how to do it. The forester does not have all much room in it though. Freind has a Lab and a Coonhound and it was VERY cramped...without crates.
 
TRIBECA...
do not know anything about this vehicle...other than it is ugly as all get out
 
OUTBACK...
no more room than the forester and I do not think you will meet your gas milage here...the outback is just a forester with a sport package...so why not save the bucks and just buy the forester? very little difference between the two
 
PILOT...
Our board member has one and hates it (she came from an Isuzu)...says it feels like driving a toy car...but that is all I know.
 
Honda CRV
Cool that the seats are removable instead of just fold down, but is the smallest of your choices
 
While you may have had good luck with Subaru and Honda in the past...that does mean they are the ONLY vehicles to choose from.
Why Limit yourself to forgien vehicles? If you think american manufactuers are not building a reliable car you are wrong. Take a look on ebay...the majority of 200,000 mile plus vehicles are American made...most of which have forgien engines in them anyway.
Chrysler is still using alot of Mitsubishi engines. Ford uses alot of Madza engines ( they own madza but that was to get the engine facility) Chevy is using alot of Saab built engines. yadda yadda yadda...
 
Personally...I have a full size Dodge Ram van. Best money I ever spent! Vehicle does EVERYTHING I ask it to! Transports all the rescues, all the booth equipment for the shows, tows my bass boat...it is a hard working truck and in 130,000 miles all I have ever done is tune ups and tires.  
 
 

my parents have a cr-v. there is no way you would fit in all the stuff you want. the cargo area isnt very big at all.

on easter i helped my dad pack it. we fit in one baby's high chair folded down and one small cooler. you can fold down the seats for a bit more room, but not much.

i would with either the outback or the tundra. the tundra will probably get crappy mileage though.

I'm kind of having the same problem right now. But with two adults, two kids(one in a booster,the other in a carseat) and two dogs i think I'm gonna have to suck it up and go with a minivan. Even then we'll have to fold up Crusher's crate and strap him in. I also have baby stuff to tote with me though. Stroller, intellitainer, playpen.

Have you checked out minivans? Some of them are looking sportier and sportier lately.