Wagons and SUVs? - Page 4

XRL · 02-20-09, 08:26

I'll probably track i occasionally, but I'm also completely insane and need speed. My gf has a PT Turbo, so there's always that too. Hers is the low boost version that runs on regular. The dog fits in there no problems at all.

I've been looking at Chargers lately, and i'll just fold the seats down and have the pup lay on the trunk side of the rear seats. No damaged leather that way, heh.

Accumulator · 02-21-09, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Jon

...the Magnum R/T gets the call... The entry height in back is pretty high for a small or older dog to get in, I know some use the side door..

I'd think you'd need to use the side door anyhow. The back bumpercover seems vulnerable to nails/etc., I don't even let mine jump in/out of the back of the MPV or the DenaliXL and both of those have protective rubber pads back there.

When dog's jump over painted surfaces it's only a matter of time before you have an "oops!" even when they're trained to jump correctly, just the way it works out IME. Can't even put a cover down as it'll cause marring if it gets rubbed against (unclean) paint

XRL · 02-21-09, 03:04

I'd rather have marring than big nail marks...

Accumulator · 02-22-09, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRL

I'd rather have marring than big nail marks...

Well...in my sense of the term the big nail marks *are* marring, just a really nasty version of it

I'm pretty fanatical about this one; I train my dogs how to behave/not around vehicles and I keep their nails *VERY* short. Still, getting them in/out of vehicles (a few times *every* day) without anything getting messed up is a challenge.

weekendwarrior · 02-22-09, 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Heh heh, I kinda like the utterly functional interior for a dog-hauler (and the no-frills body too, what with all that plastic), but yeah...the Element is scary-slow. We'd never be able to pull out of our neighborhood in something like that.

Wow - that's odd. We have an 06 4wd Element, and it will get up and go fairly well with the Vtec engine. I also tow our utility trailer with it, and have had over 2000 pounds on it, and hardly felt the weight back there. In terms of the interior, I have a custom piece of carpet that covers the entire floor...it's 2 sections...1 for the rear, and 1 for the front. I can take the carpeting out to clean, and put it right back in. The 4wd works well, and the gas mileage isn't bad. Performance parts, such as turbos, exhaust, and CAI are also readily available.

My warranty runs out next month. I am thinking of adding a turbo and CAI, and taking it to the local dyno shop to be tuned in. I want to turn it in to the ultimate sleeper vehicle.

The entire reason we bought it was because we have 2 dogs, and foster others. I was tired of dogs scratching the rear bumper when getting in and out (as mentioned earlier), and it seemed like the perfect vehicle. The rear seats also come completely out, and I can fit my entire detailing arsenal back there, which is helpful.

THE NEGATIVES...not the greatest ride in the world, and there is a bit of wind/road noise.

It is definitely a love it or hate it vehicle, but for us, there was nothing else on the market that would handle *our* needs like the Element. It also isn't a luxury vehicle, and probably wouldn't be an "upgrade" for you, but I can tell you since we have had ours', I wouldn't trade it for anything else...to darn practical.

XRL · 02-22-09, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Well...in my sense of the term the big nail marks *are* marring, just a really nasty version of it

I'm pretty fanatical about this one; I train my dogs how to behave/not around vehicles and I keep their nails *VERY* short. Still, getting them in/out of vehicles (a few times *every* day) without anything getting messed up is a challenge.

My dog is a total wuss about his nails, he makes it very difficult to cut his nails. Not that I blame him, but yeah. I was thinking that if his nails got really into the rear bumper, it'd take paint off. Is that still marring? :P

Accumulator · 02-22-09, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRL

My dog is a total wuss about his nails, he makes it very difficult to cut his nails. Not that I blame him..

[Off-topic Warning!]

I sympathize with you there, I've had to clipper-chill dogs that had big-time issues with them. No exactly fun with, say...dogs who won't hesitate to bite humans.

FWIW (maybe just an idea for the next dog...) I do *some* kind of nail-trimming exercise every night. Yep, *every* night, even if I just go through the motions. I start this the first night after I bring a new dog/pup home and they get used to it pretty fast. My dogs learn how the nightly routine works and become completely blase about it.

With clippers, try to "shave" off a thin slice of nail instead of using them like bolt cutters. Yeah, for this you gotta replace the clippers now and then unless you can figure out how to sharpen them.

If you do cut the quick beyond what a stypic powder will fix, try SuperGlue.

Also/really, using a cordless Dremel (the 7.2V model) makes the whole thing a lot easier, far less chance of a "oops" too. I used the clippers OK for *decades* (I'd go months or even a year without that "oops" happening) before finally accepting that the Dremel was simply the better way to go.

[/Off-topic]

XRL · 02-22-09, 05:26

[More Off-Topic Spam on Dogs]

That's a good idea about trying to clip the nails more often. The dremel thing reminds me of the Pedi-Paws that we have (we got it as a gift). He does NOT like it. He's not a big fan of having his nails ground off with sandpaper.

[/Spam]

Accumulator · 02-23-09, 10:26

XRL- Eh....That Pedi-Paws thing (got ours as a gift too) is junk IMO. I wouldn't say ours *like* it, but they, uhm...acclimated

OK OK, returning to "wagons and SUVs"

Yal · 02-23-09, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by weekendwarrior

Wow - that's odd. We have an 06 4wd Element, and it will get up and go fairly well with the Vtec engine.

I agree that is odd, the Element does get up a go. My buddy has an 04 4wd and that thing is a pretty descent mover with that vtec engine. Of course things may get a little relative if you just got into one after driving an A8

Big Jon · 02-25-09, 07:32

The Magnum has a rear bumper cover and after several entry/exits a day for over a year it is mar free, wish I could say the same about dog hair, LOL.
For the nails a cordless dremel is the way to go, start off real slow if your dog is scared of it. Just let him sniff it when its off & hear it run the first time. Next time do a nail or two & soon he will nap straight through, treats can allso be very helpful.

Accumulator · 02-26-09, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Jon

The Magnum has a rear bumper cover and after several entry/exits a day for over a year it is mar free...

Ah, glad to hear that. I'm probably being paranoid about it, but at this point they're used to going in/out the sides.

I did like loading from the rear back when I had vehicles that didn't seem vulnerable back there.