Ideal Agility Mobile For Us Addicts

We just purchased a new car last year, a VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI. It replaced my Saturn VUE and actually has MORE storage space than the VUE did.

When looking for a car, we considered a hybrid until it was pointed out by some friends of ours that we really weren't going to save any money on highway travel with a hybrid because the electric engine only works up to 40 MPH then the gasoline engine kicks in. That means for highway travel I'd still be using the same amount of gas and not really saving anything.

My Jetta, however, is a diesel and gets 40 MPH City and 45 MPH Highway. Now that the weather is warming up and the winter additive to keep the diesel from congealing is being removed, I expect those numbers to increase.

Yes, diesel costs more up front but I'm filling up my car less often. On long distance highway trips I can go from Pittsburgh to the NJ Shore (approximately 356 miles) and about 1/2 way back on one tank of gas. I just can't get that sort of performance out of a hybrid.

Oh, and one more thing... the Jetta cost less than the hybrids from the US manufacturers because the cars are stocked with all sorts of features as STANDARD equipment; many of which would be extra in a US car.

So, yeah, I'm VERY happy with my Jetta.
 
If gas and money weren't a factor, I would get a Subaru Forester. I like the SUV side of it and the fact that's its AWD. Especially when we go places that have dirt parking and I need to climb a hill.

But, you'll have to understand this much. I love driving...and I love driving stick. So no car really falls into a good category. I'm either going to get screwed on gas and cargo space, or on me wanting to drive it. I had a 4Runner before I bought my new car, and I LOVED it for trials. Hated it for a daily driver.

I would LOVE to be able to afford two cars. A daily fun driver (stick, sports car, etc) and a trial car that's big enough to haul everything, AWD, and hopefully has good gas mileage. But, I figure if I can afford 2 cars, I doubt the price of gas would matter.

Sorry Sheri, as much as I loved the Jetta Sportwagon, it looked too much like a "mommy" car to me. :hide

Ashley, you may want to look into the cost-benefits of the Lexus. Many of those higher end cars only start paying back after a VERY long time. Oh, and I swear hubby just told me about a non-hybrid BMW that turns itself off when you stop at a light. Will that help? We know you must buy cars that reflect your dogs names. :P
 
Sharon said:
I admire the Honda Element but have also seen other SUV 's that I like.
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Meant to add, I like this one too. Easier to get things into and out of. My brother and SIL have one. Very nice. And I think you can just hose it out. Can't recall if you had to get the pet edition or not.

And if money were no object, I'd like a motorhome. Those MBZ ones are nice. ;)
 
k9kreationz said:
Ashley, you may want to look into the cost-benefits of the Lexus. Many of those higher end cars only start paying back after a VERY long time. Oh, and I swear hubby just told me about a non-hybrid BMW that turns itself off when you stop at a light. Will that help? We know you must buy cars that reflect your dogs names. :P
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Yes, I have to be honest and say that I haven't done much in-depth research since we're a year out from this decision. I just know I like the way it looks.

I really want a car and not an SUV, so that limits my options. The BMW crossover is really expensive (I think $85,000?). I like the VW Golf, but don't know much about it, and think the Cooper is cute, too, but those two might both be too small.
 
Don't plan on getting a Honda Element unless you are getting a used version. Discontinued. and the basic version was plastic lined and very easy to clean out- way before they came out with the dog version.

I have a Pontiac Aztek that I absolutely love and plan to keep until I can't get it repaired anymore:wink2:

I have started looking at potential replacements but haven't found the 'perfect' vehicle yet.

I will say from the thread title that I thought it was about a phone app:winkgrin:
 
corbinam said:
I like the VW Golf, but don't know much about it, and think the Cooper is cute, too, but those two might both be too small.
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The VW Golf is built on the same chassis as my Jetta. The main difference between the Golf and the Jetta is in the storage. It has a smaller trunk/hatch meaning less room for the dogs and the agility supplies.
 
I just bought a dogmobile last December - a Hyundai Santa Fe. Last weekend, we loaded up four dogs (a sheltie, a sheltie-husky x, a bulldog, and a King Charles Cavalier) and their respective kennels, plus all of our dog gear, plus our suitcases, plus two humans, and travelled 7 hours to an agility trial - and we were perfectly comfortable! The border guards got a good laugh at the variety of the dogs, though!
 
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