New Dog-friendly 2009 Honda Element!
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Joined
·
6,005 Posts
Cool features, but not worth being hosed in depreciation to buy it.
I have had 6 cars in the past 30 years. Each and every one of them is an American made car. Of the 6 I owned I still own 3 of them. It does not matter to me how dog friendly a car is, I will not buy it unless it is from an American car manufacturer. I will never drive or own a foreign car until all 3 automakers are no longer in existence and then if that were to happen it would be by force.
If the Japanese or Korean cars are supposed to be so well made why is it that I do not see one over 15 years on the road today. My oldest car I own is a 1972 Cadillac. The second is a 1985 Pontiac. The third is a 1991 Ford E350 diesel that I bought in 2001 and to date have put over 100,000 miles on it since I bought it and it's my daily driver.
If the Japanese or Korean cars are supposed to be so well made why is it that I do not see one over 15 years on the road today. My oldest car I own is a 1972 Cadillac. The second is a 1985 Pontiac. The third is a 1991 Ford E350 diesel that I bought in 2001 and to date have put over 100,000 miles on it since I bought it and it's my daily driver.
Joined
·
6,005 Posts
You do realize that most so-called American cars are manufactured overseas or at the very least use foreign parts. Also, statistically speaking foreign cars are more reliable. I had a teacher in college who had a doctorate and had been around long enough that she was the head of her department. She drove the same Civic she had when she started college as a freshman and it had over 200k miles on it. Don't tell me they're not reliable.
There is no car friendly vehicle in existence, sorry. That is just one auto dealer trying to take advantage of gullible people (who love dogs) to buy the product. I was hoping that all those windows in the back came out and were replaced with srceens. Those fans they speak of will be of little help when the dog is left in there and the heat rises to 140 deg. So you can do everything they are talking about to any vehicle, especially SUV, and trucks with camper toppers like I have, and it has full screens on the sides, carpeted floor , full dogy bed, water dish, padded sides, DVD player with many old reruns of Lassie.
My feeling about only buying only made in the USA vehicle, To me alot has to do with the quality of service after you buy the vehicle, and expanding your options, I drive a Toyota Tacoma, and a Grand Jeep Limited, with a HEMI, and they both meet my needs and I do not ever feel unpatriotic one bit, especially after serving 26 years in the military.
My feeling about only buying only made in the USA vehicle, To me alot has to do with the quality of service after you buy the vehicle, and expanding your options, I drive a Toyota Tacoma, and a Grand Jeep Limited, with a HEMI, and they both meet my needs and I do not ever feel unpatriotic one bit, especially after serving 26 years in the military.
And this is the kind of attitude that allows the american car companies to slip and make crap. Cause they counted on people to buy American. Honestly, I vote with my money. Make a car I like and trust, and I'll buy your car.
But don't ask me to buy you just cause you are from some country. I'll be sad to see us not have car companies for sure, but they did it to themselves. don't blame people who bought non american cars for voting with their money. Maybe the American car companies should have been paying more attention to what people want.
And I love how people who say buy American only focus on Japanese and Asian cars. And no offense cause I don't think you meant it, but it always kinda stinks a little of racism cause I never hear the people who say buy American complain about people buying European cars. They always aim themselves at Japanese cars.
Oh, here's an anectdote. I had a 25 year old Porsche that had not been taken the best care of by the previous owner. I had less problems with it than my friend who had a 10 year old jeep who had issues like the transmission falling out on the highway. I just sold a 25 year old BMW that was a pretty reliable car while I had it (and I can't afford a car that breaks down constantly but any 25 year old car is going to start to have issues. But the engine and body were still good).
When looking for a replacement car, I heard several epople tell me about their Subarus making 300, evne 500k miles. I believe it cause I saw quite a few that had high 200k miles for sale. Decided it was too big for me honestly (only recently ahve American car companies realized there is a market for small cars. People like me who don't just buy them cause they are cheaper but actually like small cars. One reason Japanese cars have done so well over American cars is they make higher quality small cars where as American car companies relegated small cars to just hte cheap ones for people who couldn't afford better. So if you wanted a small car for it being small, your choice was cheaply made econo car, or a car that was better made, maybe a little more expensive, but realized that you weren't just buying it for economy).
I've never bought American, and I've never thought 100k was high miles (even 10 years ago 100k was still considered kinda high mileage at least if you were buying American made cars).
Never had a bum car yet and my recent one is my first that had less than 100k miles (a Toyota Celica, 6 years old, very young for what I normally have, my second youngest car was 10 years old, a Nissan Pathfinder). I'm expecting to have a long time with it with some basic maintainance (I'd expect this one to probably make 150k. I know people say the engine can make 200k but seeing the mileage that many had for sale, I'm a bit skeptical. But, to be fair, my car attracts a lot of young people who probaby abuse it a lot and dno't maintain it well so how you maintain a car can kill any car early).
I have to agree. I was very disappointed. I was like, so what really does that car offer that you couldn't just outfit another car with that you liked better (shoot, I've outfitted my Celica to be a dog car, heh. And if I really had wanted to buy a car for its dog friendliness I'd get a Subaru Outback)?
Why would I buy that car over another car? Because honestly, pretty much everything they offer I could just buy it seperately and not be tied down to their car. Your idea for screens (or better yet, metal bars so a thief couldn't cut into it to steal the dog) on the window is an excellent idea that other cars could not offer. That would be something they could offer that another car could not just be outfitted with (at least not without some expensive modifications).
I will say it's probably a good marketing ploy if htey are seeing that a lot of people are getting attracted to their car for its already dog friendliness compared to other cars. Let's add a few extras, call it dog friendly, and really reel in the people who already are thinking our car is a good dog car. We'll just seal it in their minds that we even are outright recognizing they want a dog car.
Joined
·
226 Posts
I will be the first to admit I am a car maniac (my dog is named after the founder of Ferrari) and I am in no way a loyalist to any make or model of vehicle. I believe if a vehicle does it's job well, it is worthy of me wanting to own it.
My most unreliable car to date is a 8 year old Pontiac. It's a terrible little car. It has had more issues than any other car I have ever owned, numerous recalls have come up on the car and have had to be fixed, (one involving the car spontaneously catching on fire) and the car is not much over 100k and the transmission is going out, among the numerous other costly repairs I have faced with this car. As much as I don't like to discriminate against car companies, I will be hard pressed to ever own another GM ever again. Every one I have ever owned has been a total nightmare, and the quality is sub par at best.
Then I have this 14 year old Mustang, which my boyfriend lovingly calls the "love of my life". I have yet to have a problem with this vehicle, and she has nearly 150k on the clock, and all I've had to replace is the oil, tires, and spark plugs. I love that car, and I baby her and do not push her too hard, and I plan on owning it for a long time and passing it down the line someday.
My boyfriend had a 18 year old Honda CRX he bought with 285k on the clock. He owned it 3 years, and sold it with about 325k on the clock. Nothing replaced but maintenance parts (and the suspension was worn out, so those components were replaced, but with a car that high in mileage it is almost unavoidable). We took that car on many, many road trips and we never worried about it breaking down. That car did us well, and I still get sad every time I see a CRX on the road, boy I wish I had that car back.
Now he owns two Toyota's, an old '87 Supra and a '85 MR2. The Supra is pushing 200k and has so many problems (it is also a turbo car, which is where the majority of the problems have come from, and it is obvious the previous owner(s) abused it) and the MR2 has over 250k... and that car is a dream to drive and maintain, much like the CRX was.
I am now looking at cars to replace my Pontiac since I cannot afford to maintain it anymore, and I am looking at Mitsubishi Eclipses. I am hoping that I will have better luck.
There are so many variables that go into the reliability equation such as how the car was maintained and treated (was it abused? babied?) and overall quality of the make/model.
As far as the Element issue? Sounds like a gimmick playing on the heartstrings of dog lovers. I am a dog lover and also a car enthusiast, and like the above poster said, with simple modifications, any car can be dog friendly. All we drive are small cars, and all I will ever want to drive will be small vehicles, and we have never had any problems occupying our dog (well, other than the MR2 since it is a 2 seater, lol.)
My most unreliable car to date is a 8 year old Pontiac. It's a terrible little car. It has had more issues than any other car I have ever owned, numerous recalls have come up on the car and have had to be fixed, (one involving the car spontaneously catching on fire) and the car is not much over 100k and the transmission is going out, among the numerous other costly repairs I have faced with this car. As much as I don't like to discriminate against car companies, I will be hard pressed to ever own another GM ever again. Every one I have ever owned has been a total nightmare, and the quality is sub par at best.
Then I have this 14 year old Mustang, which my boyfriend lovingly calls the "love of my life". I have yet to have a problem with this vehicle, and she has nearly 150k on the clock, and all I've had to replace is the oil, tires, and spark plugs. I love that car, and I baby her and do not push her too hard, and I plan on owning it for a long time and passing it down the line someday.
My boyfriend had a 18 year old Honda CRX he bought with 285k on the clock. He owned it 3 years, and sold it with about 325k on the clock. Nothing replaced but maintenance parts (and the suspension was worn out, so those components were replaced, but with a car that high in mileage it is almost unavoidable). We took that car on many, many road trips and we never worried about it breaking down. That car did us well, and I still get sad every time I see a CRX on the road, boy I wish I had that car back.
Now he owns two Toyota's, an old '87 Supra and a '85 MR2. The Supra is pushing 200k and has so many problems (it is also a turbo car, which is where the majority of the problems have come from, and it is obvious the previous owner(s) abused it) and the MR2 has over 250k... and that car is a dream to drive and maintain, much like the CRX was.
I am now looking at cars to replace my Pontiac since I cannot afford to maintain it anymore, and I am looking at Mitsubishi Eclipses. I am hoping that I will have better luck.
There are so many variables that go into the reliability equation such as how the car was maintained and treated (was it abused? babied?) and overall quality of the make/model.
As far as the Element issue? Sounds like a gimmick playing on the heartstrings of dog lovers. I am a dog lover and also a car enthusiast, and like the above poster said, with simple modifications, any car can be dog friendly. All we drive are small cars, and all I will ever want to drive will be small vehicles, and we have never had any problems occupying our dog (well, other than the MR2 since it is a 2 seater, lol.)
Uh, I will warn you if you want reliability, Eclipses (and I believe Mitsubishis in general) really don't have a reputation for it to say the least.
Joined
·
3,832 Posts
Mitsubishi alone is not a reliable car brand.
I really like the Honda Fit.
I really like the Honda Fit.
Joined
·
1,715 Posts
My older Jeep Cherokee works just fine. Fits me and all seven dogs, a few crates and anything else we want to pack inside or on the roof rack.
Joined
·
226 Posts
Naturally aspirated Eclipses do just fine. It's the turbos you have to worry about. A well-maintained, stock N/A Eclipse isn't a bad car. I've heard this so many times. They are not bad cars, people just tend to beat on them and abuse them a lot because of that darn Fast and the Furious movie.
Well, my Honda Civic isn't 15 years old yet (1999 model), but I have no doubt that it'll make it. It already has 240,000 miles on it (I used to commute 100 miles a day) and is going strong. Hasn't needed anything except normal maintenance.
Every experience I've had with "American-made" cars has been bad. My dad used to loyal to Ford.....until all the Fords in the family were basically lemons. now he says FORD stands for Fix Or Repair Daily, LOL. He drives a Chevy cargo van now, and it's had plenty of trouble since he's gotten it, but it's right-hand drive for his mail route and you just can't get a Honda that's tricked-out for mail routes (OK, you can, but $$$$!). And my mom finally gave up on her Ford minivan (after 3 transmission replacements) and now drives a Honda Odyssey.
Not that I mean to dis American cars. Just that the kind of car you buy is entirely due to personal preference and nobody should insult another person because they have different preferences. It's not like anyone is getting hurt because someone else bought a Honda
. They're actually manufactured in the U.S. anyway, with as many domestic parts as any Ford. Not that it matters.I like the Element, but I'm never going to buy a new car. So unless someone trades in their "dog friendly" Element after 4 years, I probably won't ever get one. And I think my next vehicle will be a CRV or maybe a Subaru Forester. I have plenty of time to make the decision......my Civic just won't die!
Joined
·
2,404 Posts
My Toyota is very reliable. I wouldn't mind having an Eclipse, but I'd prefer to have a '94 or newer Supra instead. I LOVE my toyotas! Never failed me yet. As long as you maintain them! Fords on the other hand... Half the ones I've been in have broken down (save for Mustangs) and this was WITH maintenance!
Joined
·
1,214 Posts
The only cars I've ever owned have been imports. My first was a 1987 Nissan Sentra that had about 250K miles on it when I traded it for a 1987 Mazda RX7. The Mazda had >250K miles on it. They both ran like little charms.
I drove a 1995 Honda Civic until January 2008. She had about 150K miles on her and I know for a fact she's still going strong (my mom has her now). I purchased a 2002 Subaru Outback LL Bean edition that has just over 100K miles on it and has been good for me so far.
I purchased the Subaru because it easily fits my rottweiler and at least one other large dog if I put the backseat down. I did my research before I bought it, and the car got very good ratings for what I was looking for and what I could spend.
I did consider a Chevrolet Equinox. It's the only time I've ever considered a domestic car. I have since decided that when I get another car (several, several years), I'll go back to Hondas. I love them. <3
I drove a 1995 Honda Civic until January 2008. She had about 150K miles on her and I know for a fact she's still going strong (my mom has her now). I purchased a 2002 Subaru Outback LL Bean edition that has just over 100K miles on it and has been good for me so far.
I purchased the Subaru because it easily fits my rottweiler and at least one other large dog if I put the backseat down. I did my research before I bought it, and the car got very good ratings for what I was looking for and what I could spend.
I did consider a Chevrolet Equinox. It's the only time I've ever considered a domestic car. I have since decided that when I get another car (several, several years), I'll go back to Hondas. I love them. <3
My co-worker recently got an Equinox, and he HATES it. I'm not sure exactly why. He had a Suburban before this one and he loved that.
My dad used to have a tiny Civic 2-door hatchback that he just loved. I know it was pretty old with a lot of miles but I don't know exactly what year it was or exactly how many miles it had. This was when we lived in Japan so it was different from an American Civic. He was bummed when we moved to the U.S. and he had to sell it.
My Civic is the only car I've ever owned, so I don't know if I'd like another car as much. I do know I didn't like my uncle's Buick (the car I drove before I bought my own) at all!
Joined
·
5,302 Posts
My car is a 1995 Oldsmobile, handed down to me from my grandfather. It's a dang good car and it's EVERYTHING friendly.. because it's safe. Sure, it does a couple of old-car things, like bad airconditioning and a right turn signal that doesn't click off after the turn, but *knock wood* it gets me where I have to go.
Joined
·
3,778 Posts
My 99 Saturn is still going strong!....The only reason I am thinking about getting something new is because my daughter is getting older and it would be nice to have a 4 door....and also I would be nice to have something to carry the dog crates ....I really want a Honda pilot but will probably go with the CRV.....My husband is a Honda guy
....The only reason I am thinking about getting something new is because my daughter is getting older and it would be nice to have a 4 door....and also I would be nice to have something to carry the dog crates ....I really want a Honda pilot but will probably go with the CRV.....My husband is a Honda guy
Joined
·
179 Posts
If you're referring to the 90s Eclipse, it had a Chrysler powerplant in it (and that was their biggest point of failure.)
As for Mitsubishi as a company, they have improved in leaps and bounds, same as Kia and Hyundai. 5 years ago I wouldn't go near any of those 3, but now their Quality and warranties are great.
Personally I've owned a 1991 Toyota 4Runner with 200k+ miles (350k+ KMs) on it, and it's still running. I now own a 2008 Acura CSX (canadian only model) as it was the cheapest car I could find from any manufacturer that wasn't an Econobox. The CSX is actually made in Canada, same as the Civic... so I am supporting local workers.
Joined
·
6,005 Posts
I own an 03 Beetle and love it but am currently thinking of selling it to upgrade in size to something I fit some dog crates in. Buying a new car though is just about the worst financial decision you can make unless you just enjoy throwing money away. No thanks. I can't decide on a smaller sedan (I'd love a Civic) or a small pickup. I'm just not a pickup person though.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
