Welcome to the world of Visions Cardigan Welsh Corgis! Our dogs are our companions and family first and foremost. Dog shows are the icing on the cake! Please join us in our excursions.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Vehicles: His & Hers
Yesterday we brought home the Element and traded in our faithful Ranger.
I think "Betsy" looks good next to Leonard's rig. I also love the Rallye Red color.
Welcome to the legion of Cardi/Element owners. You will love the car for its convenience, safety, maneuverability,ease of loading, AND IT'S RED!
We took 3 Tibetian Spaniels, a Cardi, a Lab Puppy, two adults, extra crates, chairs, dog food (raw) cooler, grooming table, luggage, people cooler -- enough of everything for a week -- in my (it's just blue) Element without a problem.
When this Element dies (if it's before I do), I will have another Element!
We must get your cousin a Cardi -- no Element is complete without one. Look on line for the design for a platform for the back. Lawn Chairs, fabric crates, grass mat, food/water bowls, water jug, hiking boots all fit under the platform while it raises the crates up 8" or 9" so the dogs can see out. Youll want 19" wide crates (Precision Pro) to fit comfortably side by side in the back.
I bought my Element new (with 50 some miles on it) in November of 2003. Being one of the original dog Element folks, I can't praise this vehicle enough!!! You may or may not know, but in the winter of 06, my poor beautiful (orange) Element went nose first into the side of a cow. If you're interested, I have pictures. I was bruised, but considering I was going ~60 mph when I hit it, I'm happy I walked away with just bruises.
I've put an entire bedroom set (headboard, 2 night stands, long dresser and tall dresser) in the E with no problems. I have pictures of it packed up heading to the NorCal nationals in 07 too..
You'll love your Element more than you know, and will wonder how in the world you survived this long without her! :)
I drove to nationals in ours with 4 dogs and the platform. My platform holds 2 crates on top, then you can stack 2 crates on the floor in front of the platform and still have room.
Or without the platform we can fit 4 wire crates in back and have all of the room in front of the crates for "stuff".
I LOVE how it handles... it's a pleasure to drive! Our Ranger was an extended cab with "suicide doors' so the door configuration works fine for us.
My plan is to load the 2-300s with 2 smaller wires on top (so I might have some visibility out the rear window and is the space behind the front seats for all the other "stuff" I need to do in life.
When things settle here and Leonard has the time, I will have him look at the platform idea for me.
I'm another cardi/element owner! When I bought mine, the dealer said that when they designed the element, their target customer was the 18 - 30 year old male who enjoys dirty, muddy outside adventures. However, the element turned out to not be cool enough for the boys - but turned out to be wildly popular with (ahem!) middle aged women!
I think "Betsy" looks good next to Leonard's rig. I also love the Rallye Red color.
OHHHH I want an element soooo Bad!
ReplyDeletelooks very nice! I like the color!
ReplyDeleteenjoy!
safe driving :)
betty
Welcome to the legion of Cardi/Element owners. You will love the car for its convenience, safety, maneuverability,ease of loading, AND IT'S RED!
ReplyDeleteWe took 3 Tibetian Spaniels, a Cardi, a Lab Puppy, two adults, extra crates, chairs, dog food (raw) cooler, grooming table, luggage, people cooler -- enough of everything for a week -- in my (it's just blue) Element without a problem.
When this Element dies (if it's before I do), I will have another Element!
Wow Penni! I can't wait to load this up. I will definitely have it in Gettysburg next year.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe our luck in finding it in RED! LOL!
My cousin (the watercolor artist) just got a silver Element. But she doesn't have a Cardi.
Nice!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe must get your cousin a Cardi -- no Element is complete without one. Look on line for the design for a platform for the back. Lawn Chairs, fabric crates, grass mat, food/water bowls, water jug, hiking boots all fit under the platform while it raises the crates up 8" or 9" so the dogs can see out. Youll want 19" wide crates (Precision Pro) to fit comfortably side by side in the back.
ReplyDeleteI love it !!!
ReplyDeleteSwee-eet!! Love the red!
ReplyDeleteI bought my Element new (with 50 some miles on it) in November of 2003. Being one of the original dog Element folks, I can't praise this vehicle enough!!!
ReplyDeleteYou may or may not know, but in the winter of 06, my poor beautiful (orange) Element went nose first into the side of a cow. If you're interested, I have pictures. I was bruised, but considering I was going ~60 mph when I hit it, I'm happy I walked away with just bruises.
I've put an entire bedroom set (headboard, 2 night stands, long dresser and tall dresser) in the E with no problems. I have pictures of it packed up heading to the NorCal nationals in 07 too..
You'll love your Element more than you know, and will wonder how in the world you survived this long without her! :)
congrats!!!
OOOooo, purty! And red's my favorite color!
ReplyDeleteTraci - how well did the Element hold up after the cow crash?
ReplyDeletePenni - were you able to fit in all those dogs even with the platform? My goal is to keep at least 4 crates in it at once.
I drove to nationals in ours with 4 dogs and the platform. My platform holds 2 crates on top, then you can stack 2 crates on the floor in front of the platform and still have room.
ReplyDeleteOr without the platform we can fit 4 wire crates in back and have all of the room in front of the crates for "stuff".
Welcome to the club.
Carolyn answered your question about number of crates. The Cardi people that have the Elements are pretty fierce about them -- regardless of color!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE how it handles... it's a pleasure to drive! Our Ranger was an extended cab with "suicide doors' so the door configuration works fine for us.
My plan is to load the 2-300s with 2 smaller wires on top (so I might have some visibility out the rear window and is the space behind the front seats for all the other "stuff" I need to do in life.
When things settle here and Leonard has the time, I will have him look at the platform idea for me.
Red, red, knock 'em dead! Love it!! Can't wait to see it next year! :)
ReplyDeleteOH aren't they cute together... Congrats on the new car
ReplyDeletemy question is, does the Semi turn into an autobot? :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car!
I'm another cardi/element owner! When I bought mine, the dealer said that when they designed the element, their target customer was the 18 - 30 year old male who enjoys dirty, muddy outside adventures. However, the element turned out to not be cool enough for the boys - but turned out to be wildly popular with (ahem!) middle aged women!
ReplyDeleteHis and Hers Match!!!
ReplyDeleteLots of Luck with it! My first car was a Honda CR-V that still runs at 160,000 miles!
I'm currently wanting a giant SUV very badly. LOL
-Heather
Gee, Holly, I don't know about Elements. My next vehicle is going to be a Honda Odyssey, so that I can nap in the back with my dogs.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am with Heather on her CRV comment. MY CRV is at 185,000 miles with no end in sight. Yay!
ReplyDelete