I have a Mazda 6 now and it is pretty roomy for my dog, he is a big lab. I want to get something more fun to drive and sportier, and I like the RX-8 because it has easier entry to the back compared to other coupes or sportier cars, like a Z, and the 8 also has more room. How comfortable would he be in the back, I know that center console might be a problem. Thanks for the help.

 

my pit bull puppy no longer fits in the back, you will probably not be able to fit the dog comfortably

 

I was trying to figure out how to get my boxer in the back without ruining the car. Thought of different things I could make, then decided he doesn't ride in there. :p

You could refridgerate the trunk and open the passthrough.

 

This has been discussed at length previously. Some here have claimed to put some pretty large breeds in the back including labs and goldens. Mostly depends on how long the drive is. My 50 lb hound can curl up no problem but she has a definite preference for our suv and minivan.

I keep the right rear seat covered with a bed sheet doubled up. BTW, I also keep her restrained with a special harness that straps to the seatbelt.

 

i just fit my new greyhound in back and he's HUGE! i loaded up the leg space behind my seat with blankets, then put his dog bed on top of that. he ended up putting his front legs and head on the center console coming through to the front. he fits, but not easily ....

 

This isn't good! He is 105 pounds. The dimensions are very similar to my Mazda 6, a little smaller, but the 8 doens't have bench seats like my 6.

 

I found a couple of huge pillows at Target and placed them on each seat. Now my 95 pound collie fits perfect! Give it a try.

 

Let me do the dog a favor.... I'm telling you N0!@# except maybe for emergency...

The backseat isn't a nice place for a dog... unless you somehow made the back into a level bench seat...

But then.. theres still ventilation problems.. I don't think dogs would like it back there too much.. cuz no fully open windows...

 

That's funny cause my 78lb pitbull fits in one of the back seats. He sits like a human tho.



I don't like taking my dog in the car cause I worry about him scratching the plastic panels and the center console. Plus he likes an open window and the 8's back seats can't accomodate. I say it's better to keep your 6 or get the ms6 if you need a spot for the dog. I have a second car so The 8's interior is doggy free!

 

I dunno. Take him on a test drive and ask him. :D

 

I've taken my dogs in the 8 before, but it's just a little ways to the vet from my house. Make sure you put something in the center console or he will scratch it up. I usually put a blanket over the entire back just to be safe. I didn't with the camry, but I'm **** retentive with this car. I don't think I'd take him for a long distance drive though, not enough room and they usually like to go from window to window.

 

I have 2 dogs, one boxer sized and another about 2/3 the size, they both fit in the back fine however it may be a bit uncomfortable for long trips. As Legokcen says, put something over the centre console as the plastic silver trim scratches easily. the smaller one can curl up quite nicely on the seat however the bigger fellow likes to lie down and stick his head between the seats.

The dogs have learnt that they are best curling up on the seats because if they stand or sit, they usually get their faces planted against the side windows in corners......

 

Out-grew the dogs years ago. Ain't no dog getting in my 8. Love dogs, love cats, but they're not allowed in my 8. Period. My 8 smells new, and it's staying that way.

1.3L

 

Mine came with me to the dealer. If she didn't fit we would have bought something else. The 8 is my weekend car and I travel every weekend. If I didn't have a dog I would have bought a 2 seater.

 

My dog likes to sit in my lap with the paws on the steering wheel. Next trip she will probably tell me to go and sit in the back.

 

I love doggys.

 

If I ever took one of my dogs for a ride in my 8 he would go up front and my girlfriend would have to sit in the back. We usually take her civic and if we put the dogs in the back they end up making their way to the front so we figure why bother. It isn't fun driving when a 100lb black lab is trying to squeeze his way between the seats.

 

I second that!!!! One good alternative, is to use your girlfriend's car instead. Like just use my girlfriend's '05 celica for my two black labs. :D

 

My 65lb Rottie Puppy fits in one of the back seats! But for how long I don't know.

 

Dwilson,
we purchased our RX-8 to be our family vehicle (2 basenjis). If you can fit two large adults in the back, there is no problem with a dog. The issue we found is how to reduce scratching. We chose leather for easy cleanup. The center between the two backseats is plastic and prone to scratching if you are not careful. There are seat covers made for the front seats, but not the back (yet). We put down blankets, but they usually moved, so we ended up using the MuttLucks (waterproof shoes for dog- usually for snow). This keeps them from scratching the plastic. The leather is durable enough that we didn't see any scratches there. There are also seatbelts that you can latch into the seatbelts in the back to keep them in place. Now our dogs are used to the car and will stay in the seat without worry. But, if you are taking your dog with you a lot, the shoes are an easy way to protect your car without spending a ton of money on seat covers that don't fit.

 

I second the shoes for dogs they work great, I took my wife, son and 50lb Airedale terrier on a 300 mile vacation and not a scratch in the intrior and I an VERY **** about the car staying in like new condition.

 

I'd follow the suggestions of putting pillows/towels/etc. in the seats to help make a fairly level surface for the dog to lay on. Kind of a makeshift bench seat, I guess. If you have the materials on hand to do that, you should have no problems at all.

As for ventilation, as long as the weather's nice, just fully open the sunroof and pop the rear windows open. This will pull air through to the back of the car, which should keep the puppy happy. In bad weather, keep them popped, and just turn up the fan to keep air flowing. Dogs are tough. They'll be fine as long as it's not insanely hot.

 

My German Shepherd has no problem in the car, but he prefers the front. As for foul smell or scratches, just make sure you vacuum and put down some towels.