StanSeven

Tell that to the multiple hundred million people they watch races all over the world. Or that auto shows are some of the most popular non-major network TV shows. Then there are some TV networks dedicated to cars and trucks. Auto magazines rank at the top of circulation numbers.

RPK79

I would, but racing fans are generally illiterate so they wouldn't know what I was saying.

Bandera

My roadster is not boring to drive as it was designed to be operated: Top down on a rural road on a sunny day with no destination in mind and a proper companion aboard.

My truck isn't boring when pulling a feed wagon out to pasture or on an old mining road in Big Bend NP.

Some people are boring regardless of the hardware they operate.

-Bandera

rekmeyata

Of course all of these responses are just our opinions and in that vein I think the Toyota is to cheaply made and tinny, sure the mechanicals may be sound but the rest of the car not so much. Of the two the Honda would be the better car.

However having said that I would probably much rather have a Subaru Forester or the Subaru Crosstrek or the Toyota Rav4. The line of Subarus have the highest crash safety records, and have the highest consumer satisfaction of either the Honda or the Toyotas, and the best AWD system in the world bar none. Either of those cars is easily adaptable for hauling bikes and the Subaru actually has bike specific racks you can buy directly from Subaru and they'll install if you want, but you probably could find an aftermarket rack for less.

There is one small problem with any AWD system regardless of car manufacture that most people don't realize till this certain event occurs, but doesn't bother most people, and that event is a blowout. If you damage a tire beyond repair and you have for example 50% of your treadlife left on the remaining 3 tires you have to do one of two things, either buy 4 brand new tires, or buy one new tire and have it shaved to be exactly the same size as the other 3, failure to do this in a timely fashion could burn out the AWD system and that would be very expensive to fix. The tolerance for replacement is 2/32nds of rubber or more difference between the new and old and you have to replace all 4 or shave the new tire.

StanSeven

merlinextraligh

Setting aside, the potshot at NASCAR, Forumal One attracts 500 million fans a year, with fans that tend to be wealthy and highly educated, which is rather easy to see if you've seen the yachts that come to Monoco for the Gran Prix.

rekmeyata

It's funny that a lot of people think Formula One racing is just about a bunch of rednecks watching a race, neither is the FIA about a bunch of rednecks. Even though NASCAR has a lot of rednecks watching there are a lot of wealthy people who attend those races, I have a friend who at times takes me who leases a private jet and we, along with about 4 to 6 others all fly to an airport near a big NASCAR track and attend the race with pit passes. But I've been (past tense) involved in this sort of thing for years so to know someone who was also involved is not uncommon, so about 1 to 3 times a year he comes in from Los Angeles to Fort Wayne then I get flown out of Fort Wayne in a leased private jet to see a race all for free! Anywho, there are a lot of non rednecks at NASCAR events too, but it is a type of race that attracts both.

Tycho Brahe 

Just because they are wealthy doesn't mean they aren't redneck. I lived in a place where many were what I called "rednecks with beamers". Bookstores? Good luck finding one.

I am in the same boat as the OP, and so far I am leaning toward the Mazda3. Would love a Subaru, but an overkill for where I live. Snow? Haven't seen any in years!

BigC_82

I have used my 2003 Volvo XC70 to transport my bikes whether outside or inside. My 62cm frame can fit inside with wheels on and seats folded down.

rekmeyata

Just make sure that whatever car you buy you can get a decent bike rack for it that won't scratch the car up using it, a lot of those low end trunk mounted and hatchback mount jobs will damage the cars paint, and if you'll be hauling more then one bike make sure you can do that too with damaging the bikes paint. You'll be surprise as to how stupid some are made. A small car in my opinion would do better with a roof rack style of bike rack if a rack system is made for that car. It is however easy enough for most cars to slide the bike without the front wheel on right into the rear passenger compartment saving the cost of a bike rack.

GlennR

Holy run on sentence...

I subscribe to the "have a crappy car so you don't care" view of ownership. I clean my bike every week, but haven't washed my car in years.

Having a nice car means you have to clean the car which takes away from saddle time.


Please ignore the bird poop on the roof, the snow will wash it away.

Danny01

thin_concrete

What rack is that in the 2nd picture? I'm in need for my C4S. Thanks in advance.

merlinextraligh

They're Porsche factory cross bars. They work with Porsche trays, but also any "euro style" attachment. The tandem tray is Rocky mounts because Porsche doesn't make a tandem attachment.

The neat thing about the rack is the tower mounts to posts that are already on the car under a rubber strip. You pull them up, bolt on the cross bars, and the towers don't even touch the paint

rekmeyata

Holy bunch of baloney.

Why is your bike nicer and treated better than your car? Cleaning a bike takes away from saddle time too so I assume you don't clean your bike either. The car is a more significant investment...well at least most people's cars, vs a bike. I take care of my stuff regardless if it's a bike or a car or whatever, regardless if it takes time to do that because in the long run the time I spend taking care of something means it will last longer with less problems and thus I maximize my use of a product and save money over the long haul.

GlennR

My car is a "driving appliance" and treat it as such. Over the years I learned that if you keep a car for a long time, the effort you put in to keeping it it new looking doesn't pay off when you get rid of it. I paid $4500 for my car with 106k. It currently has 256k and has no resale value. Now if you washed and cleaned it every week it would have a value of maybe $800. That $800 would not compensate me for my time wasted washing it. I do have the oil changed every 3000 miles had the timing belt and other regular maint done on schedule. It's never broken down and other than normal wear and tear, i've not had a problem.

Now cycling is a hobby and you can't compare the time you spend getting to know your bike to washing your car. As i said, i do maintain my bike weekly, because if i have a failure, it's a long walk home. Also I can live with the car not being 100% but if the bike doesn't shift correctly, it can ruin a beautiful day out in the countryside.

This topic is "Best Car for Bike Owners?", its safe to assume best car for transporting a bike.

I do have a hobby car, but its for transporting me and not my bike.... totally different animal since it's not a "driving appliance", its a toy... just like the bike.

StephenH

My Ford Transit Connect in Long Wheelbase Version allows me to carry the tandem without removing the front wheel, inside.

MonsterFat

I've never understood all the fanfare about self-driving cars.....until now. For all you boring car, race bashers, you know not what you are missing. A nice tight clutch and gearbox rivals Dura Ace for precision and engineering beauty.

To stay on topic, I have used sedans, hatchbacks, wagons and SUV's to transport a bike. There is no best as they all work well when equipped with the correct rack/carrier or interior dimensions.

rekmeyata

There you go, and it gets decent gas mileage.

GlennR

Don't get me wrong, i recently drove a Porsche GT3RS and can tell you it's the most "race ready" Porsche i've ever driven, including a 62 356 Carrera 2 (4 cam). So while I can't afford a $200,000 vehicle, I can a $10,000 bicycle.

What I use for transpiration is different that what I would use for a hobby. Just like a "commuter" bike vs a "performance" bike.

Brad W

'72 Buick Skylark...

merlinextraligh

Such a nice car, and then they go and put a Chinarello on it.

vinuneuro

It's like Jeremy Clarkson is behind a keyboard in an alternate universe.

CafeVelo

If I were buying a car #1 on my list would be a Volkswagen gti. It would fit a bike with the seats down and is a little more interesting to operate than the average car.

PeregrineA1 

F-250 Diesel. 15 mpg in town, 18-20 highway, 12-14 towing. 15 bikes in this picture (9 boxed in the back). 335,000 miles and going strong.

For our upcoming Sedona trip it will have 7 MTB's in and on it.

Our other bike hauler is a Mazda 3. 29" MTB in large fits inside without front wheel. Also have a One-Up rack, which I love. 33 city and 39 highway.