simonaway427

Yakima racks have locks on them - lock the bikes to the rack, or lock the rack to the car, or a combo of the two.

If not, the new Toyota Sienna is hot....for a van that is.

bobthib

+1. I have a Honda Odyssey which I use for work and family. I can fit 4 bikes (front wheels off, staggered front to back) and 4 adults and our stuff. I can also put our tandem up the center and 2 solo bikes and 4 adults. I use an 10 'aluminum track set on the floor to keep the tandem going straight as I load and unload it.

The bikes are inside locked inside if we stop for a break, and are protected from weather.

A mini van is not the sexiest vehicle, but it is very comfortable and practical. And if you have a growing family, it's a good investment.

brianbeech

WOW! 4 bikes and 4 adults!!!

foresthill

You can fit two bikes for those sorts of situations in most vehicles with a fold down back seat. I wouldn't want to drive around that way, but it works fine for locking them up. For everyday bike transportation a tray-style hitch-mounted rack is by far the most convenient thing I've found.

Jakedatc

Hmm.. I have an 05 element and the most convenient thing for me is to open the back gate.. roll my bike in.. close the gate and go. It is also locked, dry, out of the sun, won't get rear ended, parks the same and i can access it from the inside.

rushbikes

I used to drive my ex-gf's Subaru Outback and we had no problem fitting 2 bikes plus luggage, and we did NOT travel lightly. The car tracks like a mountain goat in foul weather and, for a Japanese manufacturer, I found driving it to have a very solid feel. On the downside, gas mileage kinda sucked and it always felt a bit sluggish to me.

logdrum

Any car with the exception of sports 2 seater with no top, can be made to carry 2 bikes. But if you have to have them inside, a van is good. OP you have kids? Why doesn't the wife like a van?

I like them on the roof. Last week we went camping and I added 2 more bike carriers and a longer rack bar and I carried 5 bikes on top of an ancient Mercedes 300D

adriano 

with a rack, garmin data never looked better.

brianbeech

I do have one child - 18 months. Not sure why the wife isn't big on the vans; probably doesn't find the style appealing. I'm big on them being inside and with 1 child, I could have one seat flipped and probably fit both bikes in there. Just stopped by the Honda dealership on lunch - Odyssey was looking pretty nice! That was, of course, about 12K more though.

aboss3

I just use a trunk rack. I got Lexus IS350, and it's a fairly small car. So I just hop the 2 bikes on the back. I really like the idea of having bikes locked inside the car, that's why I already talked my wife into getting her an SUV as our next vehicle, the BMW x5. After I've rented the SUV, and found out how convenient it is to store the bikes inside the car, I dream of owning one every time I struggle with putting the trunk rack up, and mounting the bikes.
But this way has worked for me on my 2 cars for the last 5-6 years.

ctcycler

I have an 08 Toyota Rav4 and with the seats down could fit probably about four bikes in it. Front wheels off, standing up, currently I have a fork mount, mounted to a piece of 2x4 that keeps the bike upright. My wife and I are expecting our first child in roughly 8 days, so we will see how I handle things with a car seat thrown into the mix.

brianbeech

The car seat thrown in makes it interesting. Not to mention the umbrella stroller, normal stroller, diaper bag and random toys. All of the sudden, my 'Civic'-type lifestyle just jumped to a 'Greyhound'-type lifestyle. But, it's all worth it!

Congrats on the kid.

curiouskid55

Kia Sedona

bikecrate

My wife has an Odyssey, which is great for vacations, since it holds so much. However, I absolutely hate to drive it. It's just seems so large for everyday driving. For some reason I can never adjust the seat to make my back comfortable. See if you take it on an extended overnight test drive then decide.

bonz50

I roll an 05 F150 SuperCrew 4x4... room for 5 adults in the cab (a bit snug if they are big uns like me), bikes and gear in the bed... we roll in comfort... also does double duty as my fams trippin vehicle... me, wife, 3 kids, plus 'stuff'... way better than the minivan

ctcycler

Thanks!

sevrdhed

I can tell you that for sure with my dodge grand caravan, that's very simple to do. 1 seat up, the other 5 down, and the bikes roll in - cake. Hell, I'm even thinking of making a little psuedo--bike-rack for the inside to make it even easier.

We go camping a ton so it made sense for us - we also like to sleep comfortably (futon mattress in the back on camping trips makes an excellent bed) and bring lots of ****.

For the person who carried everything for a 2 week vacation in a honda civic.... I sure would like to see pics of that.

logdrum

Ah fatherhood. Maybe you can convince her and yourself to get the Merc r320 diesel. If you can afford an Odyssey it's just a few k more maybe even cheaper if you got a used one. It's stylish enough and good inside. Somehow Merc SUVs and Vans do not carry the stigma of a high status quo compared to their sedans and coupes. I also heard that the VW Routan and it's dodge equivalent are equally good

But if you are going the Japanese route, I'd consider a Sienna over the Odyssey. Just because our Preiva at 200 K is still pulling strong.

The other day I saw a trailer that can be pulled by any car and it was sleek and aerodynamic and was made to pull bikes only and locked in. I think the guy works at the local Starbucks and I might be able to get a picture.

BTW my advice on cars in always this.

Make sure no or very little/short payments, used, diesel, Toyotas. I am biased in that weird way.

Yaniel

I can easily fit two road or mountain bikes in my honda fit, standing up with front wheels removed.

schnee

I LOVE my Element. Three bikes fit inside fine with the seats up to the sides.

Plastic floor means dirt just whisk brooms out.

I have racks too, for when I have 2 other people + gear in the car.

When they discontinue it, I might buy a spare and garage it for when mine finally gives up the ghost.

The only weakness is it seats 4, and 4 only, due to the way the seats fold up in the back.

ErichM

Thats neat how you did that. I wonder if I could do that in the Grand Cherokee...

rooftest

Your wife packs much lighter than mine does.

brianbeech

Good points. The only reason I'm going to totally rule out the Mercedes is due to repair costs. I'm currently in a Cadillac and that's why I'm trying to get out of it - anticipating maintenance. The Element looks to be had for roughly 26K brand new - Odyssey for around 37K.

Definitely not opposed to Toyota. Had a Corolla and it was bulletproof!

brianbeech

Yeah, the seating 4 could be a problem, but hopefully that would be few and far between. I do wish it had more interior options: heated seats, DVD player..etc. But, it's not a luxury vehicle; I've got to change my thinking.

lsabado

I have an element and I keep my Dahon folding bike in the back at all times. When I want to use my Bianchi, I just have to take out the front wheel and put it in the back seat.