Just to ask, what are you riding now? I prefer hitch racks and Saris Cycle-on pro is one of my favorites but hollywood makes one very much like it. I like the idea of how easy it is to mount a bike and that the bike doesn't swing because the tires are all that is clamped down.
But an alternative might be a folding bike. I don't have one myself but i do have a friend that just bought a Bike Friday and it even had drop bars. It would fit in the trunk and could go everywhere you do.