Originally Posted by
staehpj1
FWIW, I wouldn't go the SUV route until there are 3 or more bikes and riders. You can get two bikes, two riders, and quite a bit of gear in even an economy model especially if it is a hatchback. It might involve taking off both wheels, but that isn't a big deal. I think that 3 riders in a hatchback is likely to be a reasonable value if other options are not plentiful.
Regional buses in some places can work very well and be very inexpensive. I do not know it that is an option there, but in some parts of California they are real cheap and have a bike rack.
The price differential between a small SUV and a compact is only $20 per day. That's hardly worth the hassle of trying to stuff 2 bikes (perhaps boxed), gear and 2 people into a small car. The economy cars that National uses are even smaller...the one pictured is an Aveo...and the difference is only $25.