Like this one?

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources...ss%20Wagon.jpg

Even better:

http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress...ters-ecto1.jpg

What about the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe? Can be had w/AWD, lower center of gravity, decent mpg, uses 87 octane instead of the higher priced premium/diesel...

Yes, I was thinking about the Matrix. It's bigger on the inside than the exterior reveals. Like the TARDIS. :D

Option 1: Keep the Sentra and buy a rooftop cargo rack or cargo box for carrying your excess camping gear.

Option 2: Buy whatever car you like, keeping in mind that rooftop cargo transport is a decent way to carry a lot of equipment.

I just returned from an unsupported bike camping trip with a total of 3 adults and one child. We transported 3 bikes, one trail-a-bike, and all of our equipment in a Honda Fit - the trail-a-bike and a lot of luggage went on the roof in a soft-sided cargo bag; my folder and a lot of other luggage went in the cargo area of the Fit, and the two other bikes rode on a trunk rack. So you really do have a lot of options.

Just looking at your criteria again. Another car to consider is a used Volvo XC70 (meets every one of your preferences). Again, look for a Volvo *Certified* car, which will have a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Another car to consider would be the Ford Freestyle, which has been influenced by Ford's association with Volvo, and so, has been ranked very in high regards for safety.

People in New England tend to buy Volvo's and keep them for 25 years due to their safety and reliability.

You can get steals on used SUVs right now. Nobody wants them with the high gas prices. My daughter's best friendt just bought a Ford Escape with 5-speed manual transmission with low mileage for $11,000. It gets decent mileage for an SUV -- over 20 mpg in town and 29 highway.

Whatever you buy, don't ignore its gas mileage. The recent downturn in gas prices is probably temporary at best. You will be cursing your high performance vehicle if gas prices start climbing again -- and that is just about a certainty. If you have been driving a Nissan Sentra, you are used to getting pretty good gas mileage. You are in for a rude awakening if you buy a gas hog right now. There are lots of SUVs sitting in driveways and used car lots right now for that reason, and lots of people cutting back their spending on movies, clothes, vacations or whatever because their gas bills are sucking their budgets dry.

If I was buying a new car right now, my choice would be a Honda Fit. It will hold an amazing amount of gear, gets great gas mileage, and Honda engineering and quality.

One thing no one's mentioned though when they tell you to get a small car and put a roof bike carrier on it. My Yakima on our Focus I love, but it cost us nearly 5mpg since it breaks the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Not to mention a lot of wind noise. And I do have a fairing on it. A rear mount rack will tend to get the bikes dirtier though, as that's a low pressure area

-R

a 02-05 Honda Civic Si

Pros:
-Hatchback; a TON of room
-Sporty, decent power
-decent mileage
-Unique
-recent used means low miles and decent price point

Cons:
-only a 3 door
-no 4(A)WD

http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress...ters-ecto1.jpg

If you could get a hearse with woody siding, now that would be styling.

Subi.

My girlfriend has a Volvo V50 wagon with AWD and a Turbo (I think they come as a package) and it's good sized. The V70 is bigger as well.

The new Toyota Matrix is pretty sweet, that or an Outback would be my pick (says the guy with a minivan...)

I can vouch for the Swedish solution. My 1st Volvo (one that I actually bought) was a 93 850 that I bought in '95 was part of the then new "select" program that gave you additional warrentee. I drove it to about 150,000 miles and then it went to my dad as my wife could not drive a stick and wasn't willing to learn. Eventually the car was sold to my Dad's neighbor. Last I saw it, the body was in near perfect condition (I could only find one tiny rust spot) and had well over 250,000 miles on it. All driven in the Buffalo Snow/Rust belt.

My wife's '98 S70 is now having its going strong and looking good. My '03 V70 2.4T has been excellent as well. The wagon has a ton of space yet is remarkably fuel effient for its size. It drives plenty fast if you want, but I have no problems getting close to 30 MPH on the highway, and 25 MPG in mixes traffic.

As for needing AWD... I have lived in the Buffalo Snow belt since 1985 and have driven through just about ever snow emergency for the last decade. With a good set of snow tires you can get through some pretty bad stuff without much trouble. Sure there are about 4 days out of the year that AWD could be nice, but the rest of the time I can accelerate and drive just as fast as the AWD crowd. Once good thing about FWD is that if you have trouble accelerating, you know you will have trouble stopping. With AWD it is easier to underestimate road conditions. The FWD cars now come with very descent traction control and that definitely helps get the most out the of available traction. Snow tires + a nice set of wheels will cost me $800 1st time around and then $400 every 4 years for new tires. I figure that is still a lot cheaper than the 3 to 5 MPG fuel economy hit you take for AWD. Also in the long run if something in the drivetrain breaks, it is bound to be much more expensive to repair on an AWD car.

If you want to buy a new Volvo then consider the Europen delivery option. You save a bunch of money, get tickets for 2 to Sweden and get to drive your car around Europe for a bit. We did that with my '03. Loads of fun. We saved about $6,000 over list, and had a side trip to London for 4 days and 3 nights, and 2 nights in Sweden as we well. The cars gets sent back to your dealer and they do the whole registration. This is not a "grey" car. They well you a US spec car and simply let you borrow your car before it gets shipped to the USA.

Happy riding,
André

Mazda 5 is bike friendly me thinks

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/...759f6b19_o.jpg

my 56cm with a fair amount of seat post doesn't quite stand up in the car with front wheel removed and seat up, but smaller frames do, or I can push seat down.

and sleep friendly:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/...6e020c37_o.jpg

Toyota Matrix AWD XR.

http://www.toyota.com/matrix/features.html?trim=1936

Edit: I have a 2005 XRS model that I really like. We're downsizing to only 1 car and we're ditching the Prius for the Matrix. The Matrix is just too convinient.

This isn't my picture, nor do I own this car, but I have seen a couple people talk about the Honda Fit, and how they can fit a bike in behind the front seats without taking off any wheels.

http://www.fatcyclist.com/blogphotos...7/IMG_0881.jpg

If you ask me, that's pretty impressive.

Honda Element is what I have and I think it would work well. Here is the cool Interior Bike Attachment...

http://automobiles.honda.com/element...ory=ELEME08055

--sam

+1 on the Element. You can buy mountings to put two bikes inside, or just store them loosely inside.

Another candidate is the Honda Ridgeline. Its considered in the same pickup category as Toyota Tacomas, Dodge Dakotas/Mitsubishi Raiders, and Ford Rangers, but it has a lot of good options for hauling bikes straight out from the factory. You can get a roof rack for two bikes, put two bikes on the back seat, get a tow hitch rack for four bikes, or put two bikes in the bed.