Plan B
#27
OnTheRoad or AtTheBeach
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I have one of these and I love it. It would work well in S. Cali, I know it fits in Ok on South beach
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The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard and the shallow end is much too large
2013 Noah RS
The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard and the shallow end is much too large
2013 Noah RS
#28
Banned.
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Look at a Chrysler Town and Country, the shorter model.
Around here, they are very inexpensive, because the shorter model was/is less popular. Chrysler made these to replace the Plymount Voyager when Plymouth went out of business. They are much cheaper than a Honda Element.
With Stow and Go, the middle seat will fold down and your bike will fit inside (even upright), without removing the front wheel. Lots of room for luggage, etc.
Rated a "Best Buy" by Consumer Reports.
Around here, they are very inexpensive, because the shorter model was/is less popular. Chrysler made these to replace the Plymount Voyager when Plymouth went out of business. They are much cheaper than a Honda Element.
With Stow and Go, the middle seat will fold down and your bike will fit inside (even upright), without removing the front wheel. Lots of room for luggage, etc.
Rated a "Best Buy" by Consumer Reports.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-17-07 at 05:50 AM.
#29
Flatlander
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Toyota Prius or Honda Element
The Prius because it's a hybrid and it's just the right thing to do.
The Element because you can just roll the bike right in the back end. If you're really thinking about camping, you can also haul the camping gear easily, and even slap a foam pad down in the back and sleep in there.
I'm a "chick" of a certain age, and I would think good things about a guy driving either of these. As opposed to a Miata or any of those p*nis-mobiles guys seem to drive after 50.
The Prius because it's a hybrid and it's just the right thing to do.
The Element because you can just roll the bike right in the back end. If you're really thinking about camping, you can also haul the camping gear easily, and even slap a foam pad down in the back and sleep in there.
I'm a "chick" of a certain age, and I would think good things about a guy driving either of these. As opposed to a Miata or any of those p*nis-mobiles guys seem to drive after 50.
I don't think it's roomy enough for a bike in the back seat, however, which tips the scale toward the Element if that's important to you. The ideal car might just be a hybrid Element. Do they make those? If they do, I'm gonna start rolling all my pennies...
#30
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Who wants to date someone who doesn't have a vehicle capable of carrying a couple bikes, camping equipment, etc
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Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
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Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#31
OnTheRoad or AtTheBeach
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Man, you folks are defining 50+, practical, mpg a Chrysler
DG, your a single guy who wants to have fun on the beach in one of the best areas in the US. Sports car baby
DG, your a single guy who wants to have fun on the beach in one of the best areas in the US. Sports car baby
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The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard and the shallow end is much too large
2013 Noah RS
The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard and the shallow end is much too large
2013 Noah RS
#32
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Go with a 1968 Mercury Montery Fastback with the 390 engine. Where you live this will appeal to many different people.
Actually, for whatever you buy, I'd just make sure you can either get a bike in it or a bike rack on it.
Actually, for whatever you buy, I'd just make sure you can either get a bike in it or a bike rack on it.
#33
Squirrel
A Woody would by my retro car. Or an old Volvo wagon.
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#34
red bikes rule!
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Hey, that looks a lot like my first car, a 1968 Ford Torino! (I totaled it in 1977 when a bread truck rear-ended me, bending the chassis.) It looked a lot like this one.
ford-torino-1968a.jpg
ford-torino-1968a.jpg
#35
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I wonder if I still had my 69 dodge charger daytona if saris would have made a mount to fit over the wing.
#36
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3 friends drive this...they all love it, plus 600 miles per fill up
good looking car, too (they all went with black)
#37
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Hey, that looks a lot like my first car, a 1968 Ford Torino! (I totaled it in 1977 when a bread truck rear-ended me, bending the chassis.) It looked a lot like this one.
Attachment 52118
Attachment 52118
#38
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If I were in the market for a new vehicle today I would look at:
Toyota FJ40 - they look like they can go anywhere and pretty much, they really can. I actually DO off road a lot with my terriers.
Honda Element - they look too practical to ignore, and Honda's just don't seem to break, ever.
Nissan Murano - they look nice too, good milage and still AWD
Subaru Forester - they have the reputation of lasting forever and being trouble free on the way too.
None of the above are terribly expensive and all get reasonable fuel economy. My wife drives a Honda Pilot and loves it. I just got a new work truck, a 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 extended cab 4wd pickup with the 6 liter monster motor. It's a very nice ride, but not very practical unless you really need a pickup truck.
Toyota FJ40 - they look like they can go anywhere and pretty much, they really can. I actually DO off road a lot with my terriers.
Honda Element - they look too practical to ignore, and Honda's just don't seem to break, ever.
Nissan Murano - they look nice too, good milage and still AWD
Subaru Forester - they have the reputation of lasting forever and being trouble free on the way too.
None of the above are terribly expensive and all get reasonable fuel economy. My wife drives a Honda Pilot and loves it. I just got a new work truck, a 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 extended cab 4wd pickup with the 6 liter monster motor. It's a very nice ride, but not very practical unless you really need a pickup truck.
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It's all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.
It's all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.
#39
wheezer geezer
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#40
I need more cowbell.
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So far, mind you just with some internet browsing, I'm liking the Honda Fit and Element, the VW Jetta, the Pontiac Vibe (or Toyota Matrix, basically the same), and the Subaru Forester. Oh, and possiblly the Toyota Yaris, maybe Corolla. I also want to check out what Scion has offer.
Out of curiosity, what are the advantages and disadvantages of roof mounted bike racks? Are they a hassle to use, do they bring MPG down? Or maybe are they a breeze to use and have no impact on MPG? And is there anyone here who's used a roof mounted rack on an Element? Seems like I'd need a ladder to use it!
Out of curiosity, what are the advantages and disadvantages of roof mounted bike racks? Are they a hassle to use, do they bring MPG down? Or maybe are they a breeze to use and have no impact on MPG? And is there anyone here who's used a roof mounted rack on an Element? Seems like I'd need a ladder to use it!
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#41
Software for Cyclists
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The Prius would be the best chick magnet car for Sandy Eggo.
And, DF, the Chrysler Town and Country would probably be the most efficient chick repellent you could drive in California.
And, DF, the Chrysler Town and Country would probably be the most efficient chick repellent you could drive in California.
#42
Pedaled too far.
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DG, I agree. You did the noble thing for your daughter last time. Though it wasn't her fault, we know that much of accident avoidance is not in just obeying the law, but in watching out for those who aren't. She may need that one rubbed in a little. Have her spend a day in traffic school so she can see what kind of people she's driving with.
It's time to give her the Avalon. It's not in that bad a shape and its a little bigger and more crash resistant than the Focus. And get something nicer for yourself.
Here's a two seater chick magnet that's probably within your range.
Lots of people come to Arkansas on these things to go camping or touring in our beautiful mountains.
It's time to give her the Avalon. It's not in that bad a shape and its a little bigger and more crash resistant than the Focus. And get something nicer for yourself.
Here's a two seater chick magnet that's probably within your range.
Lots of people come to Arkansas on these things to go camping or touring in our beautiful mountains.
Last edited by Artkansas; 08-17-07 at 10:41 AM.
#43
Life in the Slow Lane
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Good choice to get the new car for YOU, DG! You deserve it.
See, maybe all the bad luck was just a cosmic ploy to get you into a sleek new ride.
My humble opinion would be to concentrate on a vehicle that makes bike transport, and other cargo transport, dead easy. No climbing or stuffing or tying down - just throwing it inside and forgetting about it. Not only easier on the body but more theft-proof.
Since I lived out in the boonies a good part of my life, and usually had to buy well-used cars, I've driven an assortment of full-size vans, trucks, mini-vans, and a few regular cars too. Right now I have a Grand Marquis to accommodate long-distance driving --- it has a huge trunk, is very comfy and reliable and gets 26-29 mpg ---- BUT I absolutely hate bike racks, and whenever I need to haul anything bigger than the trunk, I'm stuck. I'd gladly trade for a van, mini-van, or small pickup. Oh, for the days when I could just toss a few bikes in the back of the van, shut the door and take off, instead of fighting with the rack and trying to keep the bikes from scratching/denting each other, or worrying about somebody stealing bikes & rack in one piece....
[Edit: P.S., if you're really thinking about camping, a regular full-size van can be fitted out with lots of very nice camping extras like a real bed, stove, fridge and still have tons of room for bikes and gear. Mine got 20+ mpg around town. You can attach a retractable shade too, and even have a screen room. This sounds really decadent until you're out camping in bad or buggy weather, then you start feeling pretty good about your setup. Avoid the conversions though, they're gas hogs extraordinaire]
See, maybe all the bad luck was just a cosmic ploy to get you into a sleek new ride.
My humble opinion would be to concentrate on a vehicle that makes bike transport, and other cargo transport, dead easy. No climbing or stuffing or tying down - just throwing it inside and forgetting about it. Not only easier on the body but more theft-proof.
Since I lived out in the boonies a good part of my life, and usually had to buy well-used cars, I've driven an assortment of full-size vans, trucks, mini-vans, and a few regular cars too. Right now I have a Grand Marquis to accommodate long-distance driving --- it has a huge trunk, is very comfy and reliable and gets 26-29 mpg ---- BUT I absolutely hate bike racks, and whenever I need to haul anything bigger than the trunk, I'm stuck. I'd gladly trade for a van, mini-van, or small pickup. Oh, for the days when I could just toss a few bikes in the back of the van, shut the door and take off, instead of fighting with the rack and trying to keep the bikes from scratching/denting each other, or worrying about somebody stealing bikes & rack in one piece....
[Edit: P.S., if you're really thinking about camping, a regular full-size van can be fitted out with lots of very nice camping extras like a real bed, stove, fridge and still have tons of room for bikes and gear. Mine got 20+ mpg around town. You can attach a retractable shade too, and even have a screen room. This sounds really decadent until you're out camping in bad or buggy weather, then you start feeling pretty good about your setup. Avoid the conversions though, they're gas hogs extraordinaire]
Last edited by Baroque; 08-17-07 at 11:00 AM.
#44
Life in the Slow Lane
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Oh my goodness, I'm having a huge flashback to my '68 Torino station wagon. GREAT car!
#45
wheezer geezer
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#46
I need more cowbell.
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#47
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Gary, That's it! You've got to track down a 69 Camaro. Wow, can you just imagine the attention you'd get. Now that was a car... that and the Firebird, which was just a bit more popular where I grew up. Howver, I'd take either in a heart beat.
#48
I need more cowbell.
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2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
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Proud member of the original Club Tombay
#49
Lincoln, CA
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You have bikes. Why do you need a car?
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Truth is stranger than reality.
'96 Giant ATX 760 MTB
'01 Bianchi Eros
'05 Giant OCR Llimited Carbon Fiber + upgrades
Truth is stranger than reality.
'96 Giant ATX 760 MTB
'01 Bianchi Eros
'05 Giant OCR Llimited Carbon Fiber + upgrades
#50
I need more cowbell.
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