Best small car for carrying a bike inside
10-06-17, 05:34 PM
#26
don't try this at home.
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With the front passenger seat moved forward a notch, my road bike fits easily in my 2015 Prius. It's very nice to just lean the bike over, roll it in and go. (I haven't tested the newer body style for a bike fit.) The hatch space isn't very tall, so two bikes would likely just barely fit, stacked with a moving quilt between them.
A consistent 50 mpg on freeway trips, near 60 mph on city streets or in stop-and-go traffic. That's a half gallon for the round trip to one of my ride starts, about 14 miles each way.
A consistent 50 mpg on freeway trips, near 60 mph on city streets or in stop-and-go traffic. That's a half gallon for the round trip to one of my ride starts, about 14 miles each way.
Last edited by rm -rf; 10-06-17 at 05:40 PM.
10-06-17, 06:01 PM
#27
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Yah but when the battery tanks in that Prius you're looking at a $6K repair bill.
Jon
Jon
10-06-17, 06:19 PM
#28
Erik the Inveigler
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I'd vote the Crosstrek based simply on one of the best commercials ever.
The extended version..............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGxWSQ7pUWY
The extended version..............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGxWSQ7pUWY
I actually got to test drive a 2018 Crosstrek a few days ago. It is fun to drive! It feels more lively than an Outback, but more planted on the road than a Forester.
I really like these cars.
10-06-17, 06:28 PM
#29
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I'd vote the Crosstrek based simply on one of the best commercials ever.
The extended version..............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGxWSQ7pUWY
The extended version..............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGxWSQ7pUWY
I actually got to test drive a 2018 Crosstrek a few days ago. It is fun to drive! It feels more lively than an Outback, but more planted on the road than a Forester.
I really like these cars.
10-06-17, 06:29 PM
#30
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If you're going with a used car, I recommend a RAV4 from 2001-2005. You can easily unclick and remove a rear seat, and roll a full-sized bike in without removing the bike's wheel. Bungee the bike to the passenger ceiling handle.
Remove 2 rear seats, and roll in 2 bikes.
I usually rode with one rear seat removed and a 2-bike spare-tire-mounted Thule rack, and could transport myself and 2 other riders and our 3 bikes. Very convenient.
(They did away with the quick seat-removal feature in model-year 2006.)
Decent mileage from a 4-cyl (2.0L for 2001-2003, 2.4L for 2004 and 2005).
Remove 2 rear seats, and roll in 2 bikes.
I usually rode with one rear seat removed and a 2-bike spare-tire-mounted Thule rack, and could transport myself and 2 other riders and our 3 bikes. Very convenient.
(They did away with the quick seat-removal feature in model-year 2006.)
Decent mileage from a 4-cyl (2.0L for 2001-2003, 2.4L for 2004 and 2005).
10-06-17, 06:48 PM
#31
Grumpy Old Bugga
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I had a Fiat Panda for a while - the little thing was so cute I'd carry it into the office and leave it on my desk as an ornament. I used to carry my bike in the back - I needed to remove the front wheel and lay the seats down but the bike went in easily enough.
Saw a bloke drive past one day with an original Mini... and a bike inside with him.
Quite frankly, it's not so much whether you can get a bike in but how much effort you want to go to. I now drive ten year old Subaru Forester wagon because I can just throw the bike in the back (with the seats down).
Saw a bloke drive past one day with an original Mini... and a bike inside with him.
Quite frankly, it's not so much whether you can get a bike in but how much effort you want to go to. I now drive ten year old Subaru Forester wagon because I can just throw the bike in the back (with the seats down).
10-06-17, 07:05 PM
#32
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10-06-17, 07:08 PM
#33
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Subaru Impreza. I get 38mpg on the interstate.
10-06-17, 07:58 PM
#35
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CTS-V wagon.
10-06-17, 08:05 PM
#37
on your lawn
If you're already a Honda person you can look at the new Civic Hatchback. You can get the 1.5 turbo with a 6 speed stick shift and it should have plenty of room for a bike if you take off the front wheel.
BTW I saw a Smart Car with 2 fat tire bikes on a hitch rack. It looked like an ant dragging a horsefly.
BTW I saw a Smart Car with 2 fat tire bikes on a hitch rack. It looked like an ant dragging a horsefly.
10-06-17, 08:56 PM
#38
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Lexus CT200h, I get 46+ mpg, have seen 51, fits my road bike better with front wheel off, but wheels on is ok too. Did a 2100 mile road trip to Seattle with bike and two person luggage for two weeks, no problem. Fun to drive, great mpgs, it's all good. I've had a 1996 Outback and 2000 Impreza RS, great cars, but not good on gas. The newer Subes are much better.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 10-06-17 at 09:06 PM.
10-07-17, 04:38 PM
#39
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I've had a Mazda3 hatchback w/5-speed for 12+ years and will buy another, but with 6 speeds and much better MPG.
If you need AWD, maybe look at Crosstrek, otherwise, Mazda3 destroys it.
Civic if you don't mind the looks.
If you need AWD, maybe look at Crosstrek, otherwise, Mazda3 destroys it.
Civic if you don't mind the looks.
10-07-17, 04:47 PM
#40
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I guess any car where the rear seats fold down. Question is how many cars still come manual?
10-07-17, 05:12 PM
#41
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I just bought a Subaru Impreza hatchback. I can fit my 59cm cross bike in the back and no compromising the legroom in the front seats. Gas mileage and handling is great. That's my recommendation!
10-07-17, 07:13 PM
#43
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Slowly disappearing, but still available on many smaller sporty cars. I don't know all of this year's specs, but some trim levels have recently come ONLY with manual: Civic si, focus ST, WRX. 15% of Mazda3s are sold with a stick. GTI is probably more (90% of buyers are men).
10-07-17, 07:44 PM
#44
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Slowly disappearing, but still available on many smaller sporty cars. I don't know all of this year's specs, but some trim levels have recently come ONLY with manual: Civic si, focus ST, WRX. 15% of Mazda3s are sold with a stick. GTI is probably more (90% of buyers are men).
10-07-17, 08:09 PM
#45
Senior Member
Try a Ford Fiesta hatchback ?
Fold the rear seat down.
Open the hatch.
Insert bike through hatch by turning it upside down,
Thread the front wheel in first, front wheel turned.
Rear will will just clear the back. After a couple
Practice times, you Can do this in one Quick easy stroke.
Fold the rear seat down.
Open the hatch.
Insert bike through hatch by turning it upside down,
Thread the front wheel in first, front wheel turned.
Rear will will just clear the back. After a couple
Practice times, you Can do this in one Quick easy stroke.
10-07-17, 08:13 PM
#46
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All those suggesting small cars rather than hatchbacks, how do you get on with two bikes? I ask because my son and his wife are currently looking for a 'new' car and was only considering hatchbacks or station wagons (probably the older Imprezzas) where it's easy to put two bikes in the back, but if you can get two road bikes into a normal sedan, it would widen his options somewhat.
10-08-17, 02:03 AM
#47
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More options is nice, but nowadays there are so many nice 5-door designs available, it's hard to see why anybody buys a sedan. Maybe the stealthy good looks if you have the budget for an Audi or similar?
10-08-17, 12:11 PM
#48
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Yep!
I'm rocking a 2017 GTI and I have no issues with fitting a bike in the back. I've been seeing 33-34 mpg on it during my mixed traffic commute of around 50 miles round trip. That's with a fair share of getting on it a bit. The 6 speed auto really tries hard to stay frugal as long as you keep your foot out of it.
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10-08-17, 04:09 PM
#49
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17' HRV 6 geared manual. $19k
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10-08-17, 05:00 PM
#50
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Seems like philbob57 just asked a couple questions. Anyhow, OP is looking for a fuel efficient compact with some internal cargo room and stick. I'd still suggest Civic, Mazda3 hatch, or similar. If you need more room, then a Rav4 or Escape? Those baby crossovers are a bad value IMO.
