Looking for SUV - any comments?
 

I'm selling my car and looking at buying something I can put 2 bikes in.
Anyone have the perfect fit in their suv / wagon. Interested in Volvo wagon
Honda Element, etc.
Please tell me about how well this works or doesn't.
Thanks
Chris

I can get two bikes in my 2004 Ford Focus wagon...I do have to take the wheels of one in order to do so, but my husband's bikes are BIG.

East Hill

Not an SUV, but a pick up truck. I can fit a bunch of bikes in the bed and four on the hitch rack. It seats five and can tow up to 6500 lbs.

Nissan Frontier. I have over 60k miles on mine with no repairs or issues. It is 4wd too. The gas mileage is pretty awful though at 19 mpgs. I need it to haul hay and trailers. My old Subaru Legacy Outback wagon could only fit four bales of hay and couldn't tow much. ;) I don't know what the mileage is for SUVs.

http://www.kpbj.com/images/automotiv...ier1801_LG.jpg

Pontiac Vibe, basically a rebranded Toyota Matrix, but less expensive, since the Pontiac dealers are hungier. Not a true SUV, but a 'crossover'. 34 mpg, can fit two smaller bikes in the back. My 63 cm road bike won't go in upright, though.

I know Honda Element will hold one bike. Probably get two in there, but might have to remove a rear seat.

Try This...Absolutey Indistructable,will run forever...Best REAL SUV ever made

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-...QQcmdZViewItem

Edit: This one is Not Mine,I drive a Carolla. I had one of these,471,000 miles No major Problems!! And This one is a Desert truck,if I had the cash it would be GONE...Read that as it would be MINE!!

Does it have to be SUV? I'm always amazed at how many bikes those small chase vehicles can carry in European bicycle events. With the right roof rack you can probably get at least two bikes on just about anything. Probably 4.

You'd be amazed at what can fit in a VW New Beetle:

http://www.monogodo.org/images/jpegs/sofa1.jpg

http://www.monogodo.org/images/jpegs/sofa2.jpg

I get two bikes in my '95 BMW 318TI. My concern is about low MPG vehicle and what they do to contribute to pollution and global warming. I hope that matters to you because it affects all of us.

Why do you need to put your bikes "in"?
Get a car with good gas mileage and a bike rack.

did you say in or on???
 

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And a LOT less than $500 a month!
:D

Go with a minivan. With rear seats out, you can fit a lot in there.

I'm not sure if you were responding to my post but, if you were, my car does get good gas mileage. It's a 4 cyl. (which is one reason I got it) and a hatch (which I find very versatile). I get 25-26 mpg around town and over 30 mpg on the interstate. I must admit I'm not a slow driver so I could actually get better mileage. Anyway, at $5500. it fit my budget and it seems to work well for me on all accounts.

Get a folding bike.

http://www.zaftig.net/images/articles/a3/a3_4.jpg

;)

Audi A3 Trunk (hatchback)

Hi Chris!

Check out the hybrid Honda or the hybrid Toyota Highlander. If you want cheaper prices & conventional power, I suggest anything with these two IMPORTANT safety features:

1. Side-impact airbags
2. Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (not traction control!)

If I were buying, those would be my major "must-haves."

Happy shopping!

I wouldn't buy a hybrid. The gas savings don't justify the additional expense. Not to mention maintence costs which are a huge unknown. Nothing like twice the complexity to really scare your mechanic and pocket book.

Oh sweet Jesus NO!

I have a theory that every car accident can be traced back to some idiot driving a minivan.

(My sincere apologies to any of you who drive minivans who might be offended by my comment. I really don't mean to piss anyone off. And I do realize that a small percentage of minivan drivers do actually know how to safely operate a vehicle. You are rare but you are out there and I salute you. However, hate is not a strong enough word for how I feel about minivans.)

By the way, I have a Jetta with a trailer hitch. I can carry four bikes at a time.

+ 1,000,000

Drive a Ford Edge, more of a crossover than an SUV but very nice and roomy.


http://mud.mm-a8.yimg.com/image/4097637006

I've decided to make the bike my mode of transporation whenever I can. When it's not too awful cold or raining or snowing, or the distances too far. I may never again drive my car to a bike event, feel awful about the mess we're in with global warming / oil & other resource depletion / population. :(

Gee wiz, I'm ticked! JK Now that you mention it now though, there are a lot of accidents with minivans seemingly. They are quite common though too. O well, I'm a minivan driver and I'm not ashamed. I love the cargo room.

:beer: Thank God! I thought I might be the only one who thought that way.

+1

Subaru Forester or Outback. The Outback has a smoother ride - I have managed to fit 3 complete bikes and 4 people inside the outback, but, because it's not as tall as most SUVs, roof racking is easy too.

I have a Highlander Hybrid and would recommend it highly. In previous threads on this subject the Honda Element gets very praise and is pretty affordable.