Good vehicle to carry two bikes
09-10-10, 07:14 AM
#76
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I've been looking for a smaller SUV that does well with carrying two bikes inside the vehicle. The one that is coming to mind is the Honda Element. It appears to have a pretty good amount of room inside with the rear two seats folded down. Does anyone have any experience with this vehicle for carrying bikes?
I also have a toddler and need it to be friendly for her - I realize you could only carry one bike inside if she were in the car.
Any help would be fine. I'd have to make an uninformed decision.
I also have a toddler and need it to be friendly for her - I realize you could only carry one bike inside if she were in the car.
Any help would be fine. I'd have to make an uninformed decision.
But I for one, and my wife too, absolutely love mini-vans. We initially had the same view of them as many others but when we bought our '98 Caravan, we really understood the practicality of them having 2 kids and the friends and relatives associated with them. Even with all the problems we had with our Dodge (what a POS!), we still loved the concept of the mini-van. We were never so pretentious as to say we required an SUV. We did not tow or go off-road and the futile attempts from my sister-in-law to get one for a status symbol was wasted on us. She drove a Yukon Denali, never drove off-pavement, never towed and after dropping off her 2 kids, she was the only driver. I just don't understand the thinking of some people, but I guess they are free to drive what ever they want.
Then I started working for Nissan and did the employee lease of the Quest (not the Mercury Villager version). What a cavernous vehicle! You can definitely fit both your bikes inside without height adjustments AND your kid. Plus it had so much more room for luggage. It was also designed for those that have a dislike of the stigma attached to mini-vans. It is a mini-van for those that want to be "different". Earlier models had the IP (instrument panel) centered which was kind awkward until you got used to it. The whole design of it was polarizing. You either love it or you hated it. We loved it. Earlier models had some quality issues but the '07-'09 ones were great. The 2011 model will be out shortly. It is wider and taller but a bit shorter than the '09 and looks reminiscent of the Toyota Sienna. You can probably pick up an '08 or '09 relatively cheap. Have a look, the wife may like it enough to allow you to buy one.
09-10-10, 07:28 AM
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As others have already confirmed, the Element can take 2 bikes inside without ant height adjustments to it. And I can understand your wife's aversion to a mini-van. Speaks "soccer mom" all the way.
But I for one, and my wife too, absolutely love mini-vans. We initially had the same view of them as many others but when we bought our '98 Caravan, we really understood the practicality of them having 2 kids and the friends and relatives associated with them. Even with all the problems we had with our Dodge (what a POS!), we still loved the concept of the mini-van. We were never so pretentious as to say we required an SUV. We did not tow or go off-road and the futile attempts from my sister-in-law to get one for a status symbol was wasted on us. She drove a Yukon Denali, never drove off-pavement, never towed and after dropping off her 2 kids, she was the only driver. I just don't understand the thinking of some people, but I guess they are free to drive what ever they want.
Then I started working for Nissan and did the employee lease of the Quest (not the Mercury Villager version). What a cavernous vehicle! You can definitely fit both your bikes inside without height adjustments AND your kid. Plus it had so much more room for luggage. It was also designed for those that have a dislike of the stigma attached to mini-vans. It is a mini-van for those that want to be "different". Earlier models had the IP (instrument panel) centered which was kind awkward until you got used to it. The whole design of it was polarizing. You either love it or you hated it. We loved it. Earlier models had some quality issues but the '07-'09 ones were great. The 2011 model will be out shortly. It is wider and taller but a bit shorter than the '09 and looks reminiscent of the Toyota Sienna. You can probably pick up an '08 or '09 relatively cheap. Have a look, the wife may like it enough to allow you to buy one.
But I for one, and my wife too, absolutely love mini-vans. We initially had the same view of them as many others but when we bought our '98 Caravan, we really understood the practicality of them having 2 kids and the friends and relatives associated with them. Even with all the problems we had with our Dodge (what a POS!), we still loved the concept of the mini-van. We were never so pretentious as to say we required an SUV. We did not tow or go off-road and the futile attempts from my sister-in-law to get one for a status symbol was wasted on us. She drove a Yukon Denali, never drove off-pavement, never towed and after dropping off her 2 kids, she was the only driver. I just don't understand the thinking of some people, but I guess they are free to drive what ever they want.
Then I started working for Nissan and did the employee lease of the Quest (not the Mercury Villager version). What a cavernous vehicle! You can definitely fit both your bikes inside without height adjustments AND your kid. Plus it had so much more room for luggage. It was also designed for those that have a dislike of the stigma attached to mini-vans. It is a mini-van for those that want to be "different". Earlier models had the IP (instrument panel) centered which was kind awkward until you got used to it. The whole design of it was polarizing. You either love it or you hated it. We loved it. Earlier models had some quality issues but the '07-'09 ones were great. The 2011 model will be out shortly. It is wider and taller but a bit shorter than the '09 and looks reminiscent of the Toyota Sienna. You can probably pick up an '08 or '09 relatively cheap. Have a look, the wife may like it enough to allow you to buy one.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with soccer moms. I'll look around for an '08 or '09, as I would like to keep it as cost effective as possible. Getting rid of the SUV and going to a minivan may not be appealing, but I bet the comforts it affords are well worth any 'self induced' stigma associated with it. The wife will tell me: 'easy for you to say, you're not driving it' - to some extent, she has a point.
09-10-10, 07:51 AM
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Vans and soccer moms. My daughter played competitive soccer. There were only 3 vans out of 11 girls and I drove her in the truck or the old mercedes. That stereotype is overused.
Why not get a VW synchro van or the old Toyota 4 X 4 van with manual transmissions, spend a day mudding. Will that change here image perception maybe? I think Vans whatever they are are really practical.
Why not get a VW synchro van or the old Toyota 4 X 4 van with manual transmissions, spend a day mudding. Will that change here image perception maybe? I think Vans whatever they are are really practical.
09-10-10, 07:58 AM
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Vans and soccer moms. My daughter played competitive soccer. There were only 3 vans out of 11 girls and I drove her in the truck or the old mercedes. That stereotype is overused.
Why not get a VW synchro van or the old Toyota 4 X 4 van with manual transmissions, spend a day mudding. Will that change here image perception maybe? I think Vans whatever they are are really practical.
Why not get a VW synchro van or the old Toyota 4 X 4 van with manual transmissions, spend a day mudding. Will that change here image perception maybe? I think Vans whatever they are are really practical.
09-10-10, 08:07 AM
#80
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Thanks for the info and insight! Two of our friends have the Quest and they both love them! We've ridden in both and they are very plush and TONS of space! I really like them and my wife is okay with them, but I think she's trying to fight off the soccer mom thing as long as possible. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with soccer moms.
I'll look around for an '08 or '09, as I would like to keep it as cost effective as possible. Getting rid of the SUV and going to a minivan may not be appealing, but I bet the comforts it affords are well worth any 'self induced' stigma associated with it. The wife will tell me: 'easy for you to say, you're not driving it' - to some extent, she has a point.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with soccer moms. I'll look around for an '08 or '09, as I would like to keep it as cost effective as possible. Getting rid of the SUV and going to a minivan may not be appealing, but I bet the comforts it affords are well worth any 'self induced' stigma associated with it. The wife will tell me: 'easy for you to say, you're not driving it' - to some extent, she has a point.
09-10-10, 08:20 AM
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Not enough head room for my 56cm Fuji in my wife's 2008 (the new body style). I had the larger split back seat down and had the bike and my (then 2 year old) son in at the same time and he was almost within reach distance to the crankset with his tiny fingers (OK. I'm stretching a bit but you get the picture) and I don't think you'd have room for a second bike with that configuration. Land Rover would have been a perfect choice (for me) if it weren't for the cost of ownership. Currently I am interested to see what the options are for the same reasons and I have Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forrester and Ford Freestyle. Also, the fuel mileage sucks in the Escape. A friend of mine who has a 2005 4Runner gets the same mileage as the Escape. I wish they had a diesel engined 4Runner in the US.
09-10-10, 08:45 AM
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I'd love to have an Element, but we needed something that would tow a 7'x12' enclosed trailer with 3 motorcycles in it so we have an Xterra. Like the Element, there's no carpet in the back so it just gets swept/wiped out. It has accessory rails and tie down points. The Mr. made fork mounts similar to the Land Rover upthread, except that the rail is adjustable, and the bikes go in ass-end first.
We don't have kids, but the back seats are split, so you can put one side down and still have one usable back seat. We haven't tried, but I think we could still get two bikes in since the split is asymmetrical and one side is bigger than the other.
It's been a great vehicle for us, downside is the MPG. It's been much more useful than a pick-up for us though. Love it for snowboarding - just throw everything in the back and not worry as much about it getting stolen, transporting pedal bikes of course, we've transported a '67 Benelli motor that leaked oil everywhere, muddy gear from MX riding, more recently wetsuits and tri gear, and we've even slept in it a bunch of times. With the seats down, you can fit two thermarests and two people pretty well. Well, we're both under 5'9" so it works better than if we were really tall.
Also, my all time favorite winter snow driving vehicle was my turbocharged RWD Miata with snow tires on it. *THAT* was FUN.
We don't have kids, but the back seats are split, so you can put one side down and still have one usable back seat. We haven't tried, but I think we could still get two bikes in since the split is asymmetrical and one side is bigger than the other.
It's been a great vehicle for us, downside is the MPG. It's been much more useful than a pick-up for us though. Love it for snowboarding - just throw everything in the back and not worry as much about it getting stolen, transporting pedal bikes of course, we've transported a '67 Benelli motor that leaked oil everywhere, muddy gear from MX riding, more recently wetsuits and tri gear, and we've even slept in it a bunch of times. With the seats down, you can fit two thermarests and two people pretty well. Well, we're both under 5'9" so it works better than if we were really tall.
Also, my all time favorite winter snow driving vehicle was my turbocharged RWD Miata with snow tires on it. *THAT* was FUN.
09-10-10, 08:47 AM
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By far the best deal on a new or (recent) used minivan is the Kia Sedona. They depreciate rapidly because people wrongly think they're cheap junk, giving them zero cachet, but recent Hyundais/Kias (same company) have quality approaching/matching/exceeding Toyota and Honda, and you'll save many thousands. Even though my kids are grown, I recently bought my 4th minivan, a very nice+cheap 1-year old Sedona just to haul bikes and gear.
09-10-10, 08:48 AM
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Good luck my friend. maybe after 30 times getting that car seat in and out of the car she might change her mind. Bring a car seat with a baby or a baby's weight next time you shop around.
09-10-10, 08:49 AM
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I'd love to have an Element, but we needed something that would tow a 7'x12' enclosed trailer with 3 motorcycles in it so we have an Xterra. Like the Element, there's no carpet in the back so it just gets swept/wiped out. It has accessory rails and tie down points. The Mr. made fork mounts similar to the Land Rover upthread, except that the rail is adjustable, and the bikes go in ass-end first.
We don't have kids, but the back seats are split, so you can put one side down and still have one usable back seat. We haven't tried, but I think we could still get two bikes in since the split is asymmetrical and one side is bigger than the other.
It's been a great vehicle for us, downside is the MPG. It's been much more useful than a pick-up for us though. Love it for snowboarding - just throw everything in the back and not worry as much about it getting stolen, transporting pedal bikes of course, we've transported a '67 Benelli motor that leaked oil everywhere, muddy gear from MX riding, more recently wetsuits and tri gear, and we've even slept in it a bunch of times. With the seats down, you can fit two thermarests and two people pretty well. Well, we're both under 5'9" so it works better than if we were really tall.
Also, my all time favorite winter snow driving vehicle was my turbocharged RWD Miata with snow tires on it. *THAT* was FUN.
We don't have kids, but the back seats are split, so you can put one side down and still have one usable back seat. We haven't tried, but I think we could still get two bikes in since the split is asymmetrical and one side is bigger than the other.
It's been a great vehicle for us, downside is the MPG. It's been much more useful than a pick-up for us though. Love it for snowboarding - just throw everything in the back and not worry as much about it getting stolen, transporting pedal bikes of course, we've transported a '67 Benelli motor that leaked oil everywhere, muddy gear from MX riding, more recently wetsuits and tri gear, and we've even slept in it a bunch of times. With the seats down, you can fit two thermarests and two people pretty well. Well, we're both under 5'9" so it works better than if we were really tall.
Also, my all time favorite winter snow driving vehicle was my turbocharged RWD Miata with snow tires on it. *THAT* was FUN.
09-10-10, 08:50 AM
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09-10-10, 10:21 AM
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A possible downside with kids, is that the back seats are "stadium" style, slightly higher than the front seats, which besides the height of the whole vehicle in the first place, might make getting kids in and out a hassle? The element is nice and low.
09-10-10, 10:55 AM
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doesn't the Element also have stadium seats?
09-10-10, 10:56 AM
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09-10-10, 10:59 AM
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40mpg (Canadian gallon) city.
09-10-10, 11:06 AM
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09-10-10, 12:03 PM
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But if I brought her then I'd have to put a Wee Ride on my Talon and that ain't happening. Kid stays home.
09-10-10, 01:30 PM
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I have no idea, but the height of the Element in general is much lower to start with, so I don't think it would be much of an issue. It's like, regular car height for the most part, while I have to hop up a little to get into the Xterra which is more truck-like (being that it's built on the Frontier platform).
09-10-10, 02:47 PM
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09-10-10, 02:59 PM
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Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit... I have seen two bicycles go in quickly and easily by removing a wheel and seat - both get great mileage compared to most suggested options.
Leaving your bicycles on the roof or trunk is for suckers. Rain, road grit, thieves and garage doors will get ya if the mileage and eyesore from racks don't.
Sorry to the fanboys, but the honda element is a box on wheels.
Leaving your bicycles on the roof or trunk is for suckers. Rain, road grit, thieves and garage doors will get ya if the mileage and eyesore from racks don't.
Sorry to the fanboys, but the honda element is a box on wheels.
09-10-10, 03:22 PM
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09-10-10, 03:59 PM
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09-10-10, 04:42 PM
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Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit... I have seen two bicycles go in quickly and easily by removing a wheel and seat - both get great mileage compared to most suggested options.
Leaving your bicycles on the roof or trunk is for suckers. Rain, road grit, thieves and garage doors will get ya if the mileage and eyesore from racks don't.
Sorry to the fanboys, but the honda element is a box on wheels.
Leaving your bicycles on the roof or trunk is for suckers. Rain, road grit, thieves and garage doors will get ya if the mileage and eyesore from racks don't.
Sorry to the fanboys, but the honda element is a box on wheels.
09-10-10, 04:50 PM
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There is something to be said for it not being a bloated out minivan.
If you say so, personally I think both look nicer than the Honda Element. Why not purchase a SUV "for the convenience" obviously it would work better and you'd be getting about the same mileage?
If you say so, personally I think both look nicer than the Honda Element. Why not purchase a SUV "for the convenience" obviously it would work better and you'd be getting about the same mileage?