Best Car for Bike Owners?
08-05-17, 07:22 AM
#476
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08-05-17, 07:49 AM
#477
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The Forester is thought of as a compact SUV
The Outback is a station wagon.
Forester is taller and not as long a wheelbase. The driver sits higher by 2", the cargo area is higher and not as deep as the OB.
Both have the same ground clearance at 8.7"
Agree with WH Scott, wagons are a dying breed, though the luxury and Euro's still make them, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, plus VW, Kia (Soul), Ford (Flex), Mini and Fiat, and Subaru
The Outback is a station wagon.
Forester is taller and not as long a wheelbase. The driver sits higher by 2", the cargo area is higher and not as deep as the OB.
Both have the same ground clearance at 8.7"
Agree with WH Scott, wagons are a dying breed, though the luxury and Euro's still make them, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, plus VW, Kia (Soul), Ford (Flex), Mini and Fiat, and Subaru
Last edited by Steve B.; 08-07-17 at 05:20 PM.
08-05-17, 09:34 AM
#478
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08-05-17, 09:42 AM
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Less so than the Outback.
I'm extended-testing a Prius V at the moment, and some classify that as a wagon. (I can put down the seats and slide our largest bike in without taking the wheel off, and have extra room.)
It's funny. You don't hardly see the classic station wagon any more. Volvo comes closest, but I don't know that they still even make that refrigerator on wheels box thing.
I'm extended-testing a Prius V at the moment, and some classify that as a wagon. (I can put down the seats and slide our largest bike in without taking the wheel off, and have extra room.)
It's funny. You don't hardly see the classic station wagon any more. Volvo comes closest, but I don't know that they still even make that refrigerator on wheels box thing.
Does Mercedes still make an estate version of AMG the E63? Ooh they do. 2017 E63 Estate.
08-05-17, 09:46 AM
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IME, dealership mechanics are just at a different level of precision and care than anything short of the exotic indies.
We will see how this plays out over the years, but I expect to put about 250k-300k miles on this thing.
08-05-17, 12:42 PM
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For my needs my Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen is just about perfect. With the rear seats folded flat I can slide my road bike into the back without removing a wheel, and with the rear seats up I can fit my bike into the luggage area with both wheels removed. Fuel economy with the 1.8 turbo engine is exceptional. On a recent 1200 km trip I used $65 CDN worth of fuel (canadian dollar is about .80 US) I can also fit my bike into the rear seat with the front wheel only removed. They are a very common sight in Canada, but during that recent trip to the US I only saw 1 during 2 solid days of driving
08-06-17, 06:52 PM
#482
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For my needs my Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen is just about perfect. With the rear seats folded flat I can slide my road bike into the back without removing a wheel, and with the rear seats up I can fit my bike into the luggage area with both wheels removed. Fuel economy with the 1.8 turbo engine is exceptional. On a recent 1200 km trip I used $65 CDN worth of fuel (canadian dollar is about .80 US) I can also fit my bike into the rear seat with the front wheel only removed. They are a very common sight in Canada, but during that recent trip to the US I only saw 1 during 2 solid days of driving
With the rear seat folded we can get BOTH our road bikes into the back of the wagon. We put an old blanket between them. We only do this on short trips to starting points. On longer trips we put a Thule on the roof.
In my hatchback I can put one bike in back without taking the wheels off. I lay the bike drive side up, and turn the front wheel to the right. Fits perfectly. As we are both empty nesters, both cars are near permanent two seaters.
My wife's wagon is barely a month and a half old. It replaced her TDI wagon which was sold back to VW (dieselgate scandal).
08-06-17, 07:07 PM
#483
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We love our Subaru Forester. Gets places my 15' Ram 1500 Diesel just can't. It is extremely capable off-road and in winter. Bike goes on the back with a hitch mount or in the trunk if the kids aren't with us (seats down). My only fault is a spark plug job. The boxer engine layout makes it very frustrating / time consuming.
08-06-17, 07:12 PM
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I use a Renault Kangoo. The rear seats fold down to give a flat floor and a bike fits in complete and standing upright.
For one bike I fold down one rear seat so 2 people can still sit in the back.
They are not the prettiest of vehicles but very functional.
For one bike I fold down one rear seat so 2 people can still sit in the back.
They are not the prettiest of vehicles but very functional.
08-07-17, 06:28 AM
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08-07-17, 04:57 PM
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Outback, because it is longer than a Forester so you could better fit a bike inside, if needed. both are good choices as they get great fuel economy.
08-07-17, 05:20 PM
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08-07-17, 05:46 PM
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08-07-17, 05:47 PM
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For my needs my Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen is just about perfect. With the rear seats folded flat I can slide my road bike into the back without removing a wheel, and with the rear seats up I can fit my bike into the luggage area with both wheels removed. Fuel economy with the 1.8 turbo engine is exceptional. On a recent 1200 km trip I used $65 CDN worth of fuel (canadian dollar is about .80 US) I can also fit my bike into the rear seat with the front wheel only removed. They are a very common sight in Canada, but during that recent trip to the US I only saw 1 during 2 solid days of driving
08-07-17, 05:49 PM
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Exactly what my wife drives. I have a standard Golf (hatchback), my wife has a brand-new 2017 Sportwagen, with, get this, a MANUAL transmission!!! (my Golf is manual too).
With the rear seat folded we can get BOTH our road bikes into the back of the wagon. We put an old blanket between them. We only do this on short trips to starting points. On longer trips we put a Thule on the roof.
In my hatchback I can put one bike in back without taking the wheels off. I lay the bike drive side up, and turn the front wheel to the right. Fits perfectly. As we are both empty nesters, both cars are near permanent two seaters.
My wife's wagon is barely a month and a half old. It replaced her TDI wagon which was sold back to VW (dieselgate scandal).
With the rear seat folded we can get BOTH our road bikes into the back of the wagon. We put an old blanket between them. We only do this on short trips to starting points. On longer trips we put a Thule on the roof.
In my hatchback I can put one bike in back without taking the wheels off. I lay the bike drive side up, and turn the front wheel to the right. Fits perfectly. As we are both empty nesters, both cars are near permanent two seaters.
My wife's wagon is barely a month and a half old. It replaced her TDI wagon which was sold back to VW (dieselgate scandal).
08-07-17, 06:37 PM
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I know this is an old resurrected thread, but I had to share
Likes For donhaller:
08-08-17, 06:30 AM
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08-08-17, 01:18 PM
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Hey, is this the "post your car with bikes on it" thread? 
From the "where there's a will, there's a way" category, here's how to put 4 bikes (or more, if needed - on the roof) on a coupe. Technically, there are no bikes in the picture, but they were on the car earlier - note the hitch rack. I've also carried 2 kayaks & a mattress on this car. Still have it and now have a child seat in it. Big trunk, been on many road trips - surprisingly livable, though sometimes I do wish it had 2 more doors or a hatch like the wife's kinderwagen.
From the "where there's a will, there's a way" category, here's how to put 4 bikes (or more, if needed - on the roof) on a coupe. Technically, there are no bikes in the picture, but they were on the car earlier - note the hitch rack. I've also carried 2 kayaks & a mattress on this car. Still have it and now have a child seat in it. Big trunk, been on many road trips - surprisingly livable, though sometimes I do wish it had 2 more doors or a hatch like the wife's kinderwagen.
08-08-17, 02:27 PM
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08-09-17, 04:43 PM
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Well, my extended test drive of the Prius v convinced me it is a great option. If I can mount a trailer hitch and put a rack on the back, it will be ideal (anyone do that; I haven't checked)? My overall mileage was 43 mpg; I got 47 mpg climbing up the 1700 ft hill, and back down to sea level (closed loop), where I live.
Now I am test-driving a Rav4-hybrid. This thing is a surprisingly big SUV, and in the first 60 miles I'm averaging about 30 mpg, which is about what the EPA highway estimate is (34 city, 30 highway, 32 overall). But it is far larger than the Prius v. On the other hand, the cargo space isn't that different. I would definitely get a trailer hitch bike rack for this; the top rack is too high. (I had a top rack on my Sienna and found it hard to use. I let it go with the car.) One quick observation: My legs really hurt in these seats (XLE). This could be a deal-breaker.
Now I am test-driving a Rav4-hybrid. This thing is a surprisingly big SUV, and in the first 60 miles I'm averaging about 30 mpg, which is about what the EPA highway estimate is (34 city, 30 highway, 32 overall). But it is far larger than the Prius v. On the other hand, the cargo space isn't that different. I would definitely get a trailer hitch bike rack for this; the top rack is too high. (I had a top rack on my Sienna and found it hard to use. I let it go with the car.) One quick observation: My legs really hurt in these seats (XLE). This could be a deal-breaker.
08-09-17, 04:50 PM
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another +1 for the outback since the element is no longer made. I have 2 racks on the roof but most of the time just throw 1-2 bikes in the back stacked with a heavy blanket. Another bonus is that you can sleep in the back with the seats down which you can't do in a forester
08-11-17, 11:43 PM
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I usually use a spare tire rack though since I have a carseat in the back seat still and my sons bike needs to go in the back. Though if I don't have my son and I'm stopping somewhere before/after riding, I'll put the bike inside.
08-12-17, 10:24 AM
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What spare tire rack are you using? I am looking for one for the FJ.