TheRef

tagaproject6

SeaSucker bike racks

harrisonk

I'm in the same position. I have a brand new bright blue Subaru Legacy with no option for OEM roof rack. I'll probably end up with a Thule. I've had great experiences with Thule in the past. Go to your LBS. They'll help.

lyrictenor1

Seconded!

PaulRivers

I went with a hitch rack because to many people I knew got a roof rack, then at some point forgot they had bikes on the car and tried to pull their car into the garage with the bikes on the top - destroying their bikes, the rack, and sometimes making the car look ugly. Fyi.

Ogsarg

Since you need to carry both bikes and kayaks, I'd go with Thule or Yakima. It'll be expensive initially to get all the stuff you need, but you'll only need the attachment parts if you want to use on another vehicle.

blacknbluebikes 

Second the vote on the Thule. It's kept its value for 15 years now, being used on a third car (wagon, minivan, now SUV). Modular design has huge intrinsic value. Use the "coffin" when we go skiing, Carries 2 bikes nicely with "bike rails" switched in. Or neither for strapping on other cargo. Durable parts, logical design. Valued proved over time.

TheRef

Thule is a brand most people will recognise right away when talking about racks of any sort. The sea Sucker would be my first option if I'm considering just for a bicycle but the ability to later on get the kayak attachments make me think Thule.
But my main question is where does the rack attach to the car if it doesn't have roof rack mounts? The door sills? Would it mark the paint?

GuitarBob

Yes, on the body where the top of the door/window fits. At least that's how my Yak rack works. I'm sure you can check their websites for fitment options for your new car (congrats!).

If you're careful, the racks won't mar the paint.

cycledogg

Do SeaSuckers leave a mark once removed?

tagaproject6

Not in my experience.

autonomy

You need a base roof rail system, for which there are many options: Thule, Yakima are the most popular but expensive - you can find their stuff used on eBay or Craigslist or often at 20% off at REI on spring/end-of-summer sales. You're more likely to find the crossbars rather than the fit kits used (fit kits are specific to your car); you can find the towers (these go on top of the fit kit and the crossbars attach to them) used but usually they hold their price very well used. There are lesser known roof systems like RhinoRack. Avoid getting cheap Chinese knockoffs from eBay. The racks attach with rubber feet on top and steel clamps on the bottom - watch this video:

The clamps have a somewhat soft paint surface which isn't supposed to scratch the car (they're not supposed to move, really, unlike pad-and-clamp trunk racks which go all over the place), and you're supposed to clean the points of attachment so there's no abrasives (dust/sand). I'm guessing that over several years of non-stop use the paint on your car elsewhere will fade from the sun but will still look shinier/newer under the feet. Don't think that's too much of a problem, TBH.

Then, you will need 'gear' carriers to go on top of the roof rails - bike carriers and kayak carriers. You will need to decide how you want to carry your gear; this might be driven by how much gear you want to carry. There are wing-type and J-type kayak carriers (I have and like Malone Autoloader). J-type are more compact. For bike carriers you can have wheel-clamp, downtube-clamp, or skewer-mount (where you have to remove the front wheel). I have Thule Big Mouth because it came free with my Craigslist purchase of the rack but I don't like it that much. The bike sways side-to-side too much in it.

If you ever foresee going on a trip where you want both boats and bikes (probably not going to happen often although only you know your lifestyle), it helps to know that there's an option to get wider-than-recommended crossbars for your car (e.g. if Thule recommends 50 in, people get something like 60) and mount gear that way. But be aware of the roof/rack loading limitations.

You could also go with a hitch-mount rack; here you can choose hanging vs. clamp-mount. I have both roof and hitch racks on different cars and hitch mount is much easier to use because you don't have to lift the bike up on the roof; it's also very easy and quick to remove/install (2 minutes) when not needed (99% of my driving) whereas crossbars would take longer. But this option has no way for carrying boats.

Elvir

OP,

I used a Saris Bones 3 bike rack on my Golf R32. And like you mentioned, during prolonged periods of having it on, the rubber contact points get debris and sand between them and paint and scratch the trunk up badly. I just bought a new car and ruled out having a trunk rack and roof rack. To me Roof rack is not practical, and from stories that I heard, it can allow water to get in if it rains hard. I ended up buying a Tow hitch and Saris Bones 2 bike rack for less than $270 new for both. I am very happy with the option. the mounting arms fold down if you need room in mater of a few seconds. The rack also does not get in the way of my rear view. If you want, I can provide you with pics.

trekmogul 

surgeonstone

SkepticalOne

I've had wonderful experience with my Yakima. I use a Yakima HighSpeed bike track that accepts thru Axel or skewer style dropouts.