mattcalifornia

sean.hwy

agreed. I don't think that's a great idea to use one of those sucker things on glass.

sean.hwy

I have an ND2 miata like the one above. I thought about getting the hide hitch and bike rack. Instead I went with a used rav4 v6 awd. If you have parking at your place I would just get a used v6 awd rav4. I have a hitch on the back for two bikes but if I have to go inside ( store/dinner/etc.. ) I can put both bikes inside with their wheels on. I have three moving blankets in the back and just make a big mack with the bikes. with the last moving blanket on you can't even tell there's anything in the car with the tinted windows etc..

Sertsa

I've been looking at options for my 2012 Mazda 3, as putting my bike in the back isn't the best option for either. I've been debating between the hitch or roof bars route. Did you go with the 2" or 1.25" hitch?

I almost bought a SeaSucker yesterday. Was even close to clicking "checkout" when part of my brain went "$300+ for suction cups? What are you doing?"

I nearly bought a WRX a few years ago. Before doing so I asked my insurance company for a quote. Ouch. I don't remember the exact number, but my response was, "Whoa. How much is a Corvette?" "Less than that," the agent responded. I've since switched insurance companies, but I haven't asked what they charge. On a related note, I also nearly bought a Legacy GT, and the insurance was even reasonable. It had some questionable modifications, however, so I passed. Still sometimes think I should have gotten it.

Pop N Wood

1 1/4

Not sure if they make a 2" for the Mazda 3. I think that implies a tow rating way beyond what the small sedan can do. I bought a Harbor Freight utility trailer which I tow with the 3. Works well for local trips to the landfill or the home store.

At any rate the 1 1/4 rack came with adapters to fit a 2" receiver. Used the same rack on the minivan with the larger receiver. think the smaller receiver is the better choice in that regard.

Sertsa

Thanks. I don't plan on towing, just carry a bike rack with one or two bikes..

Russ Roth

I'm more about roof racks on small cars, can mess with the gas but they look good up there and are easy to mount multiple bikes on. The down side to 1 1/4 is that only the racks that hang bikes can carry three and they do a crap job of it in general. They don't account for kids' bikes, women's frames or any oddities while keeping the bikes close enough to scratch each other. I use a 4 bike on my mazda 5 and still have handlebar tape worn out after a long drive and only three bikes on there. Tray mount hitch racks are the best but only hold 2 bikes with the smaller hitch. Roof racks are the next best thing if only carrying two and the best if carrying more then two bikes on a small car.

I thought about being more sensible and tried out a Subaru Crosstrek with a 6sp. Wasn't driveable in my opinion; I could live with it being as noisy if it was fast or being slow if it was quiet. But since my 140k mile mazda minivan was both quicker and quieter it just wasn't going to work. I decided to be less sensible and went from the Subaru dealer to the Mazda dealer.

I just have a lock on my hitch rack. When the family is going for a ride, or at least several of us I toss three on hitch rack of my Mazda5 and a couple on the roof. I'm not buying a vehicle big enough to carry 5 bikes on the hitch, doesn't fit my views on cars. But if I'm making a run with one kid to the track, or MTBing or just heading out by myself I much prefer to toss a bike in the hitch, drop the top and enjoy the cruise.

sean.hwy

I would get an nd2 ( 2019+ has a little extra hp over the nd1) and get Hard Dog Hideaway Hitch for the ND .
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=608133

You can order with the 2 inch adapter if your bike rack is that size.

Mine is set up ohlins coilovers, 6 ul wheels with 245 tires. That's a lot of tire for 2400 lb car. Most fun car I ever owned. It's a tad noisy though.

Reflector Guy

I may have gotten lucky, or maybe being a single guy owing four cars made a difference, but my new WRX was quite reasonable on insurance. But yeah, I've heard of people paying more for insurance than for their car payment.

blacknbluebikes 

On the car? I can put 2 bikes in the car. Hot Hatch. VW GTI with back seats down.

Sertsa

Thanks. If I go for a roof or hitch rack I'd prefer being able to keep the front wheel on. While I like the idea of a roof rack I'd have to make certain I'd not forget to remove the bike before pulling into the garage. I think that wouldn't be a problem for me, but my life-history is not without D'OH! moments.

When I last went car shopping, in 2012, Subaru and Mazda were the main contenders, although I was briefly wooed by a BMW and Acura. Living in a snow belt region was a major point for Subaru, but after test drives and other considerations I went with the Mazda. It was the least expensive car I considered but my favorite. My major concern was that Mazdas have a history of rusting in salt-road areas, but the company seems to have addressed that. Mine is thankfully still fine. I do wish I'd opted for a hatch and a brighter color choice, but it's been a fantastic car so far. It's fun and nimble--especially with a manual--without drawing too much attention. I suspect it'll be both my last car with a manual and a gasoline engine.

I'm especially surprised by that given your location. Maybe the insurance companies figure traffic congestion is so high you have limited opportunities for ludicrous speed? Or maybe more WRX drivers where I live decide they can defy the laws of physics.

Reflector Guy

I'm surprised too and I even wondered if maybe the insurance lady mixed up whichever digit in the VIN that differentiates a WRX from a regular Impreza. No complaints here though.... I think my reasonable price was because I have it listed as an "occasional" vehicle, and my cheap Chevy Cobalt remains as my daily driver. I'm finally through buying nice cars and ruining them in Illinois salt (I keep cars for 15+ years usually) so I decided this new WRX can stay in the garage all winter. I have two rusty beaters to drive in the snow! I am 55 so that helps a lot too.

Sertsa

I can relate. I also keep cars a long time. I've had some "interesting" cars, and a few awful ones (a Pinto and a Chevette), but never too fancy. When I was younger I'd think about someday having a BMW or similar, but when I got in the position where that was possible I opted for a Mazda. I was surprised at how much I liked the Mazda during the test drive, though. Later I also liked how it stood out amidst the sea of BMWs and Audis in a work-attached parking garage.

I also used the money I didn't spend on the car as partial justification for buying a guitar. Hey, maybe now I can use still driving it after nine years as justification for a new bike!

--

Sorry for going off-track on the thread, by the way. If it helps, I learned that some modest cars with room to carry stuff can be quite sporty and fun, especially with a manual transmission and a good set of tires.

rsbob 

Every make and model of car has a forum. For the car you have, or are interested in, look on the appropriate forum and use search for bike rack.

LSUFANDAN

One thing I love about my 2019 Civic Type R is that my bike fits in the car with the back seats folded down. I can load everything up and go to work without worrying about someone messing with my bike. Im not sure I would trust leaving 2022 Tarmac SL7 Comp just sitting out all day for anyone to molest lol.

Nessism

I put my bike in the trunk of my small little Nissan Sentra all the time. Strip off the wheels and everything fits easily. I put the frame in first then throw down a towel over that and lay the wheels on top. Must have done it 300 times at least. It takes all of 2 minutes to assemble and/or break down.

Bowie Beattie

I think this is one of the most convenient things for people involved in cycling

holytrousers

Wait, doesn't "Sports Car" sound like an oxymoron?

bruce19

I've always considered a sports car to be a 2-seater. Perhaps a "hot hatch" like my Fiesta ST? Of course you can no longer get a new one but maybe a 2019 or so? Or, of course, a GTI or something like that?

N2deep

I like the hot hatchs, like the GTI, for several reasons but mainly because it will hold a couple of bikes and gear in the back which keeps all your stuff clean and safe on longer trips and the roof rack works great for those short trips. IMHO, Putting an expensive bike on a hitch rack is asking for trouble.

raceboy

My WRX is unmodded and the insurance hasn’t been too bad. I’m not a youngster by any stretch of the imaginationso that keeps costs down.

LSUFANDAN

Full bike with wheels still on the bike in the civic type r. Size 58 bike also. Only thing that sucks is you can see those pedal strikes on the rear bumper. It pissed me off to chip the paint. Now I use the towels when I put the bike in and take it out just in case.

Lazyass

In 2000 I bought a new '99 Trans Am and it was my only vehicle. I would put it in the back like above^^^^^^

Troul 

what is sad, is that there are no late/late-ish model SUVs that you can put a fully dressed 29r MTB or 700C road bicycle vertically in it when taking the rear passenger seats out. Example: 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2020 Ford Navigator, 2014 Escalade ESV

jayp410

Just got a Yakima High Road rooftop rack for my Accord (I know, not a sports car). If you have cross bars on top, it's pretty nice. I like that it grabs the bike only by the front wheel, plus a strap around the rear wheel. It does not touch the frame or require the front wheel to be removed. It only fits one bike, but you could install two racks.

I always used to carry the bike in the back with the rear seat folded down, but that required removing the front wheel which is a bit more hassle with the thru axle wheel than with my old quick release bike. Also, I didn't like that the bike could rub on things while being taken in/out or when driving.

The new rack does seem to affect mileage though, but that's not a huge deal for the places where I go.