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Time for a new car/truck/suv - what vehicle would you consider?

mandown

Poopdeck Repost
Jun 1, 2004
20,133
7,680
Transylvania 90210
my car is getting to be a bit of a pain and i'm considering getting a new one. of the cars on the market today, what do you think would be the best option for a guy who rides big bikes and often has to shuttle them or make road trips?

i'm currently in a nissan xterra and it is ok. i don't have a rack, so i just throw my bike down in the back. this is fine, but it limits me to having two bikes and two people in the car. i would like to be able to get at least three bikes and three people inside. for that, the honda element seems like a good option. i've heard you can get three bikes and three people inside without breaking the bikes down.

i'm open to the idea of something like a 4 seat hatchback that can handle a roof and/or tow rack. maybe like a subaru. i've heard the roof rack option will kill gas mileage on long trips. fuel efficiency is a concern of mine. i'm leaning away from crew cab pickups because of that, despite the fact that it would be nice to just toss the bikes in the back and the bodies in the front.

security is also a concern. i'm nervous about making pit stops with the bike on an external rack when i am in the city. i don't know what the locking options are, but it would be nice to have some security on something as expensive as a dh bike.

what would you do if you were in the market for a new ride?
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
I've got an 04 tundra with the double cab. It kicks butt for shuttling. Only thing that its lacking is a good way to lock the bikes up and keep them out of bad weather. For that some kind of van would have been sweet.

It is however hard to beat six bikes hanging off the tail gate, 5 guys in the cab and still room for your gear and cooler in the bed. :)
 

dante

Unabomber
Feb 13, 2004
8,807
9
looking for classic NE singletrack
Subaru WRX wagon w/ a hitch rack. you'll be limited to only 2 bikes, though, unless you get someone to custom fab you a 2" receiver hitch. most racks are 2-bikes only for 1.25" hitches. you can get 4-bike racks if you have a 2" installed, though. :)
 

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,862
4,160
Copenhagen, Denmark
Is fuel efficiency important?

What about a minivan? Nobody would look for bikes inside a minivan and they get pretty decent mileage.
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
well, the truck option seems to be a big pull. any security suggestions for hanging the bikes in the back?
Security suggestions? Not clear on what you mean Adam. Like leaving your bikes unattended in the bed of the truck? I'd suggest not doing that:brows:

I use a Dakine tailgate pad and hang the bikes over the tailgate. One tie-down across the toptubes.
 

Monkeybidnezz

Turbo Monkey
Dec 16, 2003
1,212
0
Pac NW
Well, if you do go truck at least you can get a locking canopy.

I like the Element idea with a hitch rack option. You can throw the bikes on the back, and if you need to secure you can still throw them in the truck for any extended layovers.

The Subie Forrester is nice too because of the higher roof for more storage. It will get better gas mileage, and has the optional turbo which is a pretty sweet.
 

mandown

Poopdeck Repost
Jun 1, 2004
20,133
7,680
Transylvania 90210
Security suggestions? Not clear on what you mean Adam. Like leaving your bikes unattended in the bed of the truck? I'd suggest not doing that:brows:

I use a Dakine tailgate pad and hang the bikes over the tailgate. One tie-down across the toptubes.
you figured it out man. i agree - don't leave 'em in the bed if you can help it. i just thought some genious-monkey might have figured out a method to keep 'em safe. :nerd:

dang - the fuel efficiency of the toyo-taco is bumming me out. right now, i'm leaning toward the element for the best combo. anyone out there run one of those fine looking hondas? holla!
 

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
10,152
2
SB
I love my Volvo V90 wagon as far as space/type of vehicle. With a roof rack and a hang-on-the-rear-window rack I fit 5 bikes comfortably, and can fit another 1 or 2 in the trunk. I just cruised to northstar in it, and 4 bikes was no problem at all. Plus it gets good milage and isn't too big for when I'm not hauling. More space on the inside compared to a truck is a big advantage IMO. However, I don't think I'd buy a Volvo. This was a hand-me-down, so it's nice, but the thing rattles a lot.
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
dang - the fuel efficiency of the toyo-taco is bumming me out. right now, i'm leaning toward the element for the best combo. anyone out there run one of those fine looking hondas? holla!
Don't look at the V6 4WD then!
The 4 banger, 2wd is pretty good
City 23/hwy 28 (2.7L engine/5-speed manual trans)
 

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
dang - the fuel efficiency of the toyo-taco is bumming me out. right now, i'm leaning toward the element for the best combo. anyone out there run one of those fine looking hondas? holla!
I have an Element and you could do 3 people and 3 bikes with a hitch rack no problem. And you could store 3 without front wheels no problem inside....

Its a great SUV for me......i leave my bike in there almost all the time which makes is super convenient for after work rides. I can change clothes in there easily, gear up inside on cold night rides, and its easily to clean. No carpet in there to get nasty and stinky either....
 

mandown

Poopdeck Repost
Jun 1, 2004
20,133
7,680
Transylvania 90210
zark - i checked the 2wd, 4banger, auto (i drive bumper to bumper every day, no manual for me) and the numbers i found were lower than those you presented for the bigger extra/crew cab trucks.

can't climb - good to know. could you get 3 dh bikes in there (not on the rack) with wheels on and get three peeps in there (two in front and one in back)?
 

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
can't climb - good to know. could you get 3 dh bikes in there (not on the rack) with wheels on and get three peeps in there (two in front and one in back)?
Maybe (without pedals) you could wiggle them in there if your making a trip to ride somewhere. I don't think its feasible for a quik shuttle session though.......

The problem is the height of the bikes.......there is enough width but you need room to tilt the bike to get it in there. I cant see getting the 3rd bike in or even the 2nd in easily without alot of finagling.... you could maybe tilt the back seat up and put it down when after 3 bikes are loaded.

I never tried 3 bikes for shuttling.....i've only done 3 when packed for a trip.
 

Brian HCM#1

MMMMMMMMM BEER!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 7, 2001
32,119
378
Bay Area, California
Come on kids, if you're buying a truck, buy a man's truck. Go Chevy or GMC, stop playing with the girlie trucks like Toyota. Just like the name Toyota, it's just a little toy.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
Chevy, GMC are imho crappy. Japanease are more fuel efficent, safe and reliable.

Maybe nissan pathfinder?
If you've got more money heard that merc R was great for bikes.
 

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,750
439
MA
what does GMC stand for? Gay Man's Car?
How's your soccer mom vehicle doing?

Back on the subject. For hauling people and bikes around I would look at either a Toyota or Nissan pickup. Cars are fun, just not that versatile.
 

skyst3alth

Monkey
Apr 13, 2004
866
0
Denver, CO
How's your soccer mom vehicle doing?

Back on the subject. For hauling people and bikes around I would look at either a Toyota or Nissan pickup. Cars are fun, just not that versatile.
Oh snap!

I'm in the same boat as you, trying to decide between a WRX wagon, or a pickup.

I'm leaning toward the wagon, maybe even a new STI (Hatchback for '08???), only because i haven't owned a fast/dangerous car yet, drive in the city all the time, and don't own a house (i.e. don't have to haul a lot of stuff around, fix it projects, etc.)
 

Kornphlake

Turbo Monkey
Oct 8, 2002
2,632
1
Portland, OR
Mini van, my Sienna gets low 20's for gas mileage, my in-law's new Odessey get's like 28mpg :thumb: My commuter saturn doesn't do much better than that. Unless you're willing to let your bikes hang out the back of a truck and pay for gas and put up with a choppy ride and marginal handling on road there's not a lot of other choices.

I'm a little skeptical, even though there's a lot of love for Toyota, I don't think their quality is as good as it was 10 years ago. My van hasn't been problem free by a long shot which is quite a dissapointment, the nice thing is that even though it's got some problems the resale is still comparatively high because of all the hype. I'm thinking I might sell it and buy a Hyundai or Kia mini-van just to go against the grain.
 

Tmeyer

Monkey
Mar 26, 2005
585
1
SLC
Come on kids, if you're buying a truck, buy a man's truck. Go Chevy or GMC, stop playing with the girlie trucks like Toyota. Just like the name Toyota, it's just a little toy.
I guess somebody has to support em. I'm on my second tacoma, best truck on the road IMO. MPG isn't great but I can shuttle 5 guys and 5 bikes up the local DH hill, around 3200 feet. Good luck!
 

CrabJoe StretchPants

Reincarnated Crab Walking Head Spinning Bruce Dick
Nov 30, 2003
14,163
2,484
Groton, MA
I guess somebody has to support em. I'm on my second tacoma, best truck on the road IMO. MPG isn't great but I can shuttle 5 guys and 5 bikes up the local DH hill, around 3200 feet. Good luck!

Your trucks makes it to 3200' elevation then stops?;)
 

Rob Munro

Monkey
Jul 22, 2005
205
0
I might sell it and buy a Hyundai or Kia mini-van just to go against the grain.
James Dean is spinning in his grave.

seriously, its too bad the minivan has such a bad stigma attached. there really is no more convenient, economical, practical vehicle out there...hmm, I think I just explained the negative stigma.

if you're doing shuttling, the pickup is the only way to go. some of the extended cabs are like luxury SUVs (and cost as much). I've always thought the Ridgeline was a nice mix of SUV and pickup.
 

Summit

Monkey
Sep 23, 2001
369
0
here 'n there
I drove an xterra for the past 7 years...good truck overall. Throw a Thule T2 hitch rack on the back, and you can carry up to 4 bikes (of whatever truck you pick with a 2" hitch). I have a friend with the Element and he can fit 2 bikes upright, fully built inside...but not 3. but if you have 2 inside and 2+ on the hitch rack, you could easily shuttle 4+ people. The only problem is clearance...if you are shuttling super gnarly roads you'd want more of a truck like a Taco.

I personally went to a car with roof racks after my xterra since I actually like driving a performance machine as opposed to a 'transportation appliance'. But there are still times I miss having a truck/suv...especially when shuttling bikes and dirty riders.
 

Kornphlake

Turbo Monkey
Oct 8, 2002
2,632
1
Portland, OR
Ford Crown Victoria, big V8 but still gets high 20's on the highway, rear wheel drive for mad burnouts and doughnuts, the trunk on those things has to be big enough for 3 DH bikes, the cops will never pull you over because they think you're just in an unmarked cruiser...
 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,855
9,559
AK
the cops will never pull you over because they think you're just in an unmarked cruiser...
One of my dream cars would be one of those older impalla SSs in black. Tint the windows. Put a cop-bumper on it, powdercoat the rims black, and you're golden.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
If you want low fuel consumption just get a non us car. Low us consumption is huge in the rest of the world
 

matt12

Monkey
Aug 17, 2004
512
0
Napa, CA
Some sort of Subaru wagon. I have an Outback and it can make it up pretty much any shuttle road I've tried to. Obviously it has lower clearance than a truck, but I've had no problems getting it anyplace and I have been some gnar(ish) places...

I actually want to get a WRX wagon eventually, but I really like Subarus. So once again check out Subaru wagons. Theyre schweet.
 

gmac

Monkey
Apr 6, 2002
471
0
I've driven: Jeeps, Rabbit, Sedan, & now a Pickup. Save yourself the trouble and get a truck. Toyota if possible. I'm on my second and love them. Old style Tundra or new Tacoma. 4 door is the way to go.
 

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
If you want low fuel consumption just get a non us car. Low us consumption is huge in the rest of the world
Do some research.

For instance, a bunch of GM cars get better mileage than 30 mpg. Like the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota version which is made in California. Or the Chevy mini vans. Not exactly my style, but they get really good mileage and are cheap in comparison to say a Odyssey.

Quality is also improving on the US built cars. Go check your research and come back and tell me who is number one this year for long term reliability. On new car reviews, the Ford Fusion beat out the Camary and Accord according to Consumer's Report.

I like trucks. However, if I were buying now, I would hold off for a year or so. Chevy and Ford have diesels coming in the half tons. The Rover engine that the ford is based off of gets close to 30 mpg.

If you got the coin, those sprinters vans sure are nice. Big money and a big wait to get one. We are working on Lithium Ion batteries for this vehicle right now. Hint, there may be a hybrid coming.

If you want a cross over type vehicle, I would look to the Ford Escape Hybrid or GMC Acadia (Saturn Outlook). The Escape is one of the only Hybrids that makes finacial sense for the consumer as far as return on investment. I worked on the interior of the GMC/Saturn/Buick Lambda platform and I must say that I am impressed with this vehicle. I'd say it's the best vehicle ever built by GM except for the new vettes.