back to the cars thread

[ehirsch83]

mine does, but it is over 10 years old...
I drive a silly little 1997 ford escort station wagon. I get around 28mpg, more if i turn off the ac, and I just have to fold down my back seats and I can get 2 bikes in, one with wheels. or I can slide one across the back seats if I take off the front wheel.

[Crankin]

My son has a 2001 Hyundai Accent. It gets like 30-40 mpg and with the back down, you can easily fit a bike or 2 in there (it's a hatch back). He had to rescue my other son all the time when he would get flats and be unprepared when he first started riding. Hyundai is a very nice company that treats its customers well, even if the car they have is a cheaper one.
I guess I'm pragmatic about gas prices. We still pay way less than in other countries. My car gets 19-25 mpg and I'm fine with it. I just don't drive much, except to go to work and most errands are done on the way home. My husband has an SUV (don't shoot me) that we love. It's one of the ones you all make fun of, so I won't say which one. But, we can carry 4 bikes and our canoe (with a bike rack). We also do all of the pick up and delivery of home improvement stuff ourselves. Both of our cars are all wheel drive, which I would not be without here; wouldn't be able to get up our street without it. We want to keep the SUV forever, but not drive it so much, so my husband got a 2 seat sporty car to drive when it's not snowing or we're not out doing some sports stuff. It gets much better mileage and looks cool.

[mimitabby]

what about that ugly SCION? Anyone have one of those?

(I'll check out the passat, thanks)

[Starfish]

Well, I have an Element, and it is true that it does not get great mileage. Better than what I was driving before, though. And, since I travel and camp alone, I like being inside the rig. Also, in this climate of rain, it is nice to camp in the rain and be really snug inside, without all the soggy-tent-drying, etc. This thing is great in the snow, too, and with the space inside, I have found myself enjoying just going up for a day in the snow, knowing I can hang out in the back and warm up with full headroom, computer jack in the back, etc.

The bike and I can both "sleep" inside...and the bike fits great without taking any wheels off, and no need to lay it down, etc. And, I can sleep stretched full out with room to spare for myself, bike, and stuff, and still have room on top for kayak (which is part of the plan for this summer).

Since I do travel alone, and since that has sometimes made me use hotels more than I would like, I will save more than $400 on hotel costs this summer on one already-planned trip alone. And, for instance, tonight I am going camping to get out of town and relax, and with the forecast for rain, I don't know if I would bother if I was tent camping. But, definitely cheaper than renting a cabin on the coast for the night, for instance.

So, of course it all depends on the mix of attributes one wants/needs. I know you made this thread about mileage...just thought I'd chime in with some of the mitigating factors for my car choice.

[mimitabby]

Well, I have an Element, and it is true that it does not get great mileage. Better than what I was driving before, though. And, since I travel and camp alone, I like being inside the rig. Also, in this climate of rain, it is nice to camp in the rain and be really snug inside, without all the soggy-tent-drying, etc. This thing is great in the snow, too, and with the space inside, I have found myself enjoying just going up for a day in the snow, knowing I can hang out in the back and warm up with full headroom, computer jack in the back, etc.

The bike and I can both "sleep" inside...and the bike fits great without taking any wheels off, and no need to lay it down, etc. And, I can sleep stretched full out with room to spare for myself, bike, and stuff, and still have room on top for kayak (which is part of the plan for this summer).

Since I do travel alone, and since that has sometimes made me use hotels more than I would like, I will save more than $400 on hotel costs this summer on one already-planned trip alone. And, for instance, tonight I am going camping to get out of town and relax, and with the forecast for rain, I don't know if I would bother if I was tent camping. But, definitely cheaper than renting a cabin on the coast for the night, for instance.

So, of course it all depends on the mix of attributes one wants/needs. I know you made this thread about mileage...just thought I'd chime in with some of the mitigating factors for my car choice.

Thanks Starfish, I am appreciating all comments; that's why i started this thread.

[NoNo]

I used to have a MINI (don't even ask about it) but I now have the Mazda3 5 door. Perfect size. I can fit 2 bikes inside the car and still have a passenger up front. On the highway I easily get 30mpg, maybe more. Nice pick-up and handling, too.

[csr1210]

If you don't mind folding down the back seat (and stacking for more than one bike) our Pontiac Vibe gets 30+. We have a hitch rack for when we want to take more than one bike because I'm not that thrilled stacking or using all the cargo area for bikes on longer trips. It's definitely a love or hate car though! We have one in a screaming orange color and LOVE it!

[Pax]

Starfish - How tall are you? I like the Element but I'm wondering if, at 5'10", I can fit into one for sleeping.

[Zen]

Shoebox on wheels.
The Fit will carry your alpaca...

[Tuckervill]

what about that ugly SCION? Anyone have one of those?

(I'll check out the passat, thanks)

My son just bought a brand new Scion Xb, yesterday. They have changed the body style and now it looks more like a PT Cruiser. I find it more attractive. I'd bet it's not as roomy as it was when it was a toaster. When I get to see inside it, I'll evaluate it for bikiness.

Karen