Any Honda Fit/Civic owners?

[Triskeliongirl]

For those of you with fits (or similar vehicles), what is the best way to carry two bikes inside? I can lay my bike flat with both seats down, or put it behind the front seats with the rear seats in that semi-up position. But to carry two bikes, and have them not rub and scratch each other, do I want to install two of those fork mounts? Can you buy something that sets in, or do you need to buy 2 x 4s and screw fork mounts in. Don't they move around? I've never outfitted a car interior to carry two bikes.

Also, is locking your car w two bikes inside just false security. Couldn't someone just break the windows and steal them?

[Irulan]

I have a question for FIT owners. I test drove one a few months ago, but the to us, even the nicest trim level was still very noisy inside. Nicely equipped ( leather etc) was fairly high on the list, and the fit just didn't seem to come in that kind of trim level. But, wow were we impressed with how big inside it was.

So, hows the road noise? Hubby and I had to practically shout at each other to have a conversation, and this pretty much killed the sale. Bought a mazda 3 instead.

I.

[Andrea]

For those of you with fits (or similar vehicles), what is the best way to carry two bikes inside? I can lay my bike flat with both seats down, or put it behind the front seats with the rear seats in that semi-up position. But to carry two bikes, and have them not rub and scratch each other, do I want to install two of those fork mounts? Can you buy something that sets in, or do you need to buy 2 x 4s and screw fork mounts in. Don't they move around? I've never outfitted a car interior to carry two bikes.

Also, is locking your car w two bikes inside just false security. Couldn't someone just break the windows and steal them?

Take both wheels out & flip them upside down. Put them in with one facing forward (handlebars behind front seat), and one facing backwards (rear DR near front seat). Scoot them as close together as you can on one side of the car and use the space between/around the bikes as packing area for smaller items.
I've scotchguarded the back of my seats and my interior roof so if I have any inadvertent chain-upholstery contact, the grease is easily removed with some upholstery cleaner.

And yes, nowhere in a car is totally secure. We mainly put them in there b/c it was storming like crazy on the way home from the race we were at.

[bike4ever]

Triskeliongirl - You can cut a 2x4 to wedge between the sides in the back. I've done this with various vehicles to carry my bikes. When I'm not needing this mount, then I can just pull the 2x4 out.

I thought about just mounting a fork mount to the back. I am just going to put on a roof rack.

[smilingcat]

FIT is high on my list for my next regular car. SMART CAR isn't all that smart. I've heard people complaining that the milage is only 38 or so MPG. No trunk(boot) space. Other cars I'm looking at are Civic, Prius, some of the Toyota Scion line. My current car has nearly 200,000 miles on it. ouie I'm just hoping it'll go another 80,000 miles.

being ever the dreamer that I am and so is my partner, she talked me into this fun looking thang. Move over Mr. GEOGE JETSON, and you too ASTRO. I'm #2316 for the hybrid model. Besides, gotta live up to wacky SoCal image. Yes it has cargo space to fit a bike. We are sooo totally serious about this. Fits two people, electronically limited to 85MPH, exceeds NHTSA crash testing (so they say)... It is soo cool looking. and 300MPG well almost. What's not to love??

[Possegal]

I'm driving my second Honda Civic (4 dr EX) and I love it. Odds are, one day I'll be driving a third one.

[DDH]

I guess I am the odd woman out here, because I had a 2001 civic and couldn't wait to get rid of it.

It got good gas mileage and it ran great. No engine problems, but I had more front end problems out of that car than I care to mention, and that would have been okay, had I not had to fight with the dealership to get things fixed on it. The struts went out 3 times, twice before the warrenty was up, the cv boot went out, shoot, I can't even remember it all now.

I got rid of it back in October and the only thing I miss about it is the gas mileage.

I'm not saying they are all bad, but when you get a bad one, Honda has a big head and doesn't want to believe anything could possibly be wrong with thier vehicles.

[Jolt]

If you're looking at the Civic, you might also check out the Toyota Corolla--similar gas mileage and reliability, and has more "get up and go" as I recall from my test drives when I was looking at various compact cars in 2004 (yes, I ended up getting a Corolla and have been very happy with it!). The Civic just didn't have as much oomph (maybe that's improved by now).

[Mr. SR500]

We tested the Honda's tonight. Right now leading toward the Civic. Handled the road construction a little better. Sort of liked the Fit better, but the Civic seems to make more sense.

I think we'll look at the Toyota, but sold on the Civic, if they can just get one.

[mimitabby]

We tested the Honda's tonight. Right now leading toward the Civic. Just handled the local constant road a little better. Sort of liked the Fit better, but the Civic seems to make more sense.

how come the Civic makes more sense?

[mimitabby]

Take both wheels out

Andrea, BOTH wheels? There are 4 wheels for 2 bikes. do you mean both front wheels?

[Mr. SR500]

how come the Civic makes more sense?

Handling, cabin, and slightly better highway fuel economy. Plus I think the Civic might be a little better when our daughter learns to drive in a few years.

The FIT is fun to drive, but a little rough over bad roads. Since bad roads are common on my wife's commute, the Civic is better suited with it's more comfortable ride.

[Andrea]

Andrea, BOTH wheels? There are 4 wheels for 2 bikes. do you mean both front wheels?

Take all the wheels off!
What you'll find is that you are limited by the handlebars as to how far you can scoot the bikes to one side, so you can fill that space between the bikes & the side of the car with the removed wheels.

Yeah, it's sort of an artform

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, Smilingcat, that is one very cool car! 300 mpg, solar cells on the roof, heat pumps for the climate control, recycled plastic interior.... why didn't I think of that!?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4237853.html

There's a Corbin Sparrow in my neighborhood, sometimes I see it parked around. Think I'd rather have the Aptera than a Corbin. The Corbin is more like a motorcycle while the Aptera is more like a car.

[Irulan]

no one has comment on FIT interior noise? yes/no?