Mine easily fits in the back of my Scion xB with the back seats folded down. 34 mpg (although the newer ones have bigger engines and worse gas mileage)--can't complain about that! I did the math once and figured out that it actually costs me less in gas to drive to work than it costs me in healthy food to fuel myself to bike to work.
Sarah
Honda Ridgeline truck. Fits in the back seat without taking the front wheel off.
Before that I had a Honda Element. Fit in the back without taking the front wheel off!
VW Jetta TDI wagon. Mid-40s (but diesel fuel is more expensive now), but great mileage anyhow, & lots of room. I can fit each (but only one at a time) of my 3 bikes in with both wheels on.
Love my Element for bike storage - not great on mileage - but, I'm riding more and driving less. Also have a VW Golf. With the seats down, my road bike will fit (with the wheel off). It's a squeeze. Don't think my touring bike would fit.
CA
Most days in life don't stand out, But life's about those days that will...
All three of my bikes love the Element. They beg to go on long trips to ride in new places, so I had to take the back seat out to make room for them all the time.
Fun,
Karen
My bike lives in a PT Cruiser with the back seat down. Shoes, helmet, gloves live under the shelf in the "trunk" space. Although I admit if I know I'm not riding the next day, the bike comes out and gets parked in the garage.
And I really like my PT Cruiser!
Beth
I drove a PT Cruiser for 2 months while my car was in the shop (someone hit me to the tune of $7,000 worth of damage).
I have to say, I didn't really like that car. It had no get-up-and-go, compared to the Mazda. And the gas mileage was aweful. I did a road trip in it, and it got MAYBE 25 mph. For as slow as it was, I really expected better gas mileage.
Now, I know, to each their own...and obviously that car works great for you. Hey, my bike fit in it great! But the performance was pretty dismal overall.
Yep, love my Mazda.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside thoroughly used-up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"
I traded a Dodge 4x4 PU for the Cruiser, 6 years ago. I did not test drive a variety of cars prior to picking out the Cruiser, as I had decided I that was the car for me. As for handling, my comparison was to a truck. I constantly have to remind myself that I'm not driving a 4x4 (especially on ground clearance issues). Still driving my 2002 Cruiser, she's been a good car, and I haven't left the oil pan behind yet!![]()
Beth
I just came across this post, I don't know how I missed it earlier. You're my favorite riding partner, too! 45 minutes sucks, but we can do it.
I actually posted recently for car suggestions as well. Maybe we should go out and do some testing together. I've been leaning towards a CRV, but the vibe or Matrix may be an option as well. Problem is that I'm trying to keep it really cheap. Shoot, I can't believe we're both considering moving on from the pickups. I feel like I'm cheating even looking at other cars, but it makes sense right now. I'm so far in the hole now that I bought the house, why not add a car, too!!
Yay, the gen vibe forum is back up! Here's the post about fork mounting bikes in the Vibe:
http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=28162
And one of his pics:
Looks like he has a rubber mat down over the plastic.
PS- you want an 08 or earlier. 09 gets worse gas mileage (tho is more fun to drive), is smaller (less head room for my 2 Bernese) and the rear glass won't open (how am I supposed to get a 2x4 in there then??). Oh, and my mileage quotes are for the base manual (cause manual rocks!)
Last edited by mayanorange; 07-31-2008 at 05:42 AM.
We tried this with our road bikes in the Matrix. Mine fit fine, H's wouldn't fit without removing the saddle and he didn't want to have to do that all the time (his is a 56cm). We actually used a 2x4 with the fork mounts on it from our old Toyota pick up. We sawed off the ends to fit the car and it did not need to be bolted down. It fit snugly enough to be stable on it's own. I would imagine you could do the same with the Vibe.
My new non-farm blog: Finding Freedom
a honda fit or toyota yaris for me!!! both good on gas and hatchbacks with room for them. especially the fit!
< ----- jealous of your gas mileage.
I have the new Scion XB and it's .... 23mpg! That Camry engine is costing me a grip and I could actually do without it. My bike fits in there nicely although the BF and I prefer putting both of our bikes into his Toyota PREVIA. Yes, the Previa; that early 90's minivan that you still see everywhere. We call it the "egg mobile" because it's white.