What is the perfect bike hauling vehicle?

[Lenusik]

You would be surprised and so were we. We are actually looking for a bike car right now and we decided on a Nissan Murano. It fits both bikes, of course, if you drop the front wheel. Imagine, my husband is 6 ft 6 and his bike fits inside of the vehicle. Plus, Murano gets a very good mileage for an SUV.

[pooks]

Bumping and adding --

We have a 2003 Element and LOOOOVE it. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Unfortunately, our bikes seem to be extra-huge. My bike -- a hybrid shaft drive -- is 46" tall at the handlebars and won't fit into the E without removing the front wheel, and I haven't figured out how to do that.

Yes, I'm un-technical!

[MomOnBike]

For the record, a Dodge Neon is a terrible only vehicle in a biking family. (Dumbest purchase I've made in quite a while)

[EvilTwin]

I think I can top the Dodge Neon story.... Imagine this: A Chrysler Sebring Convertable with the top down and 2 bikes on the trunk rack....It works, but the looks I get are pretty funny. I'd use the minivan, except I can't seem to get it out of my daughter's hands... Besides, I don't want her driving the convertable.!

[redhot3368]

HI!!
I have the 2004 element...the green one.
I LOVE it..
the back seats come completely out! OR fold up on the side.
the first year we got it, we went for a 5 day trip to Moab,UTAH.
We had 3 mountain bikes and all our gear and luggage and there was still room after that!!
It is great!
Pretty good gas milage too...
It was May of 2004 when we went to Utah and all the locals thought it was the coolist looking car they had ever seen. we got soooo much attention in that car!!

Karen

[eclectic]

I test drove the element because I liked the easy care interior. What I didn't like was how the seats folded up and reduced visibility.

I went with the CRV and LOVE it!. I can fit 2 bikes inside but instead I have a 3 bike/ski rack that mounts on the hitch, I can load and unload bikes in less than 5 minutes

If I was going to get a new vehicle now I would get another CRV or a Toyota Rav (the new ones are nicer than the old ones)

[MomOnBike]

Well, at least you manage to get a bike in the Sebring. With the rear spoiler, our bike rack doesn't fit, and I'd hesitate to put top racks on that little car. Add to the mix that fact that we have not one, but two LWB recumbents, and, um, we're looking into trailers.

Except I think the car is underpowered for a trailer...

I am NOT pleased.

[emily_in_nc]

I test drove the element because I liked the easy care interior. What I didn't like was how the seats folded up and reduced visibility.

You're right about that. I won't drive it that way. If we want to haul 2+ bikes upright, we remove the seats. It can be hard to store them in the garage, so hubby made a pulley system with ropes to haul them up to the garage ceiling and store them up there. We don't put them back in all that often, b/c it is a pain, but without them, the cargo area is cavernous! I am sure we could get four bikes in upright, though we've never had to.

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

I have the 2004 element...the green one.
I LOVE it..

Me too! I have the same year and color as you, and I love it too!

It's a perfect bike mobile!

Emily

[caligurl]

hmmmmm old post... but we just bought an acura mdx specifically for hauling and protecting our bikes... plus it has the best GPS out there (honda/acura)... to get us to the rides! it's comfy and cozy and i just LOVE it!