And now, something different - what car?
butcher of bakersfield
Posts: 1,233
Been pondering over this one for a while. Extracting the wheels from my bike and strategically placing it into the boot of my car, sometimes several times a week, well it gets tiresome.
Bike racks are expensive, and driving a saloon, I'm really not sure how appropriate some of them are. And then you've got to fit the rack everytime you go out. Testicles to that.
So, since I'm in need of a new car anyway, it makes sense to buy one where the bike can be plonked in, hassle free. And it must fit the following criteria:
A transit is the obvious choice, but not always the best getting parked in the local tescos, and really, overkill - I don't need anywhere near that much room. And I don't want to be doing favours, helping people move house for the rest of my days. I really wanted a Land Rover, the long wheelbase version with the 5 seater cab, but christ, those things aren't cheap. The small vans only seat two, at least the ones I've seen. Why is it so difficult in today's diverse range of choice to find a bike friendly vehicle?
Anyone here own one, or does such a thing not exist?[/list]
Bike racks are expensive, and driving a saloon, I'm really not sure how appropriate some of them are. And then you've got to fit the rack everytime you go out. Testicles to that.
So, since I'm in need of a new car anyway, it makes sense to buy one where the bike can be plonked in, hassle free. And it must fit the following criteria:
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It must sit at least three people
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It must seat at least two bikes
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It must be available on a budget (less than 2k. The cheaper, the better)
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It must be versatile (capable of long journeys, reasonable mpg, reliable, parkable, etc
A transit is the obvious choice, but not always the best getting parked in the local tescos, and really, overkill - I don't need anywhere near that much room. And I don't want to be doing favours, helping people move house for the rest of my days. I really wanted a Land Rover, the long wheelbase version with the 5 seater cab, but christ, those things aren't cheap. The small vans only seat two, at least the ones I've seen. Why is it so difficult in today's diverse range of choice to find a bike friendly vehicle?
Anyone here own one, or does such a thing not exist?[/list]
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does it need to carry 3 people and 2 bikes at the same time?0
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Any of the Berlingo, Doblo, Partner clones is ideal. I've just PX'd my old Doblo for a Transit connect tho as I dont need seating in the back and muddy bikes were slowly ruining the interior of the Doblo. Old vans like the Merc Vito/ Transit will come in well under £2K and could easily meet your requirements as well...0
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You can pick up an espace or similar for peanuts. Very versatile, only downside is French build quality, but mate has one and it's been to the moon and back!0
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how about the new corsa with the ingenious slide out bike rack on the back!!! bit over budget but definately ticks all the boxes!0
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get a tow bar mounted carrier? Clamp/mount is permantly fixed to car, the arms to carry the bikes drop in in about 30 seconds! Cheap (cheaper than £2k anyway!),and better than the strap on (ohh eerrrr) type0
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Yeah, old people carrier would do the job... Depending on the model you might want to remvoe the rear seat for extra load capacity, they don't all fold up as small as you'd like. The 3 people part makes things tricky, usually the default answer is an old volve or mondeo estate really.
Old Range Rover? Considering one of these myself, they're not as popular as landrovers, but tick a lot of the same boxes, and if you get a lowered one they make half-decent road cars.Uncompromising extremist0 -
Volvo V70 diesel.
You can usually pick a P or R reg up for way less than £2k, and even 100K plus mileage for these cars isn't a problem with a reasonable service history. I bought my first 70 with 136K on the clock and sold it (reluctantly) with 201K!!
You can get two bikes in the boot with one-half of the back seat down and still get three people in.0 -
bigbenj_08 wrote:old navara double cab LWB.
I'd say I'd cut my right arm off for a Navara, but realistically I wouldn't, because I could just buy one. I just don't think my wallet would like it. What do they do, 20mpg? My cars tend to get used for everything, they take me all over, same as the Land Rover, I'm not sure it's practical.MancunianFightingCat wrote:does it need to carry 3 people and 2 bikes at the same time?
At least two with two bikes. Goes without saying. Not necesarilly three at that time.ratty2k wrote:Any of the Berlingo...
The Berlingos are the perfect size, and I imagine, economical too. Are you saying I can get them with seats in the back? I'll look that up?Northwind wrote:old people carrier would do the job
Mate has one. It does the job but I wouldn't say it's hassle free.Old Range Rover?
I automatically assumed they'd be more expensive so never looked into it. I looked into the discoveries, and they're surprisingly cheaper than the defenders (which is what I wanted) and according to everywhere I look, parts and servicing comes at a big cost. I suspect Range Rover may be the same.dave_hill wrote:Volvo V70 diesel
Considering estates. Not entirely hassle free, but they do have the advantage of being able to choose from pretty much any make of car. And I do like my luxury...0 -
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It needs to be bombproof, it's so ugly people will regularily try to explode it.Uncompromising extremist0
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Northwind wrote:It needs to be bombproof, it's so ugly people will regularily try to explode it.
I admit it is cheap not cheerful. An aquired taste me thinks.Lol0 -
bigbenj_08 wrote:old navara double cab LWB.
Ha ha, the world's most unsafe vehicle!! It's so poor, NCAP refused to rate it!!0 -
rowlers wrote:get a tow bar mounted carrier? Clamp/mount is permantly fixed to car, the arms to carry the bikes drop in in about 30 seconds! Cheap (cheaper than £2k anyway!),and better than the strap on (ohh eerrrr) type
I`d second this, towbar mounted are quick to install. I don`t think the car you are after exists as large cars, especially older ones, are not cheap to run and will cost more to maintain. As you say the transit is probably your best option, but that`s too big.0 -
Just bought a Seat Alhambra for £850, it's 2.0 petrol & will do 28mpg around town or 40mpg on m/way.. 1998 with 115k. 6months tax/MOT & in good shape. £230 fully comp insurance.
Or get a 1.9tdi 110bhp with 120k+ for £1800 Sharan/Galaxy or Alhambra .. 35/50mpg
Post 2000 face lift will fetch £3000 + but are nicer.0 -
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Yep, Berlingo and similar all available with seats in the back, gives you a mobile changing room as well which is nice. Landy's while I love 'em myself just aren't practical enough these days, cheap fuel is not going to be seen again I dont think and economy must end up being part of the equation nowadays. Disco's for £2K... nah, they weren't that good when they were new the original ones....
I'm picking up my connect later in the week, and just debating how to strap the bike/s in, may well go for something like a roof mounted bike carrier bolted to the floor... But possible with ratchet straps just strap them to the side yet....0 -
A diesel pickup will go quite far on a gallon if you keep the revs low. My dad has a 2.5 Toyota HIlux which does I would guess around 40mpg. This is a newer model though (2008).0
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Too much to choose from now. Though I seem to be somewhere between a Berlingo and an estate. One is mega-practical. The other is, well, more a pleasure to drive. Can I trade off the luxury of something like a Volvo for the practicality of a Berlingo? I don't know. Heated seats, air con, cruise control...comfort fit for kings, or a nauseating, diesel powered rattly box?
Either that or I quit mountain biking and get a Citreon Saxo VTS, with electric windows that roll down automatically when you turn the stereo up...0 -
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I know you said you didn't want the bike racks but concider this.
For a few hundred quid you can get Thurl roof rack plus the bike rack bits and with locks you wouldn't have to ever take them off. Thats what I've done with my Audi A3. Then you can easily fit 3 or 4 people in your cars and the boot carries your kit.
Cheaper than 2 grand.0 -
Thing is, I really need a new car anyway, before mine dies. So a rack would be additional to a new car, thus extra cost.0
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i have an 02 mondeo and i can fit 2 bikes in the back (with the wheels off) all of the gear required for those bikes to be ridden and still have space for 5 passengers.
fuel economy is very good, a full tank gives me over 600 miles. the 2 litre diesel is pretty nippy and its uber comfy.
only problem with it really is that its a mondeo and for some folk, its a leap too far.0 -
Nik_B wrote:I know you said you didn't want the bike racks but concider this.
For a few hundred quid you can get Thurl roof rack plus the bike rack bits and with locks you wouldn't have to ever take them off. Thats what I've done with my Audi A3. Then you can easily fit 3 or 4 people in your cars and the boot carries your kit.
Cheaper than 2 grand.
Cheaper than 2K granted, but have you seen what they do to economy? :shock:0 -
ratty2k wrote:
Cheaper than 2K granted, but have you seen what they do to economy? :shock:
Aye, my 70mpg Audi A2 goes down to about 35mpg with the rack and bikes on.0 -
And they still have a large effect if the rack is left on without any bikes on.
To the OP the pleasure of driving? yer right, stuck in traffic every day.... idots in Saxo's deafening everybody with their tinkly bonk bass and dance music, music? sounds like some cunt putting a shed up.
Anyway, rant over, get the Berlingo, the build quality is better than you think and if you do buy a Vulva, maje sure you strap a cushion to yer back when they quote you the prices to fix it when it brakes.
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