small car able to fit bike upright in boot

Courage Monsieur

Hi

Thinking of getting a small car for weekend trips and maybe hols in France.

Looking for something that'll fit a bike (and preferably two) upright in the back. Expect that means both wheels off, which is fine.

Anyone tried Nissan Note, Honda Jazz, Ford Focus, Skoda Fabia?

Prefer an upright fit as can pack more stuff around them. I used to have a small hatch (Corolla) and lying the bike down took up a lot of room. I later got a Thule rack for it but don't really want to do that again.

I'd prefer a 3 door if possible, but can see a 5 door mini MPV might be the way. Roomster etc just look a bit too 'functional' for me.

Buying used, budget up to £4K or so.

Thanks
Paul

PHILATHAM

my brother used to have an old shape Toyota Yaris verso , that might do the trick

declan1

We have a Kia Carens, which isn't exactly a small car, but that can fit my MTB with front wheel off and upright in the back. I would have thought the Note or the Jazz would be the better of your list.

sfichele

Honda Civic, If I take off the front wheel, I can fit a bike upright in the boot, with the back seats down

Gizmo_

PHILATHAM wrote:

my brother used to have an old shape Toyota Yaris verso , that might do the trick

That's what I was going to suggest. Ugly as sin with tiny wheels, but huge in the back.

Alternatively something like a Citroen Berlingo / Renault Kangoo - I couldn't conceivably recommend them as they're entirely hateful vanswithwindows, but they'd do a job.

Courage Monsieur

Hi everyone and thanks very much.
Never heard of the Verso. My is that fugly. But interesting suggestion and I'll look into it.

sfichele - what year Civic and is it the regular 5 door hatch?

Thanks again

tiredofwhiners

wasn't there a recont US car (tero styled) which had two front fork connections on te back of the folding seats so that two bikes could go in side by side.

Can't remember what it was called but it was one of those modern takes on the retro-styled drag cars made from 1930's vehicles ...... I can picture it but not even remember the make as they are no longer sold in the UK.

EDIT : PT Cruiser !

sancho_panza

berlingo/partner - great car! Wheel in three bikes with no probs, especially with one of the rear seats removed (which leaves space for two sitting in the back). I get 1000km out of a tank (diesel) and it's got high-ish clearance so good in snow and on unsurfaced road.

Maurice Thepity

You can get internal bike rack for the Mercedes B Class.
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/br ... 67797.html

sfichele

Courage Monsieur wrote:

sfichele - what year Civic and is it the regular 5 door hatch?

54 Reg, 5 door. The older, uglier model

Monty Dog

I've had a Yaris Verso since new in 2000 - hasn't missed a beat in 12 years. I've had three bikes and riders on board no problem. A dog-guard that fits between the front seats is a perfect bike holder! Despite their ugliness, their scarcity and reliability means prices are often quite high. Van-based cars like Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo or Fiat Doblo are similarly practical too.

morstar

Have a Nissan Note that takes my Large framed Road bike in the boot with both wheels off. Could probably get two in it with the rear seat moved forward (which you can do from the boot) but I have never tried.

I do however have a few grease marks on the roof from the first few attempts at fitting it in with tri bars still attached. I can now do this without adding any further grease marks but my incompetence in early efforts remains a source of annoyance.

Very happy with the boot space as it was one of the main criteria when down sizing from an Alhambra. 95% of the time the car only ever has me in it but does occasionally get filled to the gunnels and copes pretty well.

When I looked at getting the Note, the other car it was repeatedly compared to was the Honda Jazz so maybe worth a look at that as well.

My only frustration with the Note is there is no 6th gear. As I do a lot of motorway mileage I feel I'd get better economy with 6th gear. They do make it with a 6th gear but not for the UK where it is marketed as an urban car.
Tend to get 54mpg (diesel) doing 75% motorway driving and generally most urban driving is quite fluid.

Gizmo_

In fairness, you can fit any bike in almost any car if you're willing to take both wheels off and not worry about getting grease marks on anything.

I got both my bikes in the back of a first generation "new Mini" last month, no trouble at all. Two frames and four wheels, creatively (and sensitively) stacked.

metronome

Ahh yeah I have a MINI. You'd be surprised what you can fit in the back when the seats are down.

Monty Dog

I used to turn up at races with my bike in the back of a Smart Car but it wouldn't be what I'd call a sensible suggestion.

me-109

Maurice Thepity wrote:

You can get internal bike rack for the Mercedes B Class.
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/br ... 67797.html

Not sure about that for the latest generation B-class. Tried it on my demonstrator and would not go in with seat at normal height; roof line on new version about six inches lower.