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The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv?
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Fastfwd
Aug 27, 08 6:39
Post #1 of 55 (1516 views)
The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv?
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I currently drive an Audi A4. I can fit the bike in by removing the front wheel and lowering the 40% rear seat. This is less than ideal as I have 2 kids who are still both in child seats. I also have a bike rack that goes on the rear trunk but it worries me when people tailgate a little too close to my bike.
So I'm thinking Subaru Outback/Forester, Nissan Xterra of Toyota FJ for my next car. I was wondering what are other good choices to look at.
The things I like about my current car are: AWD, heated seats and auto climate. I don't think auto-climate is available in the Xterra and FJ so maybe those are out anyway.
My next car will see my kids go from 2-3 to 9-10 years old so I have to plan for sports,hiking,mud,etc. I'm definitely looking for something with a lot of storage space, easy to wash the trunk and ideally not too big but then again more storage will mean a bigger car/suv.
Ideas? Opinions?
BTW I'm not too worried about gas prices. We only have one car as I go to work by bus/bike. We travel less than 12k miles/year.
JulianInEngland
Aug 27, 08 6:49
Post #2 of 55 (1504 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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The things I like about my current car are: AWD, heated seats and auto climate.
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With your 3 requirements I would say Legacy or Passat. If you drop the AWD requirement it's worth looking at the VW Euro bus plenty of room.
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The above poster is English not British, please refrain from using the B word as it causes me offence.
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slowbern
Aug 27, 08 6:50
Post #3 of 55 (1502 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I have a Chevy Express Conversion Van. It is awesome for racing. I can fit several bikes in it without taking any of the wheels off. I can keep coolers of food and drink for after race picnics with friends. When we put together a relay race it is the team van.
For family purposes it is excellent too. You can load a zillion little rug rats in there. It has a drop down TV with a DVD and hookups for game consuls.
The only downside is fuel consumption.
Bernie
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There, Sphere, are you happy?
Sully
Aug 27, 08 6:51
Post #4 of 55 (1495 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Honda Element. End of discussion.
"It's like a riding a bike"
-Assuming it doesn't have clipless pedals
Andrew Coggan
Aug 27, 08 6:55
Post #5 of 55 (1481 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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In Reply To
I currently drive an Audi A4. I can fit the bike in by removing the front wheel and lowering the 40% rear seat. This is less than ideal as I have 2 kids who are still both in child seats. I also have a bike rack that goes on the rear trunk but it worries me when people tailgate a little too close to my bike.
So I'm thinking Subaru Outback
I have an Outback, and the same problem: the bike won't fit in the rear w/o removing both wheels, and the 2nd child seat prevents you from lowering one side of the split bench. Indeed, I suspect that you will run into this issue with any wagon on the market.
unclerock
Aug 27, 08 6:58
Post #6 of 55 (1466 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Not cool with the hip crowd, but:
Ford Aerostar mini-van. I've got the XL version, holds a full sheet of 8x4 plywood with back seats removed and all doors closed - needless to say, could fit ~6 bikes w/wheels on inside, if needed. Can sit 7 people + 2 bikes, or 4 people/4 bikes. I get ~21 mpg highway. My wheels only come off my bike for flats.
Kenney
Aug 27, 08 6:59
Post #7 of 55 (1463 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Subaru Baja! Love it.
Monsieur Trois
Aug 27, 08 7:02
Post #8 of 55 (1447 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Subaru Tribeca with a roof rack...I know, I know, it has "tri" in the name but it wasn't named for some tri-geek named Rebecca.
Tri-Wog StL
Aug 27, 08 7:04
Post #9 of 55 (1439 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Sully]
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Element, too! I have had three tri bikes in this vehicle...with all wheels still attached and gear for camping and racing packed around the bikes......no worries! Is it the best looking car around?...no, not so much! But as I have said here and elsewhere.....the Element is a vehicle that does what it is designed to do VERY well! Plus the pickup truck type tailgate gives you a great place to sit for those brick transitions!.....or for sharing an adult malt-based beverage with your riding buddies afterwards!
Paul
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Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker.
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger."
-Friedrich Nietzsche, Götzen-Dämmerung (1899)
swimfan
Aug 27, 08 7:04
Post #10 of 55 (1438 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Honda Element, if you can wait for 2009 model. not much body style change but interiror gets a lot better. more like a real car instead of the UPS Truck feeling.
I should add... It all depends on where you want to carry your bikes!
If you want to carry on the roof: BMW, VOLVO or AUDI Wagons. Specially Volvo with lower and bigger roof for easy loading and lots-a space!
If you want to carry inside: There is one option Honda Element
If you don't mind a hitch rack: Xterra or Toyota FJ for the easy cleaning of cargo space
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I know I can't spell... This is not going to be graded so I don't care about the grammar either...
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PlacidPirate108
Aug 27, 08 7:07
Post #11 of 55 (1426 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Just go with the A4 wagon. I drive a 325xi wagon and while i dont have kids to worry about it is perfect for all of my "stuff" With the rear seats up I do in fact have to take both wheels off. However this is worth it to me to not have to have my bike outside the vehicle while still maintaining the driving performance of a car. I am probably one of the few 26 year olds that opts for the wagon option in the 325. LOL!
swimfan
Aug 27, 08 7:09
Post #12 of 55 (1420 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Tri-Wog StL]
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Is it the best looking car around?...no, not so much!
Actually I've seen a cool looking one and all he did was add a brushguard on the front and replaced the wheels with offroad wheels. it looked pretty nice though.
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I know I can't spell... This is not going to be graded so I don't care about the grammar either...
Fastfwd
Aug 27, 08 7:15
Post #13 of 55 (1398 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [swimfan]
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Honda Element, if you can wait for 2009 model. not much body style change but interiror gets a lot better. more like a real car instead of the UPS Truck feeling.
I should add... It all depends on where you want to carry your bikes!
If you want to carry on the roof: BMW, VOLVO or AUDI Wagons. Specially Volvo with lower and bigger roof for easy loading and lots-a space!
If you want to carry inside: There is one option Honda Element
If you don't mind a hitch rack: Xterra or Toyota FJ for the easy cleaning of cargo space
I was planning on probably getting a roof rack even with an Xterra or FJ. Is there a reason not to? Maybe it gets too high to safely go under some bridges?
This is probably useless anyway as I really want auto-climate and heated seats and those are probably not available in those models.
doug in co
Aug 27, 08 7:15
Post #14 of 55 (1398 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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the ideal car is the Toyota Estima hybrid, but you can't buy it here, because that would interfere with the profits from the Sienna. Oh well.
Seats 8, or 4 and several bikes, 40mpg, ultra-low emissions, etc.
http://www.hybridcars.com/...a-sienna-hybrid.html
Failing that, the Mazda 5 seats 6 or 4 with a large cargo area. The new Forester is very nice too, has a habitable back seat where the older one was quite cramped, and a slightly larger cargo area. That's probably what I'd get.
fred_h
Aug 27, 08 7:42
Post #15 of 55 (1350 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I currently have the Nissan Xterra and I really like it. It is the 2006 or 2007 model.
I have one kid in a child seat and we can go camping with my bike inside with all the camping gear including two coolers, tents, etc... (I usually bike to camp site, and depending on the level of alcohol in my blood @ the end of the camping trip either ride back or seat on the passanger seat).
The back seats are divided into two sections: one is about 2/3 of the full length and the other one about 1/3. You can fold FLAT the 2/3 section while the 1/3 section is still up. it might be possible to do the other way around as well.
To put my bike (and actually I can put two + gear and maybe 3) inside I need to remove front wheel and seat post. I have a L Lucero so depending on the size of you bike, you may only need to remove front wheel. I personnally do not mind at all doing that as I much prefer to have bike inside than outside + buying rack.
The surface of the trunk is some kind of "robust" plastic/whatever the material is that is perfect for outdoor stuff.
While it does not have auto-climate it has AWD and heated seats (at least the model I have).
Fred.
Tom Demerly
Aug 27, 08 7:56
Post #16 of 55 (1322 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I've been wanting a used Honda Element with about 30,000 miles on it. Pay cash. Drive it. They can be found around town at about $15,000-$17,000 used.
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/
(NOTE: This poster owns a retail business selling triathlon related products).
gdesign
Aug 27, 08 8:03
Post #17 of 55 (1308 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I have an XTERRA I love it I will probably drive i until it dies (hopefully a long time from now). I have had it for 3 years its an 01 with 75,000 miles on it and has yet to have any problems. As for bikes I have a roof rack but usually just flip one seat down and roll my bike in without removing anything. As for mpg it is alright not as bad as some SUV's only problem no leather or luxury items but doesnt ride to bad.
-Cooper
ASU_GT
Aug 27, 08 8:07
Post #18 of 55 (1295 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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crew cab toyota tacoma...or if you ever anticipate towing crew max tundra. i have the latter (and kids in your age range) and it is perfect. especially on those muddy days.
MTMTRI
Aug 27, 08 8:10
Post #19 of 55 (1282 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Our Toyota Sienna works great especially if my wife and 3 kids go to the race with me. Looking at your choices I think the minivan is out but you might want to consider it. I went from a BMW 5 series to the minivan and I have to say I love the minivan.
Toyota will have the Venza out in a few months which might meet your criteria. A cross between a car and a suv or basically a tall station wagon. Might be worth looking at. Should get decent gas mileage and be roomy.
bsaunder
Aug 27, 08 8:50
Post #20 of 55 (1218 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Other than a pickup - the only vehicle I can think of that would fit your wants would be a toyota landcruiser. A good friend has one and we've fit 3 adults, 2 kid seats, 3 bikes, and a chariot all inside the vehicle. We did have to take the frotn wheels off off of the bikes and fold the chariot down, but that was all that was needed. It has leather heated seats, selectable 4wd with lockable diffs, climate control, easily cleaned out, and rides very well.
Granted - I haven't checked out the sienna or the element yet. I'm currently looking for a similar vehicle, however looking for something small and more on the gas sipping side as I already have a crewcab f250 diesel if I really want to load up. I've been wanting to check out the new passat sport wagon TDI, just not sure if bikes will fit inside too well.
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Longboarder
Aug 27, 08 8:56
Post #21 of 55 (1197 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Check my thread from last month. Might help.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...t_reply;so=ASC;mh=25
;
Train safe & smart
Bob
"Then the thought came back- f^*k you, keep moving. The little train that could, could. I'm moving forward again." Doug Stern
swimbikerunski
Aug 27, 08 9:00
Post #22 of 55 (1179 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I read the OP but not the remaining discussion... but all I can suggest is van with bucket seats in the middle row.
Fold down the back bench seat and you can wheel in 2 bikes fully intact (or just remove the front wheel).
Have an outback too, but the van gets taken to races far more due to ease of bike set up.
Good luck :)
irodetoday
Aug 27, 08 9:17
Post #23 of 55 (1154 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Van it.
Craigster
Aug 27, 08 9:24
Post #24 of 55 (1133 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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I'm waiting for my Ford Escape Hybrid that should be in next week. However, I am moving from my 05 Acura TL to the Escape simply because we rescued a 9 year old male Collie last month...
...while we were waiting to pick up our Collie puppy from a breeder (we get him this week). Talk about lack of planning ;-)
So now we will have 2 large dogs (compared to the brother and sister Shelties we had for 14 & 16 years respectively), and no way to move them around - so I had to order something that gets good gas mileage. I believe it does have the hitch mount option too, so I'll probably just get a hitch mount bike rack (i.e. Softride rack, etc.) for the bikes when we go.
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Craigster
Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.
SteadFast
Aug 27, 08 9:25
Post #25 of 55 (1129 views)
Re: The ideal triathlete car/wagon/suv? [Fastfwd]
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Have you looked at the
Ford Escape Hybrid
or the
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
? You can do roof rack system for bike, storage box, etc.
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