The Criteria (in order of importance):
room for at least 1, maybe two bikes (front wheels off) INSIDE vehicle
reliable
decent price
good mileage
warranty/service
The Possibilities: Nissan Xterra, Jeep Liberty, Honda Element, Ford Escape, Subaru Forrester, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, Mitsuibishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, Saturn Vue, ???
What say you?
Allow me to answer for you. stay away from anything domestic as they tend to be unreliable and have horrible resale (plus you want to make it to the event)…The honda has electrical problems. Toyota is the only real choise here. The new Rav4 is slated to be out soon (this month) and Toyota has proven to be the most reliable vehicle on the road. resale is great and the ride is smooth. Also, do not discount the Highlander as it is also a great vehicle.
My very non-SUV, Honda Accord hatchback can fit 3 bikes in the back (inside), with blankets between each, wheels on. Why get a gas guzzler? Gas prices can surge back up. If you need FWD, I think Nissan makes small hatchbacks with FWD.
I have a '04 subaru forrester, it meets all of your criteria and is a great car overall! I would buy it again in a heartbeat, can fit my bike inside without removing the wheels, great milage, great handling in any weather conditions, very safe. Very comfy, subaru has excellent customer service. I highly recommend the forrester!!!
Honda Element. And you don’t even need to take the front wheel off. I love mine. My only complaint is they are a little noisy, otherwise its near perfect.
Nice generalization about all domestic brands being unreliable. Love that. Really looking forward to getting laid off from Ford in January.
Anyway about the vehicles:
I’ve had my Escape since 2000. I’ve put about 130,000 miles on it the engine had been great. The transmission had issues, which have been fixed.
All of my tri gear (bikes included) and skydiving gear fit in the Escape great. I do look at the competitions vehicles in this class and like the interiors of the Nissan products better than the Rav4. It seems cramped.
Get what makes you happy.
Good luck,
Cheryl
My bike carrier - notice the license plate. 
Two bikes easy with front wheel on.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Larrym96815/Lexus05002.jpg
Aloha,
Larry
I have a 2004 Libery and I don’t think you could fit two bikes on the inside. The back seats don’t fold down flat so there is a “bump” to contend with.
I had an Escape previous to the Liberty and it is much more roomy.
Both were company vehicles, so I had no choice in the matter. They’re OK vehicles, but both have quite a bit of road noise. I drive on the interstate a lot, so it’s a big deal to me.
If I were picking, I’d go for a Subaru Forrester or Outback.
Cheryl,
Sorry about you getting laid off but the fact still remains that domestic vehicles have been proven to not be as reliable as imports. I agree that the Rav 4 is cramped and thats why I suggested looking at the new Rav 4 (which is due out this month). It is bigger, roomier and rides nicer than the current model.
More on FORD in the future. (fast only running downhill) (found on road dead)
Wow, pretty generalized statement about domestic SUVs.
Again, I am not saying that all American vehicles are bad, I am only sayning that the vehicle submitted that are domestic are not ones that I would own. If Ford and GM were doing the job they should be doing (ie: quality control) they would not be laying of employees and losing market share to companies like Toyota and Honda. Buying a vehicle purely to use as a Tri-vehicle is silly anyhow. Get what you like and consider resale, economy and the like. If your worried about fuel consumption, get a hybrid like the Highlander. 37 MPG in an SUV? That says something right there.
I second the Lexus RX300/RX330. I bought mine used so I could save up for a new bike (Seven). I average 18.5 bombing around town, can easily fit two bikes inside and if you buy used at a dealership (not something I’d do as the prices get inflated) you can find them with extended warranties.
Honda Element for six months now and I really like it.
She just said that she is getting laid off. Why kick her when she is down? Have your opinions about Ford but damn, ease up.
I have a subaru outback and really like it. I bought it used 3 years ago (it’s a '97).
for you it would:
have room for up to 3 bikes in back with front wheels off
very reliable
not toooo expensive if you’re also looking at SUVs. It’s a bit more then a regular car, but you get soooo much more for your $$$
pretty good gas mileage but not great (again better then an SUV)
Good warranty and service, but can get expensive once you pass the end of the 5 years if you want specific subaru service
The Forrester is a good option too - but it’s a little less fancy on the inside and the only extra space you get is that it’s a little bit higher on the back end.
I’m happy with my element - seems to fit your criteria and has been a great tri vehicle. Earlier in the year I fit 4 people, and 3 bikes, without taking any wheels off into it. That’s tough to beat.
Joel
I am sorry if I came across as offensive. It was not intended to be so. I hate to see anyone get laid off and think this has alot to do with the Goverment and the current state of the economy. (thats another discussion) I hope she finds something soon.
I have a Ford Taurus Station wagon. Yeah I know it’s not the classiest vehicle on the road but it does the trick. It gets reasonable gas mileage, pretty inexpensive & holds a ton of stuff. I can also haul around extra kids in the fold up rear seat. Two bikes will fit in the back (on their sides). I have a roof rack but tend to put the bike in the back when doing a brick workout.
I purchased the vehicle used through Hertz in 2002, Purchased the 100,000 warranty for a total of 14k. I’ve used the extended warranty once for something that was my fault but was still covered. It has 80k on it now.
Service was top notch, but I think that’s more a function of the actual dealer.
As an aside, I was laid off last year because of outsourcing to a different country – but that’s a different story.
I have the escape. You can slide a bike in with just the front wheel off it you lay the seats flat. I have actually taken the rear seats out, and it lays flat nicely (the part you sit on, and was amazed at how much room those seats take up).
If you are willing to take all the wheels off, I have had four bikes and wheels, the wife, 2 dogs, 2 dog beds, workout clothes for two, regular clothes for two as well as the wife’s work briefcase (more like a huge accordian file but hey who is splitting hairs) in the escape comfortably for a weekend trip.
I do find gas mileage lacking a bit but the safety package that my company got me includes a 6 disc changer so that is nice. The speakers suck though, I think I’m on set number two, and it has been aligned twice in 42K miles.
I just bought the BMW X3, the small version of the X5. What sold me on it was the integrated internal rail system that securely holds two bikes.