Sods law, 1 day before I go away for a weeks holiday, car goes on the blink. It is a 4x4 with towball, and towball bike carrier, so loads of room for bikes and all gear.
If I have to hire a car to get me away, what is the smallest car that would reasonably take in the back (seats folded down) 2 bikes with wheels off plus 2 people plus a bunch of gear (camping gear, wetsuit, helmets, bags, food, cuddly toy etc).
My bike is usual hardtail MTB. Mrs bike is a 700 wheeled Raleigh 'cruiser'.
Pretty much anything from a Fiesta upwards.
I've got all that in a 106 so something fiesta-ish from most of the hire companies, just check though as sometimes its cheaper to hire what they have loads of ie focus or astra and a slightly bigger engine will probably use less fuel if well loaded up as a 1.2 fiesta will be revving it's head off with a car load
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My 89 Polo coped fine with that amount of kit - bikes require wheels and seatpost off of course.
I can do 2 people, 1 bike and a weekends kit in the midget, I'm sure anything else can cope with one more bike!
A Honda Jazz will take two people, two bikes and all their stuff without needing to take the wheels off the bikes, so pretty much any car is going to be fine if you're willing to take the wheels off.
Thanks everyone, seems I don't have to stress too much about what car to hire then, phew! Just a bit spoilt for space with the 4x4.
No probs with my 12 year old corsa 🙂
Your best bet is a focus or fiesta with the 1.6 tdci. It'll do 50+ mpg and have enough space for your needs. Shouldnt cost the world either.
Anything that isn't a smart I'd say. Maybe not a mini.
I'd go group B, as the group A cars (1007, C1, aygo etc) could be a bit narrow and that can mean mechs rubbing against fabric or metal etc. Did used to get all that stuff in a seicento but it's a squeeze.
Polo will take 3 bikes + 3 people + kit so I'd imagine anything that size would be fine.
Daughter nicked our Micra to go on a camping & biking holiday with 2 bikes & her bloke. It all fitted in OK.
Group B or C should be fine as long as it's a hatchback - Have managed to get the following plus two people into / onto a mark IV Golf:
Huge family tent + assorted camping kit & bedding (proper duvets and pillows!)
Folding table and chairs
2 x mountain bikes (wheels and bars off)
2 man inflatable kayak, paddles and BAs
9'3" longboard
Huge dry bag filled with wetsuits etc
Dont even think about the 107, c1 aygo. I couldnt even get one bike in one. I nearly smashed the back window trying.
Vauxhall Agila - looks like postman pat's van, but with the seats down 3 bikes with front wheels out + kit + 2 people. Does about 50 mpg too.
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😉
Renault Clio 1.5 DCi I get between 65 - 70mpg taking it easy, 60ish with a bit more vavavoom 😉 takes 2 bikes and load sof sh!te easy
You'll get two bikes plus kit in the back of pretty much (but not quite) anything with front wheels off. Nissan Micra was fine for weekends away with bikes in the back.
Similar interest here...'cept I can't be arsed to take the back wheels off! So, two bikes in a hatch...I know a Golf can take them, but I'm guessing anything smaller will be a struggle with the back wheels still on?
Mondeo Estate. - throw the bikes in whole.
If its a hire and there is only two of you travelling - I'd go with a small van rather than a car (Berlingo/Kangoo - or smaller - a Bipper if you can get one). Probably the same price if not cheaper than a car.
That way you can throw the bikes in and forget about them - I'd be worrying about my insurance excess and getting marks / tears on the interior if I was stuffing bikes in the back of a small hire car
Bear in mind - with hire companies you are usually booking a class of car, not a make and model of car. If you ask for a Fiesta, say, what you'll actually be booking is a 3 door hatch back, but what make and model you'll actually get is down to whats to hand on the day you come to pick it up.
Thanks everyone. Managed to get my truck working (touch wood), so don't have to hire a wee car. I can expand to fill the available space! Still, lots of good info here, good to know.