Forum menu
Especially those Zafiras with the snazzy folding seats - or any others where you can put two bikes in without taking the wheels off (that are less than £3.5k)
ta,
thebunk
Not got any photos, but I have a Zafira and unless you've a very small frame size I think you'll still need to take the front wheel off.
The rearmost seats are flat under the boot floor when not in use, and the second row of seats slides forwards to leave a very good sized load space. I stick one of these [url= http://www.mtb-direct.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi?item=ITEM071229131813 ]boot liners[/url] in the back and then sling in as many bikes and as much crap as I like.
My only gripes about the car in general are that the driver's seat on the cheaper models is fairly uncomfortable, and the petrol engines aren't great. I will probably be looking for a higher spec model (diesel, cruise) as a replacement.
Back in the days before Zafiras
[img] 
[/img]
Thanks MrGreedy - they are both small hardtails, so it might be alright. I guess I'll have to see if I can try fitting the bikes in - it's so hard to tell from dimensions etc.
Looking at a 1.8 petrol - I know it will be gutless, but I'm guessing that it will still be less rattly and have a few more toys than a van at the same price...
As above. The Zafira folding seats don't get out of the way enough.
How about a Multipla? You can remove the rear seats completely and you're left with a broad, deep loading space.
wife has a new shape zafira - top spec with powerful diesel engine so quick, comfortable and economical. great car. load area is good, but not as long as something like a Galaxy which is probably what you want if to put two bikes in complete.
transit van here.
3.5k will see you good off the block.
The best bike car I had was a Mercedes A-class take the rear seats out and it was like a van. Bit of a Tardis for a small vehicle it had a lot of room on the inside and very economical to run. Just a shame it was unreliable 🙁
Seat Alhambra ?
Don't get me wrong, having to take the front wheels off isn't a deal breaker for me - it's still a superb vehicle for the job. I don't think the 1.8 offers a lot more than the 1.6 petrol though; it's slightly thirstier and a tax band higher too.
I've just gone from an 06 Zafira to the forum favourite passat diesel estate.
The Zaf has a lot going for it, but the 1.8 I had is horrid, go for a slightly older diesel so you can at least make it up hills fully laden, having to changing down to first to get up a hill is just silly.
HTH.
Old shape 5-door Honda Civic takes one with both wheels on, possibly two with both wheels on but plenty with one wheel off. Type-S version is surprisingly quick and fun considering the boring looks! Usual Honda reliability etc. Most are driven by old people so few have been ragged.
Old shape Berlingo Multispace/Peugeot Partner with back seat folded will take two small or medium bikes stood up with wheels on.
The ones without the Modutop gubbins in the roof are easier to get bikes into.
Berlingo with 60% rear seat down will take 3 bikes with wheels on and 3 people.
Really, 3 adult bikes? I've managed mine and the kids but not three 26" wheeled bikes.
Focus Estate will take 2 bikes with the wheels on, though it's a bit fiddly and easier to do with the front wheels off. Or in fact, with just the front wheels on I know it'll take 4 and I reckon it'd do 5, though 3 of the riders and most of the kit would need to go on a roofrack.
We bought an o4 zafira (old shape) a year ago and paid 3700. Low miles and 1 owner etc etc. Top of the range diesel with full leather seats (v comfy). We managed the alps a few weeks ago fully loaded with 4 bikes on the roof, 4 people (2 smaller ones) and v full boot incl snowboards. Great car, and it managed all the mountain roads ok. Also comfy during 16 hour drive!
I did find I had to react on the day to ads on autotrader to get the car, otherwise dealers get in there first.
Simone
Preparing to be shot down: Merc A Class - they look tiny, but the rear seats come out and they have heaps of room.
Renault Grand Scenic
my wifes child carrier but come the weekend seats all out and voila it's my van 😉
I have a *LOT* of experience of this. I've driven about a thousand hire cars in the past and each time I've had one, I've tried to get a bike in the boot to take away with me. Plus my own car experiences.
Here we go then.
****ing awesome.
Mondeo - A1 rated!!!!!!!!!
Audi A4!!! Surprisingly.
Passat
Honda accord saloon (this is my current car, I've had three bikes in this one)
Hyundai mk3 coupe (MASSIVE boot space with the back seats down)
MK3 Astra (with the seats down you can get 4 bikes in easy.)
Zafira - I think our record was 5 bikes, 4 people and a load of bags. It's like a Tardis.
Not so good
Insignia
New Astra
New Focus
Damn poor
All cars made by frenchies, even the peugeot estate was small in the boot area, quite impressive how they managed it to be honest.
Audi A3
Golf
Ive managed 3 bikes and 3 people with a hell of a lot of kit in a 07 Focus it was a bit tight in the back but I was fine.
Yeah, my 05 plate Berlingo will definitely take 3 adult 26" wheel bikes with the wheels on and one rear seat still up.
Used to fit two bikes in the Astra estate easily. In the BM they go on the roof. Was hoping for bizarre bike/car hybrid pics...!
A Toyota Previa is worth a look, seats can be removed completely or as individual rows. I dont own one but have driven/borrowed a few and have always seem to be able to get loads in
Excellent pic mcmoonter! I remember having a frame bag like that with headset spanners in...
Subaru Legacy estate. Bloody cavernous and 4WD for all those sketchy trail centre carparks 😉
£3.5k will get you one with a pair of turbochargers too, if you're into that sort of thing.
Not my personal one, but;
[img] 
[/img]
Lumping great turbocharged engine, 4WD, superb seats, mahoooooosive boot, excellent stereo system and a bit of a [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_(car) ]Q-car[/url]. Rather fun when next to a boy racer in his Barry Boy motor...! It's rather swift for a big old barge!
Old and sorely missed...[img] 
[/img]
Likeness of current:
[img] 
[/img]
Meriva!
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3912621021_7b1d83a152.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonralli/3912621021/ ]Dalbeattie_0075[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simonralli/ ]simon ralli[/url], on Flickr
My avensis has a pretty decent sized back when the seats are down. Not as big as the trusty rusty T4 though. Berlingos and xsara picassos look ok for size and are pretty cheap if you don't mind going French.
I use an old mondeo estate to cart to sportives and Wales. Could have sold it 10 yrs ago but now its knackered.
Even slept in the boot to save cheap BB fee and early start to a sportive as I hate camping in rain!
Brown Skoda
[img] 
[/img]
3 big DH bikes, 3 big DHers, loads of gear, Belfast-Alps return for the last three years.
[img] 
[/img]
4WD, 1.8 20v turbo petrol. Rare (as in I've never seen a bronze Octavia 4x4 turbo estate... ever).
Bronze? I think it's more "strangely brown".
ive got a 55 plate sri 150 diesel - love it as a bike car - stays in van mode most of the time. Will get you a pic with the bike in on Thursday. You need the front wheel off.
Dog shit brown is my preferred description.
Thats a big sponge top!!!
Borrowed for the day whilst in Co. Kerry! have a mini mal now.
OMG how big is that board!!
My boring Meriva does the job, a Zafira but smaller.