I drive a '02 WRX sedan and my girlfriend drives a Saab 9-2X Aero. I want to be able to haul bikes with both cars. I used a roof rack on the WRX but I didn't like the wind noise and it also started getting little scuffs in the paint on the roof because I left it on all summer. So I am considering going with a hitch receiver on the saab. Like this: I'm not sure I like the exposed hitch receiver on the WRX though. What are you guys using?
On my Audi I had one of those racks that strap to the trunk. It worked pretty well. Looks like this: Saab looks nice btw!
I have a Yakima hitch mounted rack. Works nice, very easy to load the bikes, and very easy to take the rack on and off.
I have a saris trailer hitch style, but am looking at roof racks. other wise like today if it is just me, i fold the seats down and toss it in.
I have a trailer hitch on my '02 WRX. I pull a small trailer to move my snowmobile and dirt "bike" around. The hitch also doubles as a great rear sway bar. It holds the frame square. I would suggest pre-painting a new hitch receiver with a durable coating (truck bed liner) before installation. I had my receiver re-painted with powdercoat afer a few years, and now that is rusting too. Vila
Right now I have a Yakima roof rack on my 02 wrx wagon. But I have to put the bikes on backwards if I want the rear gate to open. Also I don't have a fairing and that makes it both noisy and way high wind resistance. I had a strong crosswind on a two and a half hour road trip last year and with the bikes up there I couldn't set the cruise above about 62mph or the turbo had to spool constantly to hold speed. Of course, that may have had some to do with a stock car on a stock map, too. I just put a hitch on and am looking at that as a better option when a new rack becomes affordable. I have looked a bit at them and am leaning towards the types that have the wheel trays (like on a roof top rack) versus the top tube clamp-style. This is for mountain bikes; if you are looking for use with road bikes, I have no experience to say if they would ride differently. Good luck, eh!
That what I'm talkin about! Toss em in back with a tarp down if ur picky, or not if you don't mind a lil dirt!!!
I use a Yakima roof rack with the newer style fairing and have very little wind noise from the rack itself.
Sadly for both vehicles your option is roof or hitch. The hitch is by far the most practical if you don't mind spending the money on the hitch it self. That way she's not having a hard time putting it on the roof (no offense) and there is nothing touching the car to scratch or hurt the paint. Look into the Yakima products they came out with some new models last summer and they sold out nearly every week at Erik's.
The back seat only works for one bike. I have a Thule roof rack that I take off every time I use it. It takes literally 5 minutes to put on and 5 to take off. I ride every weekend - not during the week. It works for me...but not all.
I used to use a Saris trunk rack, but prefer the hitch rack, since it's more stable and doesn't leave marks etc. I can also leave it on all of the time, since I have a hitch lock
Yakima roof rack. had it on my wagon, didn't notice any noise, but then again, the car is pretty damn noisy anyway. I just mounted it on the XT6 today. only drove it a few miles around town, so no news on the noise.
