Economy cars that can haul a yak

Hey crew,

With gas prices and all (it kills me inside) but I'm looking at civics and priuses.  Does anyone have any small fuel economy car to carry their yak?  How do you rig it?  What racks are best?  Overall, how do you like it?  Does your mileage change significantly w/ a yak on top? Man this gas thing sucks  .

-Eric L.

Ha ha, I've just been browsing hybrids for the exact same reason.  I thought I a hybrid small SUV would do the trick but it seems that hybrid SUVs don't get much better gas mileage than regular-gas small trucks or cars.

So whats the answer? Any ideas anyone? (A hybrid Subaru Outback would be perfect!).

just tested my honda civic 10 days ago.. worked fine....  I get 30mpg with my truck but with my honda I get 45mpg, so that's what I  am going to do also.  I just put something under the yak and strap it down and tie it off at both ends and was off to do my thing..... I love my truck but not that much..
craig

I'm Hip,
 
 Just bought my Used Suburban,  which I love,  But man... Ouch!!!

 I've been looking over the lot as a possible extra car, and so far it does not make sense, unless it becomes my primary vehicle, ...

I need the Behemoth to Carry the troops and Gear

 Anyway, I think I am going to wait and see what comes out next.  The car industry is tanking

and they have to respond to this " Crisis ". I've already heard a rumor of 100+mpg hybrid.

 The Escape, ...presumed 35mpg, is not true and lots of problems if ya look at the forums,

A used Rav4 4clyn, maybe a good choice just for reliability alone, at least that's what I was reading
edmonds.com ,

and I just saw a prius wth a yakama roof rack for a surf board...

I'm just Going to " Close my eyes and Pump " for a while till something makes sense..

I get 30mpg with my truck

what kind of truck is that?????

Only the hybrid SUVs get that much.  My 98 dodge dakota gets 23 on the highway and I want a car that can get at least double of that.  Thinking about holding out for a chevy volt like car.  We're going to see some cool tech these next few years,  I can feel it.

Funny thing about the Suburban,

 if ya keep a steady foot or cruise control, The Beast gets over 20mpg Highway,

 City, well... Forget About it....

 

Have to Feel for the Charter Guys, I overheard them Talking on 67 Yesterday,

 Topping off for $1200 bucks,

 Man, did they sound Depressed,  More than usual... 

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon will be a clean turbodiesel (BIN-5 approved... which means california legal) with an estimated 50 mpg (according to some websites... VW doesn't publish the mpg online yet).  Sounds pretty attractive to me.  Supposed to be out in the Fall.

Also, the "100 mpg Prius" will be a plug-in model... basically a Pruis with more batteries that you can plug in at night and they will run 100 mpg for the first 40 of 50 miles in town... not sure when they'll be commercially available... but the the extra batteries will cost a serious premium.

I've been doing some serous thinking about all this as well... but at this point I'll probably stick with my Silverado for another couple years and see what takes shape.

EK

I am so hoping that the 2009 TDI vehicles drive a stake through the ridiculous pricing of used diesel Golfs and Jettas. I've been wanting a Jetta TDI Wagon with a stick for a while now, but even at 45 mpg, the fuel savings do not make up for the additional cost of the diesel. Yes, even at 45 mpg vs 27 mpg.

Scott

So whats the answer? Any ideas anyone? (A hybrid Subaru Outback would be perfect!).

I've been waiting on that one. Subaru had plans to do a hybrid, but they scrapped it due to a weight problem with the battery.  Hopefully they'll come up with something in the future. Ultimately, all-electric will be the way to go.

A honda Civic with Yakima racks with extended X-bars will carry four boats.  The mileage drops, but it's still pretty good.  Keep your RPMs down and don't try to do the speed limit on the freeway and you'll use a lot less gas.  I'm sure a Corolla would be about the same.  I get about 35-40 highway mpg on our civic if I drive easy.

Have you guys seen the prices for civics on craigslist?  It's ridiculously high for an older one.  4000 for a 95 w/ 179K, come on.  I guess everyone is cashing in their chips while they can.  If I can get a decent price, I think I'm going to pick up a 2003 and new civic.  Does anyone know if they have a back seat that folds down (for one piece fishing rods)?  I heard that the non hybrid does but have not confirmed it.

I've been rocking my '91 Civic for ages and been averaging 38-40 mpg on the freeway w/ the yak on top. I use an old surf rack, similar to a yakima, to keep it strapped down and while it's not the comfiest ride it sure is nice to fill up the tank w/ $40 and have it last for a few weeks. 

To keep your 1 piece rods safe I'd suggest making a rod tube w/ some big ABS tube an end cap on one side and an expansion plug on the other. Strap that sucker to your rack and you're golden.

Z

PS. After all these years the only fixes I've had to do on that civic are the clutch and cv joints.
Honda fo' liiiiife!!

PPS. SCWA's little Toyota PU seems to be an awesome economical ride. I'll let him fill in the details of that one.

Really love my A3.  Its not quite economy, but 4/7 of the way there.  Gets 29 mpg (92 premium) over the last 1500 miles of mixed hwy/city.  Hwy, I can get above 33 mpg if I really granny drive.

It takes standard Thule rack and hauls two yaks and gear no prob.  Cold weather package has the pass through in the rear seat (or fold down).

Was considering the Honda Fit, but went with the A3 for the driving fun factor.

I use my Honda Accord, and it works out *OK*, but tough to fit in camping and fishing gear for a weekend of fun (like Memorial Day).  I'm actually looking to sometime buy one of the smaller Subaru Wagons, Impreza to take care of that.  Hard to beat 29MPG on the Accord, got a Thule roof rack with extender bars, saddles and rollers.  Keep scratching up the back of my trunk (after I removed the spoiler), so I gave up.  The setup works well, and I have even carried two yack's on top of each other about 40 Miles.  Seems to do the job!

Al, careful with those rollers, I've heard they can cause - hope I have the term correct - oil canning.  Especially with that OK stacked on top like it is in your first picture.

I have some too and now regret buying them as I just stack the yak upside down on the top of my Explorer's factory installed racks.  Don't want to get rid of them just yet as I know that when I do, I'll need them.

Michael