I am thinking about upgrading my bike carrier this year, which is a truck I bought back in 2004 with intention to tow a tournment ski boat and then I sold the boat in 2005 so I never really got to use the truck long term for the intention. With gas costing me about $70 US about every 11 days or so I am thinking about going something more econo later this year.
I have spent a lot of time on car review blogs and webpages, as well as, reading a whole lot of owner comments, but I thought I would see if anyone here owns one of the following on my list of consideration and may have some input - pro or con. I know a thread like this can sometimes stir up hot opinions and that is okay if this thread ends up in that direction, but if someone has one of these and is willing to share I would appreciate.
On my current list of consideration are the following hatchbacks. All of these have similar attributes and close mpg. Some have more amenities. I will probably use a hitch mount carrier on any of these leaving the hatch available for the rest of the gear.
1. 2013 Subaru Impreza 5 door - What concerns me is the amount of complaints I have seen about interior road noise being really bad. Also there seems to be a very limited inventory for the Atlanta metro area, which surprised me. That may mean very little negotiating ability from the buyer. But I do like it that it AWD and might be nice in some of the spots I go for cycling.
2. 2013 Ford Focus 5 door - What concerns me is the amount of reliability comments from owners and a rapid depreciation of value
3. 2013 Mazda 3 5 door - with the Skyactive engine it gets decent gas mileage and still has some pep. Don't like the front end that much. We already have a 2007 Mazda 3 sedan and the road noise is fairly pronounced, but it is a reliable econo car.
4. 2013 Hyundia GT 5 door
5. 2013 Honda Fit - few interior amenities, pronounced road noise, but a road bike bike can be stood up inside the hatch and still have room for gear.
6. 2013 Toyota Prius - really started liking this car lately, but feel like it is too expensive for what you get. Not sure the extra cost of the car will balance out with the gas savings.
Another on my list that is due to come out later this year is the 2014 Kia Forte 5 door. Fairly good comments from car blogs and web pages that have been able to test drive one of the prototypes.