Car Roof box - takes push bike?

[redefined_cycles]

Is there such a thing?

Reason I ask is cos it seems my head gasket is blowing a touch. No power loss but coolant loss and previously fumes into the seatig area. I've tried to seal it with one of them head gasket sealers with some positive effect. Got a hydrocarbon testing kit coming today but I already know there's still the leak going on (coolant loss but nothing visible from outside).

Currently trying my best to complete as many shifts as poss with the current motor which is a Subaru Legacy estate. Takes the bike and swallows it whole - with the rear seats down. Or if I need to shove it in the boot, it'll go in happily - dismantled but saddle/post still insitu.

I really don't think I should buy another Legacy (Spec B - amazing smooth drive and torque, even now) but also don't believe in spending grands and grands on a car (aside the fact that I don't actually keep/have/save that sort of money. So, naturally I'm going for an LS430 in well used mode. The only thing that's always stopped my from getting a saloon is their bike carrying facilities.

Before anyone smart points out rear towballs and Thule and the likes. No... I need something/bike to be left in whilst I go and complete work-shifts etc. Besides, the LS430 (think, BMW 7 series but in reliable & cheap Toyota flavour God-Willing).. is so long that adding a bike to the back wouldn't be too smart IMO.

Roof racks can probably be custom made for it but then I'm unsure if there's a box that will carry a dismantled bike without undoing the handlebars/forks. Anyone got any thoughts, experience or suggestions...

Please...

[Pirahna]

Carrying bikes is how I ended up with a van. Ignore cars and look for a van or van based car.

[Bearbonesnorm]

A roof box will lower you mpg by some margin.

Also - may be a leaking water pump.

[Alexpalacefan]

Ignore the nay-sayers.
You should definitely get an LS430.

APF

[FLV]

Biggest box's seem to be about

215cm x 95cm x 43cm

a standard EVOC bike bag is

138 x 85 x 36 cm

So, in theory with similar or less dismantling, a bike should go in.

I wouldn't, personally. Taking a bike apart to fit in a roof box isn't my idea of fun

Also, best part of £500 plus Rails and feet and any internal padding etc.

[benp1]

You're going to need to take the wheels off to get it in the roof box. If you're going to do that, you can probably just put the bike into the boot of the car if it's empty

[Cheeky Monkey]

I've taken the roof bars i.e. not even them + bike carriers off my car recently and the increase in fuel efficiency is clear. Driving around with a box all / most / some of the time would be even worse. They're not something to regularly take off and put on, IMO. Bloody awkward and when not in use you need to store it. Probably exacerbated by the size of big box you'd need to fit a bike.

Personally I'd reconsider the choice of replacement motor (if one is even necessary - have you had a mechanic look at it?).

Hey ho, HYOH

[fatbikephil]

What Stu said. Or heater matrix leaking? I used some posh rad weld in a car that did this and it last for 100k. I'd have thought on one of them things if the head gasket goes then you'll be blowing hoses off pretty soon after. Should be a subaru specialist down your way?
Fix what you have is always cheaper than buy another...

RE bike carrying, thats why I ended up with an estate car - a van is no use to me and hatch backs are thin on the ground these days

[redefined_cycles]

Ignore the nay-sayers.
You should definitely get an LS430.

APF

The Toyota specialist (US based guy who seems to agree with most DIYers of why they went DIY due to the so called mechanics being substandard) suggested it as being the best Toyota/Lex ever made with the engine being rated for aircrafts (according to him). Something the other Lexus engines can't boast...

Plus... I sometimes drive about 100 miles to work (average being about 60) so a comfy car is a must. A comfy but cheap (to buy) car, with a 'the best engine ever made' sounds even better. Still gutted at my failing 3L Spec B and I'm certain it was poor MD servicing previously - got a full MD service record but when I renewed the air filter it was obvious it hadn't been changed for a good few years (got lots of exp of basic servicing on these now). Also, when I drained the coolant - which had tiny specs of rubber/plastic in it that I'd remove periodically at the coolant cap - it looked a bit dirty/dark.

Stu, thanks for the water pump suggestion, though I'm almost certain (from the crazy bubbling over the course of trying to plug it) it's the HG. Gonna go and show it to Wilks Engines now so he might shine some light on my problem...

LS430.. LS430... hmmm...

[redefined_cycles]

You're going to need to take the wheels off to get it in the roof box. If you're going to do that, you can probably just put the bike into the boot of the car if it's empty

I'm certain the wheels could fit in the boot and the frame on the back seat. Its a massive saloon and seats don't drop down in the rear. Would need to be careful of keeping it clean though. The roofbox idea is obviously a bad one (thanks all for the input).

Tim... mechanics looking at it. It's complicated as the good ones are too busy and prefer to look at their own specialism and the 'fitters' will just screw it over even more (learnt from exp and hence why I try and stick with the specialists or do basic stuff myself. Amazing what lack of knowledge/pride there is out thwre in the motoring-repair world...

[redefined_cycles]

For reference. I did buy the V8 Lexus LS430. Missus isn't too happy cos it's not big enough for her camping/YHA gear. She doesn't actually know the size of the engine yet

Spoke to the local Witter/towbar specialists who said that they don't have anything listed to towbar this (currently... maybe historically/hysterically there was. Glad I've been talked out of the roof box idea as I'll be struggling to keep the mpg down already. Not picked it up yet but deposit paid. The Legacy currently still blowing at the engine gasket and theres a fair little conconction of gasket sealers in there. Might have to flush it out soon and hopefully if it somehow survives I'll keep it for 'vanmam' duties.

Am hoping the bike might well fit/split into boot and rear seats. Can't wait and may God make it a good investment with nothing going wrong! Thanks for the input once again (and helping me talk myself out of a roofbox of such a thing).

[FLV]

You should probably stop worrying about mpg... It is a big V8. If you wanted mpg, a diesel Octavia / superb / Passat / beemr estate would have been wiser,no?

[yourguitarhero]

Some V8s can reduce down to 4 cylinders when cruising.

My uncle used to have one of those big Lexus barges. Was lovely. Sold it when he got done for drinking driving though, silly man!

I have huge big bike bag that I can put my bike and wheels in then put in the car without getting it dirty.
Duffbag I think?

Could do that, put it on back seats. Assuming pimp-ass limo tint is mandatory on one of those, it should be relatively innocuous?

[woodsmith]

You should probably stop worrying about mpg... It is a big V8. If you wanted mpg, a diesel Octavia / superb / Passat / beemr estate would have been wiser,no?

Or a Toyata Aygo. I can get my Plus tyred ECR in mine no problem .

[Alexpalacefan]

Great stuff
Pics if you can

APF

[redefined_cycles]

You should probably stop worrying about mpg... It is a big V8. If you wanted mpg, a diesel Octavia / superb / Passat / beemr estate would have been wiser,no?

I think I mis-explained it... I meant it's an extra reason to not bother with a roof rack. I manage about 35mpg on my 3L Dave so if I can get about 32 (very careful eggshell driving unless thrashing it and petrol money to hand) on the V8 on a long run... I'd be super happy.

Stopped worrying about mpg many many years ago btw

[redefined_cycles]

Some V8s can reduce down to 4 cylinders when cruising.

My uncle used to have one of those big Lexus barges. Was lovely. Sold it when he got done for drinking driving though, silly man!

I have huge big bike bag that I can put my bike and wheels in then put in the car without getting it dirty.
Duffbag I think?

Could do that, put it on back seats. Assuming pimp-ass limo tint is mandatory on one of those, it should be relatively innocuous?

"Pimp-ass limo tint"... I don't think so. This is (supposed to) have blinds

[Dyffers]

I was drawn into buying a powerful saloon car a couple of years ago. My bike went into the boot with the rear seats down as long as the front wheel and seatpost were taken out but it was a faff and it never even reached 30mpg even going gentle on the motorway. F knows what it would have done with a roofbox on.

Solution was to part-ex it for a diesel Focus estate (60mpg, zero tax, bike straight in boot with seats down, don't GAS about getting it dirty) and a Caterham for when I don't want the bike...much more fun.

[redefined_cycles]

Right then, so a bit of a sad day today as I took the good old mtb-mobile (car, not phone) to the WeBuyAnyCar folks. Subaru Legacy Spec B Tourer which I almost loved. Got £1233 for it after they took a bit of 'the wee'.

But, to cheer me up (bit of an exaggeration, I was cheery anyway despite the nasty chest infection)the mtb I'd removed from it's caressing grasp, fit straight into the old (21 years to be precise) 8 cylinder barge.


Days of happy (or, 'happy days' if you passed the good old citizenship test), Alhamdulillah...