Options on a car for board transport

[U2U2U2]

The Pacifica is a new vechile, also van, probably $30 large.
The Impreza AWD, could be worth the lower MPG, especially here in Colorado.
Or the larger Subbie , Legacy.

I had a 2004Impreza WRX wagon, it would fit a small board inside, one.

Kevin, 30mpg hwy would be nice.

If a Honda Odessey gets 28 mpg hwy , that's impressive,, I don't think the seats all go flat, but can be removed ? 2nd row ..?

[motogon]

[Gwarn]

A good place to find real world MPG data is fuelly.com

[U2U2U2]

According to fuelly, the Odyssey gets similar mpg to Chrysler mini vans.

With what I know, i "think" the Mazda 3, VW GOLF , Jetta wagon, would hold 2boards inside acceptable, 30+ mpg on these. Impreza slightly lower, but AWD.

Any Volvo come to mind, a few years old?

At this point I'm still in LA LA LAND.

[U2U2U2]

Of note the difference in yearly fuel cost, for a mini van and a 30mpg, using 9000k as yearly miles
Is only 200 bucks.

The Mini Van cargo and travel comfort is looking better

[kevinkan]

the cost of ownership for something like your last two vans is quite low. i was so happy when boards got short enough to fit behind the passenger seat of a minivan. I remember my friend pulling up to the launch in a new Town & Country opening up the tailgate and seeing that for the first time. I think I sold my GMC Savana a couple months later and got a minivan. Way easier to park in congested urban environments.

[rollerrider]

Taking the second and third row seats out of my Odyssey sheds at least 150 lbs. All my windsurf stuff weighs less. Lighter is better for better MPG. Especially in hills.

[7176]

Many fellow "urban" windsurfers in our area make great use of Toyota Hybrids, including the wagon version. They place all of their gear with the exception of one sailor inside their car. Another makes great use of the now discontinued Honda Element.
My choice is the Ody. It holds a lot of gear inside , as shown in earlier replies. I can add a 9-10 ft sup and slide it down the middle rail side, between seats.
One characteric I would add that it is fun to drive as far as mini vans are concerned.

[joethewindsufa]

i have a mini-van and an Impreza

way easier to move stuff in the mini-van
when i bring it all, i take out the front seat, middle seats and back seats
all fits inside with three boards, sails, etc
only board not fitting inside is the longboard ...

with the Impreza I usually put the board on the roof and the sail(s) inside
today I had the sail bag and longboard on the roof with just wetsuit n stuff inside the car

before I had the roof rack I once put the JP SLW92 inside and one sail
as i was leaving the parking lot to go home,
some people were trying to figure out how to put their stuff in the van
when they saw what i had managed to do, they had a good laff at themselves

but i will definitely keep my busted up , old , rundown mini-van until it dies
then again, i only go about 20 minutes down the highway to a large park
hope it lasts a few more years

the retired windsurfers in the area have trailers or giant vans where it all fits inside
they travel to Texas and Hatteras

[U2U2U2]

Ok we're back on vans, as ideal, hard to beat the Chrysler products for cargo, price and lower upkeep, less than imports.

The mileage I see on these
Honda Odyssey 20mpg
Chrysler T n C, Dodge should be same 20
Nilsson Quest 20
Toyota Sienna 21
These are average of a shit load of vechiles.

I don't so much do urban as 1000 to 2000 mile trips. My yearly average is 9000 miles, most highway.

The 2015 VW Golf TDI sportwagon gets 40+ mpg, yes that one, now for sale at VW , new and used.

Removing 150 lbs in seats from a 4500 pound car I don't see increasing mpg , much if at all.