Am I the only one?

[Captain KRM P5]

I feel singled out on this board man....I still have my roof rack rails attached to the car. Been there since day one. Not taking em off either. Nope, no sir. Not gonna do it.

Is there anyone else on the forum that thinks the car looks good or dare I say it *better* with the rack attached? Or am I a lone wolf in the woods?

 

[<<MP5DuCe>>]

Yah dood... I feel the same way ... I have had my roof racks on the car from day 1 as well! I think that the car looks somewhat rugged w/them on. But that is just my opinion!

 

[KYREDP5]

Put my roofracks back on yesterday. Has more personality that way.

 

[bd4awgn]

I dig the way the P5 looks with the racks on...I just get very annoyed by the noise it makes while driving with them on

 

[savaho]

roof rack rails

Why take away from the functionality of the car by removing the rack? Some people gotta remember that the Protege5 is still a family sport wagon and not a sports car. I actually use my roof rack for carrying bikes, snowboards, and fitting my basket atop for hauling wheels & tires and whatever else fits up there. I'm not trying to make the car something it's not meant to be. It's pretty cool to have people speed up just see what kind of wagon this is hauling a couple of mountain bikes on top doing 90mph.

 

[KYREDP5]

I've never noticed noise from my racks. Do the 2002's have the small little rubber thing on the leading edge of the front bar? Looks like it's there to break up the air flow.

 

[Sir Nuke]

My racks are on...as are my wifes....we have never considered taking them off.....I think the car actually looks better with them on.....and I have NEVER had a wind noise problem with them either....that is what the VOLUME knob on the dash is for!!! lol

 

[FuNwaGoN]

I am kinda torn on this as I think it looks great with or without the racks. I currently have them off of the car because I love my sunroof but the wind noise is horrible with the roof open at highway speed. BUT since ski season is fast approaching the racks will be going back on. Has any or does anybody have a THULE or YAKIMA Box on the racks. Been Eyeing a Rocket Box but not sure of how much overhang I'll have.

 

[BigBlue]

Nice rack! Ok, couldn't resist sorry...continue your discussion!

 

[PR5hokie]

Have my rack off unless I will be transporting my bike on a regular basis. Can't stand the noise but man do I love how the car looks with the rack on. You put a bike on that rack and it looks ten times better. Only problem then is that you can't open the tailgate all the way.

I haven't seen a P5 with a box on but having worked with them a lot (used to work in a outdoor sports store) and you may be able to attach it without too much overhang. Good thing about the boxes (at least with Thule) is that there are multiple clamp attach points on the bottom. You could probably play with them until you are satisfied. If fact you could probably make it so you have more overhang in the front, therefore allowing you to open the tailgate more. I have a feeling no matter what position you install the box you will not be able to open the tailgate all the way. Just keep an eye on it and put a towel or something between the box and the door and make sure not to push up on it when loading the car with all your stuff. By the way when you get out skiing take a run or two for me. I'm in Florida and will be starting training soon. No skiing for me for a while.

Matt

 

[savaho]

rack

You won't have a problem (or really shouldn't) with the basket blocking the tailgate from opening all the way. Even my bikes were forward enough for my tailgate to be opened. One thing about the Thule playpen basket is its looks has to grow on ya. I didn't like the look of it and had it painted black. I should've gotten one those safari baskets instead. I saw one on eBay going for $27! You know those low profile square shaped ones.

 

[jdm_mp5]

yeah i felt the same way about leaving the racks on...but i rarely use them and i wanted to see how my car looked without them. i like how it makes your car looka lot sleeker (similar to a sports car) but still with the functionality of a family wagon. either way the car is still smoking (flame)

 

[ironman]

Haven't taken it off and won't. It looks much better with it on. Anyone have an idea where one can get a good "cheap" luggage carrier that fits the rack? I have a long trip coming up.

 

[MP5s Make Ready]

My Rack is On and It will stay on until it BREAKS or I find SOMETHING BETTER!!! HE HE

 

[bjdesire]

is there any way to like take it off for summer and put it back on for winter, cus im going to be hauling my snowboards and stuff.

 

[PR5hokie]

DarK_anGel1412:
It's pretty easy to take it off. You need some basic hand tools but it really is simple. You should have some directions on how to take it off. You should have also received plastic inserts to fill the gaps when it's removed. If you didn't receive these pieces then you need to give your dealer a visit. For example, when I take mine off I leave the Thule bike rack attached. Am I reading your ? right?

Matt

 

[Zeus]

I not only have mine on, but I use them all the time. I had to drill holes for bungie cords, the stupid bastards that built the car never thought of that I guess. What good are racks without tie off points.

The car looks way cool with a couple of surf boards on top, but is a bit goofy looking with bikes.

 

[redwagon02]

Yup, I took mine off, but have a full Yakima rack in its place.

 

[WaatDaHell]

Can't really decide on the looks between with or without the racks. I had them off for a while, but put it back on again cuz I kinda missed the rugged look. Then about a couple weeks later, I just couldn't stand the noise anymore. And about that strip in front of the front bar, it is actually there for a good reason. I tried to reverse the bar to see what happens and it whistles very loudly. So I turned it back around and it was quieter, but not quiet enough. Maybe it's all in my head, but now that I know of the noise, I can't make it disappear! So sorry racks, you gotta go.

 

[rmedoc]

racks on

Yup, rack is on the car, prolly gonna stay that way too. Gives me a place to tie the naggin wife when I am "speeding."
Wish I could explain to her that the power shortage in the p5 doesn't allow us to speed, but that's another thread for another time.