Roof rack or NO roof rack, that is the question

[mcstark]

I'll get the deflector for that soon, but certainly think it looks better without the deflector.

Of course, it is up to your own tastes. When I was much younger, roof racks (especially on wagons) spelled s-o-c-c-e-r m-o-m. Now, I think they are cool, but then again I'm old.

hey friction...my P5 (black) came with the deflector, which I initially though was ugly. I've read people here bitching about wind noise with the sunroof open (with and without racks), and to be honest it's really quiet even on the highway. I like the deflector now.

Mine came with the rack, but I asked them not to install it because I have no use for it in the winter. Come Spring the rack and mountain bike go on the roof!

Here's a pic so you get an idea...sorry for the jack.

/members/mcstark/MISC/myp5-side-small.jpg

 

[+ friction]

hey friction...my P5 (black) came with the deflector, which I initially though was ugly. I've read people here bitching about wind noise with the sunroof open (with and without racks), and to be honest it's really quiet even on the highway. I like the deflector now.

Mine came with the rack, but I asked them not to install it because I have no use for it in the winter. Come Spring the rack and mountain bike go on the roof!

[/IMG]

Sorry for the jack, too. Looks fine on the black (especially w/the tint) - think I'm gonna have to do it regardless how I think it looks on mine (laser) as I can't even tolerate the sunroof opened beyond 30 mph.

Thanks for the pic!

 

[KYMP5]

get rid of it, much cleaner look in my opinion

 

[webster]

My opinion best looking to worst...

1. With roof rack

2. Totally void of roof rack

3. Roof rack without cross bars

I have an 03 silver P5 and removed my crossbars for all of about 2 days. The car just didn't look right with those fatass black strips without the crossbars.

BTW the worst looking vehicle sans its roof rack in the Nissan Xterra - looks like a completely different vehicle.

 

[Astral]

If you often haul lots of stuff or oversize objects (surfboards, skis, etc), then the roof rack is great, and I think the car looks good either way.

Mine came without. I purchased a Yakima after-market rack, which I only install for long trips (once every couple of months), then take it off when not needed.

How difficult is to install this aftermarket rack, and how much does it cost? Is it also general purpose?

Maybe it's not worth going through trouble to get the 2002 factory rack, maybe it's worth going straight to a Yakima rack or something.

 

[Towelboy]

Installing aftermarket racks are pretty easy. My Yakima came with very good instructions. It took me 45 mins to put it on the first time and now it only takes 5 mins tops. I bought mine for approx. $200 and I am much happier with it than I was with the factory bars. Plus, the Yakima is general purpose (skis, bike, kayak...anything you need to carry). Hope this helps.

 

[Astral]

Installing aftermarket racks are pretty easy. My Yakima came with very good instructions. It took me 45 mins to put it on the first time and now it only takes 5 mins tops. I bought mine for approx. $200 and I am much happier with it than I was with the factory bars. Plus, the Yakima is general purpose (skis, bike, kayak...anything you need to carry). Hope this helps.

Did you buy your used or new? Where would I look for this stuff? Any particular model of the Yakima rack?

 

[Pretzellogic]

I like the cleaner look a bit more, but the roof rack is still pretty cool. I like the duality of our cars: they look sporty, but you can still haul crap around with it.

Currently, I have the rack off, and only put it on if I need to haul stuff around. That wind-noise really got to me.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Personally...I like the look of the car wth the rack ON. sorta that surfer retro look. so the racks are on both of our p5's


(stash)

 

[Towelboy]

Okay, go to Yakima.com, click fit guide and type in your make and model. It will tell you exactly what you need. Then type that in a Google search until you find the cheapest you can. Most places will ship for free. You should be able to buy new for under $225. SRS locks are optional, but I recommend them. But, I would buy those separately so you can save money. Just do the same with a Google search for the locks. Good luck. I got mine new at Outbackgear.com. Rackattack has them too.

 

[DeadGeneration]

You need 10 clips to hold the moldings on if your removing the roof rack completely. The part number is G1YS-50-629B. Your rack already comes with 2 clips, so you only need 8 more. However, I ordered all 10 anyway. This goes along with Vivids post #3

 

[jonlong]

I like my yakima rack more than the factory rack, but I like the look of no rack the best.

I keep my rack a lot closer to the front of the car than Yakima tells you to. I like it better this way, though, cuz the fairing and front load bar are in front of my moonroof. Also, I think it looks weird when the fairing is mounted further back on the roof. The fairing eliminates any noise from the rack and helps gas mileage, but when I have bikes on there, it whistles sometimes.

 

[Kansei]

I like the car WITH the roof rack as well.

Don't like silver though....I call it "old man gray".

I do agree that it's probably the most boring color for the p5.. I wasn't seeking out silver when I bought my car, I was actually going to buy black but the silver only had 8k miles on it

 

[trbomp5]

No rack, and the filler strips installed. When i took off the last of my rack and replaced it with the fillers it made the car look way lower, more sleek. Those things stuck up still about 2".

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

nothing like bumping some old shiznit

 

[+ friction]

better yet, bumping ceej

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

wth happened to him? Banned? for what?

 

[+ friction]

I could be wrong, but I think he was banned for constantly posting in the street racing threads w/ quite a bit of sarcasm...

Ol' Ceej has returned at least once and been banned for something else. He pissed most everybody off it seems, but for some reason I usually "got" his sense of humor.

He may still be around, but he drives a new Subie so he may not give a rat's ass. Not sure.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

lol i dont see the point in banning from these things but I guess it could ruin some peoples lives.....

 

[DeadGeneration]

Yea, I like the rack-less look, alot lower and sleeker. (strike)