Roof racks

[cdregan]

I'm looking to get a Mazda3 in the near future. I asked the sales guy about what the two insert strips on the roof are, thinking they were for a roof rack. Sales guy had no clue. Anyway, what are they? I want to put a rack on my car and I don't like putting clips in the doors.

What do you all use for racks?

 

[lumlum83]

I have no idea...sorry can't help... =)

 

[toki]

The "rail" does actually cover up some mounting points for a rack. Unfortunately, Mazda doesn't sell the rack in the US yet. I have no clue why that is and it's quite frustrating. I think they offer it in Canada. There's also a nicer looking, more aerodynamic one made by Rola in Australia.

I found this photo on another thread. That's the one offered in Canada (made by Thule). I think you can order it on Japanparts.com as well, but it's pretty expensive.

Interestingly enough, the rack in the photo looks like the one they offered in Canada for the Protege5, but the US rack for the Protege5 was a much more sleek design. I wonder if the sleek one is coming for the 3. It seems nobody at Mazda knows or wants to comment on it.

 

[cdregan]

Thanks Toki,

I really like the Protege5 rack, kinda like the mazda6 wagons. It makes me a bit nervous that the 6 wagon has a rack available but the sedans don't. I'm looking at the 3 sedan so I may never see a use for those handy rail/slots they made availible. Pretty frustrating.

This would be a deal maker for me to buy this car.

 

[skibike]

I figured that if I put a rack on top, i would soon drop a bike or something else on the top. This rack is made by Bauer Vehicle Gear, and only takes one minute to take off. If you pull off the skie rack attachment, it is a two-bike rack. It is tight and so far it's working great.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/685729

 

[toki]

skibike... The rear hitch is something I've considered. We you able to buy that at a US dealer? I was under the impression that that's also an out-of-the-country option only. How much did it cost?

 

[skibike]

Here's the company http://www.bauergear.com/
and these are the guys i bought it from http://www.sportsrack.com/
The hitch, bike rack, and ski rack together ran about $400.
The only downside I can see is a litle loss of clearance for dirveways and
such, I scraped it a couple of times. But you just take it off after the weekend, and get to keep the 2-4 MPH that you lose with a roof rack.

 

[toki]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[dannyboy]

skibike, great link man and exactly what i'm looking for. i was thinking about the roof rack for a while, but instead shifted my focus on a hitch. what does it look like if you take it off (any pics)? is it similar to a hidden hitch?

 

[skibike]

It actually is a hidden hitch, i think the model is #60999? If you pull the rack off it is just the 1.25" square that is flush with the bumper. Lava Orange has a similar setup http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/513436/3
and lots of pictures to prove it. The only difference with mine is that there is no extra reinforcement around the edge.

 

[dannyboy]

perfect. thanks so much!