Yakima/Thule or other roof racks.

[MySonicBoom]

Hey fellow Sonic owners! I purchased my Sonic LTZ HB two weeks ago, and am new to this forum. I'm interested if anyone has tried to install a Yakima Roof mounted bike rack on their Sonic hatchback yet? Surely I'm not the only Sonic owner who competes in triathlons and frequently travels with his/her bike. I've been to the Yakima website, but have been unable to determine which (if any) of the "naked roof" towers are compatible with the Sonic. Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[Sonic]

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps contact Yakima directly and ask them if they currently have one that fits or plan on producing one? Let us know what they say.

 

[RichieRocket]

I use a Thule rear rack for my mountain bike on my current car, it has movable arms and adjustable straps. So I will just readjust it to the Sonic...

Coming home from a ride exhausted, it's too easy to forget the car on the top rack and drive into the garage

 

[MySonicBoom]

Thanks for the suggestions (especially the reminder to remove my bike before parking in the garage). I'll give Yakima a call tomorrow for their recommendations.

 

[Fit4Sonic]

Hey fellow Sonic owners! I'm interested if anyone has tried to install a Yakima Roof mounted bike rack on their Sonic hatchback yet?

It's a Thule rack, but it's hot-looking! It will at least give you an idea of what it will look like with a rack on top, and assurance that a Sonic install is definitely possible!

Hot!
http://www.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/chevy-sonic-aav-by-ricky-carmichael-unveiled-at-2011-sema_8.jpg

Gallery - click on each for enlargement!
Chevy Sonic AAV by Ricky Carmichael Unveiled at 2011 SEMA - Photo Gallery - Image 8 - autoevolution

Enjoy!

 

[Master P's Theater]

It's a Thule rack, but it's hot-looking! It will at least give you an idea of what it will look like with a rack on top, and assurance that a Sonic install is definitely possible!

Hot!
http://www.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/chevy-sonic-aav-by-ricky-carmichael-unveiled-at-2011-sema_8.jpg

Gallery - click on each for enlargement!
Chevy Sonic AAV by Ricky Carmichael Unveiled at 2011 SEMA - Photo Gallery - Image 8 - autoevolution

Enjoy!

Dude, that Carmichael build was money. A little over the top with the whole "extreeeeme," theme, but it did look great. Thule racks were pimp.

 

[Fit4Sonic]

Dude, that Carmichael build was money. A little over the top with the whole "extreeeeme," theme, but it did look great. Thule racks were pimp.

Lol!

Yeah, but that's that Carmichael guy's thing! The stance is great... sick-lookin'!!!

Lol @ "Thule racks were pimp"

 

[Brandon80]

Just got off the phone with a guy from my dealer who called GM and you can order the GM Clamping Roof Rack now for 249 and if you bought the car you should have a 20% coupon floating around. I think Im ordering mine here in the next few days.

 

[Fit4Sonic]

Just got off the phone with a guy from my dealer who called GM and you can order the GM Clamping Roof Rack now for 249 and if you bought the car you should have a 20% coupon floating around. I think Im ordering mine here in the next few days.

Have you found or seen any images of the "clamp-on rack" online? I'd be curious to see how it looks.

 

[Brandon80]

Negative lol that's why I'm leary still

 

[dvn]

I'm going with one of these: 2 Bike Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Trailer Hitches - Wheel Mount - Swagman XC Swagman Hitch Bike Racks,RV and Motorhome Bike Racks S64650 and one of these: Trailer Hitch for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | etrailer.com
I already purchased the rack from Amazon for $115 so my total investment will be under $300 and totally unobtrusive when the rack is removed.

 

[Fit4Sonic]

I already purchased the rack from Amazon for $115 so my total investment will be under $300 and totally unobtrusive when the rack is removed.

Your "missing link" here may be that some people actually like the look of roof racks. I can see how some roof racks add a certain styling to the overall look of the car, as well as performing the utilitarian function they were mainly created for.

Hey... it's gotta' look good too!

 

[Brandon80]

That's why I'm getting mine for the sporty look and my kayaks

 

[dvn]

For me, buying a car that gets 40 mpg and then putting a roof rack on it that reduces mpg is counter productive. To each his own.

 

[Brandon80]

ya but having a removable roof rack that you can put on and off as you please which allows for movement of items that you were not otherwise able to use and get enjoyment out of is productive in my book. Plus I have yet to see this 40 mpg you speak of...

 

[123099]

any updates on bike racks?

i'm thinking of buying the 2LT hatchback but am having serious problems finding someone who can install a bike rack. i ride DH so the rack needs to hold two 40-lb. bikes. i want a rear-mounted hitch but i MAY settle for a roof rack if i have to. i have been looking for hitches and have found the following on etrailer.com:

Trailer Hitch for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic - Hidden Hitch 60295

i'm waiting on word whether this hitch, which is a class 1, will be safe to hold two DH bikes. i've called chevy in detroit, yakima, thule, rack n' road, local bike shops, uhaul, hidden hitch/draw tite, and other local trailer hitch installers. i'm getting the same word from everyone: they can't install a hitch &/or bike rack on the sonic. i've seen the pics posted on this site of the carmichael sonic with the thule roof rack. thule's telling me they don't have a rack for the sonic. it's obviously been done, but i need to make sure i can transport my bikes before i make the big purchase. anyone else find out something i'm missing??

 

[dvn]

Here you go:

Dave,

Thank you for your interest in etrailer.com.

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has a different hitch for the sedan and the hatchback models. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan are Hidden hitch # 60293
and Draw Tite hitch # 24876. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback are Hidden hitch # 24878 and Draw Tite hitch # 60295. Some of these
new models are being added to our website now and may not be available to view for a few days.

Please email or call 1-800-298-8924 if you have any other questions.

Thank you,

Pat C
cs@etrailer.com

 

[gsxr1000]

It says rated at 200lb tongue weight so to bicycles should be no problem

 

[Fit4Sonic]

... Plus I have yet to see this 40 mpg you speak of...

Yeah... consumers are apparently getting tired of these 40 mpg+ claims from automakers.

It would seem American Honda is getting sued, with a possible full class action lawsuit to follow for claims of 40 mpg on certain models. I just heard about this on the radio last night.

Seems the lady has tried everything, in every possible condition to get that trumpeted 40 mpg highway, and she hasn't been able to get more than 30 mpg... according to her.

Either way, her lawyer is supposedly filing suit and going as far as he can with it.

 

[123099]

Here you go:

Dave,

Thank you for your interest in etrailer.com.

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has a different hitch for the sedan and the hatchback models. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan are Hidden hitch # 60293
and Draw Tite hitch # 24876. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback are Hidden hitch # 24878 and Draw Tite hitch # 60295. Some of these
new models are being added to our website now and may not be available to view for a few days.

Please email or call 1-800-298-8924 if you have any other questions.

Thank you,

Pat C
cs@etrailer.com

Thanks for the info!! I really appreciate it. I also found a rear receiver hitch online at Curt Hitch, but it's for the sedan model only.