So Im looking to carry my bicycle on my car, so Im considering my options and was wondering what other Magna owners have done or plan to do.

I dont see any need for a towbar in the near future (beyond carrying a bicycle), so not a bag fan of carrying the extra weight unless its advantages cant be ignored.

Roof racks are expensive as are the holders. So that one is on the back burner.

Last and most appealing is the boot mounted rack (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-Bike-Rear-Bicycle-Carrier-Boot-Rack-Hatch-Sedan-SUV-Mount-Trunk-Universal-NEW-/231162428901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item35d25abde5). Id love to know if anyone has had any experiences with one. They are cheap and are easy to mount and dismount. I have a VR-X, so the spoiler might get in the way for some of them, but I did see one fitted below the spoiler as shown in the link above.

I have a Wagon - put the seats down and chuck it in the back - never did get sedans 4 doors and a wasted boot space...

I used to have a boot mounted version back when I had a Lancer, it was a pain in the ass to attach the clips so that the paint around the boot lid didn't get chipped by the metal hooks.
It felt wrong to have the boot lid support the weight of my bike. I was sure that it was probably putting it under undue stress or warping it in some way.

From memory, it just didn't feel strong enough to use on a regular basis. If this is a couple of times a year kind of thing, then its probably OK, but any more and I'd say go for a roof rack or towbar version.

Towbars add a bit of weight, but not much. For me, their greatest advantage is that it keeps idiots using your car to touch park. The bonus is the ability to haul stuff.

I was thinking about those clips tugging on my paint work... I wanted to ignore it as it seems like such a convenient solution, but you do make a lot of sense. Id probably be looking in my rear view more than the road! All that extra anxiety to save a few dollars, probably not worth it. I guess I better get looking for a tow bar! Thanks for your informative reply Mug.

No problem

I have 3 different bike carriers.

One is the boot mounted type which will hold 2 bikes but I only carry one. The clip/hooks are plastic coated to prevent scratching or chipping the paintwork. You can always cut a piece of thin material to line them, it hasn't been a problem with mine. There are 4 padded rollers that support the frame on the bootlid top and the boot near the number plate. These could possibly run and wear on the paint. I would use an artificial chamois for this to protect the rubber from the paint surface.

I carry a heavy mountain bike on mine without a problem. I saw a guy carry two bikes on one of these all the way from Melbourne to Mount Beauty and this was on a Mazda MX5! Don't ignore this solution.

I also have a towball mounted rack that will carry 4 bikes. Not a problem but gets in the way and you have to take it on and off and have a separate number plate and lights.

The 3rd one is a 3 bike flat platform mount. Looks great but weighs a ton and is secured by a friction clamp socket on the towball. These are better for road bikes than Mountain bikes because they are designed for a shorter wheelbase bike (roadie vs mountain).

For one bike I recommend the boot mount. Saves the cost of a towbar if you don't need one for anything else.

I have a Pajero (towbar) Magna(Towbar) and a Verada AWD (no towbar). Hence the variety of options for carrying. You can also take off the front wheel and stick it on the back seat (my son is always doing this and mucking up the back seat!).

Interesting! I was considering chucking it in the backseat, but would prefer a two bike option and a free front seat. Plus Id rather not mess up the car! Its a hard option to ignore for only $50! I was totally scared off though by mugg as I already had doubts about it, but happily put back on it :)
I wouldnt mind wiring up a light and all that. I love an excuse to work with lighting, but for now... maybe the boot rack is more suitable. Ill leave the towbar option aside until I find a dual use. Thanks for info Wayne! I actually saw the boot bicycle mount on a Verada at Jells park. It wasnt you, was it?

Interesting! I was considering chucking it in the backseat, but would prefer a two bike option and a free front seat. Plus Id rather not mess up the car! Its a hard option to ignore for only $50! I was totally scared off though by mugg as I already had doubts about it, but happily put back on it :)
I wouldnt mind wiring up a light and all that. I love an excuse to work with lighting, but for now... maybe the boot rack is more suitable. Ill leave the towbar option aside until I find a dual use. Thanks for info Wayne! I actually saw the boot bicycle mount on a Verada at Jells park. It wasnt you, was it?

No it wasn't me. I drove up to Melbourne today with the rack on the Pajero and a ladies bike. It works really well with a ladies bike because the two arms that make the support for the crossbar can be set at different angles, this means that the bike still sits horizontal. On the Pajero I mount it over the spare wheel and the two support arms rest on the rear window and the spare wheel. Once the bike is mounted, most of the weight is taken by the top straps and the bottom support.

I have the rack linked by the OP and it works pretty well and securely holds my mtb. However, there are a few issues / inconveniences:

- You'll need to place some cloth where the hooks attach to the boot lid to avoid potential scratching of the paintwork
- You can't access the boot unless it's been removed, so you might need to consider storing your helmet, gloves, water etc in the cabin.
- You need to secure the front tyre to the rack so that it doesn't keep hitting the back of the car
- You need to secure the frame to the rack so that it remains vertical when driving (ie the wind will push the bike away from the car)
- You can't really leave it on the car if you have parked somewhere and go riding in case it gets stolen. If it gets stolen then you have no way to get your bike home.

I have the rack linked by the OP and it works pretty well and securely holds my mtb. However, there are a few issues / inconveniences:

- You'll need to place some cloth where the hooks attach to the boot lid to avoid potential scratching of the paintwork
- You can't access the boot unless it's been removed, so you might need to consider storing your helmet, gloves, water etc in the cabin.
- You need to secure the front tyre to the rack so that it doesn't keep hitting the back of the car
- You need to secure the frame to the rack so that it remains vertical when driving (ie the wind will push the bike away from the car)
- You can't really leave it on the car if you have parked somewhere and go riding in case it gets stolen. If it gets stolen then you have no way to get your bike home.

I'd forgotten those drawbacks -but yes, I can confirm that all of these irritated me too.

Another Verada with a boot mounted bicycle rack then!

Thats one nice list of drawbacks! I guess good things dont come easy... Glad I put buying one on the back burner, but there really is no clear and easy option. Guess Ill sit on it for a bit. Ill at least not get any surprises if I end up being cheap haha

I usually mount my bike from the left.....:facejump::nuts:

I usually mount my bike from the left.....:facejump::nuts:

do you ride up to the left and put it on? Or do you ride past the right and put it on from the left? There is a big difference! ;)

I have one of the boot mounts and it was great for 1 bike. No damage to paint when mounted correctly. Had more issues from bike wheel knocking car when not strapped tight. Got the most damage when carrying a bike in the car and it rubbed against the tint and went right through to the glass. I'm pretty sure I still have the boot mount version and would be open to an offer if you want it?