Prompted by comments on 'back when they had real roof racks', I almost hijacked the 'pics boats on cars' thread, but I channelled Glenn and started a new thread instead.
I heard from CurlyMoe last fall that his newer CRV has sensors in the grill that bow-straps interfere with, and under the hood is all plastic with no place for tie-down loops to bolt on. A coworker got a new Crosstrek and was told that sensors facing the front of the car from the rearview mirror area can't be blocked. I had to discover on a new Outback that pressing the trunk-close button and then stopping it from closing three times would allow the trunk door to close partway with a kayak sticking out of the trunk.
All of this makes me nervous to replace my Forester, which is still going at >230k miles but may not go forever (knock on wood!).
I'm curious to hear of others' experience cartopping with 'new' cars, i.e. cars stuffed with all these sensors for auto-braking, lane departure, etc. Have you managed to find places to attach lines that are solid and still allow the car to function? Are the new racks really garbage?
Those with older vehicles flying the 'they don't make em like they used to!' flag need not comment. You're preaching to the choir!
I heard from CurlyMoe last fall that his newer CRV has sensors in the grill that bow-straps interfere with, and under the hood is all plastic with no place for tie-down loops to bolt on. A coworker got a new Crosstrek and was told that sensors facing the front of the car from the rearview mirror area can't be blocked. I had to discover on a new Outback that pressing the trunk-close button and then stopping it from closing three times would allow the trunk door to close partway with a kayak sticking out of the trunk.
All of this makes me nervous to replace my Forester, which is still going at >230k miles but may not go forever (knock on wood!).
I'm curious to hear of others' experience cartopping with 'new' cars, i.e. cars stuffed with all these sensors for auto-braking, lane departure, etc. Have you managed to find places to attach lines that are solid and still allow the car to function? Are the new racks really garbage?
Those with older vehicles flying the 'they don't make em like they used to!' flag need not comment. You're preaching to the choir!