Bike rack for 2003 Impreza TS Specal Edition Wagon

[Dale Hennessey]

I'm thinking about getting a bike rack for my 2003 Impreza TS Special Edition
Wagon.

I don't plan on hauling my bike that often, so I want to avoid the cost of
installing a trailer hitch, and then a hitch-style bike rack. I've also
dismissed a roof-style rack because of the perceived difficulty of putting the
bike on the roof by myself and perhaps damaging the car.

That leaves me considering bike racks that hang on the hatchback.

The 2003 Impreza TS Special Edition Wagon has a small spoiler on top of the
hatch. There's a small gap between the hatch, and the spoiler, that might be
big enough to pass the required bike rack clamps through.

Can anyone recommend a hatchback bike rack that will actually fit this car?

I've heard that a Siras Bones rack might, but I've been unable to find any local
retailers with one "in stock" so that I can give it a try.

Thanks in advance for all responses!

 

[Guest]

Dale, we used one for a while on our Outback with not too much problem, but it
just seemed rickitey. I ALWAYS get a trailer hitch installed with any car for
some odd reason, and it's even odder on a Sub with the 1.5" receiver and limited
towing capabilty. Finally traded that hanging rack for a Hollywood. Try REI on
line (probably expensive) or use Google to find a supplier of "bike carriers" etc.

PS. If you do get a Hollywood ($120?) it needs to be modified. Write me at
(e-mail address removed) and I'll let you know how I recently did it.

Don

I'm thinking about getting a bike rack for my 2003 Impreza TS Special Edition
Wagon.

I don't plan on hauling my bike that often, so I want to avoid the cost of
installing a trailer hitch, and then a hitch-style bike rack. I've also
dismissed a roof-style rack because of the perceived difficulty of putting the
bike on the roof by myself and perhaps damaging the car.

That leaves me considering bike racks that hang on the hatchback.

The 2003 Impreza TS Special Edition Wagon has a small spoiler on top of the
hatch. There's a small gap between the hatch, and the spoiler, that might be
big enough to pass the required bike rack clamps through.

Can anyone recommend a hatchback bike rack that will actually fit this car?

I've heard that a Siras Bones rack might, but I've been unable to find any local
retailers with one "in stock" so that I can give it a try.

Thanks in advance for all responses!

--
Dale Hennessey | My posting address is distorted to deter spam.
The PEER Group | Please direct email replies to <dale-filter3 at
Kitchener, ON | peergroup dot com>
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[Alan]

The hitches aren't very expensive at all. It makes hauling your bike so easy
that you will go biking more often. You won't regret it.

 

[Craig]

I have used a Saris Bones rack on my 04 Impress TS wagon one time. It does
work. The only issue I had was there are no convenient attach points on the
underside to secure the lower two straps (it has six straps total) using the
supplied hooks. I think I just tied them off to the tiedown loop and the
muffler attach fitting. With a slight modification to the lower strap hooks
I think they would fit in the circular holes on the backside of the rear
bumper.

 

[jf]

Hi Dale!

I too own a 2003 TS SE wagon, on which I added a Subaru roof rack (the
same one that is installed on the Outback Sport). For my bikes I
bought Thule racks and I can say that it is not difficult to put the
bikes on the roof of the car, nor have I damaged any part of the car
while mounting bikes on the rack.

hope it helps your choice.
JF