cars that fit surfboards?

October 9, 2008 2:47 PM

List small cars that I'd be able to fit a surfboard (short) into.

My car died. I'm looking for something small, with a back seat that folds down, or no back seat. I had a mitsubishi galant for a while, and I would fold down the back seat, and boards would fit. They noses would peek between the two front seats and rest on the center storage thing.

I really want an old prelude or a crx or a civic hatchback, but I don't think they are long enough. Can anyone confirm?

posted by low affect to travel & transportation (15 comments total)

I'm guessing more people are familiar with their cars than with surfboards, so if you advise us of the dimensions of your surfboard, it should be pretty easy to give you an answer.
posted by randomstriker at 2:56 PM on October 9, 2008

I've gotten shorties into a '94 Honda Civic hatchback. Oh, how I miss my Honda Civic...
posted by arnicae at 2:58 PM on October 9, 2008

Honda Fit will be the closest you get to a CRX or Civic Hatchback. The official site shows various backseat configurations in photos, including one with a surfboard.

I've had my eye on a Fit lately. The reviews are great.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:08 PM on October 9, 2008

Yeah, most compact/subcompact sedans could easily take a six footer with the back seat folded down.
posted by Burhanistan at 3:08 PM on October 9, 2008

Don't know if you were looking to buy something new, but if so I'll give a strong second vote for the Honda Fit. It does a great job at handling long cargo by letting the front passenger seat fold down flat. The back seats split so you can put a passenger behind the driver and have the other back seat folded down flat, giving you the full length of the car's interior for a board. It's got a conveniently small body which is great for city driving/parking, but it manages to still be comfortable inside. It handles pretty well too...
posted by departure lounge at 3:12 PM on October 9, 2008

You might also consider a roof rack.
posted by rhizome at 3:45 PM on October 9, 2008

Yeah, a decent roof rack is only about $200 which is less than getting a bigger car.
posted by GuyZero at 3:54 PM on October 9, 2008

My friend has a Toyota Matrix that fits a surfboard just fine.
posted by InsanePenguin at 4:00 PM on October 9, 2008

Boards are usually around 6 feet long.

That's good news on the '94 civic.

I've had my eye on the Fit for a while too. Weren't they supposed to be like $12K when they came out? They seem to be closer to $20k now.

I prefer to keep the board inside rather than on racks.
posted by low affect at 4:25 PM on October 9, 2008

Suzuki Esteem Wagon. (1996 to 2002). Reliable, inexpensive, very fuel efficient.
posted by winston at 4:43 PM on October 9, 2008

I have a 2007 Fit, my wife has a 2008 Fit Sport. Yes, we have 2 of em, and I can vouch for the fact that they can "fit" a lot (haha!).... I've easily taken 2 of our large dogs in the back with the seats up - a 150 lb Great Pyrenees, and a 75 lb Newfoundland pup... with the seat backs down, there's plenty of room for a short surfboard (and maybe a long one!)
posted by newfers at 5:18 PM on October 9, 2008

I drive a Mazda MP5 Wagon. I can fit a longboard inside without a passenger. And I've had up to 4 shortboards (longest was 6'6") with a passenger. You can also do one 6'4" or smaller (in a board bag no less!) with two passengers. The new Mazdas are even roomier in the back.

Honda Civics work too (back seats down, boards through the trunk).
posted by iamkimiam at 5:23 PM on October 9, 2008

I love my Pontiac Vibe. (Same same as Toyota Matrix, but American)

The back seats fold completely flat, and the front passenger seat does, too. Gives me a loooooooooong stretch to put looooooooooooooong things, and I still have the other side of the back for the rest of my gear.

Love it. Gets good mileage, too.
posted by Corky at 6:04 PM on October 9, 2008

A Toyota Prius would hold one. The front seat folds down completely flat. You can get an amazing amount of stuff in that car. Actually, both seats fold down completely flat, and I have always thought it would be great to camp out in the Prius. I'll get around to it someday.
posted by smalls at 7:38 PM on October 9, 2008

I have a 2008 Jetta, and with one part of the back seat down and front seat leaned as far forward as it will go, I fit an 8' board with room to spare. I did that once by myself, and once with a passenger in the driver's side rear seat.
posted by lovetragedy at 8:58 PM on October 9, 2008