no-door-clip roof rack, Hyundai, Fit, ???

Figured this was OT since it's not very motorsports to judge a car by its roof rack facilities...

We're still in the plotting phase of the Civic replacement, and a minor item that turned into a significant annoyance with the Civic was roof rack mounting. It was my first such go-round on a gutterless car.

Despite being meticulous with the measurements and getting the clips as flush into the door jamb contours as I could, the thing still leaked badly. Ten year old weatherstripping trying to adapt to an irregularity, I suppose.

Nevertheless, it made me hope that the next car will have some means of mounting my Yakima stuff without door clips. Some sort of roof rails.

I called a local Hyundai dealer to ask whether either the Accent or Elantra had some sort roof rack clip facility, and was told that they both did, and that it was standard. After doing a bit of image Googling, I think I was basically told "Do the cars we sell have a feature you want? Of course they do!"

So, anybody got a new Elantra, Accent, Fit (or xD, or similar...) and have answers to whether there's an either standard OR optional roof rack facility that avoids door clips?

It would seem that if these cars have the ability to add a official roof rack accessory then the respective websites would say something about them.

Pick on of the cars in question, go to the manufacturers website and click the "build and price" or "build your own" type option. In there, the website will likely have a section about optional accessories. There may or may not be further details gained there.

In reply to jrw1621:

The Hyundai site at least did not provide such info, though I should go repeat the exercise for the others.

Once I got stymied by the Hyundai dealer, I figured I'd ask around for folks who actually owned the car and mounted the rack.

Are you only considering new models?
The Vibe/Matrix has some good roof options.

In reply to jrw1621:

Good to know! We're leaning towards new, but given the less-than-optimal nature of every freaking thing we've looked at, new or used, I'm not going to rule anything out. Though I'll admit I've been anti-Matrix because of my perception of its Corolla-ness, and subsequent impact on my alertness and will to live...

Look for final run Pontiac Vibes ('09 & '10 only.) I think they represent a great value right now. They are Toyotas underneath but now stuck with a retired nameplate.
For size and function the Vibe falls right between the current xD and xB.

should give you a pretty good idea of whats available/what it takes to mount a roof rack on an accent. looks like most use door clips.

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=586b30016cf4aa6162a0c9817a5044ac&search_in=titles&result_type=topics&highlite=%2Broof+rack

Go by the dealership, look at said car in question, know the answer 100% for yourself?

In reply to z31maniac:

Takes two hours out of my day and doesn't get me any first-hand information about actual installation/utility.

In the end, I'll certainly end up looking at this stuff when I finally do have to go look at things in person, but anything I can do to get information that doesn't involve me being on a dealer lot or talking to a salesperson is good news in my book.

In reply to failboat:

Thanks! I had to register to follow the link, but I'll dig around in there and see if anybody's come up with any interesting answers.

Given how crappy the whole idea of a doorjamb clip is, I'm really puzzled at the lack of alternatives in so many cases...

USUALLY, when Hondas have a "compatability" with something....they sell a version of it at the dealerships in the parts department and it's featured in the "build it" section of the official website.

I'll bet the Fit and Civic have an optional roof rack (though don't bet the farm on it) while the Hyundai does not. If anything, I'll bet the Hyundai saleman you talked to figured it can have a bumper mounted rack...and that's almost the same thing.

In reply to iadr:

Thanks! That's pretty definitive...

ransom wrote: In reply to failboat: Thanks! I had to register to follow the link...

Oh, sorry, I could have hotlinked some pics for you

ransom wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Takes two hours out of my day and doesn't get me any first-hand information about actual installation/utility.

Ahh, just saw you were in Portland so figured a dealership wouldn't be THAT much of a PITA to get to.

In reply to z31maniac:

I am probably exaggerating slightly due to my perceived level of PITA of going to a dealership, but all the Hyundai dealers appear to be in the surrounding suburbs and not just down the street...