Ski season is here, we did not get the pass through. I dont feel like removing the rear seat. Need to carry ski's, anyone know of a roof rack that is designed for our evo's, or that will fit.

 

i asked the same thing awhile ago. Yakima or Thule makes a universal fit rack. All you need to do is buy a clip for it which is like $7 a pair. I use Yakima and the thing that attatches to the car is call the Q Tower. I also use it for my girl's Golf, my sister's Civic and my dad's Accord.

 

THe yakama rack fits well, the Q towers with the clips and bars does good

 

I had Thule with locks. They fit well too.

 

Do these roof racks damage the paint at all?

 

yes they do....
I have yet to experience a situation that they didn't. I know a ton of bikers/triathletes, and many have roof racks. I think I have helped installed/uninstall two dozen of them, and in every case there is minor scratching. More often then not a good detailing shop can fix these problems though...

 

i've been pretty fortunate to not scratch mine yet. The Q Tower has rubber pads that it sits on. Just make sure you have at least another person to help you or your chances of scratching it will increase.

 

You can also try some clear protective tape (like Clear Shield from 3M). Nissan used a strip of that on my old Xterra to keep the windscreen from scratching the roof paint.

 

I put the rack on once so far, and waxed the area before I put it on. After having it on all weekend, I took it off and not so much as a swirl mark. I am going to be adding some 3M protective tape for the rest of winter though...

 

Yes it scratches the paint.. there is a way to prevent it though. When you get the clips that slid into the door jam (the part that damages the car) there is a product called "Plastex" I got it at auto zone. It is used to put rubber handles on tools and things that other wise did not have any grip or was just bare metal. If you dip your clips in this stuff let it dry good, and make sure there is not dirt on the paint where the clip makes contact with the car there will be no damage at all!!

 

I've had some good experience with MontBlanc racks. They are a great product and their aluminum bars look a lot nicer than the Thule and Yakima. Problem is you can't get them in the US .... yet, but I may be opening a store that sells them in the near future.

I contacted them about getting a rack imported for the Evo from sweeden. I am still waiting for reply. I will let you know what they quote for the full set-up.

http://www.montblanc.se

 

So are these racks removable or do you have to drill holes into your roof.

 

I don't have a roof rack on my car yet, but I have to assume that they are removable. You shoiuld NOT have to drill your roof to install a roof rack.