Bicycle Carrier Frustration

I began researching bicycle carriers before I purchased my LHT, and I was very disappointed with my options.  If I had known that I would be riding again in a few years back when I bought my vehicle, I would have chosen a car model other than a Mazda 3 Hatchback.   That spoiler on the rear of the vehicle causes a lot of problems.

During my bicycle search, I asked about my hauling options at every bike shop I encountered and, as far as rear-end carriers go, one option was suggested almost every time ... the Saris Bike Porter.  I considered other options, like rooftop carriers, but I just couldn't figure out how I could logically and physically manuever a bicycle to the top of my vehicle by myself.  I'm just not tall enough to handle that task.  And when I mentioned hitch mount options, I was warned about the low clearance issues caused by a hitch frame on my kind of car.

The price was right, for sure, so I went with the Saris bike rack.  From the moment I first set eyes on the rack, I was disappointed.  That one arm at the top of the rack had me concerned right from the start.  As the bike shop clerk showed me how to install the carrier, he assured me that single arm at the top was no worry, that it was a sound design.  And, although the spoiler appeared to be in the way of the top straps, I was told the the design was intended to keep too much pressure off of it.

I've had the carrier since December and my review is not a good one.  The straps loosen themselves with the normal vibrations caused by the movement of the car.  Once a bike is mounted, it is next to impossible to get to those straps on the bottom to tighten them up.  And since my carrier has attachments for three bicycles, one would assume that it could handle two bicycles.  Well, it does, but it is scary watching the sway of the bicycles in the rearview mirror, listening to the creaking caused by the weight on the spoiler and the rattle of the two bicycles clanging together.  And it is frustrating to pull over to try to tighten those straps every twenty miles or so.  I keep thinking that there has to be a better option for me besides purchasing a new car just to accommodate my bicycle.

I did a search this morning and saw a new contraption from Saris - the Gran Fondo.  Could this be a good solution to my hauling problems?  It looks like a sound design, although that rear spoiler on my vehicle is still in the way, I bet.

I'm going to keep my eye on the internet to keep up-to-date on reviews of this carrier model.  I hope I hear wonderful things about this hauling model because I am running out of patience for a solution to pop up.

Saris Gran Fondo Bicycle Rack