car roof rack installations anyone?

[spanky]

i'm thinking about getting a roof rack installed on my car (scion xb). the dealer wants $260 labor plus parts, which would bring the cost to just under $600 after tax.

i see that i can buy a complete thule roof rack system on the web (which appears to include everything i need) for like $360 shipped. according to the pdf install guide, it does not mention any need for drilling. has anyone had experience installing a roof rack on their car? what was involved (drilling/no drilling)? was it pretty easy, or a totaly pain in the bum?

 

[notfred]

All the snowboard/surfboard racks I've ever used basically clip on in like 10 minutes with no more tools than a simple screwdriver.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: notfred
All the snowboard/surfboard racks I've ever used basically clip on in like 10 minutes with no more tools than a simple screwdriver.

cool, i think thats sort of what i am looking at. so do you keep the rack on all the time, or do you take it off when not using it? also, do you notice excessive wind noise due to the roof rack? the website i was looking at had these things called "fairings" that is supposed to help alleviate wind noise. it's like $60 extra... is it worth it?

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: notfred
All the snowboard/surfboard racks I've ever used basically clip on in like 10 minutes with no more tools than a simple screwdriver.

by the way, just out of curiousity... what brand roof rack do you have?

 

[thehstrybean]

My Yakima was a clip. Just snapped right on, 5 minute job.

 

[DrPizza]

$260 labor is ridiculous for the job.
See notfred's post, although I'd say it could take up to an hour or so (depending on the complexity of your rack)

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
$260 labor is ridiculous for the job.
See notfred's post, although I'd say it could take up to an hour or so (depending on the complexity of your rack)

the one i am looking at seems fairly simple... though i've never done it before and could be vastly underestimating the job.

this is the rack i'm checking out

damn... that last sentence really sounded perverted.