[hinkster22]

With the price of gas reaching excess of $3.00 per gallon, my wife and I are about to purchase a 2008 Toyota Matrix "XR". For 2008, Toyota has dropped the AWD option as well as the roof rack. Our options are basically Package #1, which does NOT include the side curtin airbags or the moon roof.

I'm looking for a roof rack that will permanently install two cross bars (front and rear) on the roof of the car. This will involve upright or tower sections that are of different heights because the front of the Matrix is higher than the rear. I am not opposed to removing the headliner and mounting plates to the inside of the roof area. The roof rack should be strong enough to carry a 28ft extention ladder (two 14ft
sections) for a distance of up to 50 miles each way at turnpike speeds.

I will consider either the Yakima or Thule models, but would prefer a less expensive brand name. Any help on this would be great!