The Bass Mobile

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

So, I'm now sixteen and I'm going to be in the market for a car very soon. The criteria I had to meet in my mind was that it had to fit my bass in it. I take my bass to and from school once or twice a week and with my own car I'll try to play with folks outside of school--more travel for what will become Bass Force One.

My plan was to buy an El Camino--it's a nice car and it's got bass room in the truck-sized bed. I figure I'll put a cap on it and it'll be a perfect fit.

Now, the dilemma here is this: I've also seen some Ford Explorers for sale around my area and my parents (who will be buying the car) have suggested that it would be the better vehicle to use all-around. It's got more seats, it's bigger than an El Camino and parts would be easier to find for it should anything break. Not to mention it's got four-wheel drive, can fit my bass in it and is a more modern car altogether. This also means my mother would like to see me drive it because she thinks it's safer. This is also a touchy spot for her because her brother died in a car crash when he was only a few years older than I am now.

My problem is I'm madly in love with Caminos and it fits the criteria for a vehicle that can carry the bass so well. It's the car I've been wanting to drive ever since I faced the condemning fact that I will need to drive. The first time I saw one I wanted one, and it really is a pretty handsome animal and it's so weird and different--something I prize in everything in life. Not to mention, this may be the only time I get the chance to buy an El Camino and I'm only young once.

So, is safety and practicality worth "cool factor" and love?

I didn't know where to put this thread, exactly--it all boils down to the bass in the end, but the subject isn't only about a bass or basses. I figured many bassists would have had to come to a problem at least somewhat similar to this, so.

[Steve Swan]

Trucks, and I'll include El Caminos in this group, usually ride more stiffly than station wagons or minivans. Your bass is going to be a gigantic jumping bean in the back of a truck. I've been using Camry wagons form the early to mid-1990s for years. I can fit four 7/8 size basses in mine and it rides like a Buick.

[tomshepp]

I have a Toyota truck. Not good for transporting basses. When I have a gig where I use my carved bass, I borrow my wife's mini van. Get the explorer.

[iiipopes]

The Ford Escape is slightly smaller, with front wheel drive standard, fold-down seats, etc., that I have used to haul large instruments with ease for the past ten years. I highly recommend one.

[Eric Hochberg]

And besides, a cap on an El Camino kind of ruins those great lines, don't you think?

[pnut166]

I drive a Ford Focus wagon. They quit making the wagon around 2005. Great gas mileage, cheap insurance, drives / rides good, hauls all my gear no prob.

[fdeck]

A 1970's gas guzzler sounds like an all-round bad idea. If they use road salt in your area, then anything you buy from that era will be a rustbucket.

Thankfully, my kids aren't old enough to drive, but when they are, I'll want them in something with modern design, full seat belts, air bags, a really puny engine, and styling that screams "soccer mom."

In fact, they will probably have to borrow the family minivan if they want to drive anywhere. If they are dreaming of owning a car when they turn 16, well, there's no law against dreaming.

You can get a bass into a relatively small car. I get mine into a Toyota Scion XA.

[eerbrev]

I've never met a hatchback i couldn't get a bass into, with the possible exception of the smart car. I've heard of basses in Mini coopers, though I haven't seen it myself.

I wouldn't even go for the explorer, honestly. Not very good on gas, and at the end of the day, the wallet impact is pretty important. As someone who's a student right now (university, not high school), money's a big deal, and having my little hatchback (pontiac vibe) has been very useful. no worries going on the 6-hour drive home on the highway (though a bit underpowered, I will admit), and for the small amount of road use it gets in town i can use one 40 dollar tank of gas for a month, sometimes more. I will throw in the caveat that I do bus often, but that's only because the pass came included in my tuition, and it's easier to get around town on the bus anyways.

in short: 4 cylinder nice. hatchback nice. 6 cylinder drinks gas. money is often tight as a student. choose your ride wisely.

good luck on the quest.

eerbrev

[forester]

is it a:
69' light metalic blue el camino SS427 4spd factory posi factory a/c #'s match ?
then sell the bass (money sponge) take the funds and have a tonnaue fitted

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

Trucks, and I'll include El Caminos in this group, usually ride more stiffly than station wagons or minivans. Your bass is going to be a gigantic jumping bean in the back of a truck. I've been using Camry wagons form the early to mid-1990s for years. I can fit four 7/8 size basses in mine and it rides like a Buick.

I've put it in a truck without much problem before. Granted, the drive was pretty smooth and there weren't many potholes and didn't have to make any sudden turns or anything.

Are they that bad? I love my bass more than any car--it'd definitely be a deal breaker for me.

Originally Posted by iiipopes

The Ford Escape is slightly smaller, with front wheel drive standard, fold-down seats, etc., that I have used to haul large instruments with ease for the past ten years. I highly recommend one.

My sister drives an Escape. Can't stand the interior of it, but I've had to make use of it to get the bass from A to B when I can't get a ride from my mom or a friend to a school rehearsal.

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

And besides, a cap on an El Camino kind of ruins those great lines, don't you think?

Unless I'm mistaken I don't mean a cap in the conventional sense. I've seen a few around town and my dad's got one on his pickup--they're flat caps that go across the bed so I can haul my bass around in the rain.

Originally Posted by fdeck

A 1970's gas guzzler sounds like an all-round bad idea. If they use road salt in your area, then anything you buy from that era will be a rustbucket.

Thankfully, my kids aren't old enough to drive, but when they are, I'll want them in something with modern design, full seat belts, air bags, a really puny engine, and styling that screams "soccer mom."

In fact, they will probably have to borrow the family minivan if they want to drive anywhere. If they are dreaming of owning a car when they turn 16, well, there's no law against dreaming.

You can get a bass into a relatively small car. I get mine into a Toyota Scion XA.

Didn't think about road salt. We've got tons of it here in winter.

I need the car to drive to work, really. And haul the bass around. If I had my way I'd ride a bike everywhere or ride public transit. We don't have many buses around here, and I don't live in the city so I can't take a subway or trolley or anything and I can't haul a bass in a bike chariot. I'm also tired of relying on other people--nearly late for school because my sister doesn't get up until 10 minutes to go time, can't get a ride home from rehearsals after school and whatnot.

I fit it into a Cavalier once. Folded down the back seat into the trunk, tilted it diagonally and wedged it up near the passenger's ear. I can't remember if we did that or if it just stuck out into the center console.

Originally Posted by forester

is it a:
69' light metalic blue el camino SS427 4spd factory posi factory a/c #'s match ?
then sell the bass (money sponge) take the funds and have a tonnaue fitted

I wish.

[Andrew McGregor]

Your #1 concern should be cheap to run, and #2 should be reliability. No old-school junk.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what fits that bill in the US. Camry? Legacy? Accord? Something like that, one of the larger Japanese wagons.

[DC Bass]

You can usually fit a bass in the front passenger seat of most sedans, provided the seat will recline. Just lay the seat back, and put the bass in like it's a sleeping passenger...you can even use the seat belt to secure it.

I get my bass around in a Toyota Tacoma. I have a nice tonneau cover and have never had any problems.

I completely understand your desire to have a "classic" car...but I gotta tell ya: If you DO go this route, make sure you have AAA or some other kind of road side assistance, and ALWAYS keep your cell phone charged so you can contact them WHEN the need arises...

That, and I hope you dig turning wrenches! I drove all manner of classic cars for many years, and the one thing they all have in common is the need for LOTS OF MAINTENANCE!!! Breaking down during a rain or snow storm is bad enough...you don't want to add your bass to that equation.

My "best advise" would be to wait, and get the El Camino as a second car...

Sorry bud!

Joe

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

Originally Posted by Andrew McGregor

Your #1 concern should be cheap to run, and #2 should be reliability. No old-school junk.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what fits that bill in the US. Camry? Legacy? Accord? Something like that, one of the larger Japanese wagons.

Going to have to add safety to that list.

They'd all be decent cars but around here we get a lot of snow in the winter and it'll stay until near the end of February. My mother's accordingly told me I'm getting something that can drive in the snow. It also makes her feel safer about my safety that I'm driving something higher up the ground that's on the larger side. So an SUV of sorts is what she would like to see me in most.

I can't say I wouldn't like an Explorer. They're great vehicles.

I think I'm leaning towards the Explorer more now anyway. The rust thing really irks me--I don't want to get my nice dream-car and then ruin it in road salt.

[beelzelboss]

Originally Posted by fdeck

A 1970's gas guzzler sounds like an all-round bad idea. If they use road salt in your area, then anything you buy from that era will be a rustbucket.

Thankfully, my kids aren't old enough to drive, but when they are, I'll want them in something with modern design, full seat belts, air bags, a really puny engine, and styling that screams "soccer mom."

In fact, they will probably have to borrow the family minivan if they want to drive anywhere. If they are dreaming of owning a car when they turn 16, well, there's no law against dreaming.

You can get a bass into a relatively small car. I get mine into a Toyota Scion XA.

My dad just about the opposite of you. He put in something with a very large engine and only front airbags.

Go Ford F-350 Dually!

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

Originally Posted by DC Bass

You can usually fit a bass in the front passenger seat of most sedans, provided the seat will recline. Just lay the seat back, and put the bass in like it's a sleeping passenger...you can even use the seat belt to secure it.

I get my bass around in a Toyota Tacoma. I have a nice tonneau cover and have never had any problems.

I completely understand your desire to have a "classic" car...but I gotta tell ya: If you DO go this route, make sure you have AAA or some other kind of road side assistance, and ALWAYS keep your cell phone charged so you can contact them WHEN the need arises...

That, and I hope you dig turning wrenches! I drove all manner of classic cars for many years, and the one thing they all have in common is the need for LOTS OF MAINTENANCE!!! Breaking down during a rain or snow storm is bad enough...you don't want to add your bass to that equation.

My "best advise" would be to wait, and get the El Camino as a second car...

Sorry bud!

Joe

I'll most likely end up following this advice. I've looked around for El Caminos and haven't found any that are worth buying. On top of the rust factor and the fact that it'll most definitely break down sometime in the future, the fact that an Explorer's a safer car and is going to end up costing me less in the end and the addition of being able to fit more than just me and a passenger in the vehicle have sort of swayed my opinion. And I think I'll see about getting a dock for my iPod in it so I can play my music without having to burn it to CDs as well.

[Andrew McGregor]

Originally Posted by ThumpPlunkJunk

Going to have to add safety to that list.

They'd all be decent cars but around here we get a lot of snow in the winter and it'll stay until near the end of February. My mother's accordingly told me I'm getting something that can drive in the snow.

Then you want a 4wd Legacy, NOT an SUV. SUVs are hard to drive safely in slippery conditions, and the size is much more of a liability than a safety feature.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by ThumpPlunkJunk

Going to have to add safety to that list.

They'd all be decent cars but around here we get a lot of snow in the winter and it'll stay until near the end of February. My mother's accordingly told me I'm getting something that can drive in the snow. It also makes her feel safer about my safety that I'm driving something higher up the ground that's on the larger side. So an SUV of sorts is what she would like to see me in most.

I can't say I wouldn't like an Explorer. They're great vehicles.

I think I'm leaning towards the Explorer more now anyway. The rust thing really irks me--I don't want to get my nice dream-car and then ruin it in road salt.

Well, nothing's rust free except plastic, but cars have improved greatly since the 1970's. Back then, the bodies were already rusting before they even got painted. Car companies have improved the metallurgy and the entire coating process.

One word of caution: Four wheel drive doesn't make you invincible. When I lived in Texas, they had occasional ice storms during the winter. The huge Suburbans and 4x4 pickups were always the first to go into the ditch.

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

Originally Posted by Andrew McGregor

Then you want a 4wd Legacy, NOT an SUV. SUVs are hard to drive safely in slippery conditions, and the size is much more of a liability than a safety feature.

Makes sense, but I'd still like the extra space. I'll have to look around for some more 4wD cars though. I don't really like the wagon models, though.

Originally Posted by fdeck

Well, nothing's rust free except plastic, but cars have improved greatly since the 1970's. Back then, the bodies were already rusting before they even got painted. Car companies have improved the metallurgy and the entire coating process.

One word of caution: Four wheel drive doesn't make you invincible. When I lived in Texas, they had occasional ice storms during the winter. The huge Suburbans and 4x4 pickups were always the first to go into the ditch.

I know. I've seen people slide around. People in huge Escalades who think 4wD will save them when they go screaming around a turn at 60 when the roads are iced over and end up sliding into a ditch or into a guard rail.

[eerbrev]

Originally Posted by ThumpPlunkJunk

Going to have to add safety to that list.

They'd all be decent cars but around here we get a lot of snow in the winter and it'll stay until near the end of February. My mother's accordingly told me I'm getting something that can drive in the snow. It also makes her feel safer about my safety that I'm driving something higher up the ground that's on the larger side. So an SUV of sorts is what she would like to see me in most.

I can't say I wouldn't like an Explorer. They're great vehicles.

I think I'm leaning towards the Explorer more now anyway. The rust thing really irks me--I don't want to get my nice dream-car and then ruin it in road salt.

Tell your mom a Canadian told you that anything will drive in the snow if you have snow tires. they're available anywhere, and if you put them on in late fall and take them off early spring they're an investment that will more than pay for themselves.

We have snow here from late november to early april, often, and we don't all drive SUV's. in fact, SUV's can be a bit of a road hazard because the weight is so high off the ground, making them unstable (especially with roof racks).

Also, Re: road salt. We get it here a lot too. there are a lot of available prevention methods around, everything from undercoating to parking in a garage and having a hose to rinse the bottom of your car off. The problem i think the previous poster was referring to was the condition in which you buy it. Nothing worse than finding out that your dream machine's a rust bucket underneath (except perhaps finding your dream bass in pieces from humidity and old, poorly repaired cracks).

good luck,

Eerbrev

[xXxTWO FACExXx]

Wow I might get myself into the same predicament your in cause I alway's wanted a 70's car cause im madly in love with muscle cars also. To be fair though if your car does rust, there are alot of companies that make aftermarket parts especially for el caminos. I myself want to go for like a late 70's Chrysler Cordoba with T-tops +1. Or anything with A/C lol