Starting car for a 17 year old bassist, help!

WillBurch90 · #1 12-05-2007, 10:34 AM

I play double bass in my borough’s music trust symphony and chamber orchestra, so my poor parents have to cart me and it about twice a week! I’m going to begin learning to drive soon, but that means starting to think of a car, and unfortunately money is a factor as I have to pay for everything myself (car, insurance, driving lessons etc.).

From your own experience, or if you just have the knowledge, could anyone recommend any good starting cars with a 1L to 1.3L engine (insurance costs for a 17 year old skyrocket after this point), which is under £1000 (about $500) to buy, and of course is big enough to fit a ¾ size double bass in!

I know it seems like an impossible task, but then again my section partner has a 1.3L Toyota Corolla Crescendo and manages to fit his bass with a soft case in with the back seats down, and stick the bass neck between the two front seats, so a front passenger can be driven about too, genius!
Thanks for your help, good to see a big bassist’s forum lying about on the internet!

MingusAmongUs · #2 12-05-2007, 10:47 AM

You can really get a bass into just about any car. Really. The question is, do you then need to worry about getting other stuff in there too, like passengers, amps, etc?

There are already a few threads on the subject, though you will probably find that the vast majority of cars mentioned are available in the US and not necessarily in the UK (I'm assuming that's where you are, since you are talking about pounds sterling).

Here's the most recent thread:
cars for double bass?

BigLoopDuke · #3 12-05-2007, 10:47 AM

I'm not exactly sure what your selection would be like across the pond, but I've got a '97 Subaru Legacy wagon, which works wonders for everything I need. I've noticed a lot of other older Subarus running, which have about the same space as mine. I couldn't imagine that something like that would cost much more than your budget, but you'd have to check around. My Subaru has been nothing but utterly reliable.

However, it's not flashy. A lot of my non-bass friends (including our lead vocalist) have flashier rides. I however, have flashier bass gear...and that is the world's difference.

MingusAmongUs · #4 12-05-2007, 10:50 AM

@BigLoopDuke: we're talking double bass here, right? Not that I see any reason why you couldn't get one into a Sube wagon. I've seen em squeezed into Porsches, Minis, Ford Festivas, etc.

BigLoopDuke · #5 12-05-2007, 10:51 AM

Oh yeah. At this point, I'm looking to get a DB to use with my Eden rig and I'm pretty sure I'll be fine with everything fitting...and maybe a passenger or a dog.

WillBurch90 · #6 12-05-2007, 11:04 AM

MingusAmongus - Into Minis? That's crazy! I'll have to check that out!

Preferably I'd be looking to manipulate the bass somehow to have it so I don't have to put down the front passenger seat, so probably sticking the bass neck through the front two seats, but I only play classical music so I don't need to lug amps about.
Also, thanks for sending me the thread link, I'd dearly love to have one of the cars listed there to drive but their engines are all at least 1.8L, and for my age that results in an insurance cost of several thousand pounds, way too expensive!

But if what you say is true, maybe cars are bigger on the inside than what they look!

MingusAmongUs · #7 12-05-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillBurch90

MingusAmongus - Into Minis? That's crazy! I'll have to check that out!

Preferably I'd be looking to manipulate the bass somehow to have it so I don't have to put down the front passenger seat, so probably sticking the bass neck through the front two seats, but I only play classical music so I don't need to lug amps about.
Also, thanks for sending me the thread link, I'd dearly love to have one of the cars listed there to drive but their engines are all at least 1.8L, and for my age that results in an insurance cost of several thousand pounds, way too expensive!

But if what you say is true, maybe cars are bigger on the inside than what they look!

they are. But you will have to look hard because in most cases it does mean reclining the front passenger seat and setting the bass across the 2 seats front to back. To avoid this you'd be looking at an auto transmission, with the shifter somewhere other than the center console... and auto tranny usually means more $ (and less fun).

MingusAmongUs · #8 12-05-2007, 11:17 AM

Where there's a will, there's a way.
When living in NYC, I usually went to great lengths to get to gigs without having to take a subway or a cab, but this wasn't always possible. Many times I took a cab, regular 4-door sedan type, with the bass across my lap, and the scroll sticking out the side window. Not recommended (NYC cabs are not known for their careful driving) , but it works in a pickle.

Silversorcerer · #9 12-05-2007, 11:23 AM

The last thing I drove with an engine under 1.3 L. was a lawn mower.

Tough one there. Our gas is still comparatively cheap here, but with the way it's going, I was tempted the other day when I saw a guy with a motorcycle and a side-car. He had a dog in the side-car!

I was thinking for those gigs without an amp, that would be the ticket. I mean putting the DB in the side-car;- leaving the pooch at home. I have no idea what the insurance would be, but it probably just looked like a cool solution and might not really be.

Silversorcerer · #10 12-05-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

they are. But you will have to look hard because in most cases it does mean reclining the front passenger seat and setting the bass across the 2 seats front to back. To avoid this you'd be looking at an auto transmission, with the shifter somewhere other than the center console... and auto tranny usually means more $ (and less fun).

Not necessarily the case on the stick shift. I have the DB neck pushed up between the seats all the way to the heel and my 5-speed stick on the Volvo 850 wagon (rare in America) is very easy to access. It's the hand brake that gets covered up.

NUTT · #11 12-05-2007, 12:45 PM

VW Golf all the way. My brother has had a couple of them & we are looking at an '07 Rabbit (they changed the name of the Golf in the US this year) tonight.

The 4 door will eat up a ton of stuff with ease.

Caoimhín · #12 12-06-2007, 03:10 AM

Will, I wouldn't worry too much about getting a really big car - or god forbid an SUV

- for your bass. I've a 1.3 Toyota Corolla and I can get my bass and amp in with my mountain bike and still have room for a passenger and all the other crap that ends up in my car. Also they're really easy on petrol which when you're funding this yourself is another cost.

My teacher has an even smaller car than me - a Mazda 323F - and has no problems either. So I wouldn't worry about keeping it small. It'll work out better for the environment and much cheaper (especially here with petrol prices rising steeply and the government just after releasing the latest Budget with motor tax rocketing for cars with larger engines).

NUTT · #13 12-06-2007, 02:05 PM

VW Polo, GTI, Golf all the way.

My brother bought that 2007 VW Rabbit (Golf) last night. Cool car, his 3rd Golf/Rabbit.

anahata · #14 12-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Here in the states bassists tend to like wagons or hatch backs. A sedan has to have very flexible trunk design to allow the ease of rear loading. I don't know what is all available over there. Over here anything with a 4 cylinder engine & manual shift is most economical. You also will come to appreciate a car that can squeeze into that last small parking near the gig! You have access to some great diesels we cannot get in the US. These generally perform well, are more economical, and are very durable. Over there you have the Polo or Golf and that general body style, regardless of brand, is the best for total efficient bass transport. Just make sure it is reliable or fun, or both. The picture becomes more complex if others are going to use the car for other purposes, but even then the 4 cylinder hatchback is a very versatile design, maximizing internal space, access (especially with 4 doors), and overall economy!

Jake deVilliers · #15 12-12-2007, 12:58 PM

VW Golf

Marcus Johnson · #16 12-12-2007, 02:00 PM

My all time greatest car for bass was a VW Rabbit (which later became the "Golf"), in glorious Krylon flat black. Gigantic fun to drive. I drove it for three years when I first got here. I bought it for fifty bucks from a guy who was leaving Maui, looking at his watch to see if he was going to make his flight. I didn't ask any questions. That car never gave me even one little problem. Sold it for $200.

joninjapan · #17 12-12-2007, 04:30 PM

get an older Honda Accord Wagon.

boombloom · #18 12-12-2007, 05:34 PM

[quote=BigLoopDuke;4990429]I'm not exactly sure what your selection would be like across the pond, but I've got a '97 Subaru Legacy wagon, which works wonders for everything I need. I've noticed a lot of other older Subarus running, which have about the same space as mine. I couldn't imagine that something like that would cost much more than your budget, but you'd have to check around. My Subaru has been nothing but utterly reliable.

I had an '86 Saab 900 when I started playing the upright. Lucky for me the bass fit in great. I could split the back seat and get 2 passengers in along with the bass. When that car had enough miles on it I got my '97 Subaru Brighton Legacy wagon. I brought my bass to the dealership and told them that before they told me how great the car was, before they told me about all wheel drive, before they told me about the great deal they'd make me, they had to show me how the bass fit in the car. Let me tell you--the bass fit just great.

bassman275 · #19 12-12-2007, 05:37 PM

Used VOLVO Station wagon!Not to pricey,safe,reliable.