IN NEED OF MY NEXT BASS WORTHY CAR

rdwhit · #1 09-10-2006, 04:26 PM

We all have a challenge when shopping for a decent double bass car. My 1993 mazda 323 hatchback which I bought new has been great. It got above average marks in consumer reports, all of which have been true. It was about 5k cheaper than honda or toyota. The only recent model hatchback I've seen thats in my 10k budget is the ford focus, no older than 2002. Consumer reports gives them only an average rating, but ok within its class. Kia is cheap too,as are several others, but the focus is rated higher than most of these. I can't afford much more. Anybody have a Focus? What do you think of them? Any other ideas on cars I might have missed? Thanks.

Tbeers · #2 09-10-2006, 04:47 PM

I'd say buy a Toyota Prius hybrid and let it pay for itself in gas savings!

(It really does carry a bass rather well.)

hdiddy · #3 09-10-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbeers

I'd say buy a Toyota Prius hybrid and let it pay for itself in gas savings!

(It really does carry a bass rather well.)

Til the car's big battery has to be replaced.

What is it? $3K for a new prius battery!??!

Tbeers · #4 09-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Who knows, though. It looks like he kept his last car for 13 years. I don't think any of us could predict what gas prices will look like in the year 2019 or 2020.

rdwhit · #5 09-10-2006, 08:29 PM

Good points on both counts guys. I don't take many long trips, I drive about 12k miles/year, so I may not realize the savings in gas over time enough to make the Toyota more cost effective. I havn't done the math yet,and future gas prices could go through the roof too. Lots to think about.

toman · #6 09-13-2006, 05:02 PM

In my work, I have driven many Focuses. (focii?) I strongly suggest that nobody buy one; it is probably the worst handling and driving car on the market; in my opinion, when you put drivers of average ability behind the wheel of these cars, the end result is downright dangerous. The car suffers from tremendous understeer, bad tires that offer zero traction, and torque steer that boggles the mind. Add to that a poor seating position, incredibly cheap interior materials and disgustingly bad paint, and you have literally a rolling piece of garbage. A rather expensive one, at that. I don't know how the engineers at Ford manage to design such a horrible car in this day and age, but along with Volkswagen they are delivering a deadly product to the American people, IMO.

Bruce Lindfield · #7 09-14-2006, 02:39 AM

Toyota hatchbackl!!

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #8 09-14-2006, 05:56 AM

Rob - check out those funny looking Scion hatch models. I know a couple of people who have 'em and love 'em, and the build quality is first rate...I'm pretty sure CS likes 'em, too.

<---(Click)

**Damon Rondeau** · #9 09-14-2006, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbeers

Who knows, though. It looks like he kept his last car for 13 years. I don't think any of us could predict what gas prices will look like in the year 2019 or 2020.

Actually, I'm a professional forecaster. Here's my forecast for gas prices 10 or 15 years from now: they will be higher.

Paul Warburton · #10 09-14-2006, 06:37 AM

I bought, in 2001, a new Hyundai 4 door hatch-back Elantra w/ leather, sun-roof, five on the floor and all the goodies for lees than $15K. This car, as advertised, has the best Warranty out there and is, by far the BEST bass car out there IMHO. Of course a big gas guzzeling van is better in terms of loading room...but, for a small car with about 28MPG, this car is amazing. After putting the back seats down, I can put my 7/8 bass, my 12" Polytone amp, amp stand and my un-collapsible office stool..plus one passenger in the passenger seat. If you load just right, you can leave the 1/3 split back seat up and make it two passengers!
After I load up, I can step back 10' or so and you can't even tell there's anything in there because the load ride is so low.

christ andronis · #11 09-14-2006, 07:24 AM

I bought a Kia Rio5 SX and, beside the 27mpg i get in the city (that's rush hour driving too) it's a great riding car AND pretty cheap right now. I know most people are suspect of Kia's but I might point out that Hyundai bought a majority stake in them several years ago and has revamped their entire line. They're worth looking into. Like Paul said, the warranty is terrific. My upright, an amp, chord bag, stool and two wheeler all fit nicely in the split rear seats.

arnoldschnitzer · #12 09-14-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toman

In my work, I have driven many Focuses. (focii?) I strongly suggest that nobody buy one; it is probably the worst handling and driving car on the market; in my opinion, when you put drivers of average ability behind the wheel of these cars, the end result is downright dangerous. The car suffers from tremendous understeer, bad tires that offer zero traction, and torque steer that boggles the mind. Add to that a poor seating position, incredibly cheap interior materials and disgustingly bad paint, and you have literally a rolling piece of garbage. A rather expensive one, at that. I don't know how the engineers at Ford manage to design such a horrible car in this day and age, but along with Volkswagen they are delivering a deadly product to the American people, IMO.

I had a 2000 Focus hatchback for 5 years. It handled great, was reliable, peppy, and got good gas mileage. It was the car's first year in the USA and we suffered through several recalls. Also, the seats were lousy. But the driving experience was excellent (I had the 5-speed manual).

toman · #13 09-14-2006, 05:23 PM

Everyone has their idea of what's good, I suppose. My problem is probably that I'm a car snob and have been spoiled by the various cars I've owned. The only cars I voluntarily drive anymore are Volvo, Volkswagen buses and Porsche.

fdeck · #14 09-14-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Rob - check out those funny looking Scion hatch models. I know a couple of people who have 'em and love 'em, and the build quality is first rate...I'm pretty sure CS likes 'em, too.

<---(Click)

I have the Toyota Scion Xa hatchback, and am very happy with it. It can carry my upright bass and amp without having to remove the kiddie seat that is in the rear driver's side passenger seat.

It is fun to drive, and handles surprisingly well on the highway. My measured mileage in the city is 32 mpg. Also, I can grab parking spaces in the middle of town, that the SUV's have to pass up.

fish slapper · #15 09-14-2006, 11:10 PM

Sick amount of room and I get 30 mpg consistantly.

Charles_A · #16 09-15-2006, 02:19 PM

This is something I have been wondering about since I am in the market for my first double bass, and I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Okay, that's a big car, but I have a six-month-old who sits in the center of the rear seat in a rear facing car seat. Is he going to be able to stay there and I still have room for a DB? The rear seat behind the passenger seat does fold down on its own...I realize I could get a measuring tape and figure this out myself, but that would involve bending, turning, and just generally getting out of my seat.

fdeck · #17 09-15-2006, 06:13 PM

I do it that way in my Scion. It is a split rear seat, and I fold down part of it. The bass goes in fine. I don't take my kid along, but it's just a pain in the arse to keep putting the seat in and out. So it's easier if I can leave it in.

Chances are, if I can fit it in my Scion, it can work with your Cherokee. My only concern is if something happens and the bass goes flying inside the car while your kid is back there. Perhaps the bass needs to be securely strapped down.

DirtDog · #18 09-15-2006, 06:26 PM

Get a used A4 VW Golf (2000 to 2005). Solid as a rock. I've still got my 2000 and it's running like a dream. You could pick a nice one up for under $10K easily.

I still a bit hesitant to recommend the "New Rabbit". Why'd they do that anyways???

DD

thebassplaya38 · #19 09-20-2006, 09:49 PM

I drive a 1995 Caprice wagon that I can't say enough good things about. My 3/4 size sits UPRIGHT in the back seat and I can still carry two more people and luggage! Typically I travel with the bass in the backseat and my 2x10 Nemisis and 4x10 Harke Transpoter cabinet with my bass guitar laying flat in its case behind.
Try that in a small car.
EDIT: Oh, and with a 260hp V8, it still averages 20+ mpg! WOOOOOOOOT!

Jason Hollar · #20 09-21-2006, 07:01 AM

I have a 95 Legacy wagon.

When that bites the dust, I'll step up to an Outback.

In the newer models, the seats fold down flat and you can basically get a 4x8 sheet of plywood in there...so there's plenty of room for your DB, amp, gizmo bag, etc.

Plus -- the AWD is a life saver in the winter months. I lived in Colorado for ten years and always wizzed by people in their fancy SUVs sliding up & down the icy mountain roads.

Check Consumer Reports and you'll find Subarus at the top of the list in reliability and safety features. I think I'm averaging about 20 MPG.

Just my $.02 !