Small cars that will carry an upright

[fdeck]

Bad day. The Saturn station wagon has a blown engine. The car is worth less than a new engine. So I need a new car. My requirements are:

Small
Cheap

Toyota if remotely possible.

Suggestions?

[bassdude93003]

I've got a Toyota Matrix that works just fine. They've only been out a few years, though. I'm not sure what you mean by cheap.

[Freddels]

I was in your shoes not long ago. Our Saturn's engine is blown. HINT: Don't buy a Saturn.

Anyways, we ended up getting a Toyota Corolla (for my wife) and the bass will fit in the passenger seat but don't plan on seeing anything on that side of the car though. There were no Matrix's to be had at the dealers.

The Hyundai elantra hatchback is a low cost car that will easily accomodate a bass. Check Edmunds.com for prices and rebates. We almost boght one of those but my wife preferred the corolla. Since I still have the minivan for transporting my bass it didn't matter much to me.

[Charles Shores]

My 7/8ths Shen fits in a Camry.

Chad

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Charles Shores

My 7/8ths Shen fits in a Camry.

Chad

Where? In the trunk with the seats down or in the front seat reclined?

[christ andronis]

In about a month, Toyota is coming out with the Yaris which is basically an Echo hatchback. Cheap, great mileage and able to fit your equipment. Check their website.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Freddels

Where? In the trunk with the seats down or in the front seat reclined?

If it's like my old Mazda 626 sedan, it goes in on its back in the front passenger seat with the scroll forward. As in the picture in the old Evolving Bassist of Rufus Reid putting his bass into an airplane seat.

As to what I mean by cheap, the answer is that I am a musician

I have my eye on the Scion Xa. But I will look at that Toyota Website... the only misgiving is that I kinda need a car right now.

[Freddels]

I looked at the Scion Xa and I liked it but I didn't drive it. The boxey Xb has more room though. The sporty one could easily fit a bass. It's a hatchback, the back seats go down and the front seat reclines all the way back. You could camp out in it. But the mpg wasn't so great and it's not the least expensive. The Ford Focus has also received some good reviews. This is the weekend to buy!

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by christ andronis

In about a month, Toyota is coming out with the Yaris which is basically an Echo hatchback. Cheap, great mileage and able to fit your equipment. Check their website.

I would love to fit my bass into that little Yaris, especially since it would give me more space in my garage. I will call the dealer tomorrow and ask when the product is going to be available. Maybe I can get around on my bike until then. It would be good for me.

[Aaron Saunders]

I do the same thing as fdeck, only with a 94 Honda Civic. Works fine. I've still got room for my amp, backpack, two slabs, the driver (me,) and a passenger in the back.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

I do the same thing as fdeck, only with a 94 Honda Civic. Works fine. I've still got room for my amp, backpack, two slabs, the driver (me,) and a passenger in the back.

The only addition I can make is that I have only tried this trick with a four-door. You go in through the drivers side passenger door. And then the amp goes into the rear passenger seat or even the trunk.

[Aaron Saunders]

Really? I put mine in through the front passenger door. It goes in endpin first, then I swing it around so that the endpin is pointing to the rear, and the scroll is resting on the floormat of the front passenger seat, with the seat reclined. This requires the driver seat to be reclined for putting the bass in and taking it out, though.

[Wil Davis]

Originally Posted by Freddels

snip…
Anyways, we ended up getting a Toyota Corolla (for my wife) and the bass will fit in the passenger seat but don't plan on seeing anything on that side of the car though.
…snip

Here are some pictures of my Toyota Corolla:

No Bass On Board



Bass On Board





- Wil

[Chris Fitzgerald]

'97 Honda Civic hatchback. In a pinch, it'll even fit two basses (I did this once on a Lluthier trip to Cincy)! I don't think the new ones are as big as the '97, though.

[christ andronis]

Originally Posted by fdeck

The only addition I can make is that I have only tried this trick with a four-door. You go in through the drivers side passenger door. And then the amp goes into the rear passenger seat or even the trunk.

That's exactly how I do it now with my Echo sedan......

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

'97 Honda Civic hatchback. In a pinch, it'll even fit two basses (I did this once on a Lluthier trip to Cincy)! I don't think the new ones are as big as the '97, though.

My wife had a '95, what a great car that was! Loads of fun to drive, nice, tight feel on the road. The one feature that drove me a bit crazy was the "clamshell" rear door, since it was quite a reach to load anything over the lower section of the open rear hatch.

[mcnaire2004]

I drive a 93 Ford escort LX. It is a station wagon and has plenty of room. You should look into getting one of those.

[GirlBass]

avoid VW golfs like the plague- they're affordable and can fit an amazing amount of stuff- two basses, two stools, two people, but they're not made well and things will fall off/fall apart. The hatchback design is perfect for us bass players however- having to put your passenger seat down and going that route just sounds like a pain in the ass. With the hatchback you can just toss your stuff in the back with the neck poking through the front a little bit.
The civic hatchback would be an affordable choice, or possibly the toyota matrix? keep us posted because I'm sure many of us are or will be in your same situation soon!

[enyapj18]

I have a 95 Ford Probe, and it has plenty of room for my bass. its kind of a hassle getting it in and out b/c of the 12 inch (30cm) lip in the back.
John

[Charles Shores]

Originally Posted by Freddels

Where? In the trunk with the seats down or in the front seat reclined?

Front w seat reclined.

Chad