Small vehicles + DBs

[Lo-E]

So, I've been carless for about 18 years. Now my wife and I are looking into buying a car.

Here in NYC a small car is ideal for maneuvering/parking and I like the idea of fuel economy, so here's the question:

What's the smallest car you've successfully fit a DB, a mid-sized combo amp and a passenger in?

By successfully I mean it worked out okay and nobody had to do any sort of serious contortionism (including the bass!), and no parts were hanging out of the window.

Thanks!

[Pat Harris]

2009 Honda Fit...

Myself, my lady, upright bass, electric bass, amp, two suitcases, and a dog. Totally comfortable.

[davidAaronCarte]

Basses fit really nicely into Volkswagen Golfs

[Lo-E]

"Myself, my lady, upright bass, electric bass, amp, two suitcases, and a dog. Totally comfortable."

In a Honda Fit?!? Wow! How big is that dog???

I'll have to check one out.
I'll check out a Golf, too.

Thanks, guys!

[Ed Fuqua]

Scion xA, xB, Mini Cooper (new ones), Prius, Matrix, Mazda 3 (5 door), Mazda 6, pretty much any Honda hatchback.

It'll fit in a Yaris too, but I haven't actually driven one yet.

[EJ_Dad]

Mazda 3 Hatch, want some fun, get the Mazdaspeed 3

I told my wife I bought a 4 cyl Japanese Hatch that gets around 23 mpg. She didn't need to know 0-60 in <6 sec and it tops out at 155mph.

Its the Ford/Mazda/Volvo C1 platform, same as a Euro Focus and the S40/V50/C30, but built in Japan.

[topper]

Subaru Impreza hatchback. DB, 210 cab, 112 cab, electric bass, head, stands for both basses and a passenger in the front seat.

30mpg and all wheel drive. Can't go wrong with that.

[elliott14]

I've had great luck with a '91 and then '95 Honda Civic hatchbacks. Easily under $2-3K on the used market, reliable, and 35-45mpg. Can't go wrong for the price.

My guitarist and I regularly carpool in it for gigs:
Double bass,
electric bass,
electric guitar,
banjo,
1x15 combo,
1x10 combo,
1x10 ext cab,
effects case,
gig bag & bow,
3 stands,
merch case,
2 determined musicians adept at car-tetris!

[Stumpy]

I know that it won't fit in my slk230, even with the top down.

[JeffKissell]

Originally Posted by davidAaronCarte

Basses fit really nicely into Volkswagen Golfs

+1

[LeslieD]

What's the smallest car that fits two 3/4s double basses w/ soft cases? My car (Subaru Forester) is starting to need more & more TLC and I need to start looking for something else. On occasion I need to haul more than 1 bass at a time (and two fit nicely in the Forester). Any chance two will fit in a Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra Touring, or a Prius? (When I shopped for cars the last time I brought my bass...but I really don't want to bring two basses w/ me).

[Jack Clark]

Originally Posted by LeslieD

What's the smallest car that fits two 3/4s double basses w/ soft cases? My car (Subaru Forester) is starting to need more & more TLC and I need to start looking for something else. On occasion I need to haul more than 1 bass at a time (and two fit nicely in the Forester). Any chance two will fit in a Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra Touring, or a Prius? (When I shopped for cars the last time I brought my bass...but I really don't want to bring two basses w/ me).

Why not get another Subaru? I live in snowy, icy southern California mountains and that make is the number one most popular car up here--and about half are Foresters. We have two. You don't wanna give up all-wheel drive, though, whichever make you choose, right?

[Square Bear]

subaru wagons are great for bass hauling. i had a CRX that got me and my bass (and occasionally another symphony player) around for a while. i've carpooled with cellists plenty of times and once managed to get a contrabassoon in there with my bass too.

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by Jack Clark

Why not get another Subaru? I live in snowy, icy southern California mountains and that make is the number one most popular car up here--and about half are Foresters. We have two. You don't wanna give up all-wheel drive, though, whichever make you choose, right?

I actually don't need AWD for about 98% of the time, and figure I'll just stay home the other 2%. My Forester turned out to be a bit of a lemon, and has transmission issues and other things that left me feeling a little like I want try to something else. Two basses will fit nicely in it though... I was hoping to find something w/ front wheel drive that is just a bit smaller (but still big enough for two basses). Also-it would need to fit a bass and a French horn & two people.

I checked out the Honda fit, but I don't think it will fit two basses.

[hdiddy]

Prolly a VW Passat wagon would work. Any wagon for that matter, methinks. Maybe a Mini Clubman? Honda Element?

[Jefenator]

2 door sedans can work if the passenger's seat goes back. (I took the whole seat out once in an old Volvo 122 sedan and that worked great.)

[Bruce Lindfield]

I use a 5-door Toyota Corolla (liftback) very successfully for DB with amp etc. - I even fit in a pianist with e-piano as well!!

[Will Yager]

My old Volvo V70 could handle about whatever I wanted to put it in it.

[LeslieD]

The Volvo and BMW station wagons are very nice, but pricey. I like the VW Passat, but don't have a good dealership or service location nearby. I'd like to stay under 23k for something that fits two basses. Has anyone had two basses in a Hyundai elantra touring car? Any chance two will fit in a Prius?

[hdiddy]

I know it's a pain but if you're seriously into carrying two basses and you're going to be spending $20K on something, don't you think you owe it to yourself to take two basses with you to the dealership instead of relying on a bunch of 2nd hand guesses?