Good small vehicle for lugging gear?

**crustychef** · #1 08-24-2010, 10:11 PM

So my wife and I finally going to break down and buy a second car. With my playing out more and her work schedule getting busier it has become a necessity. I'm looking for something that can hold a good amount gear and not be a huge gas guzzler. I live in the city so a big vehicle is just a nightmare for parking. Preferably something with a lower load in point. Right now I can load all my gear into my '02 Jetta and still seat 3 people. It has to be able to fit a double gig bag, double rack with my head, Boss GT10B, TC Electronic RS210 & RS212. Shouldn't be to hard but I don't know crap about cars so I figured I'd ask around. Thanks in advance.

guroove · #2 08-24-2010, 10:17 PM

I love my Subaru Forester. It has the footprint of a Honda Civic, but can haul around almost as much as a SUV. It can get a little thirsty at the fuel pump because of the AWD, but it's one of the safest vehicles around.

MadMan118 · #3 08-24-2010, 10:22 PM

Honda hatchback, unless your hauling a 8x10.

DUC1098 · #4 08-24-2010, 10:37 PM

Chrysler PT Cruisers have an amazing amount of carrying capacity for their size. Not completely sure they still make them though. That and Chrysler's continued existence is questionable.

MakiSupaStar · #5 08-24-2010, 11:05 PM

I'm a big fan of Jetta wagons. I've had six of them of various options and engine configs. I like them all.

zachoff · #6 08-24-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

I love my Subaru Forester. It has the footprint of a Honda Civic, but can haul around almost as much as a SUV. It can get a little thirsty at the fuel pump because of the AWD, but it's one of the safest vehicles around.

Or an Impreza hatch. I can fit an 810, SVT, and two basses in there with a backpack on top for good measure.

Nedmundo · #7 08-24-2010, 11:57 PM

The Mazda 5 mini-minivan simply rules for this. We live in downtown Philly, and it's great in the city -- very easy to park, maneuverable, sliding side doors, etc. And it holds LOADS of gear. It's been the most reliable vehicle I've owned during the past 20 years. The darned thing actually drives really well too, and that's coming from a total car freak.

bwv1013 · #8 08-25-2010, 12:12 AM

i've been driving a chevy hhr for a couple years now and it does the job nicely. i can fit my huge 410 (ampeg hlf) and head in the back without folding any seats down.

**crustychef** · #9 08-25-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

The Mazda 5 mini-minivan simply rules for this. We live in downtown Philly, and it's great in the city -- very easy to park, maneuverable, sliding side doors, etc. And it holds LOADS of gear. It's been the most reliable vehicle I've owned during the past 20 years. The darned thing actually drives really well too, and that's coming from a total car freak.

funny, my wife actually mentioned one of those. She swore she'd never drive mini van too.

Nedmundo · #10 08-25-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crustychef

funny, my wife actually mentioned one of those. She swore she'd never drive mini van too.

Maybe she'll need the vanity plate I saw on a huge Chrysler minivan in Delaware: "I CAVED."

mid_life_crisis · #11 08-25-2010, 06:39 AM

I drive a Mazdaspeed3 (think Mazda3 5 door hatch on steroids) and am astonished by how much stuff it holds. Plus it's a flat out blast to drive when you get the chance to step on it a little. I don't know what all that gear is so I can't say if it'll all fit or not, but you might look at those too, or the regular Mazda3, which isn't bad either.

sarcastro83 · #12 08-25-2010, 08:34 AM

Toyota Matrix holds a good amount of stuff... I'd opt for a 2005-2008 model, before they changed the body style and compromised a good amount of rear cargo space.

Chebass88 · #13 08-25-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

Toyota Matrix holds a good amount of stuff... I'd opt for a 2005-2008 model, before they changed the body style and compromised a good amount of rear cargo space.

+1. My 2007 can haul some gear. Good on gas (average mileage per tank ~30-34), though not much power (~127 hp). Plus, they are cheap too.

Of course, if you want to buy American, the Pontiac Vibe is the identical car, co-developed with Toyota.

I'd also recommend a Volvo 240 wagon, which is what I had before trading it in like an idiot for the Toyota Matrix.

sloasdaylight · #14 08-25-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

Toyota Matrix holds a good amount of stuff... I'd opt for a 2005-2008 model, before they changed the body style and compromised a good amount of rear cargo space.

+1 I was coming to say just this.

iamlowsound · #15 08-25-2010, 10:03 AM

VW golf. My old one could haul a massive amount of gear.

lowsound

blendermassacre · #16 08-25-2010, 10:08 AM

I can put an 8x10 or an upright bass in my prius. It's pretty epic when it comes to hauling gear for the size / fuel economy.

Jared Lash · #17 08-25-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

The Mazda 5 mini-minivan simply rules for this. We live in downtown Philly, and it's great in the city -- very easy to park, maneuverable, sliding side doors, etc. And it holds LOADS of gear. It's been the most reliable vehicle I've owned during the past 20 years. The darned thing actually drives really well too, and that's coming from a total car freak.

+1

We've got one. Tons of space, easy sliding doors, back seats that fold quickly, reliable and actually fun to drive. Built on the same frame as my Mazda 3 so it fits in tight spots and has a good turning radius and more than decent gas mileage. We got ours used from Car Max and I'm completely happy with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crustychef

funny, my wife actually mentioned one of those. She swore she'd never drive mini van too.

So did mine. Now she loves the thing. Referred to at our house as the "Honey I shrunk the minivan".

Quote:

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

I drive a Mazdaspeed3 (think Mazda3 5 door hatch on steroids) and am astonished by how much stuff it holds. Plus it's a flat out blast to drive when you get the chance to step on it a little. I don't know what all that gear is so I can't say if it'll all fit or not, but you might look at those too, or the regular Mazda3, which isn't bad either.

I nearly bought the hatchback version of the Mazda 3 before buying the normal four door. It's a tighter fit to get things in the back than the Mazda 5 but if you don't need the extra seats of the 5, it's a good option too. From my research and test drive I was sure it could haul all my gear to gigs.

blendermassacre · #18 08-25-2010, 10:15 AM

I also will +1 mazdas as good cars. A friend of mine has a mazda 6 that is just a really nice, peppy, fun to drive car. I really want a 6 wagon (I'm a wagon / hatch back freak) when (read If) I get rid of my 91' Subaru Legacy wagon.

Hoover · #19 08-25-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan118

Honda hatchback, unless your hauling a 8x10.

+1

I used to have a 1991 Honda Civic hatchback, and the amount of band gack you could cram in there was astounding. I once did a 6-city tour with a 5-piece jazz band where the drum kit, the bass amp, and 2 guys went in one car and everything else -- my 2 basses, a total of 7 horns, a guitar, guitar amp, several suitcases full of gear and/or clothing, and the 3 remaining band members -- all fit comfortably in my Civic.

I've since moved up [sic] to a 1998 Civic hatchback, which unfortunately is not nearly a s spacious as the '91 in terms of gear hauling. But it's still pretty roomy for a car that you can parallel park in less than 14' or curb.

MatticusMania · #20 08-25-2010, 10:34 AM

My little Saturn Ion fits all my gear, plus my fiancee, and one other if need be.

I'd also recommend a small Mazda, like the Mazda 3.