The perfect vehicle for a bassist

LowEndDrew · #1 07-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Yeah I drive a 99 accord coupe.... so yeah, playing bass can be difficult (flame-on anti-rice people). What does the rest of TB use to haul your goodies? Bonus points for photos with your stuff crammed in there

....and on a related note... How can this Escape be at this price? Am i missing something?:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=53361335&ct=u

capnsandwich · #2 07-20-2009, 02:39 PM

I've got a 2002 Honda Accord 4 door and the back seat takes quite a beating when I haul 2 cabs, a rack unit, and 2 basses everywhere. I usually just have either the drummer or the keyboard player haul my stuff for me since they both have good size trucks.

KJung · #3 07-20-2009, 02:40 PM

I have had VERY good luck with my previous owned RAV-4, and my current 2007 Honda CR-V.

Both of these small SUV's get great gas mileage (depending on weather and speed, I get between 27 and 30 MPG on the highway), the all wheel drive gets you to the gig in ANY weather (I live up North), and the reliability is amazing. Not very expensive either.

What makes both these cars (especially the CR-V) so gig-worthy is the very large and VERY low to the ground rear storage area. I can easily fit a large 410, luggage, bass, head, stand, etc. in the back without even moving the rear seats forward (much less tilting them up, which would allow dual 410's easily).

Finally, since I play on the road a bit and park overnight at hotels on occasion, the black-out windows in the back of the car result in your cab, etc. being very hard to see, which reduces the probability of theft.

IMO and IME... inexpensive, reliable, good mileage, great stereo, LOT's of room!

vbasscustom · #4 07-20-2009, 03:34 PM

Hummer H2. i mean, its big, loud, and im sure the engine produces some pretty low sounds.

Gard · #5 07-20-2009, 03:37 PM

There is a clear winner: Honda Element

This critter will pretty much swallow your whole band.

Gets great gas mileage, rides nicely (not a luxury ride though), and a bonus if you're a taller dude (I'm 6'2"), it has the most headroom you will ever experience outside of a bus.

bassist 4 life · #6 07-20-2009, 03:40 PM

Failtruck!!

Steveaux · #7 07-20-2009, 03:43 PM

High mileage and a manual transmission = low resale value.

membranophone · #8 07-20-2009, 03:54 PM

My 2005 Subaru WRX Wagon. Fast, fun to drive, great in winter, and hauls ridiculous amounts of gear.

Lady Kayri · #9 07-20-2009, 03:56 PM

KIA Sedona minivan...room for all my stuff, and probably some of the other band member's rigs too...

hover · #10 07-20-2009, 04:02 PM

I have a subaru impreza that I get my rig into, but I was thinking Honda Element, Scion xB, etc....small-ish, economical, reliable, gas sippers. Lotsa room.

Gard · #11 07-20-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Honda Element, Scion xB, etc....small-ish, economical, reliable, gas sippers. Lotsa room.

I'd spend time in each before deciding, the Element is a considerably larger vehicle (it is also more expensive, and probably doesn't get quite the same gas mileage). I like to joke that you could put the Scion x(Element-wanna)B inside an Element (that isn't far from accurate actually!

).

hover · #12 07-20-2009, 04:20 PM

Oh Gard, I'm plenty in agreement. I've lugged my rig in both incarnations of the xB. the xB was tight but plenty doable with a 610, 2 basses and an SVT. And the load-in height is plenty nice. The newer is a bit larger, a tad higher bumper-wise, and more comfy.

tplyons · #13 07-20-2009, 04:27 PM

2007 Chevy HHR. Have no gear to stuff in it though since I had to sell it all to buy the car.

El Beardo · #14 07-20-2009, 04:36 PM

I have a Honda fit, awesome mpg and can fit 2-1X15" cabs and three basses no problem.

or this....

MatticusMania · #15 07-20-2009, 04:41 PM

I fit my 4x10, R1000, pedalboard, PA head, and synth in my backseat while the trunk takes up 2-15s and all stands plus my backpacks of my Hyundai Sonata, though I mostly leave the 4x10 at home now, fitting everything but the 15s in the trunk. The 15s take up 2of3 spaces in the backseat.

TrooperFarva · #16 07-20-2009, 05:12 PM

My latest vehicle

No problems moving any gear. Plus it's got a Class IV Hitch, which will come in handy if I ever tour.

Metaltronix · #17 07-20-2009, 05:21 PM

The perfect vehicle for moving Bass gear is someone elses vehicle.

hover · #18 07-20-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

need a hard lockable tonneau to make it worth a damn in the rain or for security....

tplyons · #19 07-20-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

need a hard lockable tonneau to make it worth a damn in the rain or for security....

One of the reasons I didn't replace my El Camino with another pickup.

Sonicfrog · #20 07-20-2009, 05:30 PM

Murphy, The 1987 $500 Turbo Wagon!!!!!

Holds everything, has 4 wheel drive on the fly, and it's paid for! Will have a picture soon. Meanwhile.....

There are always Good Ol' Subaru Brats!!!!!!