Favorite Gig Vehicle

[nutdog]

Will transport 10 people and all their gear and look good doing it.

 

[Kmay]

Hatchbacks or small SUVs, depending on how much gear you have, are the best, depending on your daily driving, weather, and band needs.

Don't be afraid to try loading the car when you shop - obviously call ahead and agree on a slow time to as not to #$%& off the dealer. I can fit my bass, 2x12 cab, head, 5 piece drum kit with hardware, and drummer with me in my Hyundai Elantra hatchback. Sharing rides saves on gas, and makes the drive to the gig more enjoyable.

In my group we all make a f'n killing playing out so we can afford to drive separate vehicles. Lmao!

For sure helps save the green and for late nights you can swap up driving.

 

[Argassab]

Full size station wagon can fit a 410 & bass without folding the back seats. Half the consumption of an suv.

 

[neurotictim]

I currently drive a Cadillac STS-V, which I bought after it was time to move on/move up from the CTS I had. Neither of these cars are good for much in the way of carrying gear, especially with subwoofers in the trunk, which is why my cab usually rides with my guitarist. Minivan with removable seats ftw.

However, prior to becoming a Cadillac fanboy, I had a Dodge Magnum. 2.7L V6 got about 25mpg on average, it was a very low-maintenance car, and a veritable tank to boot. Fold the seats down and you've got space for just about anything, plus it's a sharp looking car. They're going for very good prices now, if you can find one in good condition that's what I'd jump on.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Has nothing to do with the $$$. Driving alone can be boring compared to talking with someone, loadin and loadouts are easier, and as you said, you can swap the driving. I try not to make the transport a job.

 

[SteveHeissner]

They get that good?
Wow! I thought I read since it was AWD it got low 20's.

Yes, mine can get better than 29 mpg in the summer but only if 1) it's all highway miles and 2) I over inflate the tires to around 40 psi. The oxygenated fuel mix in winter drops the gas mileage by about 2 mpg. At least in the mid Atlantic area where I live in the U.S.

 

[Rattfink]

2010 Tahoe, almost as good as a van, but has 4 wheel drive

 

[Kmay]

Has nothing to do with the $$$. Driving alone can be boring compared to talking with someone, loadin and loadouts are easier, and as you said, you can swap the driving. I try not to make the transport a job.

I agree. I hate riding alone. Especially long trips. Plus, you can always flip a coin on DD. Lol!

 

[ChefKen]

I spend too much time on the road and enjoy driving too much for a Subaru....My wife drove an Outback the past 4 years so I know em. Give me my BMW x3. Tons of room. All wheel drive. Decent gas mileage. Drives like a BMW. I have mine up to 130K and it runs perfectly....Brakes and tires: thats it. Just find a non BMW dealer mechanic to handle what needs to be done.

 

[Lobster11]

FWIW: I can't remember what the official EPA estimate was for my 2010 Fit, but in real life I average about 35 mpg over a combination of city and highway driving.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Ram 1500 with hard bed cover. For out of town, I can hook up my 25' travel trailer and have all the comforts of home.

 

[EmptyCup]

SteveHeissner, that is one cool looking dog! Mine loves to ride with me but I don't think he would wear the sunglasses

 

[strictlybass_ic]

Kia Sportage (2010+ version). I bought it before I got into bass but it's got enough room to cover me anda guitarist. Now that I've trimmed down to 2x210 cabs I can get a lot of incidentals in there as well (lights, PA gear, etc). There are more spacious vehicles but it's surefooted in the snow and good on gas for an SUV. I am about to pay it off and intend to drive it until the wheels fall off.

I will second the Honda Fit mention earlier. I just barely talked myself out of getting one and wonder if I was right to do so. Those things have an incredible amount of storage in them, get good gas mileage, and are decent cars all around.

 

[billgoodwin]

Toyota Matrix....can get all my usual gig gear (2 basses, gear bag, Acoustic 370 head / 106 cab, the wifes 2 guitars, combo amp, gear bag, couple mic stands, other asst. crap) nice & neat.

 

[Adam Johnson]

I drive a 2000 4 door explorer, rear seats pretty much forever folded flat. 16/20 mpg- not great but considering it hauls bass gear, DB, and entire PA, bikes in the back or on the rack, I camp in the back, and it goes anywhere I want it to (small lift on 33"s) it's a pretty useful vehicle for my needs. 195,000 miles on it and going strong!

 

[Toolmybass]

Here is what I carry my gear (and the singers guitars/amp+p.a) to gigs!

 

[BobbyLeeP]

I have my E-150 the other members have minivan, Honda CRV (I think), Journey and an F150. We do have a friends straight truck that we can use.

 

[neal davis]

I drive a volvo v70 and it is great for my doubling gigs with an upright, 2 electrics and two rigs. I can still drop my daughter off and leave the car seat in. We are expecting another child so eventually I will be getting a van of some sort (much to my chigrin) so I don't need to either take the car seats out each time I'm going to a gig or double back and get my equipment.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Loving my Kia Soul. JBL 1x10 PA cabs 3 basses 3x10 cab Mesa head spare head stands lights ... my fiance in the passenger seat. 30 mpg...

 

[1954bassman]

After years of pulling a trailer with a large Ford van, my wife and I bought a used Chevy suburban. Doesn't get great gas mileage but we can get all our equipment in it and four people. We are a bluegrass gospel band so we have no amp but we do have three guitars two mandolins,a fiddle, electric bass , a banjo, And our PA.