Small cars that will carry an upright

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [DB]' started by fdeck, Feb 16, 2006.

  1. fdeck

    fdeck Supporting Member Commercial User

    Mar 20, 2004
    Madison WI
    HPF Technology LLC
    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?
     
  2. 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.
     
  3. Freddels

    Freddels Musical Anarchist

    Apr 7, 2005
    Sutton, MA
    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.
     
  4. Charles Shores

    Charles Shores Commercial User

    Jul 26, 2005
    My 7/8ths Shen fits in a Camry.

    Chad
     
  5. Freddels

    Freddels Musical Anarchist

    Apr 7, 2005
    Sutton, MA
    Where? In the trunk with the seats down or in the front seat reclined?
     
  6. christ andronis

    christ andronis

    Nov 14, 2001
    Chicago
    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.
     
  7. fdeck

    fdeck Supporting Member Commercial User

    Mar 20, 2004
    Madison WI
    HPF Technology LLC
    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 :crying:

    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.
     
  8. Freddels

    Freddels Musical Anarchist

    Apr 7, 2005
    Sutton, MA
    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!
     
  9. fdeck

    fdeck Supporting Member Commercial User

    Mar 20, 2004
    Madison WI
    HPF Technology LLC
    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.
     
  10. Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    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.
     
  11. fdeck

    fdeck Supporting Member Commercial User

    Mar 20, 2004
    Madison WI
    HPF Technology LLC
    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.
     
  12. Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    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.
     
  13. Here are some pictures of my Toyota Corolla:

    No Bass On Board

    [​IMG]

    Bass On Board

    [​IMG]

    :)

    - Wil
     
  14. Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    '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.
     
  15. christ andronis

    christ andronis

    Nov 14, 2001
    Chicago
    That's exactly how I do it now with my Echo sedan......:hyper:
     
  16. Marcus Johnson

    Marcus Johnson

    Nov 28, 2001
    Maui
    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.
     
  17. mcnaire2004

    mcnaire2004

    Jan 17, 2006
    everywhere
    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.
     
  18. GirlBass

    GirlBass Guest

    Jul 31, 2005
    New York
    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!
     
  19. enyapj18

    enyapj18 Guest

    Jul 23, 2005
    Asheville, NC
    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
     
  20. Charles Shores

    Charles Shores Commercial User

    Jul 26, 2005
    Front w seat reclined.

    Chad