small cars with the necessary cargo space?

[jonathan_matos5]

what make and model do you guys drive?
I totaled my car and now am in the find a replacement before i have to surrender the rental time.

whats the best bang for your buck high fuel economy car?
my price range is ~$18000 so 2012-13 model year is fine. just looking for some info. needs to fit that 4x10 i've been gassing for. and possibly a keyboard and some random brass instruments. i don't ever play them all at the same gig but it would be nice to have the space for it all with the back seat folded down.

thanks

 

[Dan B]

Nissan Cube?

 

[atomicdog]

I hope that 4X10 is a light-weight neodymium, just for the sake of your back. Just but a truck or van. Not worth the hassle squeezing a big amp and guitar cases and whatnot into a Focus or a Golf or any compact of mid-size vehicle. If I could do whatever I want, I'd buy a Nissan Frontier or a Toyota Tacoma (one of the older smaller models) and throw a camper shell on it. Easy in, easy out.

 

[Schlyder]

PT Cruiser

 

[jonathan_matos5]

Nissan Cube?

maybe, im not sure if i can get used to the weird look I will take a closer look though.

 

[lowfreq33]

The Honda Fit has an amazing amount of space for a compact car. If you can find a Subaru Outback or Pontiac Aztek those have a lot of space too.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

Dodge caliber.

With one side of the back seat folded down (larger side) I have fit:
1X15 combo bass amp
1X12 combo
4X10 guitar cab
3 guitars in hard cases (one was an acoustic guitar)
2 guitars in soft cases
Cymbals
Large peavy amp head
And 3 people besides me, the driver.

All at the same time. The drum kit sans-cymbals and mic stands were in a smaller car.

Huge amount of trunk space and gets about 30m/g highway.

 

[ficalini]

2005 - present Mustang
My 06 can cary my:
Ampeg 4x10
2 basses ( 1 with HS case, 1 gig bag)
1 guitar (gig bag)
Pedal boards
1 tenor sax
A backpack or 2

 

[darius8]

There's quite a few threads on this subject but 3 small cars come to mind under $18k with over 35 mpg: Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris. There's the Kia Soul, Mazda 3 hatchback, and the Suzuki Sportsback too.

I personally just landed a new Subaru Forester.

 

[Icey101]

wagon like subaru forrestor or the other subaru wagon thing

vw cabby van?

 

[FREAKYSTLYEY]

VW JETTA TDI, while the trunk is huge.. I cannot put my4x10through the opening, it's not wide enough, but it fits in back seat plus 40+mpg

Or try a VW GOLF TDI

 

[fretlessguy]

2009 Chevrolet HHR. I can fold down the rear seats to open quite a bit of space for a small vehicle. It's like a cross between a wagon and a small truck. Also doubles as a great family and camping vehicle.

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[Joe Nerve]

I get a Bergantino NV610 in the back of this car:

Fits like a glove.

A tape measure and some cabinet research go a long way. The Bergantinos were (if I remember correctly) more than an inch thinner than most other cabs, making it possible for me to fit it in the trunk. I wanted to get as many speakers in there as possible, with the ability to conceal it so I wouldn't have to unload at 4 in the morning after a gig.

Harke cabinets were thinner than most also. And then of course there are all those micro cabs, but in my experience they're harder to haul around than the Berg. Need a handtruck if you've got more than one cab (which I need with a micro), and they both don't even fit in the trunk. Plus there's no comparison in sound. A GK 1X15 + 210 micro sounded like a toy in comparison to the Berg.

Anyhow... thin cabs, and go car shopping with a tape measure. I can park in lots of places most people can't.

 

[Etienned]

3 doors toyota echo :
Bass in hsc
Double bass
212 cab
Amp
Stand
Backpacks with various stuff

I even have some room left for a cup of coffee. No passenger tho'

 

[DwaynieAD]

honda element 4wd... things are amazing. hated them til i rode around in my buddies at my old job. or a mazda 3 hatchback they have as much room as a grand cherokee in the back.

 

[MrLenny1]

2005 Toyota Rav4
Plenty of room for gear, or 4 people.
Avg. 26 MPG.

 

[Jim Nazium]

The Honda Fit has an amazing amount of space for a compact car.

+1
If the criteria are cargo space and fuel economy, I don't think you can beat the Fit.

For something a little more performace-oriented, there's the VW GTI. Plenty of cargo room, and probably gets decent mileage - if you can resist the temptation to spool up the turbo at every opportunity, which I can't

 

[turbo chicken]

Hatchback of some type where the back seats can lay down. Most have already been mentioned.

 

[wango55]

Check the new Subaru Impreza (5 Door). I had an 07' and with the rear seats folded down, could carry an impressive amount of cargo. With the seats up, I easily fit my 2x10 Combo, two basses, and a few other necessary equipment bags. I used it regularly to carry my hockey bag, and to go camping with no problem fitting stuff. The new imprezas have better gas mileage too...I believe they get close to 35 mpg highway now.

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

The Jetta TDI comes in a station wagon but it might be over your budget unless you find a used one. The Honda Element is cool but they don't make them anymore. Everyone I know who has one loves it and wants to keep it forever as they can't replace them with a new one now.