What small - mid size car is friendly to transporting gear?

[dcr]

Toyota Matrix.

I just unloaded my Epi UL2-610, rack rig, Markbass SD800 rack, big gigbag, ice chest, and wireless rack a few minutes ago. Took the double bag with two basses out directly after Saturday's gig. Room left for at least the monitor rack and a few cable bags, but put those in the trailer.



dcr

 

[walker rosewood]

I imagine that big ass dodge hatchback would haul a lot of gear... what was it, magma? Magnum, that's it.

A nice pick up truck works well too. I've always dreamed of having a nice mid-size pick up with a sleek cap, line the whole bed with carpet and some nifty lighting, maybe a motorized lift gate. But that was back when I was lugging drums around too, and gas was cheaper.

 

[cyprus]

Toyota Celica! Just fold the back seats down and you have absolutely tons of room.

I fit my Mesa diesel 4x10, my guitarist's Leave XXX 4x12 cab, a Valveking head, my bass in a hardshell case, guitar in a gig bag, Boss GT-6 floor pedal, my bag with my amp and all my stuff.

And it gets like 30 mpg average.

 

[sonic assassin]

pontiac vibe/toyota matrix.

i fit an entire drum kit in the back and sat me and a passenger comfortably.

often times all the amps, guitars and pedalboards while fitting me and 2 passengers no problem

36 mpg. you can do a lot worse.

 

[sonic assassin]

I had a Scion xB (the box) and it could be loaded with several amps, cabs and guitars because the back seats folded down "flat".

my vibe was fold flat. and they were flat. i could sleep back there no issue.

 

[bstringkyle]

The Nissan versa has plenty of room and gets good gas mileage.

 

[mindbass]

I drive a Porsche 944 and it's big enough for an amp, 4x 10 and two basses.

 

[Rockmusician]

I have been able to get a 310 and a 115 in Camry and an Accord. The Mini Cooper actually has a lot more space in it than it looks. I have a friend who has one and can fit two cabs, his head and bass.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Another vote for a VW here. Jetta wagons are awesome. Even the regular jetta model works well with the seats folded down. Two cabs, a head cab, pedal board bag and a bass case with room to spare. Plus they're fun to drive.

 

[chokeslam512]

Subaru. Next question.

 

[BuffaloBass]

Guitar player has a Mazda 3 hatchback, and his wife a PT cruiser. Both are AWESOME! I'd buy the Mazda, not a used PT!

 

[rtslinger]

My Subaru outback is perfect if I need to haul my gear myself

 

[ACB0015]

It's fun to realize that like me, a lot of bassists are car fans, too.
My sled is a 2001 VW New Beetle and I can get a large 3/4 size upright in it without even putting the back seats down. With the seats down, you could fit lots of gear in there, though I probably wouldn't try to put a 4X10 in with my upright. The gas mileage is not the best, but reasonable, and hella fun to drive with its 1.8L turbocharged engine and 5 speed manual transmission.

 

[the yeti]

It's fun to realize that like me, a lot of bassists are car fans, too.
My sled is a 2001 VW New Beetle and I can get a large 3/4 size upright in it without even putting the back seats down. With the seats down, you could fit lots of gear in there, though I probably wouldn't try to put a 4X10 in with my upright. The gas mileage is not the best, but reasonable, and hella fun to drive with its 1.8L turbocharged engine and 5 speed manual transmission.

i think that's harder to believe than all the gear i stuff in my wife's mini. not saying i don't believe you, just that i'm shocked. i don't think my upright would even fit through the door.

 

[sporter323]

In a pinch, can I haul a Barker Bass (70 inches tall) in a mini? I saw a posting where an upright Kay will fit so....any thoughts...experience? With amp?

 

[JohnMCA72]

I used to get an amazing collection of large gear into a Fiat 124 coupe way back when. It was like assembling a Chinese puzzle.

Now I drive a Chevy HHR, & I can easily get 2 Acoustic 301 cabinets (seldom need more than 1), plus everything else I need, & even a passenger.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I need a new car and I drive 30k miles a year just for work, so I need something on the smaller side to get better gas mileage. Are there any small or medium cars out there that I could get a 4x10 in the trunk or hatchback?

Didn't know people drive as much as me!

In January I got a Honda Accord Crosstour as my work / haulin upright bass / electric bass gear car. Its pretty comfortable for cruisin... I am at 19K and got it the end of January...

If you are looking for a new car, go to a dealer and ask if they have any "Unwinds"

 

[blindrabbit]

Can't go wrong with a VW. I love my Rabbit aka Golf (wish it was a GTI though) and can fit huge amounts of stuff into it, seats up or down. That said, the Jetta/Golf wagons are amazing - I've got CAS for one of them in a TDI (diesel) - and the Tiguan is also a fantastic option worth looking into.

 

[vin*tone]

A Subaru hatch?

Wish I had one.

I do.

Recommended.

 

[Lobster11]

The Honda Fit can't be beat in terms of amount of cargo space relative to overall car size. In addition to the "magic seats," the car/roof is a little taller than other small cars, giving you more vertical storage space (and lots of headroom in the front as well). In addition, the roof line doesn't fall off toward the rear nearly as much as most small hatchbacks, which not only gives you more vertical room all the way in the rear but, importantly, gives you an unusually large opening when you open the hatch. Nothing more frustrating than having enough cargo room to accommodate a large, bulky object, but you can't get it inside!

Add to this that it has the reliability of a Honda, good gas mileage (I consistently get 35 mpg), a small enough footprint to get into the tiniest parking spots, and a very reasonable price tag (i.e., less expensive than a Civic), and you've got yourself a miracle car. I bought mine a little less than a year ago and love it.